Below are some miscellaneous questions and answers related to Hajj that has been compiled for some local brothers. They are some of the most commonly asked question with regards to Hajj. We have based them all on the reliable books of HanafiFiqh. We hope they may prove to be useful.
Q: Can I pay for my parents to go for Hajj? I’ve already performed my Hajj.
A: Yes, one can pay for their Fardh Hajj and their Hajj will be discharged. However, if one has not performed his own Hajj, he must perform it first.
Q: Does Hajj funded by parents fulfil one’s obligation?
A: Yes, Hajj funded by parents will fulfil the mature (baligh) children’s obligation of performing Hajj. Hajj only becomes obligatory if one has the means, but if someone else pays for one’s Hajj, it is valid and one’s obligation is discharged.
Q: Can a person ask others to fund his Hajj, as he does not have sufficient money?
A: No, one should not ask others to fund the Hajj. It is improper for a person who has to the amount of one day’s provision to ask from others. One should wait till one acquires the wealth in order to go for Hajj.
Q: Can a person in order to come out of Ihram shave or trim his own hair?
A: Yes, one may shave or trim one’s own hair in order to come out of Ihram provided he has completed all the rituals of Hajj. It is not necessary to get the hair shaved or trimmed by another person.
Q: What are the main integrals of Hajj?
A: There are two main integrals (arkan) of Hajj: a) Staying in the plain of Arafah, b) Tawaf of Ziyarah. If any one of these two is left out, Hajj will not be valid. Also, being a Muslim and wearing of the Ihram are both regarded as pre-requisites (shart) of Hajj. Other acts are Wajib, Sunnah or Mandub (mustahab), and by leaving them out, there is either a penalty (dam), giving in Sadaqa or the lessening of reward (according to what was missed).
Q: Is Hajj obligatory upon a person under debt? If not, then can he go for Hajj if he desires?
A: Hajj is obligatory on a person who has the financial means to travel to Makkah and is able to maintain himself there and his dependants (if any) at home. As for other debts, if a person is heavily indebted and his liabilities exceed his assets, Hajj is not compulsory upon that person. If he fulfils his monthly commitments and his creditors do not have any arrears claim against him, he will not be infringing on the rights of his creditors by performing Hajj on condition that he is sincere in fulfilling the remaining amount according to the commitments. If the creditors have arrears claims against him, he will be infringing on their rights by performing Hajj. Hence, he cannot perform Hajj unless he receives the prior consent of his creditors claiming arrears from him.
Q: Can a female wear leather socks whilst in Ihram?
A: Yes she can, although it is not allowed for males.
Q: What is the ruling with regards to people using cell/mobile phones in the Haram?
A: It is surely one of the most disturbing aspects that, many Muslims who come to the Haram of Makkah and Prophet’s (Allah bless him & give him peace) Masjid in Madina, keep their mobile phones switched on. It is equally painful to see people using cell phones whilst performing Tawaf or Sai’i. One comes to a place of worship – that too to the holiest of places in Islam- to forget the world and escape materialism but the fact is that “I am here in body, my mind is elsewhere”. There is a great sin of disturbing others engaged in worship, and if the ringing tone constitutes music, one becomes guilty of committing two sins; both of which are multiplied due to one being in a sacred place. Thus, one must switch off one’s phone before entering into the Haram.
Q: It is commonly heard that if one performs Umrah once, performing Hajj becomes obligatory upon him. Is this true?
A: This is not correct. Merely performing Umrah does not make Hajj obligatory until one has the financial means. But if a person who has not yet performed his Hajj reaches Makkah for any reason in the month of Shawwal or anytime thereafter before the 10th of Dhu’l Hijjah and he has resources to stay there up to the days of Hajj, only in that case will it become obligatory on him to perform Hajj either that very year or in any subsequent year.
Q: What about a person who stayed over after Ramadhan in Makkah. Does Hajj become obligatory on him?
A: The same ruling will apply here, in that if he stays in Makkah after the month of Shawwal has begun, then Hajj will become Fardh on him provided he has the resources to stay that long (which also includes being able to do so legally), and that he has never performed Hajj before. If is unable to stay until the time of Hajj, then he must go and perform Hajj the following year if he has the wealth, and if he has already performed a Fardh Hajj before, Hajj will not become obligatory on him.
Q: If a woman on menstruation (haidh) leaves the Tawaf of Ziyarat, then what is the ruling?
