Salaamun alaykum, dear readers!
The Hajj is another of the five pillars of Islam. It’s a pilgrimage, which means a visit to holy sites. The place we are to visit for Hajj is the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Whereas the Umrah is a voluntary visitation to the Masjid al-Haram and the Safa and Marwah mountains, which don’t have any of the ritualized structure of the Hajj. It is just a spiritual visitation to the holy sites, and it is often considered the minor pilgrimage, unlike Hajj which is the major pilgrimage in Islam.
The Hajj is a way to temporarily detach from the exhausting material world and focus exclusively on God’s worship, thus there are spiritual, physical, mental, and economic benefits.
Another benefit of Hajj is that it is a universal congregation of Muslims from all backgrounds of race, ethnicity, and social standing, further reinforcing the principle of universal brotherhood and sisterhood amongst believers, and that all distinctions are ultimately meaningless before God. We see people with all sorts of differences, but united in Islam, thus encouraging open-mindedness and respecting those differences.
There is an economic benefit too, because the sacrificial animals during Hajj are only supposed to be food for the poor during Hajj; the very vast majority of the meat (preferably all of it) is supposed to go towards those with food insecurity and poverty of all races, colors, religions, and creeds. If all of the meat and bones (for bone broth) gets stored for long-term distribution to the poor, it would greatly help with food insecurity.
Thus, if Hajj and Zakat is done the right way by every single person on the planet, it is supposed to be a safety net for the world’s poor and needy people.
Also, people are allowed to take advantage of the huge gathering of Muslims and engage in lawful trade during Hajj, but the primary purpose should be to worship God rather than make money.
So to begin with, the story of the Hajj started with Abraham. The Quran states that the prophet Abraham raised the foundations of Kaaba for the people together with Ismael, and established it as a place of worship. It was the first “House” (house of God/temple of God) ever built.
[3:96] Indeed, the first House laid down for the people is definitely the one which is in Bacca. It is blessed, and a guidance for the worlds.
[14:37] “Our Lord, indeed I (Abraham) have inhabited my offspring in a valley without possession of any plant at Your Muharram House, our Lord, for they may establish the Salat. So make hearts of the people desire towards them, and provide them with the fruits so that they may appreciate.”
Just like the Quranic Hajj, the Biblical pilgrimage is understood to be a yearly event.
- Pharaoh asked him, “How old are you?” And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers.” (Genesis 47:8-9)
- [Quran 28:27] “Indeed, I intend that I marry you (Moses) to one of these two daughters of mine, upon that you requite me eight pilgrimages (eight years). But if you complete ten, then that would be from with you. And I do not intend that I split against you. You will find me, if God willed, among the righteous.”
Hajj Timing
When does the Hajj start, and what is its duration? The following verses give the answer:
- [2:197] The known months of the Hajj, whoever thus executes the Hajj in them…
There is a false notion that there is only one month designated for the Hajj in Islam. This false notion stems from the fact that the prophet, during his entire lifetime, managed to do only one Hajj, and it was during the month of Dhul-Hijjah, so the Muslims since then likely believed that Hajj is only valid in Dhul-Hijjah.
This false notion is also based on pre-Islamic history, where the pre-Islamic Arabs observed Hajj only during the month of Dhul-Hijjah as well, thus furthering the notion that there is only one month of Hajj.
But the Quran itself in verse 2:197 calls the months of Hajj the “known months of the Hajj” (al-Hajju ashurum ma’loomaat), and says, “fa man (so whoever) farada (carries out) fi hinna (in them) al-Hajj (the Hajj)”. The Arabic pronoun “hinna” is plural, and it means “them”, not “it”.
Therefore, the Quran says there are FOUR Hajj months rather than just one. Therefore, the Hajj can be carried out in any of the four Hajj months.
If Hajj was during the month of Dhul-Hijjah only, the verse would have said, “The known month of Hajj, whoever thus executes the Hajj in it..” but it didn’t say that. It said “the known months of Hajj” and talked about carrying out the Hajj “in them” (plural) not “in it” (singular).
