Chirag-e-Deen-e-Nabavi -- Performing Haj

Order of Performing Haj

Allah says:-

(S2-A125) Remember We made the House a place of assembly for men and a place of safety.

Allah says:-

(S3-A97) In obedience to Allah’s command to visit Khana-e-K'aba for performing Haj
is obligatory for those who can afford the journey.

This verse of the holy Quran was sent to the Prophet, during the ninth year of Hijrah (Migration to Madina from Makkah) after the days of Haj were over. Therefore Hzt. Nabi Kareem Sal'am performed Haj during the tenth year. (Ghayatul Autar)

Making circuits (tawaf) of the holy K'aba along with other tenets (Arakan) of Haj once in life time is obligatory for every muslim male and female who is sane, matured and capable of going over there. One who denies it, is an infidel (Kafer) and one who leaves it intentionally inspite of having capacity is a great sinner (Fasiq). (Ghayatul Autar)

Performing Haj with unlawful income or money earned from bribe, theft or by interest is prohibited (Haram). One who wishes to perform Haj should earn money lawfully (Halal). (Ghayatul Autar)

Without permission of the person from whom it is to be taken such as needy parents and wife and in the same way from all relatives whose maintenance is obligatory, performance of Haj is undesirable (Makrooh). (Ghayatul Autar)

Haj is not obligatory on sick and paraphlegic, a person whose both legs are cut, old people who cannot keep their balance on a camel and a blind person, although he gets a person to guide him by catching hold of his hand. (Ghayatul Autar)

The period of menses of the women will not at all cause any hindrance in the activities of Haj, except circumbulation of the Holy K'aba, since it is performed in the Masjid-ul-Haram and entrance of women in menses period in the mosque is not permissible. (Ghayatul Autar, Noorul Hadaya)

If anybody performes more than one Haj that is Nafil. (Ghayatul Autar, Noorul Hadaya)

If a minor performs Haj, it is obligatory for him to perform it again (if he is Sahab-e-Nisab) after he is matured. Because maturity is a compulsory condition for performance of Haj. (Noorul Hadaya)

Allah says:-

(S2-A197) For Haj are the months well known.

It is narrated in Bukhari Shareef by Ibne ‘Omer Raz. that these particular months for Haj are “Shawal, Ziqada and 10 days in Zilhaja. (Bukhari Shareef, Noorul Hadaya)

Hadees Shareef:- It is narrated in Hadees Shareef in Sunane Abu Dawood——

One who resolves to perform Haj, should do it hastily.

In another Hadees Shareef it is said, “make haste in performance of Haj, because no body knows what is going to happen to him in future”.

In Jamae Tirmizi it is narrated by Hzt. Ali Raz. that Hzt. Nabi Kareem Sal'am said

Hadees Shareef
One who possesses enough food and means of carrying him to Holy Makkah and does not
perform Haj, there is no difference if he dies a Christian or a Jew.

Hadees Shareef:-

Hadees Shareef
Hzt. Rasool Kareem Sal'am said, one who has no hurdle to perform Haj, such as worldly needs
or cruel ruler or preventive desease and dies with out performing Haj, it does not matter if he
dies as a Jew or a Christian. (Tirmizi)

One should perform Haj Cheerfully and adopt piety and be pious, spend time in remembering Allah, and glorify Him, avoid impoliteness and annoyance, be sober and helpful and tolerate people's rude and impolite behaviour. (Alamgiri, Ghayatul Autar)

It is narrated from Hzt. Ans Raz. that Rasoolullah Sal'am said, one who dies while travelling towards Makkah or returning from there, the great Allah would forgive all his previous sins he would neither be asked to account for his deeds nor his virtues and vices would be weighted. He would be directly sent to paradise without any account of his deeds and with out any punishment. He would be given benefits and virtues of Haj till the day of judgement.

Hadees Shareef:-

The greatest sinner is one who stays at Arfat (On the day of Arfa) and is suspicious that Allah
has not forgiven him.

In Saheehain, it is narrated from Abu Hurraira Raz. that Hzt. Nabi Kareem Sal'am said the man who performed Haj for the sake of Allah, did not talk to woman about his desires and did not abuse or quarrel with his companions, would be purified and become as innocent as he was at the time of his birth.

Allah says:-

(S2-A197) "Let there be no obscenity therein, nor wrong in the Haj. And what ever good you do
(be save) Allah Knoweth it. And take provisions (with you) for the journey. But the best of the
provisions is right conduct. So fear Me o ye that are wise."

