Hajj is 'A PILLAR OF ISLAM'. It is obligatory for every Muslim to perform it at least once in their lifetime, if they have the means. Hajj is the largest gathering of Muslims from around the world. It is a unifying process showing the brotherhood of man within Islam and their worship of the one and only God Allah. One purpose of the rites and ceremonies of Hajj, is for the Pilgrim to reject evil in every way possible; physically, mentally, verbally and spiritually.

The soul of every Muslim yearns to visit Makkah; where the first house of worship was built; where Allah ordered the Prophet Ibrahim to settle his family and build the Ka'bah with his son Ismail (AS) where the blessed well of Zam Zam flows; and where Muslims worldwide, turn to in prayer; where the last Messenger and Prophet of Allah, Muhammad was born and where the Pilgrims begin their quest for forgiveness. A quest, that takes them on 'The Journey of a Lifetime' - The Hajj.

There are three types of Hajj.

1. Hajj Al-Qiran (combined)
This applies only to people who have brought with them an animal to sacrifice (Hadi) and means entering into Ihram for both Umrah and Hajj at the same time.

2. Hajj Al-Ifrad (single)
This applies only to people who have brought with them an animal to sacrifice (Hadi) and means entering into Ihram only for Hajj.

3. Hajj Al-Tamatt'u (interrupted)
This is the type that the majority of people from the U.K. perform. It means entering into Ihram for Umrah, performing the Umrah, and then taking off the Ihram. Then on the 8th of Dhu Al-Hajjah, to wear the Ihram again from one's residence in Makkah

Ihram

Men should wear the two-piece Ihram. Women should wear what they have available that is decent - they should be covered except for the face and hands. The 'Obligations' of wearing Ihram include no physical contact with ones spouse.

The Pilgrims wear the Ihram and make intentions for Umrah or Hajj at specified places on the way to Makkah. These places are called 'Stations of Ihram' (Al-Miqat) and are as follows:

• Thu Alhulaifa (approaching Makkah from the North)
• Qarn Al-Manazil (approaching Makkah from the East)
• Yulamlam (approaching Makkah from the South)
• Rabegh (approaching Makkah from the West)

Pilgrims travelling by air from the U.K. can wear Ihram before boarding the plane. About 15 minutes before landing in Jeddah (when these Pilgrims 'pass-by' their 'Miqat', Rabegh) they make their intention for Umrah. After making their intention for Umrah the Pilgrims proceed to Makkah. In Makkah the Pilgrims perform the Tawaf (circuiting the Ka'bah seven times). Starting the Tawaf at the 'Black Stone' by saying 'Takbir' and ending the seventh circuit also at the Black Stone. During Tawaf, the Pilgrims praise Allah and make supplications to Him in any words they please, completing each circuit with "Rabbana….

It was a Sunnah of the Prophet to kiss the Black Stone during Tawaf. Not being able to, does not detract from the Tawaf. Struggling, pushing or injuring people to kiss it, is prohibited. When parallel to it saying 'Takbir' and raising the hand with the palm faced toward it is sufficient.

Praying two Rak'ats after the Tawaf behind the 'Maqam Ibrahim' is a Sunnah of the Prophet. However, it is permissible to pray anywhere within the Sacred Mosque.

It was a Sunnah of the Prophet to drink the blessed water of the Zam Zam after the Tawaf.

The Lady Hajiarh (AS) (wife of Ibrahim (pbuh) prayed for water for her infant son, Ismail, whilst walking seven times, to-and-fro, from the 'Mount of Safa' to the 'Mount of Marwa'. Allah answered her prayers and the blessed water of Zam Zam gushed forth, quenching their thirst and the thirst of millions of Pilgrims ever since.

The next part of Umrah is for the Pilgrims to walk seven times to-and-fro (briskly between the marked green posts and normally otherwise) from Safa to Marwa. This is called Sa'i.

After completing the Sa'i, the Pilgrims end their Umrah by shortening their hair. The state of Ihram and its 'Obligations' are now lifted, with Pilgrims resuming their normal life.

The next step is the Hajj itself.

On 8th Dhu Al-Hijjah, the Pilgrims re-enter into Ihram from their residence in Makkah. They make the intention for Hajj and travel to Mina. They pray Zuhr to Fajr in Mina, at their proper times, but shortening Zuhr, Asr, and Isha to two rak'ats.

After sunrise, (9th Dhu Al-Hajjiah), the Pilgrims travel to Arafat. Here they shorten both Zuhr and Asr prayers to two rak'ats praying both at Zhur time.

Staying within the boundaries of Arafat between noon and sunset is the most important part of Hajj. Here the Pilgrims face the Qibla and offer supplications to Allah. After the sun has set, the Pilgrims proceed to Muzdalfa.

At Muzdalfa, the Pilgrims pray the Magrib and Isha prayers combined, shortening Isha to two rak'ats. Fajr is also prayed here (though, ladies who are ill or weak can proceed to Mina after midnight). Muzdalfa is also the place where Pilgrims can pick up seven pebbles for stoning the Jamrat of Aqabah. The other pebbles required can be picked up in Mina.

After the sun has risen, (10th Dhu Al-Hajjah), Pilgrims travel back to Mina.

When the Pilgrims arrive in Mina (10th Dhu Al-Hajjah), they stone the Jamrat of Aqabah. Sacrifice their Hadi, eating some of it, but distributing most of it. Then, men usually shave their heads and women cut some hair equivalent to the size of a fingertip. The state of Irham is now lifted except physical contact with one's spouse.

The Pilgrims then travel back to Makkah, to perform Tawaf Al-Ifadah, pray behind Maqam Ibrahim, and perform the Sa'i of Hajj. All the restrictions of Irham are now lifted with Pilgrims returning to normal life.

The Pilgrims then return to Mina to spend the next three nights, though, spending two is permissible. If the Pilgrim intends to spend two nights, then he or she must leave before the sun sets on the second day otherwise, the Pilgrim should remain there for the third day. On each afternoon of the two or three days, the Pilgrims stone each of the three Jamrat.

The final step for the Pilgrim is returning to Makkah to perform the Farewell Tawaf (Tawaf Al-Wada) before leaving Makkah for home. Thus ending the Pilgrimage.

Travelling to the Mosque of the Prophet is a Sunnah. Though it is not one of the Pillars of Hajj, many people travel to it either before or after Hajj.

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