Hajj-e-Baitullah

Five days of Hajj

Day-1, 8th Dhul-Hijja:
After arriving at Makkah and performing your Umra now on the 8 th day of Dhul-Hijja you should re-enter into the state of Ihraam with the niyah for Hajj. You should leave for Mina after sunrise. You are going to stay at Mina from the morning on the 8 th until after Fajr on the 9 th . While you are at Mina, the prayers Dhuhr, Asr and Eshaa are shortened to two rakat each.

Day-2, 9th Dhul-Hijja:
After performing Fajr salah in Mina and waiting until sunrise, you should leave Mina for Arafat. Due to the heavy traffic on the roads, it is not possible to predict the time of arrival on the plain of Arafat. Most pilgrims arrive prior to or just after Dhuhr, depending on the time they left Mina. Not all Hujjaj are able to go to the mosque or stay near Jabal ar Rahmah (Mountain of Mercy). There is no Hajj without wuquf at Arafat.

If this Wuquf is missed, the whole Hajj is invalidated according to the saying of the prophet (may Allah's peace and blessing be upon him), Hajj is Arafat. There is a Khutbah before the salah in Mosque Namirah. For those who are in the Mosque or are within hearing distance, listen attentively to the khutbah. After the khutbah you should pray dhuhr and asr salah. The time between dhuhr and maghrib should now be spent in sincere supplication, dhikr, etc.

You should humble yourself before the Almighty Allah, seek His mercy and forgiveness, and fear His punishment and dislike. You should renew your sincere repentance, because this is a great day. During this day, Allah will be generous to His servants and will pride Himself with them before the angels. Also on this day, there will be much liberation from the fire of hell. There is not a day on which satan is more defeated, more trivial, and more miserable than the Day of Arafat, with the exception of the Day of Badr, because on this day the Devil sees himself Allah's generosity to His servants, His good-will towards them, and His abundant emancipation and forgiveness.

The fardh obligation of asr salah has been removed by joining it with dhuhr as well as maghrib salah, which is joined with eshaa, at Muzdalifah. Allah has now provided you with enough time to seek His forgiveness and His mercy. Many pilgrims tend to forget that this is the most important time of their entire life. Please do not waste this precious time and opportunity.

Immediately after sunset the pilgrims start leaving Arafat for Muzdalifah. Maghrib salah is not performed in Arafat. It is not permissible to leave Arafat before sunset.

The distance to Muzdalifah is only about 9km (6miles). However this journey can take you hours depending on the traffic and where you were located in Arafat. At Muzdalifah the pilgrims pray Maghrib and Eshaa together. One adhaan and 2 iqaama's. Elderly, women and children are allowed to leave Muzdalifah after moon set and before Fajr. The prophet (may Allah's peace and blessing be upon him) spent the night in Muzdalifah. Collect small pea-sized pebbles to pelt the jamarat and put them safely.

You will need a total of 49 pebbles if you are going to leave Mina after pelting the jamarat on the 12 th Dhul Hijjah, and you will need a total of 70 pebbles if you are staying over to pelt the case you miss the jamarat during pelting. Collect a few extra pebbles in case you miss the jamarat during pelting

7 for 10th Dhul Hijjah
21 for 11th Dhul Hijjah
21 for 12th Dhul Hijjah
21 for 13th Dhul Hijjah (if one stays for that day)

Day-3 - 10th Dhul-Hijja (Day of Sacrifice):
After performing fajr salah and supplicating in Muzdalifah you should set out for Mina shortly before sunrise. The talbiyah is still recited at this time by the pilgrims. All the pilgrims head for the largest jamarah, known as al-Aqabah where they perform ramy (casting of seven pebbles, one at a time, at the jamarah in Mina). After the ramy you should stop the talbiyah, start reciting the takbir and perform the slaughtering. After this you should shave or cut your hair. The women cut only approximately one inch of hair. These three rites should be done in the above order if convenient. You are now free from all Ihraam restrictions except marital relations (which are 'lifted' after awaaf-al-ifadah). You can now wear normal clothes. You should recite the takbir as often as possible. The takbir should be recited until after asr on the 13 th of Dhul-Hijja, especially after the fardh prayers.

