PROHIBITED (HARAAM) ACTS IN IHRAAM

01. Hunting: Remember that hunting within the sacred area around and
in Makkah, known as the Haram, is always forbidden. It is not confined
to Ihraam. When in Ihraam, hunting anywhere else is also forbidden.
You are allowed to kill scorpions, pythons, poisonous snakes and rats.
If one is attacked by a wild animalit is allowed to kill it. You are
allowed to fishing or slaughter domestic fowls such as goats, sheep,
camels, etc.
The kaffara (expiation) for killing an ostrich is a camel, a wild cow
a cow, a deer or rabbit a sheep. There is expiation of a sheep also
for killing a fox as a matter of precaution (Ihtiyat).
02. Sexual intercourse: Sexual intercourse, or any acts of courtship,
which would arouse sexual desire, is forbidden. Even lustful glance at
ones own wife or husband or any other lady or man who is Na-Mahram is
forbidden. The expiation is one camel or a cow or a sheep in that
order of affordability.
03. Masturbation: To masturbate in any form, this includes all methods
of self-abuse. It has the same precept as sexual intercourse. If it is
done in the state of Ihraam for Hajj-e-Tamattu before staying in
Mashar (Muz-dalifa), the Hajj becomes null and void. All the required
rituals must be completed and the Hajj must be repeated the following
year. But if it is because of looking at or imagining a woman,
although the expiation is as stated above, the Hajj or Umrah remains
valid, but observing precautionis better, i.e. it is Ihtiyat to repeat
the Hajj the following year.
04. Kissing: Kissing one's wife or any other womanwith lust and semen
is discharged; the expiationis one camel that has completed 5 years.
If it is done without lust the expiation is one sheep.
05. Touching: Touching one's wife or any other woman with lust, the
expiation is one sheep. If it is without lust then there is no
expiation.
06. Romancing: Romancing with one's wife or any other womanas a result
of which if semen is discharged the expiation is one camel that has
completed five years. Likewise, for looking at a strange woman with or
without lust as a result of which semen is discharged the expiation is
a camel that has completed five years, if he is rich, a cow if he is
middle class, a sheep if he is poor.
07. Marriage contract (Nikah): To read Nikah forhimself or for others
regardless of whether the other person is in Ihraam or not. This
applies to Muta'a as well. While in all cases the Nikah is batil, the
expiation is Ihtiyatan (precautionary) one sheep. To become witness to
somebody's Nikah is also forbidden.
08. Un-desired smell or odor: To close ones nose or nostrils from bad
smellor odor is not allowed. The expiation of doing sois one sheep.
However, there is no objection if one hastily passes away from the
unpleasant odor.
09. Perfumes: To use perfume or apply it on ones clothes. Perfumes
like Saffron, Camphor, Cloves, Cardamom, Amberand all their uses are
forbidden. Eating and drinking sweet smelling food or fruits like
apples etc. is allowed but it is essential to avoid smelling when
eating or drinking them. As a resultof such willful action an
expiation of one sheep becomes due. There is noobjection to smelling
natural sweet smell coming from the Kaaba.
10. Sewn clothes: It is Haram for men to wear sewn or stitched clothes
in Ihraam. Their clothes must not have sleeves or seams. However,
belts with sewn pockets for keeping money, traveler's cheques,
passports and other valuables, slung around the shoulders or worn
around the waist are allowed. Similarly, Herniabelts can be worn. One
is not allowed to fasten the Ihraam with pins or a needle or anything
of that sort. You cannot even tie a knot. There is no objection to
covering the body, except the head with any cloth while sleeping.
Ladies are allowed to wear all types of sewn clothes during Ihraam,
except forthe hand gloves and wear a veil. The expiation for violation
of this rule is one sheep.
11. Surma: To apply black surma (eyeliner) in the eyes for cosmetic
purposes are strictly forbidden for men and women. If it is neither
black nor for any cosmetic or beautifying purposes, then it is
allowed. The expiation ofviolation is one sheep.
12. Make up/Ornament: All methods of self-beautification, eitherby use
of cosmetics or by ornaments is forbidden. A ring worn for the Niyyat
of thawab, like a Firoza or Aqeeq or Dhoor-e-Najaf is permissible.
