Hajj Diary

Types of Hajj
Tamuttu: Tamuttu means performing ’Umrah during the Hajj season, and then subsequently making Hajj the same year. It is called Tamuutu due to the fact that a pilgrim has the added advantage of performing Hajj and ‘Umrah in the same journey without having to go back home, and also because such a pilgrim after the ‘Umrah enjoys normal life; he can wear his usual clothes, apply perfume, and do other things until the time he once again puts on his Hajj garb for the Hajj.


Anyone intending to make a tamuttu should on approaching the miqat first make intention for ‘Umrah. While uttering Talbiyah he should say ‘Labbayk bil ‘Umrah’ (O Allah, I answer Your call to perform ‘Umrah’. Such a pilgrim should keep his or her garb until he cirumambulates around the Ka’bah, walks between Safa and Marwah, then clips his hair or shaves it. After that he may put away his Hajj garb and wear his usual clothes. He may do anything that is permissible, but was prohibited for him in the state of ihram. On the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, such a person must declare his or her intention to perform Hajj and put on ihram from Makkah.


Qiran: In this, a pilgrim declares his intention to perform both Hajj and ‘Umrah together, and says when doing talbiyah, ‘O Allah, I answer Your call to perform Hajj and ‘Umrah’. Such a pilgrim is required to remain in the state of ihram until he has performed all the rites of ‘Umrah and Hajj. Or, for this kind of ihram, a pilgrim may declare his intention to perform ‘Umrah and later, before making the tawaf around Ka’bah, make his intention to perform Hajj as well.


Ifrad: Ifrad means a pilgrim intending to perform Hajj only should, while at the miqat, make intention for Hajj only. While making talbiyah, he or she should say ‘Labbayk bil Hajj’ and must be in his Hajj garb until all the rites of Hajj are completed. Then, if such a pilgrim desires, he or she may perform an ‘Umrah.

Besides mental preparation, the pilgrims must make the following arrangements prior to the Hajj Journey Before you partake your journey to perform your hajj, there are certain things that you should always remember to do. Always remember that while you are performing your hajj, the rest of the world still moves the way it does. Thus, it is your responsibility to make sure that others will not be in any difficulty when you are away.

• Seeking the advice of someone concerning the travelling for Hajj is one of the Prophetic etiquette of journey.

• Learning how to perform the rites of Hajj is an individual obligation.

• One is requested to repent of all bad deeds.

• Arrange to pay all debts, If you have monetary debts, repay and settle all debts or alternatively make arrangements for your debts to be paid.

• If you are responsible for any moral transgression, then fulfill your debt or have it waived, and have your moral violations forgiven. It is important that one settles all outstanding matters and transactions, and has his faults and shortcomings forgiven. All Amaanah (trusts) and anything borrowed must be returned.

• A detailed and final will must be made regarding all important matters.

• If certain things are left in your trust, return those items to the owners or make arrangements for them to be looked after in your absence.

• Make suitable arrangements for the maintenance of all those for whom you are responsible (wife, children and all dependants) until the time you return to them.

• Take with you Halaal earnings which shall be sufficient to last and maintain you for the full journey to the blessed places, your residing there and your journey back.

• In fact you should take the precaution of having some-thing more than the normal needs, so that you may be in a position to assist needy ones on the way and to serve those who may be in need of it.

• Give something in charity before your departure and also after the departure, because Sadaqah removes calamities from you.

• Before departing you should meet all your friends and relatives. Bid them farewell and ask them to pray for you.

• Appoint a Leader when the journey begins, choose among the co-travellers the most righteous, most intelligent, experienced, humble and forbearing person and appoint him as the ameer (leader). And it is important that when one becomes appointed to that position, he should carry out his responsibility conscientiously. He should take note of the needs of his companions and see to their comfort.

Ask your religious guide or your companions about the performance of extra (Nafil) Umrah and Umrah on behalf of your near and dear ones who are no longer in this world. Try and do as many Tawaafs as possible and spend most of your time in Ibaadat. Refrain from idle gossip or anger or any loose talk. Try to be accommodative to everyone. Remember that during the whole period of Hajj your conduct has to be such that Allah is pleased with you and accepts your Ibaadat. You have to be on your best behaviour and at all times you must sincerely repent any sin that you may have committed during your life time. Always bear in mind that even after you take off your Ihraam a number of conditions still apply to the Hajj pilgrim and these conditions entail truthfulness, compassion to fellow beings, good conduct, good thoughts, exemplary behaviour, desisting from anger and outburst, desisting from physical violence and so on.