You should now proceed to Makkah to perform the second important pillar of Hajj: Tawaf-al-Ifadah or Tawaaf-al-Hajj or Tawaaf-as-Ziyarah without which the Hajj will not be complete. Following the Tawaaf and performance of two rakaat you should perform Saie if you have not done it before. Once it is completed you are now free from all Ihraam restrictions. You should return to Mina to spend the next two or three days and nights.

Day-4 - 11th Dhul-Hijja
For next two or three days, 11 th , 12 th , 13 th Dhul-Hijja, you are staying in Mina. After zawal on 11 th of Dhul-Hijja you should proceed to ramy starting with small Jamarah, then the middle one and finishing with big one. Elderly, week and women are allowed to do ramy at night due to overcrowding.

Day-5 - 12th Dhul-Hijja
You should do the same as the day before, on completion of ramy you may leave Mina for Makkah but you must leave Mina before Maghrib otherwise you have to stay until the next day.

Day-6 - 13th Dhul-Hijja
On this day you should do ramy again as the day before, on completion of ramy you may leave Mina for Makkah.

Tawaf-al-Widaa
As long you remain in Makkah after Hajj, you must value every moment afforded, and you should engage yourself in ibadah.

The last rite to be performed before leaving Makkah is Tawaf-al-Widaa, the farewell Tawaf.

After completing Hajj now you are required to change your lifestyle and you should avoid the prohibitions of Allah almighty, such as adultery, stealing, cheating in transactions, betrayal of trust, drinking of alcohol, hypocrisy, backbiting etc.

You should be on guard against such evil deeds and indeed against all sins. You will not reap the benefits of the Hajj and have your sins forgiven without caution against these evil deeds and all other prohibitions of the Almighty Allah.

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Makkah Al-Mukarama

The Holy City of Makkah, which lies inland 73 kilometres east of Jeddah, is the place where the Prophet Muhammad , peace be upon him, was born - the place where God's message was first revealed to him and the city to which he returned after the migration to Madinah in 622 AD.

Makkah is the holiest city on earth to Muslims. Five times each day, the world's one billion Muslims, wherever they may be, turn to the Holy City of Makkah to pray and at least once in their lives, all Muslims who are not prevented by personal circumstance perform the Hajj , the pilgrimage to Makkah. Thus each year the Holy City of Makkah is host to some two million hajjis (pilgrims) from all over the world.

1. Ka'aba (Baitullah):
This is a somewhat cubic structure, which was built by Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail by Divine Command. Since then it has become the source of peace and blessings and guidance for all mankind and the pilgrims circle around it with utmost enthusiasm and devotion. The mosque in which Ka'aba is situated is called Masjid Al-Haram.

2. Different corners of the Ka'aba:
Rukn-e-Yamaani is the south west corner towards the direction of Yaman and is highly sacred. The Holy Prophet has said:

"The one who touches Rukn-e-Yamaani and Hajar Al-Aswad, has his sins and errors removed."(Al-Targhib)
Rukn-e-Iraqi is the corner towards the direction of Iraq.
Rukn-e-Shami is the corner towards the direction of Syria

3. Hajar Al-Aswad:
The sacred Black Stone fixed about breast high in the eastern corner of the Ka'aba was originally placed there by Prophet Ibrahim. Tawaf is started by kissing or touching or pointing towards the Black Stone and brought to completion at it, after seven circuits.

4. Mataf:
This is the wide, open pavement, oval in shape, around Ka'aba and Hateem, where pilgrims perform Tawaf with utmost devotion and enthusiasm day and night except prayer time.

5. Multazam:
This is the wall, five or six feet in length, between Hajar Al-Aswad and the door of the Ka'aba. This is a highly sacred place where prayers are accepted. The pilgrims cling to it pressing their chests and cheeks to it and pray humbly for the forgiveness of their sins and acceptance of their prayers.

6. Hateem:
This is a semi-circular half-built portion at North West which was part of the Ka'aba in the time of Prophet Ibrahim, but later could not be included in the main structure when the Quraish rebuilt it after its destruction by fire. To offer prayer in Hateem is just like praying inside the Ka'aba. The Tawaf around the Ka'aba covers Hateem as well.

7. Mizab Al-Rehmat:
The spot under the drain of the Ka'aba's roof is called Mizab Al-Rehmat and is a place for acceptance of prayers.

