Errors and Innovations in Hajj - I

·Some men uncover their right shoulders as soon as they
assumeIhraam)the sacral state(.This is incorrect and should only be
done during theTawaaf)circumambulation( of arrival for'Umrah.
·Some people think thatIhraamis initiated by donning the clothes
ofIhraam, when in fact it is initiated by the intention in one's
heart. Therefore, wearing the clothes ofIhraamis actually the physical
preparation forIhraam.
·Some women mistakenly think that theirIhraamclothes should be of a
certain color, such as white or green, and this is incorrect. A woman
can wear her regular clothes, as long as they are within defined
Islamic limits, and she must avoid adornment or clothes that are tight
or transparent. This kind of garment is prohibited anyway at all
times.
·Men praying wearing the lower garment ofIhraamonly, which is wrong
because the Prophet,, said:"Let not any of you pray with a garment
which does not cover his shoulders."]Al-Bukhaari, Muslim[
·Shaving the beard when assumingIhraamis an act that is prohibited at all times.
·Some people believe that once they wear the clothes ofIhraamthey are
prohibited from removing them, even if they become dirty; when in fact
they can change or wash it.
·CollectiveTalbiyah.
·Combining the prayers in Mina when they are only permitted to shorten them.
·Not exerting extra effort in reciting the Quran and worshipping
Allaah The Almighty, when this is the place where they are supposed to
exert these extra efforts.
·Not spending the night in Mina on the night of the eighth
ofThul-Hijjahwithout a legitimate excuse.
·Some pilgrims choose a place to stay in without first finding out
whether they are inside or outside the boundary of 'Arafaatalthough
there are signs clearly indicating the boundaries of 'Arafaat.Standing
within the boundaries of 'Arafaat is a pillar without whichHajjis
incomplete; and the area calledWaadi 'Arunahis not within the
boundaries.
·Some people leave 'Arafaat before sunset, which is not permitted.
·Some people struggle to climb the mount, believing that it holds
certain virtues, which, according to them, makes it mandatory to climb
it - this has not been reported as being a practice of the Prophet,.
·Some people face the direction of the mountain of'Arafaatduring their
supplications, which is a mistake; theSunnah)Prophetic tradition( is
that they must face theQiblah.
·Some pilgrims waste time on that day in joking and idle chatter, and
abandoning supplications and the remembrance of Allaah The Almighty on
this great day.
·Many pilgrims take cameras and use them to shoot pictures of the
rituals, which is not what a pilgrim should be doing.
·Not making sure that the direction of the prayer is towards
theQiblahbefore prayingMaghrib, 'Ishaa'orFajr: it is compulsory to ask
anyone who knows the direction and to face it while praying.
·Some people collect their stones for stoning theJamaraatas soon as
they arrive in Muzdalifah and before offering
theirMaghriband'Ishaa'prayers, thinking that this is permitted. In
fact theSunnahis to collect them after leaving Muzdalifah as one heads
towards Mina, although it is permissible to collect the pebbles from
anywhere.
·Some people do not make sure that they are spending the night within
the boundaries of Muzdalifah.
·Delaying theMaghriband'Ishaa'prayer until after midnight: this is prohibited.
·Some people leave Muzdalifah before midnight without spending the
night there and without having a legitimate excuse; although this is a
compulsory rite ofHajj.
·Some people leaveMuzdalifah and head towards Mina even before
theFajrprayer, although they are strong and healthy and have no excuse
to leave early, as the weak or sick might.
·Staying up all night praying and remembering Allaah The Almighty, or
reciting the Qur'aan, which contradicts theSunnah.
·Delaying theFajrprayer close to sunset or later.
·Sleeping after prayingFajr.
·People rushing out with their cars harming others and perhaps even
causing accidents.
·Some people do not make sure whether their stones fall into the
stoning plate or not.
·Some people authorise others to stone on their behalf, which is only
permissible for people totally incapable of stoning due to sickness or
other valid reasons )such as for the elderly, women and children(.
·Some people use slippers or huge rocks to stone with.
·Some people say,"O Allaah! I stone to enrage Satan and please You."
To be continued …