As for how we can derive the identity of the four months from the Quran, here are some relevant verses that show us that the four months are consecutive, meaning they occur one after another:
[9:2] So roam four months in the earth, but know that you are other than escapers of God, and that God is the Disgracer of the disbelievers.
[9:3] And this is an announcement from God and His messenger to the people on the day of the greater Hajj, that God is innocent from the mushrikeen, as well as his His messenger….
[9:4] But the ones whom you have pledged (with the four-month truce agreement) among the mushrikeen, then they neither shorten you in anything, nor back anyone against you, you shall thus complete to them their pledge, to their length (four straight months). Indeed, God likes the reverent.
[9:5] So when the Hurum Months have ‘insalakha’ (peeled away), then kill the mushrikeen (those who make partners with God) where you find them…
[9:36] The count of the months with God is twelve. This has been God’s decree on the day He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are Hurum.
According to these verses, God is announcing a truce during an ongoing war between the Muslims and non-Muslims at the time (verse 9:4). The truce is occurring during the start of the Hajj season (verse 9:3). Hajj was well-known to start during the month of Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic (and formerly pre-Islamic) calendar, as this was the practice of pre-Islamic Arabs. The pre-Islamic Arabs named the 11th month “Dhul-Qadah” (the month of sitting) because it was a month where the Arabs were supposed to sit peacefully and wait for the Hajj next month. The 12th month was named “Dhul-Hijjah (the month of Hajj)” by the Arabs before Islam as that was the month they carried out their Hajj.
So the four-month truce started during Dhul-Hijjah and will last for four straight months after that, during which the non-Muslims may go freely wherever they please (verse 9:2).
Then verse 9:5 says the fighting will restart after all the hurum months (the four sacred months of Hajj) have passed. Not only passed, but the exact word used is “insalakha” which means “peeled away” or “skinned away“, like skinning an animal or peeling a banana. The act of skinning or peeling something an act done from one end to another, whereas the act of chopping leaves gaps in between. This further highlights the fact that the sacred months are four consecutive months.
- In verse 36:37 when it says the daylight “naslakh” (peels off) from the night, it is describing a successive and gradual withdrawal of the daylight from the night. Thus, the “peeling away” of the sacred months indicates the months pass by successively.
So to recap, the truce started on month 12 (verse 9:3), lasted for four months (verse 9:2 and 9:4), and ended after all four sacred months have consecutively passed (verse 9:5), thus indicating that the four sacred months according to the Quran are months 12, 1, 2, and 3.
What IS true, however, is that the four months which Sunni Muslims currently assume are the correct ones are actually borrowed from the Arabs before Islam was established. Keep in mind that Arab pagans too had their form of Salat, as well as their version of the Hurum months (the 7th, 11th, 12th, and 1st months) in which they believed it was blasphemous to do any fighting. (Gunay, 2007)
So what happened is that when the first five verses of Surah 9 were revealed, the definition of the sacred months was clarified by God as: Dhul-Hijjah (12), Muharram (1), Safar (2), and Rabi al-Awwal (3). Thus, those verses effectively declared that the Muslims from that moment forward will not be following the same sacred months as the polytheist pre-Islamic Arabs.
The Quran stated in 2:197 that Hajj can be carried out at any time during the four sacred months, thus regardless of what any person says, a Muslim is perfectly allowed to do their Hajj at any time during those four months, not only during Dhul-Hijjah.
Hajj Rituals
So now it’s time for the main rituals of Hajj. Before we discuss the Hajj, let’s talk about Umrah. The Umrah is a voluntary form of pilgrimage. In the Quran, the only ritual mentioned for Umrah is visiting the Safa and Marwah (verse 2:158). Unlike the Hajj, the Umrah will occur outside the four sacred months. The Umrah is a less formal and structured visit to the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca compared to the Hajj.
Verse 2:196 says that if one intended to go to the Umrah or the Hajj but is prevented from going for whatever reason (such as illness, emergency, global pandemic, etc.) one can provide a convenient animal offering as an expiation, which can be sacrificed locally wherever you live. One must not shave or shorten their heads before the animal reaches the destination of sacrifice. But if one is sick or has a head illness that necessitates shaving for whatever reason, then the expiation for early shaving of the heads either fasting, or a charity, or a nusuk (a second sacrificial animal in addition to the original one, if you choose this option). But during the Hajj itself, if one cannot find a sacrificial animal available, then they must expiate by fasting 3 days during Hajj and 7 days upon return.
