Important Advice To Pilgrims

Dear pilgrims, we praise Allah for having guided you to the hajj of His House and to the visit of the Sacred Precincts. May He accept from all of us our good deeds and increase His reward for us and for you. The following advice is being offered to you in the hope that Allah will accept from all of us our hajj and our striving. 

1. Remember that you are on a blessed journey. This journey, which is a migration toward Allah, is based on belief in His Unity (tawheed), on sincerity toward Him, on responding to His call, and on obedience to His commands. There is no greater reward than that of a hajj which is acceptable to Allah Ta'alah-the reward of the Garden of Paradise.  

2. Be on your guard against the mischief of Satan, who intends to cause dissention among you. Love each other as brothers and avoid disputes and disobedience to Allah. Know that the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) said, None of you has truly believed unless he likes for his brother what the likes for himself.  

3. Whenever you have a question concerning religious matters or concerning the Hajj, ask knowledgeable Muslims until you receive a satisfactory answer. This is in accordance with what Allah has said: If ye realize this not, ask of those who possess the Message. It is also in accordance with what the Prophet (peace be on him) has said: When Allah intends good for someone, He gives him understanding of the religion.  

4. Know that Allah has made certain acts fard (obligatory) and other acts sunnah (according to the practice of the Prophet, peace be on him), Allah does not accept a sunnah which violates some fard. Some pilgrims ignore this fact when they harm believing men and women in their zeal to kiss the Black Stone, to hasten in their circuits around the Ka'bah, to make salah behind the Station of Ibraheem, to drink from Zamzam, and similar practices. These practices are sunnah. To harm any believer in doing them is haram (prohibited). How is it possible to carry out a sunnah observance while doing a haram deed? Therefore, avoid hurting each other, and Allah will grant you His mercy and will increase your reward. We would also like to emphasize the following:

(a) It is not fitting that a Muslim man performs his Salat next to, or behind a woman in the Sacred Mosque or at any other place if it is at all possible to avoid doing so. Women should pray behind men. 

(b) The doors and entrances to the Sacred Mosque are for traffic and should not be blocked by people praying there, even though if it is to join the congregational prayer that may be in progress. 

(c) It is not permissible to block the free flow of people around the Ka'bah by sitting near the Ka'bah, by praying near it, or by standing near the Black Stone, or al-Hijr or at the Station of Ibraheem, especially when the place is crowded, as this is a source of harm to other people. 

(d) While safeguarding the dignity of Muslims is a fard, kissing the Black Stone is a sunnah. A fard cannot be sacrificed for a sunnah. When the area is crowded, it is sufficient to point to the Black Stone, saying "Allahu akbar." and to continue to move with the flow of people without causing a break in the lines. Indeed, keeping an easy flow during circuits is the most commendable thing. 

(e) It is not a sunnah to kiss the Yamani corner, but to touch it with the right hand. if it is not overcrowded, and say'. "Bismillahi wal-lahu akbar." But if it is difficult to touch it, then move on, do not point to it with your hand, or say takbir. For it is not reported of the Prophet. It is mustahabb (good) to recite the following supplication in between the Yamani corner and the Black Stone: ربنا آتنا في الدنيا حسنة وفي الآخرة حسنة وقنا عذاب النار Rabbana atina fid-donya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina adhaban-nar. Finally, the best advice we can give you is that you follow the Book of Allah and the sunnah of His Messenger (peace be on him) in all what you do. Obey Allah and the Messenger in order that you may receive mercy.

A step by step Hajj and 'Umrah:

Here, I offer the reader a concise guide on how to perform Hajj and 'Umrah, taking him by the hand step by step. What the reader has to do is to read and follow my instructions to the letter. If he needs to know more about the conditions, Sunnahs and restrictions, he should refer back to my detailed explanation of them. The pilgrim who declares the intention of Hajj and 'Umrah must repent of his sins and ask Allah's Forgiveness before embarking on his journey to the Holy lands. He must bid farewell to his family, relatives and friends and supplicate to Allah for them. They also must supplicate to Allah for him. He should urge his family to hasten to good deeds. He should strive to return all trusts in his possession to their owners. 

