Types of Hajj and the Rites of Hajj

What is meant by the “Rites of Hajj”?

The term “Manāsik” is an Arabic word derived from “Nusuk”, which means:

Worship, sacrifice, and sincere devotion.

The term “Manāsik al-Hajj” refers to the specific acts, forms of worship, and procedures that a pilgrim is required to perform during Hajj. These include entering the state of Ihram, performing Tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka’bah), Sa’i (walking between Safa and Marwah), standing at ‘Arafah, Ramy al-Jamarāt (stoning the pillars), offering a sacrifice, and either shaving or trimming the hair, among others.

Evidence from the Qur’an:

وَ اَذِّنْ فِی النَّاسِ بِالْحَجِّ یَاْتُوْكَ رِجَالًا وَّ عَلٰى كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ یَّاْتِیْنَ مِنْ كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِیْقٍ(27)لِّیَشْهَدُوْا مَنَافِعَ لَهُمْ وَ یَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللّٰهِ فِیْۤ اَیَّامٍ مَّعْلُوْمٰتٍ عَلٰى مَا رَزَقَهُمْ مِّنْۢ بَهِیْمَةِ الْاَنْعَامِۚ-فَكُلُوْا مِنْهَا وَ اَطْعِمُوا الْبَآىٕسَ الْفَقِیْرَ

“And proclaim the pilgrimage to the people: they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, coming from every distant path. That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah during the known days over what He has provided for them of the livestock animals. So eat from them and feed the poor and the needy.”

(Surah Al-Hajj: 27–28)

In this verse, the phrase “Ayyāmin Ma‘lūmāt” (known days) is mentioned, which refers to the specific days during which the rites of Hajj are performed.

The Manāsik al-Hajj encompass all those acts of worship and deeds that:

• Are performed during a specific time (from 8th to 13th Dhul-Hijjah),
• At specific locations (Makkah, Mina, ‘Arafah, Muzdalifah),
• With a specific sequence and intention,
• In accordance with Islamic law (Sharī‘ah).

All these acts are integral parts of Hajj, and without them, the Hajj is not complete.

Three Types of Hajj Rites

Islam has made Hajj obligatory upon Muslims, and it has prescribed three methods (i.e., three types) for its performance. These are known as the Types of Hajj or Forms of Hajj. Each form has a slightly different procedure and set of rulings, and the choice among them depends on the pilgrim’s intention and circumstances.

The types of Hajj rites are as follows:

• Hajj al-Tamattu‘ (Performing ‘Umrah followed by Hajj with a break in between)
• Hajj al-Ifrād (Performing only Hajj without ‘Umrah)
• Hajj al-Qirān (Combining Hajj and ‘Umrah together with one Ihram)

Hajj al-Tamattu‘

Definition:

In this type of Hajj, the pilgrim performs both ‘Umrah and Hajj in the same journey, but removes the Ihram after completing ‘Umrah and before starting Hajj.

Procedure:

• The pilgrim first performs ‘Umrah (i.e., he assumes Ihram, reaches Makkah, performs Tawaf and Sa‘i, then shaves or trims the hair and exits the state of Ihram).
• Then, on the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, he again assumes Ihram for Hajj and performs the remaining rites of Hajj.

This type of Hajj is generally for those who come only for the days of Hajj and wish to perform ‘Umrah before Hajj.

Evidence from the Holy Qur’an:

فَمَنْ تَمَتَّعَ بِالْعُمْرَةِ اِلَى الْحَجِّ فَمَا اسْتَیْسَرَ مِنَ الْهَدْیِۚ

“Then whoever performs ‘Umrah followed by Hajj [during the Hajj months]—let him offer whatever sacrificial animal is easy [for him].”

(Surah Al-Baqarah: 196)

Hajj al-Ifrād

Definition:

In this form of Hajj, the pilgrim assumes Ihram only for Hajj and does not perform ‘Umrah.

Procedure:

• At the time of assuming Ihram, the pilgrim intends only for Hajj.
• He arrives in Makkah and performs the rites of Hajj during the designated days.
• ‘Umrah is not included in this type, and therefore, offering a sacrifice is not obligatory (although it is recommended).

This form of Hajj is suitable for those who are already residing in Makkah or elsewhere in Saudi Arabia, or for those who have already performed ‘Umrah earlier in the same year.

Hajj al-Qirān

Definition:

In this type of Hajj, the pilgrim performs both ʿUmrah and Hajj with a single Ihram.

Procedure:

•  
• At the time of entering into Ihram, the pilgrim makes the intention:
  “O Allah! I am entering into Ihram for both ʿUmrah and Hajj.”
• Then, upon reaching Makkah, he performs ʿUmrah (i.e., Ṭawāf and Saʿī) but does not come out of the state of Ihram.
• On the 8th of Dhul-Ḥijjah, while still in the same state of Ihram, he begins the rituals of Hajj.
  Offering a sacrifice (Qurbānī) becomes obligatory upon him.

The Hajj of the Noble Prophet ﷺ was also Qirān.

Sayyidah ʿĀʾishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates:

خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ وَأَصْحَابُهُ مُهِلِّينَ بِالْحَجِّ وَالْعُمْرَةِ جَمِيعًا، وَلَمْ يَحِلُّوا حَتَّى كَانَ يَوْمُ النَّحْرِ۔

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his companions entered into Ihram for both Hajj and ʿUmrah together, and they did not come out of Ihram until the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Naḥr).”