A: Tawaf of Ziyarat is Fardh in Hajj, thus leaving it out makes one’s Hajj incomplete. If a menstruating woman did not perform the Tawaf al-Ziyarat, then her Hajj will not be complete, and she will have to perform it later. If she performs it later, her Hajj will become complete and until she does not perform it, sexual relations with her husband will be unlawful. If, due to the lack of knowledge, a woman performed her Tawaf of Ziyarat in the state of menstruation, then she must repent and seek forgiveness from Allah for committing this mistake although the Tawaf will be valid, and she will have to pay the penalty (dum) of performing the Tawaf in this state by sacrificing a camel or cow.
Q: I am planning to go to Hajj. I am currently taking the contraceptive pill to control my monthly cycle. Will I be committing a sin if I take the pill while I am doing my Hajj?
A: One must always remember that a woman can carry out all the rituals of Hajj whilst on menstruation except for the Fardh Tawaf known as Tawaf al-Ziyarat, which is performed at the end of the Hajj rituals. Thus, you should not interfere with your normal monthly cycle by taking pills. However, if there is a need and there is no alternative, for example, you will be experiencing your monthly periods and you still have to perform your Tawaf al-Ziyarat while you are also scheduled to return home immediately. If you fear such a predicament, then there is a leeway to control your monthly cycle during Hajj.
Q: Is it necessary to perform Hajj in the first year of one becoming capable to do so?
A: Yes, according to the Hanafi Madhhab, it is obligatory to perform the Hajj as soon as one has the means to do so. Delaying it without an excuse will be highly sinful. However, if one performed it later on in life, one will have removed the burden of the sin from one’s back. However, if one died before performing it, the sin will remain.
Q: Can a woman go on Hajj alone?
A: No, it is unlawful and sinful for a woman to go for Hajj without a recognized Mahram. It will (according to the Hanafi Madhhab) be unlawful even with a group of women. She will have to wait until she finds a Mahram in order to travel for Hajj. If a Mahram is willing to accompany her but he cannot afford it and she can afford his expenditure, then Hajj will become Fardh on her, otherwise it will not. If she remains in this state all her life, then she must make a will of Hajj being performed on her behalf.
Q: If Hajj became Fardh on an individual and he passed away without making a will of Hajj being performed on his behalf, can his inheritors perform it on his behalf?
A: Yes, the inheritors can appoint someone to perform Hajj on the deceased’s behalf even if it is from the deceased’s wealth. However, the condition is that all the inheritors must give their consent and approval, as the left-over wealth belongs to all of them. The permission of a child who has not yet reached puberty will not be valid, thus they must wait until he reaches puberty.
Q: If an ill person not being able to perform Hajj sends another person on his behalf, and then becomes cured, will he have to go and perform Hajj?
A: Yes, if his illness goes away, he must go for Hajj.
Q: What is meant by Ihram, and when is one considered to be in Ihram?
A: Ihram is from the Arabic word Hurmah, meaning to make lawful things unlawful upon you. When one enters the state of Ihram, certain lawful things become unlawful upon him. This is the reason why it is called Ihram. One should also remember that, one does not enter into the state of Ihram by merely wearing the sheets; rather it is with the intention. One may wear the sheets from before, but make the intention of Ihram by reciting the Talbiya later.
Q: Is it necessary to recite the Talbiyah?
A: Yes, along with the intention of entering into Ihram (which can be made in the heart), one must recite the Talbiya (or another Dhikr on its place) aloud at least once. However, females should not recite it too loudly.
Q: Can men wear shorts or underwear in Ihram?
A: No, any clothing that is sewn on the form or shape of the body will be unlawful for males.
Q:What Kaffaarah (Penalty) should one pay if a culpable act occurs during the performance of Hajj and ‘Umrah?
Ans: Kaffaarah for an offence if occurs during the performance of Hajj and ‘Umrah becomes due according to the nature of the offence. Some culpable acts make “Badnah” (to slaughter a camel or cow on the land of Haram) due as Kaffaarah and some offences make “Dam” (to slaughter a sheep or goat) due. In some cases only a quantity of some commodity equal to Sadqatul Fitr becomes due and in some cases even less than it. The detail of such regulations are not possible to be included in this short book for which voluminous books or the religious scholars of Ahle Sunnat may be consulted. However, two points be kept in mind:
1: A culpable act for which “Dam” is due, if occurs due to sickness or severe heat or chilling cold or wound or blisters/boils or the molestation by lice, is an unintentional offence. In such cases it is optional for the delinquent one to either pay Sadaqah to six indigent, poor each or to observe three fasts and in case the offence carries the penalty of Sadaqah and was committed under duress then the delinquent can opt for observance of a fast in lieu of Sadaqah
. 2. The penalty of Kaffaarah is aimed at purifying the worship if affected by an offence committed by mistake or under duress or occured during sleep. Committing a culpable act deliberately during the observance of worship saying that I will pay Kaffaarah will make Kaffaarah necessarily due. But defying the command of Allah Almighty is a grave sin. May Allah protect us.
