A Comprehensive Guide for Pilgrims

Are you going on the blessed journey to perform Hajj this year? Hajj is undoubtedly one of the most significant experiences of a Muslim’s life. Therefore, to make the most of your Hajj journey, you should know the basic details and information about Hajj. Many Muslims are unaware that there are different types of Hajj, and in this blog, we will discuss all the types in great detail.

Types of Hajj

Before you set off on your journey, decide which Hajj you want to perform. The way a Muslim can perform Hajj and the necessary regulations differ by where the pilgrim lives, whether or not they wish to perform Umrah along with Hajj, and whether or not they wish to perform an animal sacrifice.

There are four types of Hajj:

• Hajj al-Ifrad
• Hajj al-Qiran
• Hajj al-Tamattu
• Hajj al-Badal

Let’s see each type in detail:

Hajj al-Ifrad

Hajj al-Ifrad, or simply the isolated Hajj,is when a pilgrim makes the intention (niyyah) for the sole purpose of performing Hajj without performing Umrah along with it. Hajj al-Ifrad is ideal for Muslims who live near the areas of Miqat, such as Jeddah or Haram. A pilgrim who performs Hajj al-Ifrad is called Mufrid.

Ihram worn during Hajj-Ifrad is worn only to perform Hajj and not Umrah. This is the main distinction of Hajj al-Ifrad from the other types of Hajj. Moreover, a pilgrim who performs Umrah before performing the rituals of Hajj can not be referred to as Mufrid.

As a Mufrid performing Hajj al-Ifrad, you cannot leave the state of Ihram unless you’ve thrown stones at the Jamrah Al-Aqabah on the blessed days of Eid-ul-Adhaa. Moreover, it is not necessary or required of Mufrids to sacrifice animals, but you can do so if you wish to.

A step-by-step guide for Hajj al-Ifrad is as follows:

• Form the intention to perform Hajj and enter into the state of Ihram at the Miqat.
• Once you have arrived at Makkah, perform Tawaf al-Qudum.
• Then perform two rakats Salah at Maqam Ibrahim if it’s possible to do so.
• Take part in the drinking of Zamzam water.
• After Tawaf, you can either perform Sa’I right away or can choose to delay it until you have performed Tawaf al-Ziyarah.
• You must not perform Halq or Taqsir.

Hajj al-Qiran

Hajj al-Qiran, or the accompanied Hajj, is a blessing for Muslims who live far away from Masjid al-Haram, or the sacred mosque. Muslims who perform Hajj al-Qiran are referred to as Qiran. Hajj al-Qiran enables Muslims to perform Hajj and Umrah both – in a single visit.

For Hajj al-Qiran, a pilgrim enters the state of Ihram for Hajj and Umrah together, or he can also enter it to perform Umrah first. Afterward, the pilgrim makes the intention (niyyah) before the Tawaf for Hajj. The main factor that distinguishes Hajj al-Qiran from Hajj al-Ifrad is that for Hajj al-Qiran, it is obligatory to sacrifice an animal on the day of Eid-ul-Adhaa.

Moreover, for Hajj al-Qiran, a pilgrim must perform Umrah first, and then Hajj performs afterward. It is obligatory to perform Umrah and Hajj in the same Ihram for Hajj al-Qiran. Umrah, in this case, can be performed in the former month of Shawwal and Dhul-Qadah, but most pilgrims prefer to perform Umrah in the first eight days of Dhul-Hijjah, especially because this makes it easier to stay in the same Ihram for Hajj and Umrah.

A step-by-step guide for Hajj al-Qiran is as follows:

• Form the intention to perform Umrah and Hajj together and enter into the state of Ihram the Miqat.
• Once you arrive in Makkah, you will start the rites for Umrah.
• In Makkah, you will perform Tawal al-Qudum.
• Then perform two rakats Salah at Maqam Ibrahim if it’s possible to do so.
• Take part in the drinking of Zamzam water.
• After Tawaf, you can either perform Sa’I right away or can choose to delay it until you have performed Tawaf al-Ziyarah.
• The performance of these rites will be considered as the completion of Umrah.
• You must not perform Halq or Taqsir. The state of Ihram must remain intact between Umrah and Hajj and should only end on the 10^th of Dhul Hajj – Yawm al-Nahr.

Hajj al-Tamattu

Hajj al-Tamattu, meaning the joy of Hajj, is the most common and easier type of Hajj. Hajj al-Tamattu is recommended and ideal for pilgrims that travel to perform their religious duties of Umrah and Hajj from another part of the world. A Muslim who performs Hajj al-Tamattu is referred to as Mutamatti.