Ladies must also refrain from wearing ornaments, except those they
usually wear. But even these must not be displayed to men, even to the
husband. This violation costs one sheep in expiation.
NOTE: If a person is wearing a golden tooth for beauty only, it should
be removed if possible.
13. Henna: To apply henna (Indian Myrtle) is Haraam during Ihraam.
Itshould not be applied even before Hajj, if the color will remain
when wearing Ihraam. The expiation for the violation is Ihtiyatan
(precautionary) one sheep.
14. Mirror: To look into a mirror for cosmetic reason, which means to
appreciate ones looks and features, including combing hair etc., are
forbidden. The expiation of this violation is one sheep. If a driver
wearing Ihraam has to refer to the mirrors of hiscar or bus as he
drives, there is no objection. Spectacle glasses are allowed provided
they are not worn for fashion or beautification, thoughthis should be
avoided if possible.
15. Lying and abusing: To tell lies or abuse and scorn is always
forbiddenbut when in Ihraam it becomes all the more undesirable and
Haraam. Similarly, it is Haraam to boast or brag about onesown
superiority or excellence, with an intention to belittle or under
estimate the others.
Note: This means one has to be very careful not to use abusive, foul
or obscene language in ordinary conversation. If this is done the
expiationis one cow for violation of this rule.
16. Swearing: To take an oath or to swear in any form, particularly
saying LaWallah, Balaa Wallah (no, by God or yes, by God) is Haraam.
The expiation is Istegfaar, (repentance) for the first and second
time, and a sheep for the third time.
The following cases are exceptional.
a) That it is intended to prove thereby some rightor to make the wrong
public to others.
b) That is not meant to swear thereby, but is merely expressing
respect and love.
There is no expiation for a right swearing, provided, it is not more
than twice, and otherwise, the expiation is one sheep. If it is a
wrong swearing, the expiation is one sheep for the first time, for the
second time two sheep and a cow for the third time.
17. Shoes and socks: It is forbidden for men to cover the upper part
of the feet from the toes to the ankle. So, men must not wear socks or
full shoes. Women can wear them, (although); it is better for women to
avoid wearing socks. The expiation for men violating of this rule is
one sheep.
18. Killing insects: It is forbidden to kill insects or even throwing
them down or brush-off an insect originating from one's own body e.g.
parasites, lice, bugs, fleece, etc. There is no harm to transfer them
from one place to another and the expiation for this rule being
violated is to give a handful of food to the poor.
19. Pulling out of a tooth: To have your tooth extracted even if there
is no bleeding due to it. The expiation for violating this rule is one
sheep. (Marhum Ayatoullah Abul Qassim El Khui did not lay emphasison
this. He said this is permitted).
20. Blood: To take out blood from ones own body, or to cause any
bleeding by scratching orbrushing the teeth etc. is Haraam. However,
if this becomes in evitable for relief from any distress, itis
allowed. The expiation for ignoring this rule is one sheep. Note: One
should use salt to brush teeth rather than scentedtoothpaste.
21. Covering of the face: In the state of Ihraam, women are not
allowed to cover their faces with a mask or veil, not even partly,
though they must cover their faces from Na-Mahram by hanging their
head-covering over their faces down to the nose or chin without
touching the face. While saying her Salaat/Namaz, they may cover part
of their forehead etc., in an effort to cover her head and hair fully,
but after Salaat/Namaz, she has to see that her face is not covered
even partially. She must also refrain from immersing her headin water.
Men are not allowed to cover their face at all; their ears mustalso be
visible. Men must not carry any baggage on their heads (fearing their
head may be covered), nor dip themselves in water. However, a
handkerchief or strip of cloth tied on the forehead for relief from a
headache is allowed. The expiation for this violation is one sheep.
NOTE: When sleeping if the face is covered unintentionally, there is
no objection but the cover must be removed immediately, if it is
realized.
22. Ointment: It is forbidden to apply any kind of ointment to the
body, whether it has a sweet smell or not. If however, it becomes
necessary for medical reasons it is allowed. The expiation for this
violation is one sheep.
23. Removing Hairs: To remove or pluck hair from ones own body, or
from another's body, regardless of whether the other fellow is in
Ihraam or not. The expiation for this is a handful of grain to poor.
