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Introduction

Ḥajj (حَجّ) is the fifth and final pillar of Islam, a sacred pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah that every able-bodied Muslim must perform at least once in their lifetime if they have the means. Unlike the daily acts of worship like Ṣalāh or the yearly fast of Ramadan, Ḥajj is a unique journey of a lifetime—a physical, spiritual, and communal act of devotion that unites Muslims from all over the world.

Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’ān:

“And Ḥajj to the House is a duty that mankind owes to Allah—for those who can find a way there. But if anyone disbelieves, Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures.”
(Surah Āl-ʿImrān, 3:97)

At JH Quran Academy, we emphasize that Ḥajj is not just a physical trip to Makkah—it is a journey of the soul, filled with lessons of humility, sacrifice, and submission to Allah.

1. What is Ḥajj?

Ḥajj literally means “to intend” or “to set out for a great purpose.” In Islam, it refers to the pilgrimage to the Kaʿbah in Makkah, performed in the month of Dhul-Ḥijjah.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Islam is built upon five: to testify that there is none worthy of worship but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, to establish prayer, to pay zakāh, to fast Ramadan, and to perform Ḥajj to the House.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 8; Sahih Muslim, 16)

2. Qur’ānic Foundations of Ḥajj

Ḥajj is directly commanded in the Qur’ān:

• “And proclaim to the people the Ḥajj; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass.”
  (Surah Al-Ḥajj, 22:27) 

This verse reflects the universal call of Ḥajj—Muslims of all nations and backgrounds gather in obedience to Allah.

3. Who Must Perform Ḥajj?

Ḥajj is obligatory once in a lifetime for every Muslim who meets the following conditions:

• Muslim (non-Muslims are not obligated) 
• Adult and sane 
• Financially capable (able to afford the trip without debt) 
• Physically capable (able to endure the journey) 
• Women must be accompanied by a mahram (according to most scholars) 

If a person fulfills these conditions and delays Ḥajj unnecessarily, it is considered sinful.

4. Spiritual Significance of Ḥajj

Ḥajj is not just a ritual—it is a comprehensive act of submission.

a) Reminder of Unity

Muslims wear iḥrām, symbolizing equality before Allah.

b) Connection to Prophets

Ḥajj revives the legacy of Prophet Ibrāhīm (AS), who built the Kaʿbah with his son Ismāʿīl.

c) Spiritual Cleansing

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever performs Ḥajj for Allah and avoids obscene speech and sinful behavior will return (free of sin) as the day his mother gave birth to him.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 1521; Sahih Muslim, 1350)

5. The Rites of Ḥajj

Ḥajj takes place between the 8th and 13th of Dhul-Ḥijjah. The main rites include:

1. Iḥrām – Entering the sacred state and intention. 
2. Ṭawāf – Circling the Kaʿbah seven times. 
3. Saʿy – Walking between Ṣafā and Marwah. 
4. ʿArafah – Standing at the plain of ʿArafah, the climax of Ḥajj.
   
   
   “Ḥajj is ʿArafah.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 889)
    
5. Muzdalifah – Collecting pebbles and praying. 
6. Ramy al-Jamārāt – Stoning the pillars, symbolizing rejection of Shayṭān. 
7. Animal Sacrifice (Qurbānī) – Reviving Prophet Ibrāhīm’s (AS) sacrifice. 
8. ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā Celebration – Spreading joy and feeding the poor. 
9. Final Ṭawāf (Ṭawāf al-Wadāʿ) – Farewell circumambulation of the Kaʿbah. 

6. Types of Ḥajj

• Ḥajj al-Tamattuʿ – Performing ʿUmrah then Ḥajj. 
• Ḥajj al-Qirān – Combining ʿUmrah and Ḥajj in one iḥrām. 
• Ḥajj al-Ifrād – Performing Ḥajj only. 

7. Benefits of Performing Ḥajj

Spiritual Benefits

• Complete forgiveness of sins. 
• Renewal of faith and submission. 
• A chance for paradise. 

Social Benefits

• Brings Muslims together, erasing barriers of race, language, and nationality. 
• Strengthens global Muslim unity. 

Personal Benefits

• Builds patience, humility, and gratitude. 
• Teaches simplicity and endurance. 

8. Consequences of Neglecting Ḥajj

If a Muslim is capable but delays or abandons Ḥajj, it is a serious sin.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever possesses provision and means of journey to the House of Allah and yet does not perform Ḥajj, then it does not matter if he dies as a Jew or a Christian.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 812)

9. Practical Guidance for Pilgrims

• Prepare spiritually by learning the rulings of Ḥajj. 
• Save financially and avoid unnecessary debt. 
• Seek sincerity – Perform Ḥajj solely for Allah, not for prestige. 
• Stay patient during hardships of travel.

How to Perform Ḥajj – Step by Step

Ḥajj is a structured act of worship that follows specific rituals during the days of 8th–13th Dhul-Ḥijjah. Below is a step-by-step guide:

Day 1 – 8th Dhul-Ḥijjah (Yawm al-Tarwiyah)

1. Enter Iḥrām – Make intention for Ḥajj and recite Labbaik Allāhumma Ḥajjan. 
2. Travel to Minā – Perform Ẓuhr, ʿAṣr, Maghrib, ʿIshāʾ, and Fajr there. 

Day 2 – 9th Dhul-Ḥijjah (Day of ʿArafah)

1. Travel to ʿArafah – The most important ritual of Ḥajj. 
2. Stand at ʿArafah – Pray, make duʿāʾ, seek forgiveness.
   
   
   Prophet ﷺ said: “Ḥajj is ʿArafah.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 889)
    
3. After sunset, travel to Muzdalifah – Pray Maghrib + ʿIshāʾ, collect pebbles. 

Last Day 3 – 10th Dhul-Ḥijjah (Eid al-Aḍḥā)

1. Stone Jamrat al-ʿAqabah – Throw 7 pebbles. 
2. Animal Sacrifice (Qurbānī) – Sunnah of Prophet Ibrāhīm (AS). 
3. Shaving/Cutting Hair – Men shave or trim, women cut a fingertip’s length. 
4. Ṭawāf al-Ifāḍah & Saʿy – Perform Ṭawāf and walking between Ṣafā–Marwah. 

Days 4–5 – 11th & 12th Dhul-Ḥijjah

1. Stay in Minā – Pray and reflect. 
2. Ramy al-Jamārāt – Stone all three pillars (Jamrat al-Sughra, Wusṭā, Kubrā). 
3. Optional Day 6 (13th Dhul-Ḥijjah) – If staying, repeat stoning before leaving. 

Farewell Ṭawāf (Ṭawāf al-Wadāʿ)

Before leaving Makkah, pilgrims perform a final Ṭawāf around the Kaʿbah.

Practical Tips for Performing Ḥajj

• Learn the duʿās in advance (JH Quran Academy provides guidance). 
• Stay hydrated & patient during long walks. 
• Stick with your group to avoid getting lost. 
• Maintain sincerity – avoid arguments, focus on worship. 

At JH Quran Academy, we provide online Islamic courses that prepare Muslims with the knowledge of Ḥajj rituals, Qur’ānic recitation, and prophetic supplications to be recited during pilgrimage.