The farewell rites of Hajj

IN the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Once the pilgrims have completed the Tawaf al-Ifadah and Sa’y on the Day of Sacrifice (i.e., the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah), they all return to Mina and stay for three nights (i.e., the 11th, 12th, and 13th days of Dhul-Hijjah). These three days and nights follow the Day of Sacrifice, and the three days are known as Ayyam al-Tashriq. However, there is no blame on a pilgrim who chooses to hasten his departure and leave on the 12th day of Dhul-Hijjah.

After midday (zawal), during the afternoon of each of the two or three days spent in Mina, the pilgrims should stone each of the three pillars (Jamarat), beginning with the first pillar (i.e., the one farthest from Makkah), followed by the middle pillar, and finally the Pillar of ‘Aqabah. Pilgrims throw seven pebbles, one after another, at each of these pillars, saying “Allahu Akbar” with each throw. After stoning the first and second pillars, pilgrims should pause and supplicate to Allah (SWT), asking for whatever they wish. They should do this while facing the qiblah and raising their hands in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW). However, they should not stop to make du’a after stoning the third Jamrah.

If a pilgrim chooses to stay in Mina for only two days and two nights, he or she must leave Mina before sunset on the 12th day. Should the sun set before the pilgrim departs from Mina, it becomes obligatory for him or her to remain in Mina for the third night and perform the stoning again on the following day. In any case, it is recommended that pilgrims remain in Mina for all three days and nights. Meanwhile, it is permissible for pilgrims who are sick, weak, or frail to appoint a proxy to throw the pebbles on their behalf. The proxy should first throw his or her own pebbles and then throw on behalf of the pilgrim who requested the proxy, while standing at the same pillar.

With this successfully completed, the pilgrims may now decide to return to their various home countries, as they have essentially completed the rites of Hajj. Before departing from Makkah, they should perform the Farewell Tawaf (Tawaf al-Wada’). No pilgrim is exempt from this requirement except women who are menstruating or experiencing postnatal bleeding. Pilgrims should also be mindful of the obligations and restrictions that apply while in the state of ihram for Hajj or Umrah. They are expected to faithfully observe all that Allah (SWT) has made obligatory, such as performing the daily prayers at their prescribed times and, where possible, in congregation. They must avoid all that Allah (SWT) has prohibited, including obscenity, sinful acts, and quarrelling. Pilgrims should guard against harming fellow Muslims through their actions or speech. They should also abstain from acts prohibited during ihram, such as cutting their nails or plucking their hair. However, there is no harm if nails or hair fall off naturally without deliberate intention.

Pilgrims should not use scent or perfume, whether on their clothing, body, food, or drink. However, there is no harm in the lingering fragrance of perfume that was applied before entering into ihram. They should not hunt, frighten, or assist in hunting any land game while in the state of ihram. Pilgrims should neither propose marriage nor conduct a marriage contract, whether for themselves or on behalf of others. Sexual intercourse is also prohibited, as are acts of intimacy such as fondling and amorous play. All these prohibitions apply equally to both men and women during ihram.

However, some restrictions apply specifically to men. A man may not cover his head with a fitted covering. Nevertheless, it is permissible for him to seek shade under an umbrella, beneath the roof of a vehicle, or by carrying something above his head. A man may not wear a shirt or any garment tailored to fit the whole body or a part of it. He should also avoid wearing hooded garments, turbans, trousers, or khuffs (leather socks or footwear covering the ankles). However, if an izar (waist wrapper) is unavailable, it is permissible to wear trousers; similarly, if sandals are unavailable, it is permissible to wear khuffs.

It is forbidden for a female pilgrim to wear gloves or to cover her face with a niqab (face veil) or a burqa during the state of ihram. However, if she is in the presence of non-mahram men, she should cover her face with her head covering or a similar garment, just as she would outside the state of ihram.

If a person in the state of ihram wears a sewn garment, covers his head (in the case of a male pilgrim), uses perfume, removes some hair, or cuts his nails out of forgetfulness or ignorance, there is no expiation (fidyah) required. However, he must stop the action immediately once he remembers or is reminded.

It is permissible to wear sandals, a ring, glasses, a hearing aid, a wristwatch, a belt, or a money belt used to secure money and important documents. It is also permissible to change one’s clothes, wash them, and wash one’s hair and body. There is no harm if some hair unintentionally falls out during washing.

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At this juncture, pilgrims should be made aware of the significance of visiting the Prophet’s (SAW) Mosque in Al-Madinah (formerly known as Yathrib). Travelling to Madinah at any time of the year with the intention of visiting the Prophet’s Mosque and performing salah therein is a recommended Sunnah. A prayer performed in the Prophet’s Mosque is better than one thousand prayers offered in any other mosque, except the Sacred Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) in Makkah. There is no talbiyah associated with visiting the Prophet’s Mosque, and the visit is not a rite of Hajj, nor is it directly connected to the Hajj pilgrimage.