Handbook for Hajj and Umrah. Sarwar Alam Raz

      (4) You may now read Chapter 3 and Chapter 4. You can also start planning your schedules, travel and residential arrangements, etc. in the light of this information. Talk to your travel agent if any questions come to your mind during this study that are not answered in these chapters.

      (5) Save Chapter 6 (Prayers and Supplications) for a rainy day when you have a reasonable amount of time to memorise any or all of the prayers if you so desire. The seven prayers for Ṭawāf of the Kaʿbah are highly recommended. They possess an intensity of emotion and devotion that increases as the Ṭawāf progresses. It moves you even as it enlightens you, and it reaches its zenith in the seventh prayer where you find yourself asking Allah for His ultimate Grace and Mercy.

      Take your time in memorising the text as well as understanding the meaning of these prayers. They will keep you focussed before and during your journey on your mission of Ḥajj, as well as on your obligations towards Allah.

      (6) You may defer reading Chapter 7 (A Visit to Madinah) to the last. Even though the visit is not a part of either Ḥajj or ʿUmrah, every pilgrim goes to Madinah out of love for Rasūl Allāh who is buried in Al-Masjid al-Nabawī. There are a large number of places of religious and historical importance in and around Madinah. You will, doubtless, want to visit them also.

      As a matter of convenience, this handbook is written as if addressed to male pilgrims only. Needless to say, all information presented is equally applicable to female pilgrims. Such information as is meant for male pilgrims only is self-evident. Information which is intended exclusively for female pilgrims has been italicised for speedy recognition.

      CHAPTER 2

       Glossary

      This handbook uses a large number of technical terms applicable to Ḥajj and ʿUmrah. They are defined, and where considered necessary, briefly described below. A discussion of terms that require more extensive treatment is deferred until later in the text at the appropriate places. It is strongly recommended that the reader familiarise himself thoroughly with all terms defined. It may be emphasised that since definitions of various terms often incorporate other terms, more than one reading of this chapter may be needed for a fuller understanding of its contents:

      ʿArafāt (also pronounced ʿArafah): A desert location approximately nine miles from Makkah where the pilgrim spends the 9th of Dhu’l-Ḥijjah as a rite of Ḥajj.

      Ayyām al-Tashrīq: The 11th, 12th, and 13th of the month of Dhu’l-Ḥijjah. The pilgrim performs Ramī in Minā on these days.

      Dam: The expiation required of a pilgrim for any violation of a prohibition or obligation of the state of Iḥrām.

      Dhu’l-Ḥijjah: The last month of the Islamic calendar during which Ḥajj is performed.

      Ḥajar al-Aswad: The Sacred Black Stone built into the south-east corner of the Kaʿbah at a height of approximately four feet. The stone does not belong to the geology of the region and is a part of the original construction of the Kaʿbah by Prophet Ibrāhīm . Ḥajar al-Aswad has a special significance for Muslims during Ḥajj. It was personally installed in the wall of the Kaʿbah by Rasūl Allāh himself during its reconstruction following its destruction by a flash flood. The Prophet also kissed it during his Last (Farewell) Ḥajj. Thus, touching and kissing, or Istilām, of Ḥajar al-Aswad during Ḥajj and ʿUmrah are not only his Sunnah but also constitute an emotional and spiritual bond between him and his people.

      Ḥajj: A set of acts of worship prescribed by Allah and Rasūl Allāh to be performed in and around Makkah at least once in a lifetime by every Muslim satisfying certain conditions. Ḥajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. There are three types of Ḥajj one may perform as defined below:

      Ḥajj al-Ifrād: wherein the pilgrim pronounces his niyyah (i.e., intention) to perform only Ḥajj at Mīqāt while changing into Iḥrām.

      Ḥajj al-Qirān: wherein the pilgrim pronounces his intention at Mīqāt to perform both ʿUmrah and Ḥajj together with the same Iḥrām.

      Ḥajj al-Tamattuʿ: wherein the pilgrim pronounces his intention to perform only ʿUmrah at Mīqāt when changing into Iḥrām. A second niyyah, and a second change into Iḥrām, follow on the 8th of Dhu’l-Ḥijjah for the performance of the remaining rites of Ḥajj.

      Ḥalq: The act of completely shaving his head by the male pilgrim on the 10th of Dhu’l-Ḥijjah. This is the last thing he does before getting out of the state of Iḥrām. See Taqṣīr also. Either Ḥalq or Taqṣīr may be performed to fulfill the Sunnah of Rasūl Allāh . For female pilgrims, the requirements of Ḥalq and Taqṣīr are satisfied if they trim their hair by approximately an inch.

      Ḥaram al-Sharīf: The mosque around the Kaʿbah in Makkah, as well as the mosque in Madinah. The latter, also known as Al-Masjid al-Nabawī contains within its premises the grave of Rasūl Allāh .

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