Hajj is the Pilgrimage that is performed in the month of DhulHijjah. It is the fifth pillar of Islam and is obligatory once in a lifetime for Muslims who are financially and physically fit.
Every year, millions of Muslims visit Saudi Arabia and perform Hajj. This spiritual journey is performed by Muslims across the globe. In this article, we will discuss brief Hajj details and also how to perform Tawaf.
How to perform Hajj?
There are many steps of Hajj. Here is a brief description of the rituals.
- Intention
- Ihram
- Tawaf
- Sayii
- Shaving head
- Mina
- Arafat
- Muzdalifah
- Rami
- Hadi
- Shaving head
- Tawaf al Ifadah
- Sayi
- Rami
- Mina
- Rami
- Tawaf al Wida
These are the rituals of Hajj pilgrimage Meccathat you perform during Hajj. Without these, Hajj will not be valid. If you go with a professional private Hajj agency in Pakistan then they will guide you with every detail timely.
Ihram:
When Muslims are arriving in Mecca for Hajj, they must first enter the state of Ihram.
Ihram is the state of purity in which men wear two unstitched white clothes, make intention and follow the certain rules of Ihram.
For women, there is no special clothing for Ihram, they can wear their neat clothes and enter the state of Ihram.
For people who are visiting Makkah by air, Miqat is announced and then they can enter the state.
Here are the rules of Ihram that the pilgrim must follow after wearing Ihram:
These actions are forbidden in the state of Ihram:
- Sexual activities
- Cutting nails and hair
- Usage of perfumes and scented soaps
What is Tawaf?
During Hajj, you will be performing Tawaffor at least three times.
- First, when you arrive in Makkah, you perform Umrah, it is when you perform your 1st tawaf.
- Next, you perform Tawaf al Ifadah after the stoning of devil.
- Lastly, Tawaf al Wada. It is not obligatory, but is performed at the end before leaving Makkah as a farewell.
So, now I will tell you what Tawaf is, and provide aHajj Tawaf guide:
Tawaf is circling the Holy Kaabah seven times in an anti-clockwise motion.
One tawaf consists of seven complete rounds, each of the round starting and ending at the black stone, which is embedded in one of the corners of Holy Kaabah.
During the Tawaf rounds, you can say different prayers and avoid talking.
After the Tawaf, you offer two rakahs behind the MaqameIbrahimi.
The procedure of the Tawaf stays the same during Umrah and Hajj.
Can I offer Tawaf only when in Makkah?
Yes, you can offer only Tawaf also which includes circulating the Holy Kabah seven times when you are not performing Hajj or Umrah. Moreover, when you’re performing Hajj and Umrah with a group, there will be Hajj guides who will give you step-by-step Tawaf instructionsand you will be able to perform the pilgrimage accurately.
What are the benefits of Tawaf?
When in Makkah, many people perform Tawaf outside Hajj and Umrah. Some people perform Tawaf multiple times after they complete their Umrah because for another Umrah they have to enter the state of Ihram again. So, they find performing Tawaf more convenient. Moreover, in both the cases, the purpose remains the same, worship of Allah.
These are the benefits of performing Tawaf:
- Spiritual cleansing: Tawaf symbolizes purification of the soul as it is performed for Allah Almighty.
- Closeness to Allah: It strengthens the connection with Allah as the pilgrim circulates the house of Allah. He feels a deep connection between himself and his creator.
- Humility and Submission: It demonstrates submission and devotion.
- Unity: All the Muslims perform their Tawaf together and create a sense of unity and brotherhood.
Tawaf is a ritual that has multiple benefits that nourish the soul, body and spirit. It is among those acts of worship that provides solace and peace to the person. It is better to go with verified Hajj agents you can check Hajj prices online in Pakistan and select one according to your budget and their reviews of the agency.
