OBLIGATORY, CONDITIONAL & ESSENTIAL ACTS OF HAJJ  

Q.1: How many things, acts are compulsory for Hajj?  

1. There are ten "Faraa-id" (obligatory,compulsory acts) in Hajj:  

(1)."Ehraam". It is a "Shart" (condition) for Hajj, (2) "Wuqoof-e-'Arafah" (stay at 'Arafaat), (3).  "Tawaaf-e-Ziyarah" ("Tawaaf' [circumambulation of Ka'bah] of visit). One must perform at least  four circuits out of seven circuits round the Ka'bah. These items (No.2 & 3) are considered to be  obligatory acts. (4) Making intention for circumambulation, (5) Maintenance of serial order i.e.  first to put on Ehraam then stay at 'Arafaat and thereafter Tawaaf of visit, (6). Observance of  every obligatory act on the appointed time i.e. to stay at 'Arafaat during the time from meridian  on the 9th Zilhij and before the dawn of the 10th of Zilhij and then to perform circuits round the  Ka'bah. Its time begins after the stay at 'Arafaat till one's last age. (7) To stay within the limits of  'Arafaat, (8) Circumambulation of Ka'bah within the prcincts of "Masjidul Haraam" (the grand  mosque round the Ka'bah), (9) To perform circumambulation of Ka'bah at its appointed time and  (10) To avoid sexual intercourse before "Wuqoof (stay at 'Arafaat).  

If any of these obligatory acts is left out, Hajj will not be valid.  

Q.2: How many "Waajibaat" are there in Hajj?  

1. The following are the "Waajibaat" (essential acts) of Hajj:  

(1). Putting on "Ehraam" (seamless clothing) at "Meeqaat" (appointed spots,places for donning  Ehraam), (2). "Sa'ee" (march between two hillocks i.e. "Safaa" and "Marwah"), (3). To start  Sa'ee from Safaa, (4). Performance of Sa'ee on foot if one is able-bodied, (5). the one who stays  at 'Arafaat in the day should wait there till the sunset, (6). to observe Sa'ee after performing at  least four circuits round the Ka'bah, (7). stay at 'Arafaat should cover some part of night, (8). to  proceed with Imaam on leaving 'Arafaat, (9). Stay in "Muzdalifah", (10). To offer Maghrib and  'Ishaa prayers at the time of "Ishaa prayer in Muzdalifah, (11). To observe "Ramee" (throwing  pebbles). On 10th Zilhij, pebbles are thrown on "Jamra-tul-'Uqubah" only and on 11th and 12th  Zilhij are thrown on all three "Jamrahs" (symbolic Satans), (12). To observe Ramee of Jamra-tul- 'Uqubah on first day before "Halaq" (shaving the head), (13).to observe each Ramee on its  appointed day,-(14). "Halaq" (shaving the whole head) or "Taqseer" (cropping the hair), (15). To  carry out Halaq or Taqseer during "Aieyaam-e-Nahr" (the days of sacrifice), (16). These acts be  done on the land of "Haram" (holy Makkah), (17). The performer of "Qiraan" and "Tamattu"  Hajj must sacrifice animal, (18). Animal be slaughtered on the land of Haram, (19). During  Aieyaam-e-Nahr, before Halaq and after Ramee, (20). Most of circuits of Tawaaf-e-Ziyarah be  performed during Aieyaam-e-Nahr, (21). Tawaaf be done outside the "Hateem" (a bow-like low  wall near Ka'bah), (22). Having the Ka'bah on one's left, (23).to perform Tawaaf on foot if one is  able-bodied, (24).to be free from impurity and be in the state of "Wudu" (ablution), (25). To  observe "Satre-e-Aurat" (covering from navel to knee) during Tawaaf, (26). To offer two Rak'at  prayer after Tawaaf, (27). To maintain serial order in the observance of Ramee, Jimaar, sacrifice  and Halaq and in the performance of Tawaaf, (28). Haaji who lives outside the "Meeqaat" must  perform farewell Tawaaf, (29). To eschew sexual intercourse till the shaving of the head after  Wuqoof-e-'Arafah, and (30). To avoid the acts which are forbidden in the state of Ehraam like  putting on sewn cloth(s) or covering the face or the head. 

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Q.3: What are the Sunun (Sunnat acts) of Hajj?  

3 A. The following are the Sunnat acts of Hajj:  

(1). "Tawaaf-ul-Qudoom" (an optional "Tawaaf" which pilgrims perform immediately after  arriving in Makkah), (2). To commence Tawaaf from "Hajar-e-Aswad" (black stone embedded  in the wall of Ka'bah), (3). To observe "Ramal" (brisk marching) in Tawaaf-ul-Qudoom or  Tawaaf-ul-Fard, (4). To march quickly between two green spots during observance of "Sa'ee"  (march between Safaa and Marwah), (5). Imaam is required to deliver sermon in Makkah on 7th  Zilhij, (6). in 'Arafaat on 9th and (7). in Minaa on 11th, (8).to proceed from Makkah to Minaa  after Fajr prayer of 8th Zilhij so that five obligatory prayers could be offered there, (9). Spend  the whole night of 9th Zilhij in Minaa, (10). to proceed from Minaa to Arafaat after the sunrise,  (11).take bath for Wuqoof-e-'Arafah, (12). To stay in Muzdalifa at night on return from 'Arafaat,  (13). Leave Muzdalifa for Minaa before the sunrise, (14). to spend the remaining two nights  which follow the nights of 10th and 11th in Minaa and (15). "Ibtah" i.e. to dismount and halt  even for a short while in the valley of Muhassab on way to Makkah from Minaa.  