Once he sets out to the Holy lands, he and his companions should obey the Amir (chief) which they have elected. They should show full cooperation and compassion for one another. The pilgrim should put himself at the service of his companions. He should show selfless and humble devotion to his companions. He should ask Allah's Forgiveness for himself and for his companions. The pilgrims should preoccupy themselves with the remembrance of Allah, the Most High, the recitation of Qur'an, and imploring Allah to shower His blessing on Muhammad (P.B.U.H.). They should shield their hearts against holding grudges against others and shield their tongues against backbiting and slander. They should preoccupy themselves with worship and good deeds which benefit others and for which they will be rewarded. If the time of prayer begins while they are on the road, they should stop to pray Dhuhr in combination with Asr or delay Dhuhr and pray it in combination with Asr at the time of Asr prayer. The same rule applies to Maghrib and Isha prayers. They should combine and shorten the prayers e.g. they should pray two rak'at instead of four rak'at. They should exert their utmost to help the weak e.g. women, children and elderly. They should elect a woman to be in charge of a group of women, taking care of them and informing the Amir (chief) about their demands. They should stop for rest every four to six hours in a suitable place. They should prepare a place for men and another for women so that they may make themselves comfortable and take off their veils freely. It is of the utmost importance that they choose a convenient place for male and female pilgrims travelling together e.g. the Muhrims of women. The chief should not yield to the cruelty of some of the drivers who ignore the needs of their passengers and refuse to stop for rest, driving for long hours and torturing their passengers, particularly women and girls who usually shy away from expressing their need for rest or to use the toilet.

I have often heard the complaints of women who suffered the aftermath of nonstop journey. They often arrived to the Holy lands with feet too swollen walk. Some of the elderly men cannot control themselves and urinate on themselves as a result of extreme exhaustion. I feel ashamed to mention some of the ordeals that the travelling pilgrims often go through when they fall victim to cruel drivers and senseless personnel who only care about reaching their destination as quickly as possible. In the process they forget about mercy, compassion, religion and humanity. I feel ashamed to mention the aftermath of this senseless cruelty but, strangely enough, the cruel drivers and the senseless people in charge of these of this journey do not feel ashamed to admit that they actually happened. They should reflect on the Hadith: 'Allah is Merciful to those who are merciful to others'. Travelling unravels the secrets of human nature. In it, everyone shows his true colors. 

The pilgrim should keep in mind that he set out on the journey of pilgrimage in obedience for Allah, leaving behind comfort, luxury and pleasure. He should be certain that his reward will be in proportion to his endurance of the rites and restrictions of Hajj. He should show the utmost selflessness, self-denial, and human compassion. He should think about others and try to give up some of his needs for their sake. He should adapt himself to sleep anywhere and eat anything. He should be fully aware that he is about to change his entire lifestyle. He should be ready to sleep on the ground or hard cloth. He should expect to suffer stifling heat and chilling cold. He should expect a change in the time of his daily meals. He might eat earlier or later than he is in the habit of. He might find a cup of tea or coffee and he might not. He might find someone to help and serve him and he might not. He should expect the worse and should not upset others with his complaints, obscene language and grievances. I warn pilgrims against these slips because I have seen people who return home worse than they were before. Both their sins and enemies increased. Their only achievement was their success to breed animosity with others and force people to shun their company. In this respect the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said: The worst people in Allah's sight on the Day of Resurrection will be those whom the people leave undisturbed to be away from their evil deeds

The pilgrim who is left undisturbed so that his companions will have peace of mind did not perform Hajj and 'Umrah as a sign of submission and obedience to Allah but as a sign of hypocrisy, showing off and pride. We ask Allah's Forgiveness and security from such fate. As soon as the pilgrim reaches the Miqat, he should clip his moustache, nails and hair short. He should perform Ghusl (complete ablution) or Wudu' (ablution). He should wear Teab and put on the Ihram garb. Then, he should pray two rak'at and declare the state of Ihram for 'Umrah, Hajj or both as we have explained in detail. Ihram is an integral part of Hajj, without which one's Hajj is invalid. One should declare the state of Ihram from the Miqat. The fact that he did not declare the state of Ihram at the Miqat does not invalidate Ihram. Talbyah is essential to Ihram. The pilgrim should raise his voice with Talbyah when he climbs up or down hill or when he passes by a group of pilgrims or a pilgrim. It is lawful to raise his voice with Talbyah if he sees a strange thing. He should say Talbyah at dawn and after every prayer.

