A Brief Introduction about Hajj

Hajj is an Arabic word which means “pilgrimage” .Every year, millions of Muslims, from different parts of the world gather in Mecca to perform hajj. Hajj is performed in Dhu-al-hajjah, the twelfth and last month of Muslim calendar.  Hajj is obligatory for every Muslim in a lifetime; they should be able to afford the expenses, physically fit. Hajj is offered with a series of rituals.

There are three types of hajj:

Haj-al-Tamattu:

In this type of hajj a pilgrim performs both umrah and hajj. It is for people who come from far places, long time before hajj. So, these people when enter Mecca for hajj should ihram and do the intention of umrah. Then again on eight day of Dhul-Hijja, he/she again wears the ihram with the intention of hajj, before this they shave or clip the hair. It is obligatory to sacrifice an animal after this type of hajj.

Hajj-al-qiram

In this type of hajj a pilgrim wears ihram with intention of performing umrah and hajj both.  It is optional that one can wear ihram for umrah and then with intention for hajj before his Tawaf for Hajj. It is for people who arrive to Mecca short time before hajj. The requirements for both the hajj are same, except in tamattu the piligrim should give sacrifice of animal,wheras in Qiram it is not compulsory.

Hajj-al-Ifraad

This hajj is done with single-intention. A pilgrim wears ihram for intention of Hajj, when he/she enters Mecca. This type of hajj is permitted for only locals of Makah.

Umrah can be done any time in the year, but hajj is to be done only from 8-12^th of Dhu-al-hajjah.

Benefits of Hajj

After performing hajj all the sins of a person are forgiven and he becomes pure like a new born baby. Hajj is the father of all worships. Hajj teaches a person sacrificing physically and financially in the way of Allah. Hajj also helps a person to purify the soul. Hajj remembers a person about the life after the death, when he wears the ihram. All people of different race, color, status, gathered in hajj with same clothes, this teaches a person equality and brotherhood.