Haram Sharief : It is easy to get lost in the Haram Sharief which is very big. Therefore, when you enter the Haram Sharief go inside and look around from inside the courtyard. There are five coloured gates leading outside. You must remember the colour of the gate which leads to your house in Makkah. This is the easiest way to remember. All the gates of the Haram Sharief are numbered, for your convenience. After this, you must look and see the way and familiarise yourself with the topography of the area in which you are staying and the topography and lay-out of the Haram Sharief. If you get lost and cannot find the way, ask some one to guide you to any Indian Hajj office or dispensary. Many shopkeepers and people that you find in and around the Haram Sharief and Makkah speak a little bit of Urdu and English. So, even if you just say “India” or “Al-Hind” to any one they should be able to guide you. The Arabic word for office is ‘Maktab’. So, ‘Maktab Al-Hind’ would signify that you want to find out the Indian office. Do not panic. It might be one or two or three hours but some one will tell you the way to an Indian branch or main office and from there you will be guided to your building. The idea is that if you get lost, you must first find your way to the Haram Sharief and in and around the Haram Sharief try and get your bearings. If that is not possible then start asking people if they can direct you to any Indian Hajj office.

The Umrah consists of the Tawaaf (seven circumambulation of the Kaabah) and the Sayee (seven trips between Safaa and Marwah).


Tawaaf: Remember that for men, in the first three rounds of the Tawaaf you are to uncover your right shoulder and walk at a brisk pace. Also remember that at the point of alignment of the Hajr-Aswad (Black Stone) you are to face the Black Stone, make your Niyat and recite the words Bismillah Allah-o-Akbar Wallillahil Hamd and then start your circumambulation of the Kaabah. At the end of each circumambulation, at this same alignment, you face the Black Stone and recite the same words. There are no required or prescribed supplications to recite during the Tawaaf. However, you can recite those from authentic books. It is best if you also know the meaning of your supplication.


Between the corner of Yemen (Rukn-e-Yemani) and the Black Stone, the Prophet (e) recited Rabbana Aatina Fid-duniya..... You should do the same.


After seven circumambulations are over, you have to say two rakaths of prayer (wajib), preferably (if there is space) behind the station of Ibrahim (Muqaam-e-Ibrahim). The Prophet (e) in the first rakath recited Surah Fatiha followed by Surah Kafirun and in the second rakath recited Surah Fatiha followed by Surah Ikhlas. If there is no space behind the station of Ibrahim, the two rakaths of prayers can be said anywhere in the Haram Sharief.


Zam Zam: After this, you must drink zam-zam water. The zam-zam well is there in the Haram Sharief itself. Also, there are zam-zam cans all over in the Haram Sharief with plastic glasses. The fresh glasses are kept on the right side of the zam-zam container from where you can pick up one glass and after pouring your drink and drinking you must put the used glass on the left side of the container. In case your throat is bad you must use the zam-zam water that is not cold. This is identifiable on the container in green or blue letters which says that this is the normal temperature zam-zam water. All other cans have cold zam-zam inside them.


Sayee: After Tawaaf, two rakaths prayer and drinking zam-zam water you have to perform the Sayee which is the walk between Safaa and Marwah seven times. One trip between Safa and Marwah is counted as one, the trip between Marwah and Safa is counted as two, and so on, till the 7th trip when you end up at Marwah. When you are at Safa and Marwah you are supposed to stand, face the Kaabah each time and praise Allah, say your duas and supplicate. For men, they have to walk fast or run between the two green lights indicated on the ceiling of the Safa-Marwah walk way on each trip. There are no special supplications to recite during the Sayee. However, you may use those that are available in authentic books. As mentioned above, there are no prescribed duas or supplications for the Tawaaf or Sayee and you can pray whatever you like praising Allah and ask Allah for His forgiveness, blessings, and mercy, recite portions of the Qur’an and whatever else you want. There are good duas in some of the books that you may be having. You must understand their meaning and you may recite those which you like during the Tawaaf and Sayee.


After the Sayee is over at Marwah you have to get a hair cut or a head shave; women have to have only their hair cut from at least three place the length of one phalange of her finger, approximately 1 or 1.5 inches. Many people say that it is preferable for men to have a head shave rather than a hair cut in your first Umrah. There are some other school of thought which says that if you are very close to the Hajj then during your Umrah you have to only have your hair cut and during the Hajj you should have your head shaved. For women it is only the hair cut. Follow your religious guide on these aspects.


This completes your Umrah and if you have time you can pray two rakaths of Nafil prayer to thank Allah that your Umrah has been performed and pray Allah that He accepts your Ibaadat.


After this you can take off the Ihraam clothes and get into normal clothes. This you can do when you go back to your room.


If you are doing Hajj in the Qiran from, you cannot cut or shave your hair. You have to continue in Ihraam till the Hajj. Remember that in the Haram Sharief of Makkah, the Tahayat of the Masjid is the Tawaaf. In case you are not able to do this you may do your two rakaths of Tahayat.