8. Maqam-e-Ibrahim (Station of Ibrahim):
To the north-east of the Ka'aba, a little away from its door, stands a glass and metal structure which contains a sacred stone bearing the impressions of the foot-marks of Prophet Abraham who stood here during the construction of the Ka'aba.

This is one of the sacred places where prayers are accepted. After completing the Tawaf, the pilgrims offer two rak'ahs of prayers near it. If it is not possible to pray here, one can do so anywhere in Masjid Al-Haram.

9. Zamzam:
This is the historical well, located to the east of the Ka'aba, which was provided by Allah for the sustenance of Prophet Ismail and his mother in the wilderness of Makkah. Zamzam water possesses great merits and benefits, and the pilgrims have been urged to drink Zamzam water to fill, because it is food for the hungry and cure for the sick.

10. Safa and Marwah:
Safa is a hill to the south of the Ka'aba, which has now been levelled down and remains only as a symbol. Opposite to it, to the north of the Ka'aba, there is the hill of Marwah. Performing Saie between these two spots is an important Hajj and Umrah rite.

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Places where Hajj Rites are Performed

1. Mina:
This is a plain within the boundaries of the Haram of Makkah about five kilometres outside the city. The pilgrims stay the night between the 8th and 9th Zil-Hajj here and then proceed to Arafat after sunrise on the 9th of Zil-Hajj. They are back here on the 10th of Zil-Hajj for the three final days of Hajj. Animal sacrifice is offered here.

Jamrahs:
The pilgrims throw pebbles on three Jamrahs (stone pillars) representing devils for three days. These pillars are known as Jamrah Al-Ula, Jamrah Al-Wusta and Jamrah Al-Aqabah.

Khaif Mosque is situated in Mina where pilgrims offer their prayers during their stay here.

2. Arafat:
This is a vast plain about 15 kilometres to the east of Makkah, it starts from the place where the boundaries of Haram end. Arrival in the Plain of Arafat on the 9th of Zil-Hajj and Wuquf (staying) herein until sunset is the foremost Hajj rite without which Hajj cannot be valid. If staying in Arafat is not possible until sunset, then staying there for some time is sufficient to make the Hajj valid. At sunset the pilgrims leave for Muzdalifa without offering Maghrib prayers.

Namirah Mosque is situated right on the meeting place of the boundaries of Haram and Arafat. Here the Imam leads the Zuhar and Asr prayers combined and shortened at Zuhar time.

Jabal Rahmah is a sacred hill in the middle of the Plain of Arafat where the Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) delivered his famous sermon on the occasion of the Farewell Hajj.

3. Muzdalifah:
This is a place midway on the route from Mina to Arafat. Pilgrims spend the night of the 9th Zil-Hajj on their return from Arafat. Here they offer Maghrib and Isha prayers combined. It is obligatory to stay here until the Fajr prayer before proceeding to Mina.

Mash'ar Al-Haram:
Tthere is a mosque at this place where the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) had prayed to Allah. The Quran says:

"When you return from Arafat, stay at Mash'ar Al-Haram and remember Allah; and remember Him just as He has enjoined you." (Al-Baqrah:198)

Muhassar:
This is a valley between Muzdalifah and Mina, where Abraha and his troops along with the elephants, who came to destroy the Ka'aba, were themselves destroyed by the birds (swallows) which threw small pebbles at them from their beaks and claws. As mentioned earlier, this incident happened in 570 or 571 AD. The pilgrims pass this place quickly because Muhassar is a tormented area.

Historical places of Makkah:

1. Birth Place of the Holy Prophet:
The house where the Holy prophet was born is situated in Suq Al-Lail Street. At this place, there exists a library today. If you come out of Haram near Safa hill, this house is about two furlongs away on the right side.

2. House of Hazrat Khudija Al-Kubra:
This house is situated in Fatima az-Zahra Street and is the birth place of all the children of the Holy prophet from Hazrat Khudija. After his marriage, he stayed here until his migration to Madinah.

3. Al-Mu'alla:
This is a famous graveyard of Makkah where the Holy Prophet's mother, Hazrat Khadija, his wife and many other companions were buried. This graveyard is on Ghaza Street near Masjid Jinn.

4. Masjid Jinn:
This mosque is near the graveyard of Al-Mu'alla. This is also known as Masjid Bai'et. Here the Holy Prophet recited the Quran to the Jinns and took bai'et (oath of allegiance) from them.

