Question 1

What is the difference between Hajj and Umrah?

Accepted Answer

Ibn Taymiyyah clarified: Hajj is the major pilgrimage performed in specific days of Dhul-Hijjah (8th–13th), comprising ihram, standing at ʿArafah, Muzdalifah, the three days of Mina, the stoning, sacrifice, shaving, tawaf al-ifadah, and tawaf al-wadaʿ. ʿUmrah is the lesser pilgrimage performed any time of the year, consisting of ihram from the miqat, tawaf, saʿy, and shaving/shortening — without ʿArafah or Mina. Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime upon the able; ʿUmrah is sunnah muʾakkadah and obligatory once in a lifetime according to the strongest position.

Question 2

How to perform Hajj step by step?

Accepted Answer

The Prophet (ﷺ) entered ihrām from Dhul-Hulayfah, intending Hajj al-Qirān. On the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah he went to Minā and prayed five prayers there. On the 9th, he proceeded to ʿArafah after sunrise, gave the khutbah, prayed Dhuhr and ʿAsr combined and shortened, then stood in supplication until sunset. He went to Muzdalifah, prayed Maghrib and ʿIshā' combined, and slept until Fajr. On the 10th he stoned Jamrat al-ʿAqabah, slaughtered, shaved, performed Tawāf al-Ifādah, and Saʿy. He stayed the days of Tashrīq in Minā, stoning the three pillars after zawāl. He concluded with Tawāf al-Wadāʿ. This is the Hajj of the Prophet (ﷺ) — whoever wishes the legislated form should follow it precisely.

Question 3

Should a woman cover her face during Ihram?

Accepted Answer

A woman in ihrām does not wear the niqāb or the gloves, as the Prophet (ﷺ) prohibited; this is a ruling specific to the garment, not to uncovering. When men pass by her, she draws her outer garment down over her face from above, as ʿĀ'ishah and the Mothers of the Believers used to do. So her face is not bare in front of non-mahram men even in ihrām — she covers it with something other than the fitted niqāb.

Question 4

Can one perform Hajj on behalf of a deceased parent?

Accepted Answer

Imam Ahmad held it permitted and recommended to perform Hajj on behalf of a deceased parent — whether the parent died before being able to perform the obligatory Hajj, or had vowed it and not fulfilled it. He cited the hadith of the woman from Khath'am who said, "O Messenger of Allah, the obligation of Hajj has come upon my father as an old man unable to ride — shall I perform Hajj on his behalf?" He said: "Perform Hajj on his behalf." A condition is that the one performing it must have already performed his own obligatory Hajj first.

Question 5

What is the purpose of the Hajj pilgrimage?

Accepted Answer

The purpose of the Hajj pilgrimage is multifaceted, combining submission to Allah, spiritual purification, and the unity of the Muslim community. Shaykh Ibn Baz explains that the primary objective is to worship Allah alone, as He has commanded, and to single Him out in devotion through the rites of Hajj, following the path of the Prophets, from Ibrahim to Muhammad (peace be upon them).

Allah commanded Prophet Ibrahim to proclaim the pilgrimage to mankind, saying:
> "And proclaim to the people the Hajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass - That they may witness things that are of benefit to them and mention the name of Allah on known days..." (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:27-28)

Shaykh Ibn Baz elaborates that the 'benefits' mentioned in the verse are both religious and worldly.

The foremost religious benefits include the forgiveness of sins and the immense reward of Paradise, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
> "Whoever performs Hajj for Allah's pleasure and does not have sexual relations or commit sin, will return (free from sin) as on the day his mother bore him."

It is a profound act of devotion that reminds the believer of the Day of Resurrection, as millions gather in one place, wearing simple garments, with no distinction between rich and poor. It strengthens faith (Iman) and allows the pilgrim to focus solely on the worship of their Lord.

As for the worldly benefits, Hajj is the largest annual gathering of Muslims. It allows them to meet, learn from one another, and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood across different nationalities and cultures. It presents an opportunity to consult on issues facing the Ummah and to cooperate in righteousness and piety. Furthermore, permissible trade and economic activity during the pilgrimage are also among the worldly benefits Allah has allowed for His slaves.

Question 6

What is the purpose of the Hajj pilgrimage?

Accepted Answer

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen explained that the purposes of Hajj are many and profound, all revolving around the worship of Allah alone. The greatest purpose is to establish Tawhid (the Oneness of Allah) in the hearts of the pilgrims. The Talbiyah chant, 'Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk...' (Here I am, O Allah, here I am...), is a declaration that this worship is for Allah alone, with no partner or associate.

Another key purpose is to establish the remembrance of Allah. The rituals, from the Tawaf (circumambulation) and Sa'i (walking between Safa and Marwa) to the standing at 'Arafah and the stoning of the pillars, are all accompanied by the mention of Allah's name. Allah says in the Qur'an that the pilgrims come so 'that they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the Name of Allah on appointed days.'