In the Haram Sharief you must always carry a plastic bag to keep your slippers near you. Also carry a prayer mat in case there is too much rush and you have to say prayers in the open. The semi-circular structure next to the Kaabah is the Hateem. It is part of the Kaabah and prayers can be offered there except obligatory prayers.


After each Farz [obligatory] prayer in the Haram Sharief you must wait for at least one minute because on most occasions after the Farz prayers there is a Namaze-Janaza [Salaatul Janaaza]. On all religious aspects consult your religious guide or book. the rituals mentioned here are those that are generally practised.


In the Haram Sharief there is a special dispensation that if it is very crowded you can walk in front of other people who are praying. So, in case it is unavoidable you can do this.

“Verily, the first House of worship appointed for mankind was that at Makkah, full of blessings, and a guidance for mankind and jinn. In it are manifest signs, the Maqam of Abraham; whosoever enters it, he attains security. And Hajj to the Ka’bah is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenses; and whoever disbelieves, then Allah stands not in need of any of the mankind, jinn and all that exists.” Qur’an 3:96-97


Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, required of every Muslim, who is sane and can afford it, once during their lifetime. Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) stated: “The one who intends performing Hajj, then verily he must hasten.”


The Hajj is a physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually demanding experience. Many people postpone or decline an invitation from Allah (SWT) to perform Hajj or Umrah due to concerns about illness or injury while on Hajj or Umrah. Our purpose is to encourage Muslims with medical problems to perform Hajj and Umrah, address the concerns of all Muslims as to illness and injury, and give practical medical advice for various conditions that may be encountered during Hajj or Umrah. In addition, this information, will provide the pilgrims with the confidence and knowledge needed to complete their Hajj and Umrah with minimal to no distraction from their medical condition.


Proper preparation is essential to prevent illness, hospitalization and death while in Saudi Arabia. We highly recommend a physical examination and review of your medications and any known medical conditions. These things along with strengthening your spiritual belief in Allah and his last and final messenger Prophet Muhammad will enable you to stay focused on pleasing and glorifying Allah and bring you closer to Allah without distraction from illness or injury.


After receiving and accepting Allah’s invitation to visit His House, a Muslim should begin to prepare himself spiritually, emotionally, and physically for the most important journey of his or her life. Learn all you can about the things a pilgrim is obligated to do on Hajj and Umrah. Attend Hajj classes, watch videos and read more about Hajj and Umrah.


Obtain clearance from your health care provider to begin an exercise program, especially if you are over 40 years of age. Three to six mile walks two to four times a day can occur during Hajj and Umrah. Start walking a mile four times a week and increase the distance by a half-mile each week until you are comfortable with a six mile walk. If you are overweight, lose 10% of your weight. Loss of as little as 6 pounds will help. Diabetes and hypertension must be under control. Food in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are high in calories and sodium and bottled water is higher in sodium than in other parts of the world. Increase water intake gradually to 6-8 glasses a day. Obtain travel and emergency evacuation insurance. Initial care to pilgrims is free at emergency rooms and the Ministry of Hajj Health Centers in the Holy precincts. Proper footwear and a good pair of sandals with exposed toes, but no heel strap, is recommended. Women should wear comfortable shoes with good ankle support.

1. On the 8th of Zil Hajj: Pilgrims would get into the state of Ihraam after following the prescribed procedure and observing the conditions and then will be transported to Mina. Here you should pray your Zuhar, Asar, Magrib and Isha prayers and stay there for the night. This is the Sunnah of the Prophet (e).


2. On the 9th of Zil Hajj: After the Fajr prayers you will leave Mina for Arafat. At Arafat you say your Zuhar and Asar prayers. This is the main ritual of Hajj. Being in the state of Ihraam and praying on the plains of Arafat partly during the day and partly during evening is the Hajj. After the Magrib Azaan, pilgrims have to move to Muzdalifa which is between Arafat and Mina. At Muzdalifa pilgrims have to camp for the night and at whatever late hour they reach Muzdalifa they have to say their Magrib and Isha prayers together. You can also pick up small stone pebbles for stoning the Jamarat (Satan) at Mina on the following days.


3. On the 10th of Zil Hajj: After Fajr prayers pilgrims will move from Muzdalifa to Mina. Here they will stone the big Jamarat only (Ramy), do their sacrifice (Qurbani of Hajj), have their hair cut (Qasr) or head shaved (Halq). They can now get out of the state of Ihraam.On the 10th of Zil Hajj or on the subsequent two days pilgrims have to perform the Tawaaf (Tawaaf-e-Ziyarah) and Sayee at Makkah. This can be done in normal clothes. (If Sayee was performed on 8th Zil Hajj, then Sayee need not be performed now).