Q.4: How many conditions are there for Hajj's being due?  

1. There are eight conditions for Hajj's being due. Hajj will not become "Fard" (obligatory) on  one to perform unless these conditions are found:  

(1). To be Muslim, (2). if one is the subject of "Daarul Harb" (non-Muslim country), he must  know of Hajj's being one of the pillars of Islaam, (3). to be mature. If a minor performs Hajj it  will be "Nafil" Hajj not "Fard" one, (4). to be sane. Hajj is not incumbent on insane person, (5).  to be free. Slave and girl-slave are not required to perform Hajj, (6). to be physically fit and  sighted. Hajj is not due on a cripple, paralysed and an old who can not mount the riding-beast or  conveyance himself, (7). to be in possession of sufficient provision for journey and riding-beast  or conveyance. If he does not have his own conveyance then he should have sufficient money to  meet the conveyance/travel expenses and (8). all the conditions are found in the months of Hajj.  

Q.5: What are the conditions of performing Hajj?  

1. The conditions which, if found all, bind one to perform Hajj by himself otherwise he is not  bound to go himself for Hajj, but can send someone else to perform Hajj on his behalf are:  (1).The way (on to Makkah) should be safe and secure i.e. not infested with robbers and  gangsters, (2). if the holy Makkah is situated at a distance of three or more days' journey  (meaning normal walking on foot) from the residence of a woman who intends to perform Hajj  then she must, irrespective of being young or old, accompany her husband or "Mahram" (those  relatives to whom she can not be married like son, brother, father-in-law, son-in-law etc), (3).she  should not be in "Iddat" (probationary period for a widow or divorcee), (4). He should not be in  prison. If it is so because of some claim,due and he is able to pay off it then it is no excuse. But  in case, the king,ruler withholds from proceeding for Hajj then it is an excuse in reality.  

Q.6: How many conditions are there which make Hajj due?  

1. There are nine conditions which, if found, make Hajj due otherwise not: (1). Islaam (to be  Muslim), (2). Ehraam, (3). the due time of Hajj, (4). "Makaan" (appointed place,station) i.e.  Masjidul Haraam for Tawaaf, 'Arafaat and Muzdalifa for Wuqoof, Minaa for Ramee, Haram for  sacrifice meaning each and every rite and ceremony of Hajj is to be observed at the place,station  appointed for it, (5). Sense of distinction, (6) sanity. A child who does not possess sense of  distinction and mad man who is bereft of sanity can not perform the rites for which "Niyat"  (intention) is must like "Ehraam" or "Tawaaf. So somebody else should make intention on their  behalf and as for the rites which do not need "Niyat" like Wuqoof-e-'Arafah they can observe  themselves, (7). fulfillment of obligatory act of Hajj unless there is any disability or excuse, (8). 

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non-occurance of sexual intercourse after putting on Ehraam and prior to Wuqoof. If done, Hajj  will be invalidated and (9). performance of Hajj in the same year one adopted Ehraam.  

Q.7: How many conditions of performing obligatory Hajj are there?  

1. There are nine conditions for one to perform "Hajj-e-Fard" (obligatory Hajj): (1). Islaam, (2).  to remain adhered to the Islamic faith till death, (3). To be sane, (4). mature, (5). free, (6). to  perform Hajj by oneself, if physically fit, (7). not to form "Niyat" of Nafil Hajj, (8).not to make  intention of performing Hajj on someone else's behalf and (9). Not to spoil it (one's Hajj). For  details, voluminous books on the subject or religious scholars may be consulted.  

Q.8: How many modes of performing Hajj are there?  

1. There are three kinds of Hajj: (1). If one performs Hajj only and does not join "Umrah" (lesser  Hajj) with it, it is called "Ifraad". The pilgrim who performs it is called "Mufarid", (2). If one  puts on Ehraam with the intention of 'Umrah alone at "Meeqaat" and after having observed rites  and ceremonies of 'Umrah puts it off and redons it for the second time in Makkah for Hajj, it is  called "Tamattu". The pilgrim who performs it is called "Mutamata'a" and (3). If one adopts  Ehraam with the intention of Hajj and 'Umrah at his homeland during the Hajj time and performs  Hajj and 'Umrah in the same state of Ehraam, it is called "Qiraan". This is the best kind,mode of  Hajj. The pilgrim who performs it is called "Qaarin".  

Q.9: What is 'Umrah?  

1. The combination of the observance of Tawaaf of the House of Allah(Holy Ka'bah) and Sa'ee  between Safaa and Marwah is called 'Umrah (lesser Hajj). There is no time fixed for 'Umrah. It  can be performed any time round the year unlike Hajj.  

Q.10: What is Ash-hur-e-Hajj?  

1. The months of Shawwaal and Zee-qa'd and the first ten days of Zilhij are called "Ash-hur-e Hajj".