There are four exceptionsto this.
i) If hair falls itself, while doing Wudhu or Ghusl, there is no objection.
ii) If one's hair has grownto his/her eyelid and is causing distress
and agony, one may remove it.
iii) If the removal of hair becomes inevitable for any good reason and
valid reason. But if due tothe hair, there are too many lice on the
body, and it becomes necessaryto remove the hair so as to be relieved
of the parasite.
iv) You are allowed to stroke your hair or beardor slowly scratch your
body, if you know that bydoing so, no hair would fall, and no bleeding
would be caused.
24. Travel/Shade: Men arenot permitted to travel under any kind of
shade or shadow, be it the hood of a car, an umbrella or walking in
the shadow of a car, bus, caravan or aircraft. All traveling must be
under the open sky. Shades are permitted at the time of resting or
taking a respite on the way. You can ward off sunrays by cupping one
hand. The meaning of refraining from shade or shadow is that men must
not protect themselves from sunrays, cold, heat or rain. So it is not
only the head, which must not go into shade, it is the whole body.
Once you are in Makkah, you are allowed to go under shade or shadow,
even before you have found your accommodation or place of abode.
Women, children and such men who fear that exposure would disable them
or render them very sick, are exempted. But for such men, the
expiation (kaffara) will have to be given in spite of the validexcuse
they may have. The expiation for this violation is one sheep.
According to Ayatoullah Syed Seestani, he allows men to travel in
closed bus during the night. Men may follow his rulings if they are
doing his Taqleed.
25. Cutting of nails: Cutting of nails either whole or partly is not
allowed unless the nail is causing pain. The expiation (kaffara) for
each fingernail being cut is a handful of food/grain to the poor.
Ifall nails of the hands are cut in the same place, theexpiation
(kaffara) will be one sheep. The same is true of feet. If the nails of
both the hands and feet are cut in the same place, the expiation will
be one sheep. If one cuts the nails of his hand in one place and the
feet in another place the expiation will be two sheep.
26. Carrying of weapons: One is not allowed to carry any weapons such
as swords, spears, guns, etc., unless it is absolutelynecessary. There
is no harm in carrying a knife, etc., for cutting fruits, etc.The
expiation for violating this rule is one sheep.
27. Uprooting trees: To uproot, pluck or cut the grass, leaves of the
trees and all that grows from the earth in Makkah and around it, is
not allowed. This is forbidden during Ihraam and also without Ihraam.
28. There are certain acts,as detailed below, which are prohibited all
the time whether one is in Ihraam or not;
a) Hunting.
b) Uprooting or cutting whatever grows in Haram. But there is no
objection if a plant is uprooted unintentionallywhen passing by Haram,
except
(I) Palm or fruit bearing trees.
(II) The grass that is usually fed to the animals.
The expiation for uprooting, or cutting a tree is the cost of the
treebut there is no expiation for grass.
NOTE: All the expiation can be paid in Makkah orat home, except the
expiation of hunting which must be paid in Makkah.

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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.

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Santa Banta visited Gandhi Stadium

Santa and Banta visit Gandhi Indian Stadium.
Santa: Why are all these people running?
Banta: This is a race, the winner will get the cup.
Santa: If only winner willget the cup, why are others running?

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WHAT IS HAJJ?

The pilgrimage (Hajj) is
1) One of the most important pillars of Islam.
2) A principal means of obtaining proximity to the Almighty.
3) One of the most difficult physical forms ofworship.
4) So, vital that one who does not perform Hajj will be barred from Heaven.
The main aim of human creation is to recognize God and attain a stage
of acquaintance and love for Him and this depends on the purity and
loftiness of the human soul. i.e. The purer the soul becomes the more
love will it have for the Almighty.
This stage of love can be attained by abstaining from desires and
refraining from worldly pleasures and distractions, and by exerting
oneself in the rigorous self-training activities for the sake of God,
and, remembering him continuously. For thispurpose the Almighty
haslegislated certain forms of worship (Ibadat).
a) Those involving the expenditure of wealth for His sake e.g. Zakaat
and Khums which serve to sever the deep attachments to worldly
possessions.
b) Those involving abstinence from desires and pleasures e.g. fasting.
c) Those related to His remembrance and diverting total attention
towards Him e.g. Salat/Namaaz.
