Allah the Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an: “Pilgrimage to the House (Kaaba) is a duty owed to Allah by all people who are able to undertake it.” (Surah Aal-e-Imran, verse 97). A person who performs Hajj is called a Haji.
For those who have the means, performing Umrah is Sunnah. There are two fard (obligatory) acts in Umrah:
- Entering the state of Ihram
- Performing Tawaf around the Kaaba
And two wajib (necessary) acts:
- Performing Sa’i between Safa and Marwah
- Shaving the head or trimming the hair
To perform Hajj, one must enter the state of Ihram with the intention (niyyah) for Hajj. Based on the method, Hajj is divided into three types:
1. Ifrad Hajj:
In this type, a person makes intention for only Hajj and enters Ihram accordingly. For example, a pilgrim departing from Dhaka would remain in Ihram after arriving in Makkah, perform Tawaf and Sa’i, but cannot exit Ihram until the rituals of Hajj are completed on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah.
2. Qiran Hajj:
This is performed by making a combined intention for both Hajj and Umrah in one Ihram. The pilgrim performs Umrah first, then Hajj, without exiting Ihram in between. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed this type of Hajj. Ihram is removed only after the Hajj rituals on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah.
3. Tamattu Hajj:
This involves performing Umrah first during the journey, exiting the state of Ihram, and then entering Ihram again on the 7th of Dhul Hijjah for Hajj. Most pilgrims from Bangladesh perform this type of Hajj.
For both Qiran and Tamattu Hajj, a sacrifice (Dam-e-Shukr) is wajib (obligatory). If a person is unable to offer a sacrifice, they must fast for ten days—three of which must be during the Hajj in Makkah.
Pilgrims performing Hajj can fast on any day except the 9th and 10th of Dhul Hijjah. For non-pilgrims, fasting on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah is Sunnah, but fasting on the 11th, 12th, and 13th is prohibited.
The Three Obligatory Acts (Fard) of Hajj:
- Making the intention and entering into Ihram
- Staying in the plain of Arafat (Wuquf-e-Arafah) from the afternoon of the 9th Dhul Hijjah until the dawn of the 10th
- Performing Tawaf al-Ziyarah (circumambulation of the Kaaba) any time between the 10th and sunset of the 12th Dhul Hijjah
The Seven Necessary (Wajib) Acts of Hajj:
- Spending some time in Muzdalifah after Fajr and before sunrise on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah
- Performing Sa’i between Safa and Marwah
- Stoning the pillars (Rami) on the 10th, 11th, and 12th of Dhul Hijjah
- Offering sacrifice in Qiran and Tamattu Hajj
- Shaving the head or trimming the hair to exit Ihram
- Performing the Farewell Tawaf (Tawaf al-Wada)
- Visiting the Prophet’s Mosque and grave in Madinah (Ziyarat of Rawdah Mubarak)
Prohibited Acts While in Ihram:
- Hunting or killing animals
- Engaging in sexual relations
- Quarreling, arguing, or committing wrongdoing (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 197)
Ihram Dress Code:
For men: Two unstitched white cloths (one for the lower body and one for the upper), head uncovered, and sandals that leave the top of the feet exposed.
For women: There is no specific Ihram dress, but the face must remain uncovered.