5. Masjid Al-Ra'et:
This mosque is near Masjid Jinn on the right side. In Arabic ra'et means flag. This is the place where the Holy Prophet installed his flag at the time of the Conquest of Makkah.

6. Cave Hira:
Cave Hira is situated on Jabl-e-Noor about three miles from Makkah. The Holy Prophet used to retire here in solitude and spend long hours in reflection and meditation. Here he received his first Divine Revelation:
"Read in the name of your Lord who created, Who created man out of a clot of congealed blood. Read, and your Lord is the most Bountiful, Who taught (man) the use of pen, Taught man what he knew not." (Surah Al-Alaq 46: 1-5)

7. Cave Saur:
This is a cave in Jabl-e-Saur about eight kilometres to the south of Makkah, in which the Holy Prophet and Hazrat Abu Bakr lay hidden for three days at the time of their migration to Madinah.

8. Jabl Abu Qubais:
This is a hill near Safa, right in front of Baitullah. This hill is said to be associated with the Holy Prophet's miracle of splitting the moon. Bilal mosque is situated at top this hill.

9. Masjid Aai'sha:
This mosque is outside the boundaries of Haram in Tan'eem, situated on Madinah Road. People enter into Ihram here for Umrah that is why it is also known as Masjid Umrah. Buses and taxis are always available to go there in front of Bab Abdul Aziz of Al-Haram. If you intend to perform Umrah, get a ride to this mosque, enter into Ihram and come back to Makkah to perform Umrah.

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HAJJ BADAL

Hajj Badal means getting Hajj performed on one's own behalf and expense by another person, provided that Hajj is incumbent and one cannot perform Hajj due to illness or some other disability.

Conditions for the disabled person:

1. Hajj should be incumbent upon the disabled person under the Shari'ah rules. If not, there is no need for sending somebody for Hajj Badal and if he later becomes incumbent he needs Hajj Badal performed again.

2. The disabled person should be unfit to perform Hajj himself. If the disability is temporary, he has to perform Hajj himself when he is fit even if he has got Hajj Badal performed earlier. But in case of permanent disability, such as weakness due to old age or blindness, Hajj Badal is enough even if this disability does not exist anymore.

3. The disability should be before sending somebody for Hajj Badal otherwise it will not be valid.

4. The disabled person himself should ask someone to perform Hajj Badal on his behalf. Leaving a will before death is the same as asking somebody. However, it is okay if an heir performs Hajj Badal or gets it performed for a deceased person.

5. The disabled person should bear all types of expenses concerning Hajj Badal.

Conditions for the person performing Hajj Badal:

1. While entering into Ihram, the person should make niyyah (intention) on behalf of the person who is sending him for Hajj Badal.

2. Hajj Badal should be performed by the appointed person only unless he has been authorized to get it done by another person. In that case, it is okay to send somebody else on his behalf.

3. The appointed person should perform the kind of Hajj, such as Tamatt'u or Qiran, according to the desire of the person who sent him.

4. He should put on Ihram only on behalf of the person sending him. He is not allowed to have the intention of performing Hajj for himself or on behalf of two persons.

5. He should not miss the Hajj or any imperative (Fard) part of it as no type of compensation renders Hajj Badal validly performed.

6. According to the Hanafites, it is not necessary that Hajj Badal should be performed by a person who has performed his own Hajj first. But as per Ahl Al-Hadith, the appointed person must have performed his own Hajj first. Considering these views, it is safer to send somebody who has already performed his own Hajj.

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Madinah Al-Munawra

Madinah, which lies 447 kilometres north of the Holy City of Makkah, is the second holiest city in Islam. Madinah is the city of the Prophet. This is the place in which the Holy Quran was compiled and the Prophet's companions administered the affairs of the Muslim Ummah.

Visit to Madinah Munawra

1. When you start travelling to Madinah, Make niyyah (intention) as such:
"O Allah! I start journey to visit the holy tomb of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Please accept it from me".

During this journey, recite Darud Sharif frequently. When the city of Madinah is in sight, show your extreme fondness and excitement and humbly enter the city while reciting Darud and Salam.

2. After putting your luggage at your residence, take a bath or perform ablutions (vudu), wear nice dress, apply perfume and proceed towards the Prophet's Mosque while uttering Darud.

