SIGNIFICANCE OF HAJJ

Hajj as an obligatory act of worship (Ibadat) means to visit the
Kaa'ba in Makkah on the specified dates in the month of Thul-Hijjah
and perform the religious rites in accordance with the Islamic Laws.
Obligation of Hajj
Any man or woman, who fulfills the following qualifications, has a
religious obligation (Hajjatul Islam or Wajib Hajj) to perform Hajj
once in a lifetime.
1. Must have attained puberty (Baligh/Bulugh), girls 9 years of age
and boys 15 years of age.
2. Must be A'Aaqil, means being sane and of sound mind.
3. Must be free from bondage.
4. Must be healthy.
5. Must have enough timeto travel to Makkah and perform Hajj within
the required days.
6. Must have enough funds (Istita'ah) for traveling and for all Hajj
expenses, as well as enough money to leave behind or be able to make a
living on his return to maintain himself and his dependants during
Hajj and after it.
If he has dependents, he must be able to maintain himself and his
family. Upon his return, he must have enough means to maintain himself
and his family. The journey to Hajj and returning from it must not
involve any danger to the security of his life, wealth and family. One
intending to go to Hajj must be healthy. If he is infirm or old or has
any other justifiable excuse Hajj would not be Wajib, though if other
conditions were fulfilled, however, he must send someone as his Naib
(agent representative). Ample time must be therefor one to prepare to
go to Hajj, and to perform allthe obligatory acts. If other conditions
of Hajj are met, while time is limited or extraordinary effort is
involved, one has to keep the money unused until the following year
for the purpose.
Performance of Hajj is WAJIB-E-FAURI. When above conditions are
fulfilled, Hajj becomes Wajib immediately. To postpone it without any
reasonable excuse is among the major sins. Hajj must be performed in
the same year of Istita'ah, and it continuesto remain obligatory in
the ensuing years as longas it has not been performed.
Types of Hajj
There are three kinds of Hajj:
1. Hajj-e-Tamattu (Advantageous Hajj). This is commonly known as Wajib
Hajj and will be dealt with in detail. In Hajj-e-Tamattu, Umrah is
performed before the Hajj. The pilgrim removesIhraam after Umrah on
the 8 th of Thul-Hijjah andre-enters into the state ofIhraam again for
Hajj.
2. Hajj-e-Ifrad/Mufrad (Individual Hajj). All conditions of the
Hajj-e-Ifrad/Mufrad are same. One enters into the state of Ihraam for
Hajj only and Umrah can be performed after the Hajj.
3. Hajj-e-Qiran (CombinedHajj). This is applicable only to persons who
are resident within a radius of 16 Farsakh or 88 km Sharii of Makkah
(Each Farsakh is about 5.5 km). In this Hajj, the pilgrim enters into
the state of Ihraam for both Hajj and the Umrah at one time.
Miqats
Miqats are specific places (appointed by Sharia) in Saudi Arabia, on
the way to Makkah, which a pilgrim cannot cross without first wearing
Ihraam.
1. Dhul-Hulaifa in the North (or commonly known as
Masjid-e-Shajarah/Abar Ali). This is the Miqat, used by pilgrims who
first go to Medina. It is about 7 km from city of Medina on the way to
Makkah.
2. Al-Johfa in the North-West for those going to Makkah from Jeddah.
(Or,if it is difficult to go to Masjid-e-Johfa because of a valid
reason, one cango to Rabigh, which is Mahaz-e-Miqat (in line of Miqat)
and put on Ihraamthere). It is about 115 Km from Jeddah on the way to
Medina. Pilgrims arriving from Egypt, Syriaand Southern Africa are
required to enter into the state of Ihraam at thisplace.
3. Zat Irq in the North-East. Located about thirtymiles from Makkah,
the pilgrims coming from Iraq and by land from theeastern side enter
into the state of Ihraam at thisplace.
4. Qarn al-Manazil, located about 40 miles to the East of Makkah, the
Pilgrims arriving from Yemen and by sea enter into the state of Ihraam
at this place.
5. Yalamlam in the South-East, which is the Miqat for those who come
via the Yemen.
6. Taneem (Masjid-e-Umra), this place is near Makkah and acts as Miqat
for people living inMakkah. If someone is living in Makkah and wants
to perform Umra then he should go to this place, enter into the
stateof Ihraam and then return to Makkah so that the condition of
travelingfor the pilgrims is also fulfilled. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)
has said:"Part of the worship of Hajj and Umra is to travel in the way
of Allah and togo out of the city."
Ihraam on the Airplane
Since Jeddah is not identified as one of the prescribed Miqats nor
Mahaz-e-Miqat, it is, therefore, not sufficient to put on Ihraam in
Jeddah. If one wishes to travel to Makkah from Jeddah then Ihraam has
to be worn by NAZR in one's own country or in the Airplane at a
distanceapproximately one hour before reaching Jeddah. In this case,
one will haveto pay KAFFARA (for gents only) for traveling under
shade. Nazr should be made in this manner: Allah has the right over me
that I should become Muhrim from here.

--
- - -
Translate:
http://translate.google.com/
- - - -