(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1568)

Important Points:

• All three types (of Hajj) are permissible according to the Sharīʿah.
• The most virtuous is the one closest to the practice of the Noble Prophet ﷺ, i.e., Hajj al-Qirān.
• Whichever form is adopted, there must be sincerity in intention and adherence to the Sunnah in action.

A Day-by-Day Detailed Account of the Rites of Hajj

The rites of Hajj begin on the 8th of Dhul-Ḥijjah and continue until the 13th. These days are known as the Ayyām al-Ḥajj (Days of Hajj) and Ayyām Maʿlūmāt (Appointed Days). Each day holds its own significance, with specific rituals that must be performed in a particular manner.

Yawm al-Tarwiyah – 8th Dhul-Ḥijjah

Rituals:

Entering into Ihram (if not already in it):

• A pilgrim performing Hajj al-Tamattuʿ will re-enter into the state of Ihram on this day.
• The intention is made:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْحَجَّ فَيَسِّرْهُ لِي وَتَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّي

“Allāhumma innī urīdu al-Ḥajja fa-yassirhu lī wataqabbalhu minnī”
“O Allah, I intend to perform Hajj, so make it easy for me and accept it from me.”

Reciting the Talbiyah:

“لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ”

“Labbayka Allāhumma labbayk”

“Here I am, O Allah, here I am.”

Departure to Minā:

• Pilgrims set out for Minā before Ẓuhr (midday prayer).
• In Minā, they offer the following prayers: Ẓuhr, ʿAṣr, Maghrib, ʿIshāʾ, and Fajr — all shortened (qaṣr) but offered in congregation.

Spiritual Lesson:

This is the day of preparation, where the pilgrim readies their soul for the greatest day of Hajj — the Day of ʿArafah.

Dhul-Ḥijjah — Yawm ʿArafah (9th Dhul-Ḥijjah)

This is the most important day of Hajj.

Rituals:

Departure to ʿArafah after morning:

• After Fajr prayer, pilgrims depart from Minā towards ʿArafah.
• Upon arrival, the Ẓuhr and ʿAṣr prayers are performed together, shortened (qaṣr) and combined (jamʿ).

Wuquf (Standing) at ʿArafah:

• Staying in ʿArafah from Ẓuhr until sunset is the greatest pillar (rukn al-aʿẓam) of Hajj.
• It is best to spend this time in supplication, repentance, weeping, and remembrance of Allah.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Al-Ḥajj ʿArafah” الحَجُّ عَرَفَةُ

Hadith from Sunan al-Tirmidhī) — Hajj is truly ʿArafah.

Sermon at the Plain of ʿArafah:

• The Imam or the leader of Hajj delivers the sermon.

Departure from ʿArafah after sunset (without performing Maghrib prayer):

• The Maghrib prayer is delayed.

Praying at Muzdalifah:

• Maghrib and ʿIshāʾ prayers are performed together at Muzdalifah.
• Pilgrims spend the night in Muzdalifah under the open sky.

Dhul-Ḥijjah — Yawm al-Naḥr (10th Dhul-Ḥijjah)

This is the second most important day of Hajj, and many significant rituals are performed on this day.

Rituals:

• After performing Fajr prayer in Muzdalifah, pilgrims depart for Minā before sunrise.
• Stoning the Jamrah al-ʿAqaba (the largest pillar representing Satan) by throwing seven pebbles.
• Offering the sacrifice (Qurbānī), if obligatory.
  Qurbānī is obligatory upon those performing Hajj al-Tamattuʿ or Hajj al-Qirān.

Shaving or trimming the hair (Halq or Taqṣīr):

• Men shave their heads or trim their hair short.
• Women cut a small portion of hair approximately the size of a fingertip.

Exiting the state of Ihram:

• All restrictions are lifted except the prohibition on sexual relations with the wife.

Ṭawāf al-Ifāḍah (the obligatory circumambulation):

• After returning to Makkah, the pilgrim performs Ṭawāf and Saʿī (if Saʿī was not performed during ʿUmrah).

Ayyām al-Tashrīq — 11th, 12th, and 13th Dhul-Ḥijjah

Rituals:

• Each day, all three Jamrāt (the small, medium, and large pillars) are stoned with seven pebbles each — a total of 21 pebbles per day.
• It is Sunnah to say:
  بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ، اَللّٰهُ أَكْبَر
  “Bismillāhi, Allāhu Akbar” with each pebble thrown.
• On the 12th of Dhul-Ḥijjah, after completing the stoning (Ramy), one may return to Makkah. However, it is more virtuous to stay in Minā and perform the stoning until the 13th of Dhul-Ḥijjah.

Quran:

وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَعْدُودَاتٍ

“Wa’zhkurūllāha fī ayyāmin maʿdūdāt”

“And remember Allah during the appointed days.”

(Sūrat al-Baqarah: 203)

Ṭawāf al-Wadāʿ (Farewell Ṭawāf)

• Before returning home, performing the Farewell Ṭawāf is obligatory (except for women in a state of menstruation).
• There is no Saʿī (ritual walk) involved in this Ṭawāf.

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