3. Enter the mosque through Bab Al-Jibril or Bab-us-Salaam or if this is not possible, enter through any other door.

4. Place your right foot first in the entrance, praise Allah (such as say Allhu Akbar, Subhan Allah, Alhamdu Lillah, etc.), recite Darud and say:

" Allah humma aftah li abwabe rahamte ka"

5. If it is not undesirable (Makrooh) time, offer two rakahs of nafl tahiyyat Al-masjid (greeting of the masjid) preferably in Riaz Al-Jannah near the tomb of the Prophet or otherwise anywhere else in the mosque.

6. In front of the sacred tomb of The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), there are three sections of brass screens and all three have holes in them. Look at the picture carefully. If you stand in front of the middle section between the pillars, you'll see a big round hole on your left. This is in front of the face of the Holy Prophet. Adjacent to it is a door that stays closed. Right after it on the right side is a round hole which is in front of the face of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique. On the right of it, there is another round hole which is in front of the face of Hazrat Umar Farooq.

There is an enlarged view of the screen in front of the sacred face of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him). Standing in front of it and facing it, say in a respectful and low voice:" Assalamu alaika, ayyuhan-nabiyya wa rahmatul-lahi wa barakatuhu" (Peace be on you, O Prophet, and the mercy and blessings of Allah.) After this say: "Assalatu was-salamu alaika ya Rasul-Allah", "Assalatu was-salamu alaika ya Nabi-yallah", "Assalatu was-salamu alaika ya Habib-Allah". Then supplicate to Allah for good things in this life and the life after death.

7. Then move a little to the right and stand before the grave of Hazrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). Greet him and supplicate to bestow His mercy and forgiveness on him.

8. Again move a little to the right before the grave of Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), and greet him and make supplication for him.

9. When you have to leave Madinah, offer your Salam again to the Prophet (peace be upon him), cry at this separation, supplicate to Allah and leave with the earnest desire to come back.

Historical Places of Madinah

The following are some of many historical places in Madinah which a pilgrim would like to visit. Out of these a visit to Masjid Quba is highly recommended as it is only next to the Holy Prophet's Mosque in status and sanctity. Spending time in Masjid Al-Nabwi is very precious because the reward for offering 1 raka'at of prayer there is 1000 times more.

1. Al-Baqee
The graveyard of Madinah, where a large number of Sahabah karam (companions) including Hazrat Usman, Hazrat Abbas, Imam Hassan, and wives and daughters of the Holy Prophet are buried. This graveyard is close to the tomb of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), right after the courtyard of Masjid Al-Nabi.

2. Masjid Quba
This is the first mosque in the history of Islam whose foundation stone was laid down by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself on his migration to Madinah. To offer 2 raka'ats of nafl in it is equal to one Umrah. After visiting the Prophet's Mosque and his tomb every pilgrim should try his best to visit it and pray in this mosque as well. A visit to Masjid Quba is highly recommended and 2 raka'ats of nafl here equal one Umrah.

3. Masjid Qiblatain
In this mosque, Allah directed Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was in the middle of a sal'at along with sahaba karam, to turn his face from Islam's first qibla (Bait-ul-Muqqadis) to Ka'aba in Masjid Al-Haram. That is why this mosque is known as a mosque with two qiblas.

4. Masjid Jumuah
This mosque was built at a place where the Prophet (peace be upon him) offered his first Jumuah prayer in Madinah.

5. Masjid Ghamama
This mosque is not far from Masjid Al-Nabi. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to offer his Eidain prayers here. Once the Prophet led Istasqa prayer in it and suddenly the clouds appeared and it started raining, hence the name ghamama (clouds).

6. Masjid Abu Bakr, Masjid Umar Farooq and Masjid Ali
These three mosques are near Masjid Ghamama.

7. Badr
The plain of Badr is south west of Madinah where the first battle between 313 Muslims and 1000 Quraish of Makkah took place in 624 A.D. The Muslims had seventy camels and two horses whereas the Quraish had a cavalry of 200 Horses and 700 camels. They were superior in weapons too, but Muslims were victorious because they were strong in morale and strategy due to the leadership of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).

8. Jabal Al-Uhad
About four miles on the north of Madinah, famous battle of Uhad was fought at 3 A.H. Hazrat Hamza, the Holy Prophet's uncle and other companions are buried here.

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