The word Tamattus signifies joy due to the relaxation provided to the pilgrim as the pilgrim can perform Umrah and Hajj together in the same journey without having to travel back and forth. The pilgrim, in this case, is also allowed to exit the state of Ihram after having performed Umrah and can reenter it for Hajj later.

Another distinction Hajj al-Tamattu has from Hall al-Qiran is that Hajj al-Tamattu consists of two separate intentions. First, an intention to perform Umrah is made before crossing the Miqat, whereas the intention for Hajj is made in Makkah after the Umrah has been completed.

Sacrificing animals is also obligatory for those performing Hajj al-Tamattu.

Note that the Hanafi school of thought is of the opinion that it is not recommended for residents of Makkah to perform Hajj al-Tamattu.

A step-by-step guide for Hajj al-Tamattu is as follows:

• Form the intention to perform Umrah and enter into the state of Ihram at the Miqat.
• For Hajj al-Tamattu, the Umrah must be completed during the period of Hajj of the same year before the pilgrim can begin his rites of Hajj.
• In Makkah, you will perform the rites of Umrah.
• Perform Tawaf al-Umrah.
• Perform two rakats of salah at Maqam Ibrah if possible.
• Take part in the drinking of Zamzam water.
• Then, start your journey to Safa, where you will perform Sa’i. Know that the Sa’I performed here is separate from the Sa’I you will perform during your Hajj.
• Then, perform Halq or Taqsir. For men, it is recommended to trim their hair instead of shaving them entirely, as men can shave off their hair during a stage in Hajj. Women should also trim their hair.
• This stage completes your Umrah, and you can also exit the state of Ihram.
• You will then wait for the 8^th of Dhul Hajj to begin the rites of Hajj.
• On the 8^th of Dhul Hajj, you will make a separate intention, but this time only to perform Hajj.
• You do not need to go to Miqat to enter the state of Ihram in this case.
• You will go to Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah to perform the duties and rites of Hajj.
• An animal sacrifice must also be performed.

Hajj al-Badl

Hajj al-Badl refers to the act of performing Hajj on someone else’s behalf in the case of the person you’re performing Hajj for who cannot perform it themselves. This includes people who are ill, disabled, or have passed away.

The Muslim who performs the Hajj on someone else’s behalf is known as Ma’moor, whereas the person on whose behalf you perform Hajj is known as Aamir. Hajj al-Badl, however, can only be performed on another person’s behalf once a year. Moreover, it is mandatory for anyone willing to perform Hajj al-Badl for someone once they have completed Hajj once themselves.

Hajj al-Badl can also be performed for someone deceased. Narrated Ibn Abbas:

A woman from the tribe of Juhaina came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, “My mother had vowed to perform Hajj, but she died before performing it. May I perform Hajj on my mother’s behalf?” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, “Perform Hajj on her behalf. Had there been a debt on your mother, would you have paid it or not? So, pay Allah’s debt as He has more right to be paid.” – Sahih al-Bukhari 1852

The Quran also says:

And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds. – Verse 3:97

Certain conditions must be followed before anyone is eligible to perform Hajj al-Badl. Firstly, to perform Hajj on someone else’s behalf, a person must be a mentally sound Muslim, and before entering the state of Ihram, the person must have the intention to perform Hajj on behalf of the person he is supposed to perform Hajj for.

Moreover, one can only perform Hajj for someone who is disabled, ill, or physically unable to perform Hajj once they have been authorized by the Aamir to do so. The Maimoor should also not miss any obligatory acts or actions during Hajj and perform them with pure intentions.

Women and men are both allowed to perform Hajj al-Badl. The Maimoor should begin their journey from the residence of the Aamir and perform it according to Aamir’s desires. The Aamir, however, should sponsor the Hajj and its expenses.

Hajj al-Badl is not valid under the following conditions:

• It can not be performed for two people at once.
• It can’t be performed for someone poor or financially weak as Hajj is not obligatory upon the poor.
• It is not valid if performed to earn money.
• Can not be performed if the Aamir cannot perform Hajj due to security or political reasons.

Hajj Vs. Umrah

If you do not know the difference between Hajj and Umrah, this guide will help you understand.

Hajj

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and can be traced back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). However, the rites that are performed during Hajj were laid forward by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Moreover, Hajj can only be performed once a year during the month of Dhul Hajj.

