Common errors associated with performance of Hajj

It is natural for us to make mistakes. This is considering the maxim, “to err is human, to forgive divine. ”However, some mistakes are committed out of negligence, indifference or disobedience.”

It is true that we are susceptible to mistakes, but efforts should be made to reduce them to the minimum.

We are expected to seek to know God Almighty before we worship Him. Islam detests ignorance in carrying out our duties to Almighty Allah. Hence, knowledge and regular reminder through lectures are basic requirements to guard against mistakes in our acts of worship.

Mistakes are not expected to be prevalent among the Muslims in their acts of Ibadah. Errors are not expected to be common among the faithful. They should seldom happen.

The errors that are commonly associated with the performance of hajj should be avoided by the pilgrims, more so when such mistakes vitiate the act of worship. It is better to avoid the mistakes rather than atoning for them or making corrections which may be difficult.

Such errors of hajj include those related to the donning of the hajj garment (ihram). Some pilgrims bypass the designated station of ihram (Al-Miqat) on their route where they are expected to enter into the state of ihram. Such may be corrected by either going back to the Migat to enter into ihram or to atone by killing a sheep in Mecca and feeding its meat to the poor. This applies regardless of whether such erring pilgrims pass the station of ihram by air, by sea or by land. And if one did not pass through one of the five designated stations of ihram en route to Mecca, one should enter into ihram at a point which is closest to the Miqat on his route.

However, there are certain things that should be done and avoided in a state of ihram. Such include the observance of the obligatory acts such as the five daily prayers at their proper times. To be avoided are sexual intercourse, wrongdoing, quarreling, and injuring of fellow Muslim by deed or by word.

Also prohibited during state of ihram are the cutting of nails,  pulling out of hair from the body, use of deodorants, killing of animal or insects or engaging in hunting any land game, cutting of tree or plucking any green vegetation and engaging in marriage formalities.

The errors related to tawaf (the seven circuits round the Ka’bah), include starting the tawaf at a wrong spot. The taking of quick short steps during all seven circuits is also error since it is to be done only during the first three circuits of the Tawaf of Arrival (Tawaf Al-Qudum). Also, it is a mistake for the pilgrims to struggle with themselves to kiss the Black Stone or to wipe one’s hand over it, seeking blessing or touching the four corners of the Ka’bah or its walls. These are innovations (bid’a) that have no basis in Islam. The Sunnah is to touch or kiss the Black Stone if it can be done easily. It does not detract from one’s tawaf to the slightest degree any inability to kiss or touch it. The tawaf remains valid without it. It is sufficient to point to it from a distance, saying “Allahu Akbar.”

Even the raising of one’s voice above those of others in supplication during tawaf is prohibited as this causes confusion among the worshippers. And there is no specific supplication reserved for each circuit; it is the glorification of Allah in words that are suitable to us.

It is an error for any pilgrim to struggle with others to pray at the Station of Ibrahim. This is contrary to the Sunnah (practice of Prophet Muhamed), besides having the potential of causing injuries to other worshippers. It is sufficient to observe the two-rak’at salat after completing one’s tawaf anywhere within the sacred mosque.

On errors related to the climbing of Safa and Marwa (Sai), some pilgrims face the Ka’bah and gesticulate toward it with their hands while saying the Takbir (Allahu Akbar) as if during salat. This gesticulation is wrong as we can supplicate with any words of praise while facing the direction of the Ka’bah. It is preferable to recite the dhikr which the Prophet (SAW) recited at Safa and Marwa.

Moreover, accelerating one’s pace throughout the entire distance between the two hills is an error. The Sunnah is to accelerate one’s pace only between the two green posts, while walking the rest of the way.

On Arafat Day, too, some pilgrims make the grave mistake of camping outside the boundaries of Arafat and remain there until sunset before departing for Muzdalifah. Arafat is the essence of hajj. It is obligatory to be within its boundaries and not outside them. Also, departing from Arafat before the sun has set is not permissible because Prophet Muhammad (SAW) stayed at Arafat until the sun had set completely. Even struggling through the crowd to climb Mount Arafat is not permissible because it may bring harm to others. The entire plain of Arafat is a place of halting, and neither climbing Mount Arafat nor making salat there has been legislated.

The making of supplications facing Mount Arafat is incorrect because the Sunnah is to face the Qiblah while making supplication. And the collection of pebbles from specific sites on the Day of Arafat is not supported by the Sharia or the practice of the Prophet (SAW).

Furthermore, the errors related to a night stay at Muzdalifah include the collection of pebbles to throw at the Stone Pillars in Mina even before observing the Maghrib and Ishai prayers. The pebbles can really be picked anywhere at Muzdalifah or within the boundaries of Al-Haram in Mecca. It is known that the Prophet (SAW) did not prescribe where the pebbles should be collected but he simply picked some at Muzdalifah before leaving in the morning and picked the remaining ones in Mina. And, of course, he never washed the pebbles as against the practice by some pilgrims.

Even there are errors related to the throwing of the pebbles, as some pilgrims are under the wrong impression that they are throwing the pebbles at devils and therefore hurl them with bags and force. It is only prescribed by Allah to remember Him. It is also prohibited for the pilgrims to be crowded and fight with one another at the Stone Pillars of Aqabah while throwing the pebbles. They are expected to be gentle and to throw the pebbles without hurting anyone. What of the throwing of the pebbles at one time by some pilgrims? This is a serious error as this would be counted as only throw. The Shariah prescribes the throwing of the pebbles one by one, saying “Allahu Akbar” at each throw. And appointing a proxy to throw the pebbles simply due to fear of crowd or of hardship, when one is capable of doing it by oneself is an error. Only sick or weak individuals are permitted to have a proxy for this.

On the observance of the farewell tawaf (Tawaf Al-wida), the common errors include the return of some pilgrims to Mina after the tawaf to throw the pebbles and depart for their countries. This means the throwing of the pebbles is their final rite and not the tawaf.

Also, some pilgrims walk backwards, facing the Sa‘bah after making the farewell tawaf, as they exit from the Grand Mosque, under the impression that this is a veneration of the Ka’bah. Some also halt at the door of the Sacred Mosque to make supplications after performing the farewell tawaf. These are innovations that have no basis in Islam.

On the visitation of the pilgrims to Prophet Muhammad’s Mosque in Madinah, it is unnecessary to wipe one’s hands on the walls and iron grills, tying threads to the railing and other acts of this sort to seek blessing. Blessings come from following what Allah and His Messenger have prescribed, not from innovation. Going to the caves of Mount Uhud or to the caves of Hira or Thou near Mecca and hanging pieces of cloth or making supplications there are errors as they are not prescribed by Allah. All these are unnecessary hardships, innovations in the religion, and are without any basis in the Shari’ah.

Likewise, visiting certain sites under the impression that these constitute “relics” of the Prophet (SAW), like the place where his camel sat, the well of Uthman or the well of the ring, and gathering soil from them to obtain ‘blessing’ are all innovations.

It is also a grievous error for any pilgrim to supplicate to the dead while visiting the graves at the Baqi Cemetery or the graves of the martyrs of Uhud, and throwing coins in order to seek the blessings of the place or of the people buried there. Indeed, it is shirk (ascribing partners to Allah). All forms of worship in Islam are for Allah alone. And all requests, supplication, sacrifices or offerings should be made to Him alone.

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