Hajj and Arafah – a landmark of human unity
Arafah is the heart of Hajj: a day of forgiveness, mercy, unity and preparation for the Hereafter.
The Sacred Month of Dhul Hijjah, Hajj and the peace Allah grants
Dhul Hijjah is one of the sacred months and contains the best days for righteous deeds. This article explores the meaning of the sacred months, the obligation of Hajj, the importance of settling our accounts with others, and how to draw closer to Allah through fasting, dhikr, forgiveness and justice.
Hajj – the spiritual journey of a life-time
Hajj is not only a physical journey to Makkah, but a journey of the heart. It is a reminder of sacrifice, submission, equality, forgiveness and the believer’s return to Allah Almighty.
A History of the Pillar of Hajj
Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam, and it has a very special status. The main difference between Hajj and the other four pillars is that Hajj is only obligatory once in a lifetime. That is it. The other pillars are continuous or repeated. The shahadah is something we carry throughout our lives. We…
A Simple Guide to Islam: Beliefs and Practice
Islam is a faith and way of life that combines belief and practice. Muslims hold to the Six Articles of Iman (Faith) and live by the Five Pillars of Islam. The beliefs are called the Six Articles of Iman (Faith). The actions are called the Five Pillars of Islam. This guide is designed to be…
The inner meanings of Hajj and Umrah
Many people wonder why we perform the rituals of Hajj in the way that we do. We know that they were prescribed by the Prophet ﷺ, and that our worship is to follow what he taught us, exactly as he taught it. At the same time, scholars throughout Islamic history have reflected on the deeper…
How to perform Umrah
Guide on performing Umrah Umrah is a highly rewarded act of worship performed by entering the state of ihram, completing tawaf around the Kaʿbah, praying two rakʿahs, performing saʿi between Safa and Marwah, and finally trimming or shaving the hair. This guide is written to be practical, simple to follow, and based on mainstream Sunni…
Arafah: The Heart of Hajj
The ten days of Dhul Hijjah are the best days of the year The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated in a Hadith: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Bukhari) These ten days of Dhul Hijjah are very special. Scholars have even…
Does Hajj or Umrah clear all your sins?
Is my slate wiped clean when I go for Umrah or Hajj? It is a common perception that going for ʿUmrah or Ḥajj erases one’s sins, and this is indeed true to a great extent. Both acts are immense opportunities for purification and renewal, but there are important nuances to understand. Hajj as a purifier…
Extend personal benefit to public benefit
The call to Hajj In Surat al-Hajj, Allah Almighty says: وَأَذِّن فِی ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلۡحَجِّ یَأۡتُوكَ رِجَالࣰا وَعَلَىٰ كُلِّ ضَامِرࣲ یَأۡتِینَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِیق And announce the pilgrimage to mankind—they will come to you on foot and on every lean mount; they will come from every distant pathway, لِّيَشْهَدُوا مَنَافِعَ لَهُمْ وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ فِي…
Can you do hajj, umrah or tawaf on behalf of someone else?
Can you perform Umrah or Tawaf on behalf of someone else? Can you perform Umrah or Tawaf on behalf of a loved one who has passed away or someone unable to go themselves? The answer is: yes, you can. Here’s what you need to know. Performing Umrah for someone else (Umrah Badal) You can…
Common misconceptions: Can menstruating women visit the mosque, attend Eid salah and perform Hajj?
Can women go to the mosque during their period? The question of whether women can attend the mosque during their menstrual periods is a topic of discussion among scholars. Different schools of thought have varying perspectives on this matter, and understanding these can help provide clarity on the issue. The Islamic perspective on menstruation In…
Hajj: how the pillars of Islam create unity and strength
In Surat Ali Imran, Allah Almighty talks about the obligation of Hajj: إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَیۡتࣲ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِی بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكࣰا وَهُدࣰى لِّلۡعَـٰلَمِینَ The first house set up for the people is surely the one in Makkah, blessed and a guidance for all the worlds. [Ali Imran, 3:96] فِیهِ ءَایَـٰتُۢ بَیِّنَـٰتࣱ مَّقَامُ إِبۡرَ ٰهِیمَۖ وَمَن دَخَلَهُۥ كَانَ…
Rulings on Hajj – Tarawih reflections 8
The history of Hajj Hajj was the last of the five pillars to be made an obligation, around the year 7 or 8AH. In the year 9AH, Abu Bakr led the Hajj, and in the tenth year, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ made his final Hajj with the whole Ummah, which at the time was around…
What should I do if my mosque says the Day or Arafah is different from the day the Hajjis go to Arafah?
Although I recommend people to follow their local community when it comes to fasting in Ramadan and celebrating Eid, I would not recommend anyone to fast on the day the Hajjis are celebrating Eid. The Ummah should unite during the days of Dhul Hijjah. We should show solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are…