Umrah

Umrah, also known as the minor pilgrimage, is the pilgrimage to the city of Makkah and can be performed at any time of the year. When performing Umrah, Muslims are required to perform only two key rituals, which include Sa’i and Tawaf. Umrah also frees a Muslim from the sins and wrongdoings of the past.

Differences between Hajj and Umrah

The main differences between Hajj and Umrah are as follows:

• Obligation: Hajj is a way for pilgrims to earn rewards and forgiveness. However, Hajj is a duty that is obligatory upon every Muslim who is financially and physically able to perform it, whereas performing Umrah is recommended but not obligatory upon Muslims.
• Timing: Hajj and Umrah are performed during different times of the year. Hajj is performed during Dhull Hajj, whereas Umran can be performed at any time of the year.
• Obligatory duties: Hajj and Umrah have different obligatory duties. For Umrah, pilgrims must enter the state of Ihram after forming their intention to perform Umrah, perform Tawaf, carry out Sa’I, and shave or trim their hair. However, during Hajj, one must form the intention and enter into the state of Ihram before crossing the Miqat, stand on the Arafat until the sun sets, spend the night at Muzdalifah, pass the night in Mina, stone the Jamarat, shave the hair, and then perform the farewell Tawaf. Hajj and Umrah both have different obligatory duties.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Here are some common questions Muslims or pilgrims looking forward to performing Hajj find themselves asking:

Are Hajj and Umrah the same thing?

Hajj and Umrah are not the same thing. Hajj is obligatory for every Muslim who has the financial and physical means to perform it, whereas Umrah is not obligatory. Hajj is referred to as the major pilgrimage, whereas Umrah is a minor pilgrimage. They’re also performed at different times of the year and include different duties.

Which Hajj is best?

Scholars recommend Hajj al-Tamattu to be the best type of Hajj. This is because it offers an opportunity for pilgrims to perform Umrah, and after completing their Umrah, they can exit the state of Ihram, return to their regular life, and then enter the state of Ihram again with a separate intention to perform Hajj.

This is not only convenient for the pilgrim, but it offers an opportunity for the pilgrim to make the most of his/her journey, and they can also spend more of their time in the holy cities and engage in worship and supplication of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).

Which Hajj did the Prophet (ﷺ) perform?

The Prophet (ﷺ) performed Hajj al-Qiran. The type of Hajj that allows pilgrims to perform Hajj and Umrah together. However, the Prophet (ﷺ)encouraged his followers to perform Hajj al-Tamattu.

Can Hajj be performed on behalf of a dead person?

Yes, Hajj can be performed on behalf of a dead person. Narrated Ibn Abbas:

“A man said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! My father has died, and he did not perform Hajj; shall I perform Hajj on his behalf?’ He said: ‘Don’t you think that if your father owed a debt, you would pay it off?’ The man said: ‘Yes.’ He said: ‘The debt owed to Allah is more deserving (of being paid off).”‘ – Sunan an-Nasa’i

However, one must be mindful of the conditions that are required for Hajj al-Badl to be valid. For example, one can only perform Hajj al-Badl if he/she has not performed Hajj once before for themselves.

Can I perform Hajj for a family member?

You can perform Hajj on a family member’s behalf if the family member you are performing it for is ill, disabled, or deceased, only if you have performed Hajj yourself in the past. The family member also must authorize you to perform it and sponsor your expenses for Hajj.

Who can perform Hajj?

Any Muslim who is an adult of sound mind and financially and physically able to perform Hajj can perform it.

Note that Hajj is not obligatory upon children, but they can still perform it. Narrated Ibn Abbas:

“A woman lifted her child and said: Messenger of Allah, would the child be credited with having performed the Hajj? Thereupon he said: Yes, and there would be a reward for you.” – Sahih al-Muslim.

Is Hajj compulsory?

It is compulsory for every Muslim who is physically fit, financially able to afford it, and is of sound mind to perform Hajj once in his/her lifetime. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) says in the Quran:

“In it are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it shall be safe. And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds.” – Verse 3:97

However, for those who are physically unable to perform Hajj, cannot financially sponsor their journeys, and are not of sound mind, Hajj is not obligatory upon them.

Conclusion for Different Types of Hajj: A Comprehensive Guide for Pilgrims

Hajj is a pilgrimage that promises paradise and forgiveness of all of a believer’s sins and enables a Muslim to become as free of sins as the day he/she was born. Also, being one of the five pillars of Islam, the significance of Hajj can in no way be underestimated.

If you will be embarking on the blessed journey of Hajj soon, we wish you the best of luck and hope you remember to pray for the well-being and prosperity of the Muslim Ummah on your journey.