Lesson — Learn Arabic & Islamic Studies

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Hajj is a pillar of Islam: a journey of the body to the House of Allah, and a journey of the heart back to Him.

What Hajj and 'Umrah are

Arabic	Term	Meaning
الْحَجّ	Hajj	In the language: to aim for something. In the Shari'ah: an act of worship made up of ihram, the standing at 'Arafah, Tawaf, Sa'y and other rites, at set times and places
الْعُمْرَة	'Umrah	In the language: a visit. In the Shari'ah: ihram, Tawaf and Sa'y, possible at any time of the year; also called the minor Hajj
الْمُحْرِم	Muhrim	A person in the state of ihram

Risalah of Ibn Abi Zayd al-Qayrawani; Ibn 'Uthaymeen, How to Perform the Rituals of Hajj and 'Umrah

The obligation

وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا"And pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by the people, for whoever is able to find a way to it."Al 'Imran 3:97

Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime on every Muslim who meets its conditions. This is established by the Book, the Sunnah and consensus. Whoever denies that it is obligatory has left Islam; whoever accepts it but does not go while able will be called to account by Allah (Risalah). Ibn 'Uthaymeen says a servant's religion is incomplete without it.

'Umrah is a confirmed Sunnah once in a lifetime according to the Maliki school (Risalah); other scholars hold it obligatory once.

The virtues of Hajj

"Whoever performs Hajj for Allah and does not commit rafath (obscenity) nor fusuq (sin) returns like the day his mother gave birth to him."al-Bukhari 1521

"'Umrah to 'Umrah is an expiation for what is between them, and Hajj mabrur has no reward except Jannah."al-Bukhari 1773, Muslim 1349

ForgivenessReturning free of sin, like a newborn

JannahThe reward of an accepted Hajj (mabrur)

ExpiationEach 'Umrah expiates the sins until the next

The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah

"No good deeds done on other days are better than those done on these (ten) days." They said: "Not even jihad?" He said: "Not even jihad, except a man who goes out risking himself and his wealth and returns with nothing."al-Bukhari 969

The rites of Hajj fall in these days. Those who stay at home share in their season through good deeds, dhikr and the udhiyah (Unit 5).

The two conditions of accepted worship

Ikhlas

Done for Allah alone, seeking the Hereafter; not to be seen by others (riya') or for worldly gain.

Following the Sunnah

Done as the Prophet ﷺ did it, in words and deeds. This needs knowledge of the Sunnah.

"Take your rites (of Hajj) from me."Muslim 1297

This is why the course exists: a Hajj done sincerely but without knowledge, or with knowledge but for show, misses one of the two conditions.

Key points

Hajj: ihram, 'Arafah, Tawaf, Sa'y and other rites; 'Umrah: ihram, Tawaf, Sa'y.
Obligatory once in a lifetime on the one who is able (3:97).
Hajj without rafath and fusuq returns a person like a newborn (al-Bukhari 1521); Hajj mabrur: Jannah.
No deeds are better than those done in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah (al-Bukhari 969).
Two conditions: ikhlas and following the Sunnah. "Take your rites from me."

Video Lesson

What Hajj Is and Why It Matters