Q: Is it lawful or not for “Mahram” to patch up Ehraam?
Ans. The pilgrim should avoid wearing sewn garment. However, it is permissible under valid excuse.
Q: Is it lawful or not for a woman to go for Hajj?
Ans. Hajj is equally compulsory for man and woman who is in possession of the requisite money, means and strength. The one who does not perform Hajj despite the facility is deserving of Hell-fire. However, a woman can not undertake journey for Hajj without her husband or “Mahram” (close relative to whom she can not be married). Undertaking journey for the purpose with a pious and God-fearing woman is not correct in Imaam-e-‘Azam’s view. If she leaves for Hajj without Mahram and performs it, her obligation will be deemed to have been fulfilled. But her Hajj will be Makrooh (odious) and she shall incur a sin on every step to [the gigantic distance of] holy Makkah and Madinah and back for travelling without Mahram. This rule is equally applicable to young and old woman.
Q: What should one do whose parents are in debt and prevent him from performing obligatory Hajj?
Ans.The one who is in possession of the requisite money, means and strength is not required to seek his parents’ permission for the performance of obligatory Hajj. His parents have no right to forbid him. He must go and perform Hajj despite their forbidding. Being in debt of one’s parents does not allow one to forgo Hajj if it is obligatory Hajj.
Q: Can a blanket or some other thick cloth/sheet be put over Ehraam in the winter?
Ans. It is permissible to put blanket or woolen sheet or some other unsewn cloths, they may be even more than one, over Ehraam and even can be laid as bed and put over’ oneself for sleep leaving the face uncovered in the winter.
Q: What are “Hajj-e-Asghar” and “Hajj-e-Akbar”?
Ans. Umrah is called Hajj-e-Asghar, for, some ceremonies and rites of Hajj like Tawaaf and Sa’ee etc. are performed. As against it the Hajj in which the ceremonies and rites of Wuquf-e-‘ Arafah, Wuquf-eMuzdalifah and Minaa, besides Tawaafand Sa’ee, are observed, is called Hajj-e-Akbar.
Q: Is it also Hajj-e-Akbar or not if 9th of Zilhijj (Wuqufe-‘ Arafah) falls on a Friday?
Ans. On whatever day the Wuquf-e-‘ Arafah may fall, the Hajj will remain Hajj-e-Akbar not ‘Umrah which is called Hajj-e-Asghar. But if, by luck, the 9th of Zilhijj falls on a Friday, it is, indeed, good fortune as it willenhance the dignity of the Hajj. Besides, it will also provide an opportunity to the pilgrims to earn even more blessings by observing yet another Sunnat of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon Him) as His “Hajjatul Wada” (last/farewell Hajj) took place on Friday. There is in a narrative that the Hajj which takes place on Friday carries the reward equivalent to seventy Hajjs. This is also a great excellence. Friday is the day of ‘Eid for Muslims and ‘Arafah is also ‘Eid day. If two ‘Eids fall on a day that is, undoubtedly, a wonderful thing and blessing upon blessing.
Once a jew said to Hadrat Ibne ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) that if the Quranic verse: “AIyauma Akmaltu Lakum Deenakum wa Atmamtu ‘Alaiekum Ne’matee wa Radeetu Lakumul Islaama Deenaa” (I have, this day, perfected yourreligion for you and completed My favour upon you and have chosen Islaam as religion for you) had been sent down for us, we would have celebrated ‘Eid on that day. Hadrat Ibne ‘Abbaas told the jew that two Eids were combined on the day this verse descended i.e. Jumu’ah and ‘Arafah. So we did not need celebrate _Eid on that day. Friday and ‘Arafah (9th of Zilhijj) are the days of Eid for believers and the day the Quranic verse in question was sent down was Friday as well as ‘Arafah(meaning Friday and ‘Arafah were combined on a day).Perhaps, general masses call Hajj that falls on Friday as Hajj-e-Akbar because of these double festivity and multiple graces.
Q: What are the conditions of performing Hajj on behalf of someone else?