4. On the 11th of Zil Hajj and 12th of Zil Hajj: Pilgrims have to stone all the three Jamarats starting from the small to the middle to the big. Normally, pilgrims depart from Mina before Magrib time for Makkah. Very few pilgrims stay on till the 13th of Zill Hajj wherein they stone the three Jamarats again and depart from Mina. Remember that your journey from Makkah to Mina, from Mina to Arafat, from Arafat to Muzdalifa, from Muzdalifa to Mina and from Mina to Makkah may be very disorganised as the buses have to do two or three trips and many pilgrims do not have the patience to wait for the buses that the Moallim arranges for them. Some pilgrims prefer to walk from Makkah to Mina which is 6-7 kms. through the covered walk-way. From Mina to Arafat there is no covered walk-way. Mina ends where Muzdalifa begins. A little after Muzdalifa ends, Arafat begins. All are in a straight direction. It has been noticed that from Makkah to Mina pilgrims are moved by and large smoothly by the Moallims. Similarly, movement from Mina to Arafat, even though confused, still delivers. The problem is in the return journey. You must not panic if you are delayed in your movement from Arafat to Muzdalifa. Remember that you are to leave Arafat only after the Magrib Azaan, but have to say Magrib prayers combined with Isha only on reaching Muzdalifa, however long it takes. It might take 6-8 hours to cover the very short distance of 5-6 kms. from Arafat to Muzdalifa by the buses. At Muzdalifa, lines at the toilet can extend upto two hours. You have to plan your toilet accordingly. Muzdalifa and Mina are contiguous and hence it may be advisable that pilgrims who are in a good state of health, after the dawn (Fajr) prayers on 10th D.H., walk over to Mina to their camp and then do the rituals without waiting for the buses to transport them. You must give the first benefit of the buses to older pilgrims and women.

You must know the conditions of Ihraam and how the Ihraam garments are to be put on for men and what are the Ihraam garments for women.


For men it is just two pieces of unstitched cloth, one to be wrapped around the waist and one to be thrown around the shoulder, preferably of white colour. No under garments, caps or socks are to be worn. There are also other conditions prior to and after wearing of the Ihraam clothes.


You have to shave/cut the hair of your armpit and pubic region, cut your nails, have a bath, comb your hair and then put on the Ihraam clothes.


For women, after cutting of extra body hair, nails and having bath, they can put on their normal clothes. The condition for them is that their head, specially the hair, should be covered fully and that only their face and hands up to the wrist are visible. They can wear undergarments and socks.


For men, there is a restriction on the type of footwear that is to be used. The slipper or shoe should be such as to make the foot visible and which do not cover the ankles.


You must also be aware that you have to pray two rakaths (sunnat of Ihraam) after you have worn the Ihraam clothes and make the intention of Umrah or Hajj (as is proper) and then the recitation of the Talbiyah, (Labbaik, Allahummah Labbaik ......) at the appropriate time as instructed by your religious scholars.


Combing of hair, cutting of nails, getting angry, using abusive language, slaughtering animals, physical relations with partner, use of perfume, etc. are prohibited during the state of Ihraam.

If you are unable to do the sacrifice (Hajj Qurbani) yourself, as there is great rush at the slaughter houses, you can buy the coupons of the Islamic Development Bank. There are bank branches and counters at Makkah/Madinah/Mina for this purpose. Do not let confidence tricksters take your money for sacrifice.

Hajj is the most important and dramatic event in a Muslim’s life. Accordingly, you must prepare yourself for this holy journey.


Start preparing yourself after the month of Ramadan.


Read the story of the life of the Prophet Muhammed (Pbuh), Ibrahim and his son Ismael (peace be upon them all). Try to put yourself through that experience. Get up at least once a week during the last hour of the night to pray asking God to facilitate your intention to perform the Hajj.


Coming out of the month of Ramadan and into Hajj, you need to quickly get your body in shape. No matter how young you are, your perseverance will be tested.


Memorize few Duas. Capitalize on the spiritual transformation you went through in Ramadan and sustain your momentum by preparing yourself physically and spiritually for Hajj.

If you are coming to Saudi Arabia by 20th or 21st of Dhul Qada you will be able to move to Madinah between 36-48 hours of your arrival at Makkah. Otherwise your Madinah movement will be after the Hajj. The Moallim will announce the time the buses would arrive at your house, but be prepared for delays in the arrival of buses. Do not get upset or angry.


When the buses arrive you must load your luggage on the same bus that you are travelling in and if you have to go to the toilet you must go to the toilet before boarding the bus. In many cases, the buses stop mid way between Makkah and Madinah after a two or three hour run. Keep this in mind before boarding the bus.


