Hajj

The Hajj is the pilgrimage to the Sacred House of Allaah in the city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia. It is one of the 5 Pillars
of Islam

Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said: the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“Islam is built upon five (pillars): testifying that there is no god but Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, establishing regular Prayer, paying Zakaah, Hajj and fasting Ramadaan.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 8; Muslim, 16).

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka‘bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allaah, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allaah], then Allaah stands not in need of any of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists) [Aal Imraan 3:97]

Thus every man or women who has the ability to go for Hajj, must go at least once in their lifetime. A women must to accompanied by a male mahrem. If she does not have a male mahrem then she is not required to go. But as soon as she has a male mahrem willing to take her to Hajj then she is required to go (assuming she has the ability to go). And the Hajj is the Jihad for the Muslim women as women are not required to fight in Jihad.

Hajj has its own etiquette and conditions which the Muslims must observe, such as restraining their tongues, hearing and sight from all that Allaah has forbidden, being sincere in their intentions, using money from good sources (for Hajj), fostering the best attitude, and avoiding everything that could invalidate the Hajj, such as sexual relations, sin or arguing unjustly,

If the Muslim does Hajj correctly, in the manner prescribed and sincerely for the sake of Allaah, it will be an expiation for his sins. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

"Whoever does Hajj for the sake of Allaah, and does not have sexual relations or commit sins, will come back like the day his mother bore him." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 15210)

The month in which Hajj takes place is called Dhul hijjah Allaah has preferred the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah over all the other days of the year. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

"There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah?" He said, "Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 2/457).

Therefore All Muslims , whether on Hajj or not on Hajj should strive to do good deeds during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah

What one should do in the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah

The 9th of Dhul Hijjah is the day of Arafaah. Muslims should try to fast especially on this day

Fasting on this day is an expiation for two years.

It was reported from Abu Qutaadah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about fasting on the Day of ‘Arafaah. He said, “It expiates for the sins of the previous year and of the coming year.” Narrated by Muslim.

This (fasting) is mustahabb for those who are not on Hajj. In the case of the one who is on Hajj, it is not Sunnah for him to fast on the Day of ‘Arafaah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not fast on this day in ‘Arafaah. It was narrated that he forbade fasting on the Day of ‘Arafaah in ‘Arafaah.

There are many other virtues of the Day of Arafaah

Virtues of day of Arafaah

10th of Dhul Hijjah is Eid Al Adha and it is haram to fast on this day.

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Zaad al-Ma’aad (1/54): The best of days before Allaah is the Day of Sacrifice, which is the greatest day of Hajj as it says in Sunan Abi Dawood (1765), where it is narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The greatest of days before Allaah is the Day of Sacrifice.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood

Virtues of 10th of Dhul Hijjah (i,e day of Sacrifice (Udhiyah or Qurbani in urdu)

Sacrifice of an animal such as a sheep or a cow etc is known Udhiyah in Arabic. For those who are Urdu speaking the term Qurbani is used. This sacrifice is performed all over the world.

Eid Al-Adha Prayers, Celebrations and Etiquettes

A Muslim cannot fast on Eid or the days of al-tashreeq (11, 12 and 13th Dhu'l Hijjah