The Hajj is also a powerful means of attaining forgiveness for sins. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stated that an accepted Hajj leaves a person free from sin, as on the day their mother bore them. This spiritual purification is a primary goal for every pilgrim.

Furthermore, Hajj manifests the unity and brotherhood of the Muslim Ummah. Millions of people from every race, nationality, and social status gather in one place, wearing the simple Ihram garments, performing the same rites, and facing the same Qiblah. This demonstrates the equality of all people before Allah.

Finally, by performing the rituals, the pilgrim demonstrates complete submission and servitude to Allah, following the example of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and the final guidance of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), who said, 'Take your rituals from me.'

Question 7

What is the difference between Hajj and Umrah?

Accepted Answer

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen explained that there are several key differences between Hajj and 'Umrah, primarily concerning their legal status, timing, and prescribed rituals.

1.  **Legal Ruling and Obligation**: Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory (fard) for every capable Muslim once in their lifetime, by consensus. 'Umrah, while not a pillar, is considered obligatory (wajib) once in a lifetime according to the most correct opinion, as held by the Shaykh, though it is a lesser obligation than Hajj.

2.  **Timing**: Hajj is time-bound and can only be performed during the recognized months of Hajj (Shawwal, Dhul-Qa'dah, and Dhul-Hijjah), with its main rites occurring from the 8th to the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah. 'Umrah, on the other hand, can be performed at any time throughout the year.

3.  **Rituals (Arkan wa Wajibat)**: 'Umrah consists of fewer rituals. It involves entering the state of Ihram, performing Tawaf (circling the Ka'bah seven times), Sa'i (walking between Safa and Marwah seven times), and finally, shaving or cutting the hair.

Hajj is more extensive and includes all the rituals of 'Umrah (if performing Hajj Tamattu' or Qiran), in addition to several other major rites. The rites unique to Hajj are:
    *   Staying in Mina on the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah (Yawm al-Tarwiyah).
    *   The standing at the plains of 'Arafat on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, which is the single most important pillar of Hajj.
    *   Staying overnight in Muzdalifah on the night following 'Arafat.
    *   Stoning the Jamarat (pillars) in Mina on the 10th and the following days (Ayyam at-Tashreeq).
    *   Offering a sacrificial animal (hady) for certain types of Hajj.

In essence, 'Umrah can be seen as the 'lesser pilgrimage', while Hajj is the 'greater pilgrimage' which incorporates more rituals and is restricted to a specific time, with the standing at 'Arafat being its defining feature.

Question 8

What is the difference between Hajj and Umrah?

Accepted Answer

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen explained the key differences between Hajj and 'Umrah, which are both pilgrimages to the Sacred House of Allah in Makkah but differ in their ruling, timing, and rituals.

First, in terms of obligation, Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and it is obligatory (fardh) for every capable Muslim to perform it once in their lifetime. Allah says in the Qur'an: "And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way." ['Aal 'Imran 3:97]. 'Umrah, while not a pillar of Islam, is considered obligatory (wajib) once in a lifetime for a capable person, which is the view held by the Shaykh, though some scholars have ruled it is a highly recommended Sunnah (Sunnah mu'akkadah).

Second, the timing of the rites is a major distinction. Hajj can only be performed in the designated months of Hajj (Shawwal, Dhul-Qa'dah, and the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah), with the primary rituals occurring from the 8th to the 12th or 13th of Dhul-Hijjah. In contrast, 'Umrah can be performed at any time throughout the year.

Third, the rituals themselves differ. The rites of 'Umrah are fewer and consist of:
1.  Entering the state of Ihram.
2.  Tawaf (circumambulating the Ka'bah).
3.  Sa'i (walking between as-Safa and al-Marwa).
4.  Shaving or trimming the hair.

Hajj includes all the rites of 'Umrah but adds several more extensive and essential rituals, including:
- Staying in Mina on the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah.
- The standing (wuquf) at 'Arafat on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, which is the cornerstone of Hajj.
- Staying overnight in Muzdalifah.
- The ritual stoning of the Jamarat in Mina.
- The sacrifice of a sacrificial animal (for those performing Hajj Tamattu' or Qiran).

Therefore, Hajj is the major, time-bound pilgrimage and a pillar of the faith, while 'Umrah is the lesser pilgrimage that can be completed in a few hours and performed at any time of the year.

Question 9

What is Umrah and how is it done?

Accepted Answer

'''Umrah is a journey to Makkah to perform a specific set of religious rites. It is known as the 'lesser' or 'minor' pilgrimage and can be performed at any time of the year. According to Shaykh Ibn Baz, the steps to perform Umrah correctly according to the Sunnah are as follows:

1.  **Ihram**: When the pilgrim reaches the designated boundary, known as the *miqat*, it is recommended (mustahabb) for them to perform a full ritual bath (ghusl), apply perfume if they are male, and then put on the Ihram garments. For men, this consists of two unstitched white cloths. They then make their intention by saying, "Labbayka ‘Umratan" ("O Allah, I answer Your call for Umrah"). After this, they should repeatedly recite the Talbiyah: "Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk, inna al-hamda wa’l-ni’mata laka wa’l-mulk, la sharika lak."