Be sure that you are back in the bus at the appointed time. If you are left behind you will have problems. Always carry your identification card and if you are left behind you may have to take a ride from people coming in cars and buses. You have to tell them to drop you at the pilgrim reception centre (PRC) in Madinah where you will have to find out when the bus reaches Madinah it halts at the pilgrim reception centre outside Madinah where pilgrims are checked by the PRC staff. The Consulate staff is also present to help pilgrims. The bus then goes to the house in Madinah where you will be put up. Normally, three or four contractors in Madinah are given contract for housing Indian pilgrims by the Hajj Committee, Mumbai, and you will go to one of these contractor’s buildings. In Madinah, there is only one category of accommodation, and all pilgrims have to be accommodated within 750 meters of the Haram Sharief. It is your luck if the contractor houses you in closer buildings and/or in better buildings. In Madinah you must be careful to note down and know which building you are in and you must get the exact name, address and telephone number (if available) of that building.


Do not leave your luggage or your family members to take care of your luggage while you rush off to the Masjid-e-Nabvi for prayers. First ensure that you are accommodated in a room and that your luggage is in the room. Only then after getting the name and address of the building and your room number should you go for prayers, this is important.


Indians believe that saying 40 prayers in succession in Madinah has great rewards. However, there are various schools of thought on this and you must follow whatever you feel is correct or good for you. As you know, for women during their menstruation, Allah has dispensed with their prayers for this period. You must know how Salaam is said at the Prophet’s (e) Rouzah (grave). The Prophet’s two companions, Hazrat Abubaker Siddiqui and Hazrat ‘Umar, are also laid to rest there and you must know what to recite when you are there. The arrangements for men is very simple in the Masjid-e-Nabvi. For women, the authorities have specified certain timings when they are allowed near the Rouzah. Please find out these timings for women. You should also say some prayers in the area known as‘Riyazul Jannah” in the Masjid-e-Nabvi if there is not too much crowding.


There are restrictions on entrance to the Jannatul-Baqui graveyard. Women are sometimes restricted from even approaching it. Both in Makkah and Madinah if you have women members in your group you must tell them to wait for you at a specified place. They should not go looking for you while you go looking for them. In this case, there are chances that both of you get lost (and upset). One member or group must stay at a fixed place while others are looking for them. You must settle this within your group. Get acquainted with the lay-out of the Masjid-e-Nabvi and topography of Madinah. Visually mark out the landmarks and your route. The Masjid-e-Nabvi has gates with numbers and names. Remember the gate number and the name of the gate through which you enter and come out.

Fire-proof tents would be housing Indian pilgrims at Mina. However, small fires cannot be ruled out. You have to be very careful during your stay in Mina. See and find out where are the exit points in your camp, where are the fire extinguishers and in case of emergency how you could easily get out of the camp to a safe place. Do this inspection as soon as you reach Mina. You can never be over cautious. You must also teach your fellow pilgrims about emergency evacuation procedure. The idea is to evacuate without creating panic or stampede. Some smart and young people can be given the job of supervising evacuation in case of emergency and also of trying to put out the fire through the fire extinguishers. Read the instructions on the fire extinguishers as soon as you arrive in your camp, so that you are familiar with its use from before.


Every year invariably there is a stampede or stampede condition at the site of stoning of the Jamarat. There are two levels from which you can stone the Jamarat (Ramy) and you must chose a time where you find that the crowd is not too much and that the stoning can be done with ease. Never get stuck in a crowd that is not moving or which you can see is stationary. Choose the ground or the top level for stoning as per the assessment of the crowd. You have to be always very careful about this procedure. Remember that old, infirm, children and women who are not able to withstand the strain can depute someone else to stone on their behalf. If you find that near the stoning site there is too much overcrowding or that movement is very slow, you must immediately turn and go back to your camp. Get out of the crowd immediately. Come back at a better time. You must also be very alert to the fact that some pilgrims of certain nationalities come in batches and push their way through. Do not get into their way or try to stop them. You would get harmed in the process. It is best to avoid their path and wait till they get out. Do not try to go against the direction of the crowd. Move with the crowd. Do not lose your temper and do not fight with others. If required, retrace your steps after the rush has passed. You have to take care of yourself and your group. Find out the best time when you can stone. If you drop something or lose your slippers, do not stoop to pick it up. You may be trampled. After stoning of the small and middle Jamarats (on 11th/12th D.H) you have to go to the side and supplicate, facing the Kaabah, standing up. This should be a very short supplication as there might be rush. Choose a place or corner away from the Jamarat to stand and supplicate. You do not supplicate after stoning the big Jamarat.


