Hajj is the obligatory pilgrimage of Islam which remains necessary for Muslims as the fifth pillar of the Islamic faith. Millions of Muslims Book Hajj Package and travel every year for the holy rituals during the month of Dhul-Hijjah. Hajj is only obligatory once in a lifetime and for only those Muslims who;
- Possess the financial means to sponsor their trip i.e., pay for all of their accommodation, travel, eating, and other international travel expenses while also providing enough provisions for their family back home (if they aren’t accompanying along).
- Mentally sane.
- Have the physical ability for it because hajj rituals require a lot of walking and other physical activities to be performed by the pilgrims.
For pilgrims arriving in the holy land, there are usually three types of Hajj observed. Here’s a brief description of them.
- Hajj-ul-Ifrad.
Hajj-ul-Ifrad is the simplest form of Hajj pilgrimage. A pilgrim arriving for Hajj-ul-Ifrad enters into the state of Ihram with the only intention of performing Hajj and before passing through the Meeqat boundary (place specified for assuming ihram). in this type of hajj, the pilgrim does not combine Hajj with Umrah and makes sure not to perform umrah in the months of Hajj. Consequently, a pilgrim performing Hajj-ul-Ifrad is called ‘Mufrid’. - Hajj-ul-Qiran.
In Hajj-ul-Qiran, a pilgrim combines Hajj and Umrah, both. In simple words, such a person assumes Ihram with the intention to accomplish the performance of both the pilgrimages (Hajj and Umrah). Therefore, a pilgrim who performs this kind of Hajj is called a ‘Qarin’.Qarin first wears Ihram for Umrah and then assumes it for Hajj as well; making his intentions for Hajj just before performing Tawaf for Hajj. The obligations on a pilgrim performing Hajj-ul-Qiran are the same as the imposed on the one performing Hajj-ul-Ifrad, except that the former must slaughter whereas the latter is not obligated to do so.
- Hajj-ul-Tamattu.
For Hajj-ul-Tamattu, a pilgrim assumes Ihram for only Umrah during the months of Hajj pilgrim. After reaching Makkah, the pilgrim undertaking Hajj-ul-Tamattu performs Tawaf and Saa’ee for Umrah, then performs Qasr i.e., shaves or trims his hair. Afterward, on the eighth of Dhul-Hijjah, the pilgrim puts on his Ihram for Hajj and performs the rites and duties of Hajj. A pilgrim performing this kind of Hajj is called a ‘Mutamatti’.
All three forms of Hajj are exceptionally rewarding but the most recommended and Sunnah form of Hajj by Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) is Hajj-ul-Tamattu. He (SAWW) encouraged his followers to perform Hajj-ul-Tamattu. Even if a pilgrim makes Niyyah to perform Hajj-ul-Qiran or Hajj-ul-Ifrad, it is permissible to change the Niyyah to perform Hajj-ul-Tamattu.