- [2:196] And complete the Hajj and Umrah for God. But if you have been constricted, then what is convenient of the animal offering, and do not shave your heads until the animal offering reaches its destination. But whoever among you is sick, or with an ailment of the head, then a ransom of fasting, charity, or an a sacrifice…
- [2:158] Indeed, the Safa and Marwah are among the rites of God. So whoever has performed Hajj to the House, or observed Umrah, no blame is thus on him that he circles by them; whoever voluntarily did good, then indeed God is Appreciative, Knowledgeable.
Mashar al-Haram
One of the Hajj rituals is to commemorate God at the “Mashar al-Haram” but what place is that?
The Mashar al-Haram is actually the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca according to the Quran. This is contradictory to the Sunni belief that the Mashar al-Haram is the place known as “Muzdalifah” in the valley of Mina.
To begin with, the ONLY location with the adjective of “Haram” in the Quran is the Masjid al-Haram. So the “Mashar al-Haram” has to be the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca.
Also, in Arabic, the term ‘mashar’ means a place where rites of God (“sha’aair Allah” in Arabic) are completed, just like the term Masjid means a place of worship or prostration. The Quran designates the “sha’aair Allah” as the animal offerings and the Safa and Marwah, and the Quran says that the destination of ALL “sha’aair Allah” is the Ancient House, which is the Masjid al-Haram.
If the destination of all “sha’aair Allah” is the Masjid al-Haram according to the Quran, then would not the “Mash’ar al-Haram (the place of completion of all sha’air Allah)” also be the Masjid al-Haram?
Here is the relevant Quranic evidence:
- [2:158] Indeed, the Safa and Marwah are among the rites of God (sha’aair Allah)…
- [22:36] And the animal sacrifices, We made them among the rites of God (sha’aair Allah)…
- [22:32-33] That, and whoever dignified the rites of God (sha’aair Allah), then indeed, it is from the reverence of the hearts. For you therein are benefits, to a specified term, then their destination is the Ancient House.
- [22:26-29] And when We settled the place of the House for Abraham…
- [3:96-97] Indeed, the first House laid down for the people is definitely the one which is in Bacca. It is blessed, and a guidance for the worlds. In it are clear signs—the station of Abraham—and whoever entered it was safe. And upon the people is the Hajj of the House, whoever has been able in way towards it. But whoever disbelieved, then indeed, God is Need-free from the worlds.
- [5:97] God has rendered the Kaaba, the Haram House, an establishment for the people, as well as the Haram Month, the offerings and the garlands…
Hajj, Step-By-Step
Now let’s discuss the Hajj. The first step in Hajj is to abstain from fighting, bad behavior, intercourse, arguments, and hunting. This is known as being in a state of “ihram (abstention)”,
- [5:1] O you who believed, fulfill the contracts. The livestock animal has been made lawful to you, except what is recited upon you, not as those who permit the hunt while you are in abstention (ihram). Indeed, God judges what He intends.
- [2:197] …Whoever thus executes the Hajj in them (the known months) then there shall be no intercourse, no wickedness, and no disputing in the Hajj. And what you do of good, God knows it. And take supply, but indeed, the better supply is reverence. And revere Me, O people of hearts.
- [2:217] They question you of fighting in the Haram month. Say, “Fighting therein is a great thing, but hindrance from the way of God, disbelief in Him and the Masjid al-Haram, and exiting its people therefrom is greater with God; oppression is greater than murder.”… The word “great” is used in the negative sense here, as in very grave and bad. Warfare is prohibited during Hajj.
The second step is to visit the mountains of Safa and Marwah.
- [2:158] Indeed, the Safa and Marwah are among the rites of God. So whoever has performed Hajj to the House, or observed Umrah, no blame is thus on him that he passes by them; whoever voluntarily did good, then indeed God is Appreciative, Knowledgeable.