On the last day after stoning of the Jamarats, you have the option of walking out of Mina into Makkah and taking a private vehicle to take you to your building. However, you should do this only if you are very confident that you can reach your building. Otherwise, you should ask to be taken to the Haram Sharief. Go inside the Haram Sharief and get your bearings and then walk to your building. Always remember that there is no need to hurry in any situation. Islam does not entail that you suffer bodily harm or risk your life. There are always options available and hence there is no need for you to hurry and in the process get harmed. After the Hajj is over and when you are back in Makkah you must pray and thank Allah.

Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all people who are able to make the journey. As for those who disbelieve, Allah is in no need of anyone in all the worlds. Say: People of earlier revelation, why do you disbelieve in Allah’s revelations, when Allah Himself is witness to all that you do. Say: People of earlier revelation, why do you try to turn those who have come to believe, away from the path of Allah, seeking to make it appear crooked, when you yourselves bear witness (to its being straight)? Allah is not unaware of what you do. (The House of Imran, “Aal Imran”:3:97-99)


Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all people who are able to make the journey. As for those who disbelieve, Allah is in no need of anyone in all the worlds.


One thing which attracts our attention when we read this verse is the fact that the duty of pilgrimage is made in absolutely general terms: A duty owed to Allah by all people. This suggests first of all that the duty of pilgrimage is also required of the Jews who disputed the validity of the Muslims turning to the Kaabah in their prayer. Their argument fails completely when it is realized that they themselves are required to make the pilgrimage to this House, since it is the House built by their father Abraham, and the one which was the first ever to be set up for worship by mankind. In this light, the Jews appear to be the deviant and disobedient ones. We may also infer from the way this verse is phrased that mankind is required to accept this faith, fulfill its duties, offer its worship and make the journey of pilgrimage to the House to which the believers in Allah turn. Unless they do this, their stand is one of disbelief, no matter how strongly they may profess to be believers. Allah stands in no need of anything or anyone, He does not need people’s belief in Him, nor does He benefit by their pilgrimage. The benefit and prosperity are theirs when they accept the faith and offer the worship.


Pilgrimage is a personal obligation on every individual once in a lifetime, and it becomes due when the condition of ability are fulfilled, including physical health, ability to travel and safe passage. There is difference of opinion among scholars with regard to the time when this duty was imposed. Relying on the report that this passage was revealed in the 9th year of the Prophet’s settlement in Madinah, which is generally known in history books as “the year of delegations”, some scholars believe that pilgrimage was made an obligatory duty in that year. They support their argument with the fact that the Prophet himself (Pbuh) went on his pilgrimage later. The point that the timing of the Prophet’s pilgrimage may not be taken as an argument in support of the view, that pilgrimage was made obligatory at a late stage in the life of the Prophet. Several considerations might have contributed to that delay. One of these may have been the fact that the polytheists use to make their walk (Tawaf) round the Kaabah completely in the nude, and they continued to do so after the liberation of Makkah.


Prophet (Pbuh) did not like to join them in their tawaf. The Surah entitled “Repenta-nce,” or Al-Tawbah, was revealed in the 9th year of the Islamic calendar, and polytheists were banned from tawaf in the Kaabah altogether. The Prophet offered his pilgrimage in the following year. Hence, the duty of offering pilgrimage may have been legislated earlier, and this verse may have been revealed in the early part of the Prophet’s settlement in Madinah, probably around the time of the battle of Uhud which took place in the third year of the Islamic calendar.


This clear statement imposes this obligation of pilgrimage, in the terms of a right which Allah demands from all people who are able to make the journey. Pilgrimage is the Muslims’ annual general assembly which is held at the House from which their message was given to them at the first time, and which witnessed the birth of the pure faith of Abraham, their first father, and which was the first House Allah set up on earth for His own worship. Pilgrimage is, therefore, an assembly of great significance. It has its historical associations which centre around the noble concept of faith which highlights the link between man and his Creator. Faith means man’s spiritual response to Allah, a fact of great significance considering that only with a blow of Allah’s spirit, man has acquired his humanity. It is a worthy concept as a basis for human unity. Hence, it is appropriate that people should assemble every year at the Sacred Place which witnessed the birth of this call to mankind, to unite on pure faith.