The Muhrim should shun the disliked and forbidden things. When entering Mecca, it is preferred that a Muhrim performs Ghusl (complete ablution). It is also preferred that he enters from its high side. Then he should go to the Sacred Mosque and enter it from the gate called Bab As-Salam, while uttering supplications of entry into mosques. On seeing the Ka'bah, he should raise his hands and supplicate to Allah the prescribed supplications. Then he should proceed directly to the Black Stone, kiss it quietly or touch it with his hand and kiss the hand. If this is not possible, he may point toward it from a distance. He should stand near it and utter the prescribed supplications. After this he should begin his Tawaf (Circumambulation) around the Ka'bah with the intention of performing 'Umrah or the Arrival Circumambulation as we have explained in detail. It is preferred that he uncovers his right shoulder and jogs in the first three rounds. In the remaining rounds, he may walk at a normal pace. It is a Sunnah that he touches two Corners: the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone. He should touch the Yemeni corner and kiss the Black stone in every round, if possible. After completing seven rounds, he should go to the station of Ibrahim in compliance with the Command of Allah: 'And take Ibrahim's place of worship as your place of worship'. There, he should pray two rak'at of Tawaf. If the crowds prevented him from praying at the station of Ibrahim, he may pray anywhere inside or outside the mosque. Then he should go to the well of Zamzam and drink of its water as much as possible. After this he should approach As-Safa gate to begin his Sa'i in compliance with Allah's saying: Indeed Safa and Marwah are among the religious ceremonies of pilgrimage ordained by God.  

He should climb the Safa, look towards Ka'bah, and then make the supplications, transmitted from the Prophet, to Allah. He should climb down and start walking toward Al-Marwah. On approaching one of the two green markers, the male pilgrim should jog to the second marker. After that he should resume his normal pace of walking until he climbs up the Marwah, direct his face to the Ka'bah and supplicate Allah. This will complete his first round. He should repeat the same steps for six other round, completing all seven rounds. The majority of scholars held that Sa'i is an essential condition, as such, if one did not perform it or performed only part of it, he should sacrifice in compensation. Finally, if a Muhrim is performing 'Umrah only or a Hajj Tamattu' (Hajj and 'Umrah with a break in between) he should shave or clip his hair short after Sa'i. This would release him of all the restrictions of Ihram. If the Muhrim intends to perform Hajj Ifrad (Hajj only) or Hajj Qiran (Hajj and 'Umrah together without a break), he should not release himself from the restrictions of Ihram. He must continue in the state of Ihram until he performs the rites of Hajj on the day of Nahr (Sacrifice). On the 8th of Dhul Hijjah, the Mutamatti' (who intends to perform Hajj and 'Umrah with a break in between) should once more resume his state of Ihram from his residence. Then he should proceed to Mina where it is to spend the night, if possible. It is a Sunnah to pray in Mina the Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha of the 8th day and the Fajr prayer of the 9th day (the day of 'Arafah). At dawn of the day of Arafah, it is preferred that the pilgrims head for Arafah. They should first combine Dhuhr and Asr at Namira Mosque and listen to the Khutbah. Then, they should proceed towards Arafah for Namira Mosque is not part of Arafah. If the pilgrim was held-up for any reason and missed the congregational prayer, he may combine both prayers anywhere else.