Hzt. Nabi Kareem Sal'am said that offering one prayer in Holy Makkah is equal to one lakh prayers and offering one prayer in Masjid-e-Nabavi is equivalent to fifty thousand prayers else where. (Noorul Hudaya)

Condition for Performing Haj

The Muslim performing Haj, should be a free man, wise, matured healthy, having enough money for to and fro expenses, After making arrangement for maintanence of his family till he comes back home, passage should be peaceful, and should know the exact date, time and have knowledge about this Farz. (obligatory action). (Ghayatul Autar, Jameur rumoose)

For a woman, husband or any close relation (Mahram) from whom she need not observe pardah, wise and virtuous should accompany her for performing Haj. With out whom (Mahram) Haj is not correct. But according to Imam Shafai Rah. a woman can perform Haj without Mahram, when she is accompanying a caravan where good and trust worthy women are also travelling on pilgrimage. (Noorul Hadaya)

If a woman performs Haj without Mahram, it is accepted with dislike to the point of being forbidden (Karahiyat-e-Tahreemi). (Ghayatul Autar)

In Muslim and Abu Dawood a Hadees Shareef is narrated that, Hzt. Rasool-e-Khuda Sal'am said that it is not permitted for the woman with perfect faith to travel 3, halts or more, without company of her father, brother or son or a Mahram (Permitted relative). (Ghayatul Autar)

Obligatory acts of Haj (Faraiz Haj)

1. Putting on pilgrim robe (Ahram).⁽¹⁾
2. Staying in Arafat.
3. Making circuits of the Holy Kabah (Tawaf). (Ghayatul Autar)

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(1) The place at which the pilgrim robe (Ahram) is to be worn is called Meequat. It is narrated in Saheyen (Books of Hadiths) that Anhazrath Sal’am had prescribed the Meequat for the people of Madeena, zul-halefah and for the residents of Syriah, Hajfah and for Najad Qran and for yamanies (For Indian also) yelmalam is the place for wearing Ahram Proceeding further from these places without Ahram (for Haj) is prohibited (Haram). Wearing of Ahram before reaching these places is permissible. These places are notified for the people who pass through these places. The people who do not pass through these places may wear Ahram from any place. Thus the residents of Makkah wear Ahram at Mecca only. Hzt. Ibne Abbas used to return the people who pass through these places without Ahram. In Ahram sewn cloth is not permitted. But tying a belt is permitted due to the need.
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Essential acts of Haj

1. Making night halt at Muzdalfa.
2. Hitting stones to Jamarat (Satan).
3. Running in between Safa and Marva (sa’ie).
4. Shaving head or dressing hair.
5. Making circuit of the Holy Kabah at the time of departing (Tawaf-ul-Sadar) departing Tawaf. (Noorul Hudaya)

Important:- The general rule to ascertain essential actions in Haj is that action which requires additional sacrifice (Dam), if left unaccomplished is an essential act of Haj. (Ghayatul Autar)

It is written in Sharh-e-Mukhtar that visiting the grave (Tomb) of Hzt. Nabi Kareem Sal'am is almost an essential act, therefore it is written in Hadees Shareef

One who visited my grave, my intercession (Shafa’t) for him is essential to me.
(Noorul Hadaya)

It is written in another Hadees Shareef:-

One who performed Haj and visited my grave after my death, it is just like visiting me in my life
time. (Noorul Hadaya)

It is traditional (Sunnah) to travel on Thursday, because Hzt. Rasool-e-Khuda Sal'am went on journey on the occasion of Hajjatul Vida, this day only. And travelling on Monday or Friday is a desirable (Mustahab) act. (Ghayatul Autar)

May Allah bless Haj (Pilgrimage to Makka), and visit to Madina Munawara, and Farah Mubarak, by His grace and Mercy to all the momineen and momenat, Amin.

Ayyame Tashreeq

The days from 9th to 13th of Zilhaj are called Ayyame Tashreeq. It means drying of meat. Since in these days the meat of sacrificed animals is dried up, hence this name is given. (Kazafi-al-Qamoos)

On the day of 'Arafa, i.e. 9th of Zilhaj after morning prayer (Fajr) to 13th of Zilhajah up to Asr prayer, after every Farz prayer the recitation of the following Takbeer is traditional (Sunnah). But there is difference of opinion in this regard. Some people say that it is traditional (Sunnah) act, but majority of the people say it is Essential (Wajib). According to Imam A'azam Rah, the period is from the Fajr prayer of 'Arafa up to Asr prayer on Eid day. In view of other Sahabin it is from Arafa, i.e. 9th Zilhajah Fajr prayer to Asr prayer of 13th of Zilhajah the reciting of the Takbeerat is ordered and there is verdict (Fatwah) on this. (Noorul Hadaya, Ghayatul Autar)

It is mandatory (Wajib) on whom the prayer is obligatory. Travellers and individual offering prayer too have to recite the Takbeerat, during the Aayam Tashreeq loudly. This is as per the religion of Sahabin Rah. Beside this there is a religious verdict (Fatwah) too in support of this. (Durra Mukhtar Kabeeri)