The third step is to visit the mountain of Arafat and engage in God’s remembrance there.
After Arafat, the fourth step is to visit the Mash’ar al-Haram (Masjid al-Haram) and commemorate and reflect on God there for having guided yu. You should stay in these holy sites and remember and worship God as often as you can during Hajj, since it may be the last time you ever get to worship God in this way.
- [2:198] There has not been blame upon you that you seek favor from your Lord. Then when you have dispersed from Arafat, you shall thus remember God at the Mash’ar al-Haram. And remember Him, as He has guided you, and that before it, you were definitely among the strayers.
The next step is the animal sacrifices. They must first be marked with garlands (a decorated ring of flowers) before their sacrifice. Then you must mention God’s name on them when they are lined up (killed in God’s name). After that, you eat from it (preferably only a little in my opinion if you are well-off) and donate the rest. The destination of the animal sacrifices is the Masjid al-Haram, so that is where all the meat is supposed to go. The maintainers of the masjid are in charge of processing and distributing the meat to the poor and needy people all over the world (and even the bones can be put to good use by making healthy bone broth for the people).
If one is unable to make a proper or valid animal sacrifice during Hajj, one must fast 3 days during Hajj and 7 days after returning from Hajj. There is no limit as to what animal to use, given that it is livestock animal that can be lined up meat can be eaten and given as charity to feed the poor.
- [5:97] God has made the Kaaba, the Haram House, that which is an establishment for the people, as well as the Haram Month, the animal sacrifices, and the garlands…
- [22:36-37] And the animal sacrifices, We have made them among the rites of God for you. For them therein is good. So mention God’s name on them in line. Then when their sides have gone down, you shall thus eat therefrom, and feed the needy who asks, as well as the needy who do not ask. Like that, We have subjected them for you, so that you may appreciate. Neither their flesh, nor their blood, reaches God. But instead, the reverence from you reaches Him. Like that, He has subjected them for you, for you may magnify God over that to which He guided you, and give the good-doers good news.
- [2:196] … But when you are safe, whoever thus took joy with the Umrah, towards the Hajj, then what has been convenient of the animal offering. But whoever cannot find, then a fast of three days during the Hajj and seven when you return. This is a total of ten. That is for the one whose family is not present at the Masjid al-Haram. And revere God, and know that God is Strong in Penalty.
During Hajj,a ritual called “Tawaf” is done, which is essentially circumambulating (walking around) the Kaaba at the Masjid al-Haram.
- [22:29] “Then, it is for they may end their unkemptness. And let them fulfil their vows, and circulate the Ancient House.”
Conclusion
So in brief, Hajj can be done any time during the four sacred months (months 12, 1, 2, and 3 of the Islamic calendar).
The Hajj is done in a state of ihram (abstention) from bad behavior, fighting, arguments, intercourse, and hunting.
The first step is to visit the Safa and Marwah mountains and remember and reflect on God (for as long as you want).
The next step is to visit Mount Arafat and engage in as much remembrance, reflection, and worship of God as possible.
The next step is to visit the Mash’ar al-Haram (which is the Masjid al-Haram according to the Quran). The Kaaba should be circumambulated there as many times as you want, and do as much prayers at the Masjid al-Haram as possible.
The final step is the animal sacrifices. The slaughtering can be done anywhere, but the meat should ideally be delivered to the Masjid al-Haram as the Quran states in Surah 22 that the destination of the animal sacrifices at Hajj is at the “Ancient House”. There should be official distributors working there to process and deliver the meat to those in need all around the world. But I don’t believe that there are official distributors of the animal sacrifice who work at the masjid, therefore we should be the ones to do it ourselves and distribute the meat to the poor.
If one has the intention of carrying out the Hajj during any particular year but is unexpectedly prevented by sudden circumstances, they should expiate by doing the animal sacrifice at their local area where they live and not shave their head until the sacrifice is done.
And while at Mecca for Hajj, if one cannot do an animal sacrifice, they must fast for three days during Hajj and 7 days upon returning home.
So this is the Hajj method from the Quran alone.
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