But Hajj involves all theseand more, such as,
i) Leaving one's hometown.
ii) Physical exertion.
iii) Expenditure of wealth.
iv) Renewal of the covenant with God.
v) Circumambulation (Tawaaf).
vi) Supplication (Dua).
vii) Prayers (Salat/Namaaz).
And others like throwing pebbles, running between Safaa and Marwah etc.
Those who wonder at these actions do not realize that when we do not
know the hidden meanings and reason of certain commands, we manifest
more complete obedience and total submission to the Absolute Master in
carrying out those orders. Those actions whose secrets we have been
successful in understanding, our soul, besides obeying the Master's
commands, is also inclined and pleased in performing them. Thus, it is
only for Hajj that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) is reported to have said,
"O Almighty, I have responded to your call for Hajj with complete
submission andhumility."
Furthermore, the Hajj constitutes the congregation of people from all
parts of the world, in the place whererevelation was repeatedly sent
down to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.),where the beloved (Khaleel) of God
resided, where angles used to descend every now and then. In fact, it
is the holyplace, which has been the abode of the majorityof the
Prophets.
Here the leader of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) wasborn, his holy feet
walked; and the Almightyhas chosen it for His house so that people
should pray towards it. He has sanctified its surroundings and has
kept Arafah in the beginning of the Holy Land. He has prohibited
hurting animals and uprooting vegetation there in as a mark of respect
to the holiness of the land. He has designedit to be like the throne
of Kings so that visitors from far off lands, disheveled and dusty,
should remain there in humility to the Absolute Monarch realizing the
fact that He is above all needs of time and space. While such a
congregation leads to new acquaintances, meeting with virtuous
personalities and stimulates quicker response to supplications(Dua),
it invariably reminds of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) and his efforts at
spreading the Word of God. In this way one attains purity of the soul.
The intention for Hajj
1. The intention (Niyyah) must be pure and sincerefor the sake of God
only, but not for any other worldly motives, such as,
1) Showing off (Riyaa).
2) Avoiding rebukes for not performing Hajj.
3) Fear of poverty for it isknown that one who does not perform Hajj
is afflicted with poverty.
4) Business prospects, etc.
All these other motives destroy the sincerity (Ikhlaas) of the deeds
and deprive one of the promised rewards. It is foolish to undertake
all this rigor and expense only to end up in Damnation because the
motive was adulterated.
2. One should sincerely repent of past sins and clear all the dues,
(Huquq-un-Naas), and cleanse himself of all distractions so that the
mind is easily turned towards God. One should write his will and
prepare for the journey to the Hereafter as he leaves his house,
relatives, friends, and possessions behind.
3. One should remember the majesty of the House and the Absolute
Owner, and that one has chosen to leave family, friends, and
possessions for the lofty and noble purpose of visiting a House,
whichthe Almighty has designed as a sanctuary for all people. Hence
this journey differs from all other worldly journeys. The pilgrim is
one of those who have responded willingly to the invitation made by
the Almighty's messenger.
4. The pilgrim should freehimself of all matters, which tend to worry
him so his total attention is towards the Almighty.
5. Any financial loss or physical affliction in this journey should be
greeted happily, for, it is a sign of acceptance of Hajj.
6. The Pilgrim should ensure his earnings are acquired through lawful
means and he should be liberal in expenditure, not extravagant
(Israaf) though. But spending forthe needy and deserving is not
extravagance as it has been reported that there is no goodness in
extravagance and no extravagance in goodness!
7. He should behave courteously towards his fellow travelers, smiling
and talking gently with them, avoiding harsh words, abuses or vain
talk. He should be humble to the other guests of the Almighty.
Magnanimity does not only mean not to hurt others but also to
endurewhen others hurt.
8. He should be disheveled and dusty, avoid cosmetics or any cause of
pride and beauty, and if possible, travel on foot, especially from
Makkah to Mina, Masher and Arafah, not as a means to avoid
extraexpenses (in which case, transport is better!) rather for
exerting oneself for the sake of God, except if it affects other
worship (Ibadat) orsupplication (Dua).