Ans. There are many conditions of performance of obligatory Hajj by one on behalf of someone else so that he becomes free of the obligation of Hajj for which voluminous books may be consulted. However, the main condition for the validity of the obligatory Hajj an affluent person gets performed by someone else appointing him his attorney/representative because of some disability or duress is that the person on whom Hajj is compulsory remains in grip of disability or duress, as the case may be till his last age. If it is ever removed after the representative Hajj and he becomes able to perform Hajj by himself then the Hajj(s) he got performed on his behalf will stand cancelled in term of obligatory nature (Fard), he will earn reward of Nafil Hajj(s) and he will have to perform Hajj by himself to acquit well with the obligation.
Q: Is it correct or not to designate one for performing Hajj on behalf of a dead from holy Makkah?
Ans. Such representative Hajj(s) can not fulfill the obligation, for Hajj is the composite of the worship done by the body and worship done by money. If somebody for whom the hajj had become obligatory died, (God forbid!) without fulfilling the obligation is now divested of the worship by body. It is, indeed, the grace of Allah Almighty that He accepts the Hajj performed on behalf of a dead who made .a will for the representative Hajj before his death. He is so gracious that He accepts even that Hajj of a dead which is performed by his heirs/relatives without his will. Well, the one who performs Hajj on behalf of a dead should proceed for the purpose from the very city/town where the deceased lived. Designating someone from HolyMakkah for the representative
Hajj will not serve the purpose. As for reward, Allah Almighty is the Most Affectionate and Most Merciful. He will surely bless His dead servant on whose behalf the Hajj is performed. Unfortunately, the performers of Hajj take payment for performing Hajj on behalf of a dead. The worship done against payment deprives it of “Sawaab” (reward, goodness) when the performer himself is stripped of reward then how can he convey the reward to the dead particularly those professional ones who obtain payments from several persons for the performance of Hajj on behalf of their deceased relatives. May Allah Almighty guide Muslims into the straight path – Aameen.
Q: Is it lawful or not for the one on whom sacrifice of an animal is due for gratefulness or for committing any culpable act, to either give price of an animal as charity or slaughter an animal in his motherland or anywhere outside the Haram?
Ans. Neither suggestion is lawful, for, sacrifice of animal in the case requires the pilgrim to slaughter animal by his own hand in Haram for the sake of Allah. So giving price of the animal as charity will not fullfill the obligation like the Waajib of Eidul Adha i.e. if the one on whom the sacrifice of animal on Eidul Adha is due, gives price of the animal as charity instead of slaughtering an animal, will not be relieved of the obligation. Similarly, sacrificing even thousands of animals in one’s own country for the purpose will not clear him of the due. The land of Haram is prerequisite for the sacrifice.
Q: Is Hajj due or not on the one who has surplus money, earned through fair and unfair means, to his family needs?
Ans. If one has never been in possession of enough honest earnings to perform Hajj, although he has millions of rupees of bribe with him, Hajj will not be due on him as the bribe money is the “usurped wealth” and thus he is not its owner. And in case he has or had ever had enough honest earnings then Hajj will be compulsory on him. Spending bribe money on it is Haraam (unlawful), but the “Fard” (obligation) will stand annulled, dropped nevertheless. Hajj performed with ill-gotten money is not accepted. There is in a Hadees that when the pilgrim who performs Hajj with the illegitimate earnings, says: “Labbaiek” an angel responds to him thus: neither your presence here is acceptable nor your service is acceptable and your Hajj curses you unless you return the unlawful wealth, property you are in possession of. A way-out for such person is that he should borrow money for Hajj and payoff the loan by earning livelihood through fair means. If it is repaid, well and good otherwise there is in a Hadees that repayment of the loan taken for Hajj or Jehaad (holy war) or “Nikah” (marriage) rests with Allah Almighty. If he does not heed the honest earnings and pays off the loan from the ill-gotten wealth, it is one sin and nonperformance of the obligatory Hajj would be another sin for him. Thus the Hajj saved him from one sin which is, indeed, a blessing.
Q: Does the performance of Tawaaf etc. earns a believer reward in every season or only during the season of Hajj?
Ans. The reward of doing virtuous deeds within the precinct of Haram is not conditional with Hajj but is because of the sanctity and greatness of the sacred land of Haram. A virtue done in Haram earns the doer100, 000-fold reward in every season irrespective of Hajj’s. However, the Tawaaf of an obligatory Hajj has its own significance, for, no other worship/good deed can match the “Fard” (obligation). The Tawaaf of Umrah also carries great blessings particularly if it is observed during the holy month of Ramadaan which is even greater than the Tawaaf observed during Zilhij. The Holy Prophet (Peace be upon Him) said in this respect: “the performance of ‘Umrah during the sacred month of Ramadaan is like performing Hajj in my company.”
And Allah knows best.