Hajj has THREE fundamental Fardh (compulsory) acts, viz.,

(1) Ihraam: Making Niyyat with the heart for Hajj and reciting Talbiyah, i.e.

Labbayk Allahumma labbayk. Labbayka laa sharika laka labbayk. Innal hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk. Laa shareeka lak.

(2) Wuqoof at Arafaat: This wuqoof (stay-over) at Arafaat is on the 9th Zil Hijj at any time from after zawaal until Subh Saadiq of 10th Zil Hijj, even if the Wuqoof is for just a moment.

(3) Tawaaf-e-Ziyaarat: This is the Tawaaf which is made at any time from Subh Saadiq on the 10th Zil Hijj until 12th Zil Hijj after the head is shaved or the hair cut.

If any one of these three Fardh acts is omitted, the Hajj is not valid. Omission of any of these acts cannot be compensated for by means of sacrificing an animal, etc. Should any one of these three Fardh acts be omitted, the Hajj becomes qadhaa, i.e. it will have to be performed again.

THE WAAJIBAAT OF HAJJ

Six acts are Waajib in Hajj.



(1) To stop over at Muzdalifah at the time of Wuqoof, i.e. during the night of the 10th Zil Hijj.



(2) To make Sa-ee between Safa and Marwah.



(3) Rami of the Jimaar, i.e. to strike the pebbles at the Jamraat.



(4) Qurbaani, if the Haajji is a Qaarin or Mutamatti'.



(5) Halq (shaving the head) or Qasr (cutting the hair).



(6) Tawaaf-e-Widaa (The Farewell Tawaaf) for those living outside the

Meeqaat.





If a Waajib act is omitted, the Hajj is still valid, but compensation has to be offered whether the omission is deliberately or by error. Sometimes the, jaza (i.e. the compensation) is Dum (an animal) and sometimes it is Sadqah. However, if a Waajib act is omitted on account of a valid reason, then jaza (compensation) is not obligatory.

THE SUNNATS OF HAJJ

(1) Tawaaf-e-Qudoom for the Mufrid Aafaaqee and the Qaarin.

(2) Raml during Tawaaf-e-Qudoom.

(3) The Imaam has to deliver Khutbah at three places:

a. On the 7th Zil Hijj at Makkah Mukarramah.

b. On the 9th Zil Hijj at Arafaat in Musjid Namrah before the two Salaats are performed together.

c. On 11th Zil Hijj at Mina.

(4) To spend the 9th night at Mina.

(5) To proceed from Mina to Arafaat after sunrise on the 9th Zil Hijj.



(6) To depart from Arafaat with the departure of the Imaam.



(7) To spend the night at Muzdalifah after returning from Arafaat.



(8) To take ghusl in Arafaat.

(9) During the days at Mina, to spend the nights also at Mina.



(10) To halt at Muhassab on returning from Mina even if just for a

moment.



Besides the above, there are many other Sunnat acts of the Hajj.

Deliberate neglect or omission of any Sunnat is sinful. Rendering the Sunnats is an act of great thawaab. If a Sunnat act is omitted, there is no jaza (compensation) or penalty to be paid. However, care should be taken not to omit the Sunnats since such omission reduces the thawaab of the Hajj.

THE MUSTAHABBAAT OF HAJJ

(1) Men have to recite the Talbiyah audibly.



(2) Reciting the Talbiyah in abundance.



(3) Qurbaani (sacrificing an animal) by the Mufrid.



(4) To take ghusl at the time of entering Makkah Mukarramah.

(5) To stop near to Jabal-e-Rahmat in Arafaat if there is no congestion.

(6) To perform Zuhr and Asr Salaat together in Arafaat with Jamaat.

(7) During the duration of Wuqoof at Arafaat to recite Talbiyah and make dua in abundance.



(8) To halt at Mash'ar-e- Haraam during Fajr (morning) of the Day of Arafaat.

(9) To perform Fajr Salaat at Muzdalifah.



(10) To make Tawaaf -e-Ziyaarat on 10th Zil Hijj.



Mustahab is an act which is highly meritorious. Its thawaab is great. However, omission of Mustahab acts is not sinful. But, this does not mean that one should be neglectful in regard to the Mustahabbaat.

THE MAKRUHAAT OF HAJJ

Makruh acts are reprehensible and the thawaab of the Hajj is reduced by the perpetration of Makruh acts. The Hajj becomes defective by the commission of Makruh acts. Deliberate perpetration of Makruh acts is sinful. However, Makruh acts will not invalidate the Hajj. Among the prohibitions, only sexual intercourse which has been committed prior to the Wuqoof of Arafaat.

The following things are Makruh:

(1) The Imaam reciting the Khutbah before zawaal on the Day of Arafaat.



(2) After performing both Salaats together in Musjid Namrah, to remain long outside the limits of Arafaat.



(3) To depart from Arafaat before or after the Imaam.

(4) To make the Rami with pebbles obtained from near to the Jimaar or with pebbles of the Musjid or to break a big stone into bits and use the pieces for pelting.

(5) When terminating the Ihraam of Hajj or Umrah to shave only one quarter of the head or to cut hair from only a quarter of the head.

(6) During the days of Mina, to spend the nights in Makkah.



(7) To make Wuqoof of Muzdalifah in Wadi Muhassar.