It is preferred that the pilgrim stands by the rocks of Arafah or as close as possible. Standing at Arafah is an integral part of Hajj. The pilgrims standing at Arafah should implore Allah, the Most High, in full submission, humility and obedience. They should implore Allah to accept their deep repentance and regret for the sins they committed. They should preoccupy themselves with the remembrance of Allah, Talbyah and implore Allah to shower His blessing on the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) until nightfall. After nightfall, the pilgrim must leave for Muzdalifah and offer Maghrib and Isha prayers. He should combine them and delay the Maghrib until the time of Isha prayer begins then pray them in combination. 

He should spend the night at Muzdalifah. At dawn, he should stand by Al-Mash'ar Al Haram (the Sacred Monument), glorify and remember Allah and supplicate Him until it is broad daylight. Thereafter he should go to pick up the pebbles and return to Mina. There he is to throw Jamrah Al 'Aqabah then slaughter his sacrificial animals, shave or clip his hair short, wear his normal clothes and perform Ghusl (complete ablution). Only then, he is released from all the restrictions of the state of Ihram except for sexual intercourse with his spouse. He must then return to Mecca and perform Tawaf Ifada which is an essential rite of Hajj. After that, he is released from the last restriction and he may have sexual intercourse with his wife. For a pilgrim who is performing Qiran and Ifrad, this second Sa'i is not essential for he already performed Sai' after Tawaf Al Qudum (arrival Circumambulation).

For a pilgrim who is performing Hajj Tamattu', he must perform Sa'i after the Tawaf Ifada because his first Sa'i was part of 'Umrah. Sa'i is a must for the pilgrim who is performing Hajj Qiran or Ifrad and did not perform the arrival Circumambulation. After Tawaf the pilgrim should return to Mina, and spend the nights of the days of At Tashriq. There is disagreement among the scholars as to whether this overnight stay at Mina is essential or a Sunnah. At Mina, the pilgrim should preoccupy himself with the glorification and remembrance of Allah, The Most High. He should utter the prescribed Takbir because he is in the feast days. He should persist in Takbir particularly after the prescribed prayers. After midday of the first day of At-Tashriq, the pilgrim must throw pebbles at the three Jamarat, he will throw seven pebbles at each Jamrah, starting with the small, then middle then large Jamrah. Sequence is an essential condition that should be observed. It is a Sunnah that after throwing the pebbles, the pilgrim supplicates Allah for the good of life and the Hereafter. He is to do the same thing at the middle Jamrah but at the last Jamrah, he should leave without stopping for supplications. It is preferred that the pilgrim finishes throwing pebbles at the three Jamarat well before sunset. Throwing pebbles is allowed until dawn. 

A group of scholars say that it is allowed until the last days of At-Tashriq. On the second day, he should repeat the same rites. At this point if the pilgrim is in a hurry, he may leave Mina before sunset. But if he does not leave until sunset, he is obligated to spend the night at Mina. He is to throw pebbles on the third day. After throwing the pebbles, he should proceed to Mecca where he is free to buy whatever he wants. If he makes up his mind to go home, he must perform the farewell Tawaf which is an essential rite of Hajj. Women experiencing menstruation and post-birth bleeding are excused from Tawaf Al Wada'. The pilgrim should utter Takbir (Allah is the Great) with each throw. The pilgrim should say Takbir until the noon of the third days of At-Tashriq. Going home, the pilgrim must be the epitome of the pious, virtuous, compassionate, cooperative and selfless worshipper, as much as he can.

Chairman of African Hajj And Umrah Commission: Sheikh Abu-Abdullah Adelabu (Ph. D Damas) - Founder And President (Amir) Of Awqaf Africa

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Hajj And Umrah Guides, Pilgrimage Essentials, Mecca & Medina Topics Links:

Advice To Pilgrims | A Step by step Hajj and 'Umrah | Adhkar (Pertaining to the remembrance of Allah) | A Lasting Word For Hajj And 'Umrah | An Account of the Miqat | An Account of visiting the Prophet's Mosque | Ayaam at-Tashreeq | Binding on the pilgrim to refrain from sins | Command about the Menstruating and similar women | Conditional Ihram | Day by Day Rites of Hajj - Day One | Day by Day Rites of Hajj - Day Two | Day by Day Rites of Hajj - Day Three | Day by Day Rites of Hajj - Day Four | Day by Day Rites of Hajj - Day Five | Day by Day Rites of Hajj - Day Six | Day of Arafah | Day to Day Activities of Hajj | Dhabh | Duties of pilgrims at 'Arafah | Entering Mecca | Entering Al-Masjid-al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque) and Tawaf | Errors Often Committed by Pilgrims | Etiquette of Ihram | Etiquette of Visiting the Prophet's (P.B.U.H) Grave | Farewell Pilgrimage of the Messenger of Allah | Farewell Tawaf | Farewell Tawaf is binding on everyone except the menstruating and women with post childbirth bleeding | Fixed time for Hajj | Fixed time for Hajj | Four Khutbahs in Hajj | Hajj in Pre-Islamic Times | Hajj of a woman | Hajj, Umrah & Ziyarah At a Glance | Halq or Qass | Halq or Qasr: Shaving or Clipping | Ihram | Ihram for youngsters | Ihram: Introduction And Significance | Innovations of `Arafah | Innovations Before Ihraam | Innovations of Hajj, `Umra and Visiting Madinah | Innovations of Ihraam and Talbiyyah, etc. | Innovations of Muzdalifah | Innovations of Sacrifice and Shaving the Head | Innovations of Sa'y Between Safaa and Marwah | Innovations of Stoning | Innovations of Tawaaf | Innovations of Visiting Madinat-ul-Munawwarah | Innovations of Visiting Bait-ul-Maqdis | Innovations: Various Innovations | Istilaam | Kinds of Ihram | Leaving Arafah to spend night in Al Muzdalefah | Many `Umrahs after Hajj is not encouraged by the Shari`ah | Maqaam Ibraaheem | Meeqaat | Merits of Hajj | Merits of 'Umrah | Minaa | Neglecting and delaying the throwing of pebbles | No Specific Supplication for Tawaf and Sa'y | Not allowed to shave the beard | Not obligatory to visit the Prophet's Mosque | Objective of Hajj - To seek the Divine Pleasure | Obligations during Hajj and Umrah | Performing Hajj on behalf of others | Permitted and Forbidden things in the State of Ihram | Pilgrim with Sacrificial Animal in the month of Hajj should intend Qiran (accompanied Hajj) and the one | Pillars of Hajj | Prayers at Arafah | Preparations for Hajj, Umrah and travelling to the holy lands | Preparing for Hajj or 'Umrah | Prerequisites and Sunnahs of valid Tawaf | Ramy | Reaching Miqat at a Time other than the Hajj Season | Regulations Concerning Hady (Sacrificial animals) | Restrictions of Ihram | Rites, obligations and Sunnahs of Umrah | Sa'y | Sa'y between Safa and Marwah | Sa'y and its rituals | Sacrificial animals | Shaving or clipping hair | Sunnah and allowed throwing | Sunnahs of Tawaf | Supplication at the beginning of the journey | Supplication on entering the Mosque | Supplications at Arafah | Supplications: Some All-Inclusive Supplications | Supplications: Some Supplications which may Be Recited At 'Arafat, at the Sacred Sites, and at Other Places of Supplication | Talbeeyah | Tawaaf | Tawaaf al-Ifaadah | Throwing Al Jemar | Throwing pebbles on behalf of other people | Types of Hajj | Umrah | Veiling and giving up the display of beauty is compulsory for women | Verdict on spending the night at Mina | Visitation of the Prophet's Mosque | Visiting Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi | Visiting Quba Mosque and Al-Baqi' cemetery | What a Pilgrim should do when he reaches the Miqat | What Is Required of the Pilgrims | What is allowed to a Muhrim | Where to pick the pebbles from and the number and size of pebbles | Woman's Hajj with Mahram, expenses of Hajj, taking husband's permission | Woman may enter into the Ihram in any dress | Wuqoof 'Arafaat | Wuqoof Muzdalifah | Zamzam