Having provided this clarification, the surah instructs the Prophet to address the people of earlier revelation denouncing their attitude towards the truth of this message. They know this truth fully well, yet they try to turn people away from it. They disbelieve in Allah’s revelations although they bear witness to them and they are certain that these revelations are true: Say: People of earlier revelation, why do you disbelieve in Allah’s revelations, when Allah Himself is witness to all that you do. Say: People of earlier revelation, why do you try to turn those who have come to believe away from the path of Allah, seeking to make it appear crooked, when you yourselves bear witness (to its being straight)? Allah is not unaware of what you do. Similarly, denunciations are made in this surah and many others. It is a highly effective denunciation because it does not mince words about the matter in question. The attitude of the people of earlier revelation is truthfully described, and they are shown in their true colour although they try to appear as people who have faith when they are in reality disbelievers. They disbelieve in the Qur’an which is revealed by Allah. Anyone who disbelieves in any part of Allah’s Book disbelieves in the whole of that Book. Were they true believers in the part of Allah’s Book which has been revealed to them, they would have believed in every messenger sent by Allah after their own messenger. The essence of divine faith is the same. Anyone who knows it, is certain to know that whatever is preached by subsequent messengers is true. He is bound to accept their call to surrender himself to Allah in the way they teach. This fact should shake those people and make them fear the consequences of insisting on their erring ways.


Those people who adhere to a divine book can no longer be so deceived as they listen to Allah’s words declaring the truth about those people branding them as total disbelievers: Allah Himself is witness to all that you do. Allah is not unaware of what you do. It is a fearful warning because it makes man feel that Allah watches him and sees exactly what he does, which is, in reality, nothing but disbelief, deception and the spread of corruption. Moreover, Allah makes it clear that they are aware of the truth which they deny and away from which they try to turn people: You yourselves bear witness to its being straight. It is absolutely clear, then, that they were aware of the truth of what they rejected. They knowingly tried to turn people away from what they realized to be a straight path. What a wicked attitude. Anyone who adopts it is not worthy of trust. He is indeed worthy of nothing but contempt and denunciation.


We need to reflect on Allah’s description of those people in the following terms: Why do you try to turn those who have come to believe, away from the path of Allah, seeking to make it appear crooked.


This is a statement of great significance. Allah’s path is straight, and every other way is crooked. When people are turned away from Allah’s path and believers are forcibly barred from following Allah’s constitutions, nothing remains straight. Our standards become faulty and nothing remains on earth except crookedness which can never be set straight.


Corruption thus wins the upper hand. Human nature becomes corrupt as it deviates from the straight path, and life becomes corrupt as it follows a crooked line. All this corruption is the result of turning people away from the path of Allah which generates erroneous concepts, deviant conscience, crooked morality, wicked behaviour, unfair transactions and injustice in all relations within human society and between man and the universe around him. Either people follow the path of Allah which is straight and leads to everything that is good, or they deviate from it in any direction, and this will inevitably lead to crookedness, evil and corruption. In man’s life, there is no third alternative.

The Prophet recited his dawn prayer and at sunrise, proceeded on his camel, al Qaswa to the Mount of Arafat followed by the pilgrims.


On the 8th day of Dhul Hijjah, the day of al Tarwiyah, Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) went to Mina and spent the day and night there. There he performed all the prayers incumbent during that period. The following day, the Prophet recited his dawn prayer and at sunrise, proceeded on his camel, al Qaswa to the Mount of Arafat followed by the pilgrims. As he ascended the mountain, he was surrounded by thousands of his companions reciting the talbiyah and the takbir. Then he requested some of his companions to put up a tent for him on the east side of the mountain at a spot called Namirah. When the sun passed the zenith, he ordered his camel to be saddled and rode on it until he reached the valley of Uranah.


It was there that while sitting on his camel, the Prophet delivered his sermon to his people. Rabi’ah ibn Umayyah ibn Khalaf repeated the sermon after him sentence by sentence. He began by praising God and thanking Him and then turning to the people, he said: “O Men listen well to my words, for I do not know whether I shall meet you again on such an occasion in the future. O Men, your lives and your property shall be inviolate until you meet your Lord. The safety of your lives and of your property shall be as inviolate as this holy day and holy month. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord and that He will reckon your deeds. Thus do I warn you. Whoever of you is keeping a trust of someone else shall return that trust to its rightful owner. All interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital however is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer inequity. God has judged that there shall be no interest and that all interest due to Abbas ibn Abd al Muttalib shall henceforth be waived. Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived. And the first such right that I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabi’ah ibm al Harith ibn Abd al Muttalib. O Men, the devil has lost all hope of ever being worshipped in this land of yours. Nevertheless, he still is anxious to determine the lesser of your deeds. Beware of him, therefore for the safety of your religion. O Men, intercalation or tampering with the calendar is evidence of great unbelief and confirms the unbelievers in their misguidance. They indulge in it one year and forbid it the next in order to make permissible that which God forbade and to forbid that which God has made permissible. The pattern according to which the time is reckoned is always the same. With God, the months are twelve in number. Four of them are holy.