2.  **Tawaf**: Upon arriving at the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, the pilgrim stops reciting the Talbiyah and begins the Tawaf around the Ka'bah. Starting from the Black Stone (al-Hajar al-Aswad), they circumambulate the Ka'bah seven times in a counter-clockwise direction. It is sunnah for men to uncover their right shoulder (known as *idtiba'*) and to walk briskly (*raml*) during the first three circuits.

3.  **Salah after Tawaf**: After completing the seven circuits, the pilgrim should cover their shoulder and pray two rak'ahs behind the Station of Ibrahim (Maqam Ibrahim) if possible, or anywhere else in the mosque if it is too crowded.

4.  **Sa'i**: The pilgrim then proceeds to perform Sa'i, which is walking between the two hills of Safa and Marwa. Starting at Safa, they walk towards Marwa; this is considered one lap. They then return from Marwa to Safa, completing the second lap. This is done for seven laps, ending at Marwa. It is sunnah for men to run between the green markers.

5.  **Tahallul (Exiting Ihram)**: After completing Sa'i, the pilgrim exits the state of Ihram. Men do this by either shaving their entire head (which is preferable) or by trimming the hair evenly from the entire head. Women should trim a small amount, about the length of a fingertip, from the ends of their hair.

With the completion of these steps, the Umrah is concluded, and the restrictions of Ihram are lifted.'''

Question 10

How to perform Hajj step by step?

Accepted Answer

This is a step-by-step guide for performing Hajj al-Tamattu', the form of Hajj the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged for those coming from outside Makkah without a sacrificial animal. The rites are as follows:

1.  **Ihram for 'Umrah**: Before reaching the designated miqat, the pilgrim makes ghusl, dons the Ihram garments, and makes the intention for 'Umrah, saying: "Labbayka 'Umrah." Then they recite the Talbiyah ("Labbayka Allahumma labbayk…").

2.  **'Umrah Rituals**: Upon reaching Makkah, the pilgrim performs Tawaf (circumambulates the Ka'bah seven times), prays two rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim, performs Sa'i (walks between Safa and Marwa seven times), and then shaves or trims their hair. With this, the 'Umrah is complete, and the pilgrim exits the state of Ihram until the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah.

3.  **8th Dhul-Hijjah (Yawm al-Tarwiyah)**: From their place of residence in Makkah, the pilgrim enters Ihram again, this time for Hajj, saying "Labbayka Hajjan." They then proceed to Mina, where they pray Dhuhr, 'Asr, Maghrib, 'Isha, and the Fajr of the 9th, shortening the four-rak'ah prayers to two rak'ahs without combining them.

4.  **9th Dhul-Hijjah (Day of 'Arafah)**: After sunrise, the pilgrim proceeds to 'Arafah. This is the most essential pillar of Hajj. The pilgrim stays at 'Arafah until sunset, spending the time in prayer, supplication, and remembrance of Allah. Dhuhr and 'Asr prayers are prayed combined and shortened. After sunset, the pilgrim departs for Muzdalifah.

5.  **Night at Muzdalifah**: Upon arrival in Muzdalifah, the pilgrim prays Maghrib and 'Isha combined, shortening 'Isha to two rak'ahs. They stay the night here until Fajr prayer. Pebbles for the stoning ritual can be gathered here.

6.  **10th Dhul-Hijjah (Yawm al-Nahr)**: After Fajr, the pilgrim moves to Mina. The actions of this day are:
    a. Stone Jamrat al-'Aqabah (the largest pillar) with seven consecutive pebbles.
    b. Slaughter the sacrificial animal (hady).
    c. Shave or trim the hair (shaving is superior for men). This completes the first release (tahallul al-awwal) from Ihram, after which all prohibitions are lifted except marital relations.
    d. Go to Makkah to perform Tawaf al-Ifadah (a pillar of Hajj) and the Sa'i of Hajj. After this, the second and final release (tahallul al-thani) is complete, and all restrictions are lifted.

7.  **11th, 12th, & 13th Dhul-Hijjah (Ayyam al-Tashriq)**: The pilgrim must stay in Mina for these two or three days. Each day, after midday (zawal), they stone the three Jamarat (small, medium, then large) with seven pebbles each. It is permissible to leave on the 12th after stoning, but staying until the 13th is better.

8.  **Farewell Tawaf (Tawaf al-Wada')**: Before departing from Makkah, the pilgrim performs a final seven-circuit Tawaf of the Ka'bah. This is the last ritual of Hajj.

Hajj & Umrah

What is the difference between Hajj and Umrah?

How to perform Hajj step by step?

Should a woman cover her face during Ihram?

Can one perform Hajj on behalf of a deceased parent?

What is the purpose of the Hajj pilgrimage?

What is Umrah and how is it done?

Explore other topics

Explore other sections