These Takbeerat should be recited in succession of the Farz prayer. If after salam any act is done which causes obstruction for prayer then the Takbeerat will also lapse. (Durra Mukhtar)

If the prayer to be offered in Aayam Tashreeq is offered on other days or prayers to be offered in other day is offered during the Aayam Tashreeq, then there is no need to recite Takbeerat. But if the due prayer of Aayam Tashreeq is offered in those days only then Takbeerat should be recited. (Durra Mukhtar)

Important:- For women it is not essential (Wajib) to recite Takbeerat after prayers. (Ghayatul Autar)

The Takbeerat are:-

Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, There is no lord but Allah, Allah is the greatest,
Allah is the greatest, all praise for Allah alone.

Orders of Sacrifies (Qurbani)

Allah says:-

Orders of Sacrifies (Qurbani) - (S37-A100 to 109)
(S37-A100 to 109) ‘O’ my Allah (Ibrahim AS prayed) give me a son, so We gave him happy
news of a virtuous son. When that boy grew to the age that he could follow his father, then
Ibrahim said to him (son Ismail), my dear son I had a dream that ‘I am sacrificing you (by the
order of Allah) hence you also think over and give your opinion (in this regard) He (Ismail)
replied ‘O’ Holy father, do as you have been commanded by Allah, without any hesitation;
Inshallah (Allah willing) you will find me one of the submissive. Therefore both of them obayed
willingly the orders of Allah, and the father laid his son down on the ground on one side and
wanted to cut his throat (Sacrifice him) just at that time We Called ‘Brave’ you made your
dream a reality (It was an extra ordinary sight) We do reward the sincere servants in such a
surprising manner. Infact he was put to the greatest test and came out successful. And We
sent a fat tailed ram in place of him (Ismail). (In memory of this great sacrifice offered by the
prophet, Ibrahim) (PBUH)). Thus We left this behind for the generations to come for the
honour of Ibrahim (For his sacrifice)”.

Important:- Therefore for every man and woman having taxable (Zakat) income, it is mandatory (Wajib) to sacrifice a goat, a sheep or a ram, one animal for one person. (Noorul Hadaya)

People living in city should not offer sacrifice before the Eid prayer is over. People living in villages where Eid prayer is not performed, can offer sacrifice after sun rise. (Ahsan-ul-Masail)

One camel or cow can be sacrificed by seven people. The animal for sacrifice, should be, a ram more than six months, sheep and goat more than one year and cow and ox of more than two years and camel more than five years of age, but not less than that. (Noorul Hadaya)

The animals for sacrifice should not be lame, blind, very weak, or defective, i.e. ear, tail or buttock cut more than one third is not fit for sacrifice. (Noorul Hadaya, Ghayatul Autar)

Casterated animals or the animals without horns or broken horns are permissible. An animal having no ears or no tail by birth is also permissible for sacrifice. (Noorul Hadaya)

It is traditional (Sunnah) to sacrifice the animal with one’s own hands (Tirmizi)

The Prophet Sal'am used to sacrifice with his own hands. Sacrificing on behalf of some other person is also permissible. If a woman is offering the sacrifice, it is traditional (Sunnah) for her to see the sacrifice with her eyes. “It is narrated by Imran Bin Hussain that Huzoor Anwar Sal'am while offering sacrifice for Hzt. Fatima tuz Zohra Raz. asked her to stand and see the animal being sacrificed saying that “With the first drop of the blood that flows out the sacrifice Allah will forgive all your sins”.

Sacrificing at night time or gaining benefit from the animal before sacrificing it, i.e. to milk it, riding on it, carrying load on it or giving it on hire is undesirable (Makrooh). As narrated in Masnad Imam Azam Rah. and others the people on whom sacrifice is essential, should not cut their hair and nails after sighting the Zilhaj Moon. (Narrated by Muslim).

Intent (Niyyat) for Sacrificing Animal

(Narrated by Muslim)

Intent (Niyyat) for Sacrificing Animal

Distribution of Sacrificed Animal

The meat of the sacrificed animal is to be divided into three equal shares. First part for self use, the second part for friends and relatives, and the third part for dependents on Allah and poor people.

If seven people together, offered a cow or an ox or a camel, the sacrificed flesh should be weighed and distributed among themselves equally. It is a must to make their sacrifice acceptable. If anybody is given less share, sacrifice of none will be accepted. If the sacrifice is offered by less than seven persons then this condition will not apply.

Giving skin or flesh of the animal to the butcher in wages is not correct. But giving the skin in charity or selling it and spending the amount in charitable deeds is preferable or making socks or leather coat or table cloth or other similar items is also permitted.