Three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumada and Shaban. O Men, to you a right belongs with respect to your women and to your women a right with respect with you. It is your right that they do not fraternize with anyone of whom you do not approve as well as never to commit adultery. But if they do, then God has permitted you to isolate them within their homes and to chastise them without cruelty. But if they abide by your right, then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. Remember that you have taken them as your wives and enjoyed their flesh only under God’s trust and with His permission. Reason well, therefore O Men and ponder my words which I now convey to you. I am leaving you with the Book of God and the Sunnah of His Prophet. If you follow them, you will never go astray. O Men, harken well to my words. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not therefore do injustice to your own selves. O God have I conveyed your message?


As the Prophet delivered his speech, Rabiah repeated it sentence by sentence and asked the people every now and then whether or not they had understood the Prophet’s words and committed them to memory.


At the end of his speech, the Prophet asked,” O God, have I conveyed your message?” And the people answered from all corners, “Indeed so! God be witness.”


When the Prophet finished his sermon, he dismounted and waited until noon, at which time he performed both the noon and the mid-afternoon prayers. He then mounted his camel and proceeded to al Sakharat where he recited to the people the concluding divine revelation: “Today I have completed for you your religion.  Today I have accepted for you Islam as the religion”.

The following acts are prohibited during the state of Ihraam: Sexual intercourse as well as all sex-play and acts and talks of romance. Quarrelling and fighting. Hunting, land animals.

• To inform a hunter of the whereabouts of an animal.
• To aid a hunter in anyway whatever.
• To chase a wild animal.
• To break an egg of a wild bird.
• To injure any wild animal, even removing its feathers.
• To sell wild animals.
• To purchase wild animals.
• To remove the milk of a wild animal.
• To cook the meat of eggs of wild animals.
• To kill lice.
• To throw lice in the heat of the sun.
• To wash clothing with the intention of killing lice.
• To instruct another person, directly or indirectly, to kill lice.
• To dye one’s hair.
• To use gum or any kind of hair conditioner.
• To apply perfume.
• To cut hair and nails or to ask another person to cut one’s hair and nails.
• To cover the face or any part of the face.
• To wear sewn garments, e.g. kurtah, trousers, topee, etc or to wear such shoes or socks which conceal the raised bone in the front of the foot. To wear garments which have been dyed in saffron, kusum or any fragrant substances. However, if the garments so dyed have been thoroughly washed, leaving no fragrance, it will then be permissible to wear such garments.

Fragrance-free soap and deodorant. Use the fragrance free during Ihram.

White umbrella Toothbrush and Toothpaste

Nail-cutter and scissors

Brush, comb and Towel

Plastic slippers for the rest rooms

Alarm clock

Koran and Dua pocket books

A phone calling card

A facemask to cover the mouth and nose especially during Tawaf and Sayi

A cassette player as you will spend a long time in transit especially when en route to and from Mina and Mt Arafat. With the slow moving traffic, this could become useful to ease some of the tension by listening to Qur’an recitations.


Insulated water bottle. Fill it with Zamzam water before going to Mina and Mt Arafat.


Arrive at least one hour before the Friday noon prayer at Al Masjid Al Haram to get a position close to the Kabah.

The following acts are Makruh during the state of Ihraam:

• To comb the hair or beard.
• To scratch the hair in such a way that hair or lice falls out.
• To make khilaal in the beard.
• To sew the two ends of the lower Ihraam garment when this is not occasioned by a need to conceal the aurah.
• To tie knots in the upper garment or to tie it with pins, needles, etc.
• To smell perfume.
• To touch perfume.
• To unnecessarily tie a bandage on the body.
• To touch or to smell fragrant fruit and grass.
• To stand under the cloth of the Ka’abah in such a way that the cloth touches the head or face.
• To lay on one’s stomach with one’s face downwards on the pillow.
• To look with lust at the satar of one’s wife.
• To throw any garment, e.g. coat, over the shoulders.

Each Jamarat at Mina is to be stoned seven times. On the 10th of Zil Hajj it is only the big Jamarat, however on the next 2-3 days, all the three Jamarats from small to medium to big in that order. If you are picking pebbles at Muzdalifa, be sure to carry a plastic bag with you to keep the pebbles. Pick some extra pebbles just in case you drop some when pelting the Jamarat. For 10th D.H. you need 7 pebbles, for 11th D.H. 21 pebbles, for 12th D.H. 21 pebbles, and (if necessary) for 13th D.H. another 21. Pick an extra 10 pebbles.


While pelting the Jamarat, you pick up one pebble at a time between your forefinger and thumb, and say Bismillah Allah-o-Akbar and throw it inside the receptacle around the pillar. Repeat that each time till you pelt 7 pebbles. Take care not to hurt anyone during pelting. Do not throw anything other than small pebbles. Do not abuse.