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HAJJ PER QURAN.

Among all the Ibadah decreed by Allah like giving proper weight and measure to Salat, Siam, to not lie or back bite the Hajj is unique. Every other Ibadah applies on Believers in their everyday life but application of Hajj is conditional.

[3:96] THE FIRST HOUSE established for the people was the one in Bacca; blessed, and a guidance for all the people. 

[3:97] IN IT are clear signs: ABRAHAM'S STATION. And whoever entered it was safe. PILGRIMAGE [ḥijj (حِجّ)] to the House is a DUTY owed by the people to Allah, FOR THOSE WHO FIND THE MEANS TO GET  TO IT. As for those who disbelieve, then indeed, Allah has no need of all the worlds.

So, it is an obligation only if you have the means to fulfill it.

I. WHERE IS HAJJ

3.96,97 - The FIRST HOUSE, Bacca, IT, Abraham's Station, Hajj.  

2.125 - Abraham's station. 

2.127- Abraham and Ismael visited the house. 14.37- Abraham resided family in the valley of SACRED House. 

9.7- Masjid Al-Haram is SACRED House. 

5.97- Qaba is SACRED House. 

48.24, 25 - Qaba / SACRED House is in Mecca.

So, where is Hajj - Qaba > Masjid Al-Haram > Mecca.  Not to mention Bacca = Mecca.

[2:125] And when We made the House a focal point for the people and a secure place: "Take Abraham's station as a Salat house." And We took an oath from Abraham and Ishmael: "Purify My house for those who circumbulate, those who stay there, and those who bow and prostrate."

[2:127] And when Abraham was offering the staying / visit of the House, together with Ishmael: "Our Lord, accept this from us. You are the Hearer, the Knowledgeable.

[14:37] Our Lord, I have resided some of my offspring in a valley void of plantation at Your Muhharram House, our Lord, so that they may observe the Salat. So let the hearts of some of the people take a liking to them, and provide them with various fruits so that they may give thanks.

[9:7] How can the mushrikeen have an oath with Allah and with His messenger, except for those with whom you have made a treaty with at the Masjid Al-Haram? If they are straight with you, you shall be straight with them. Allah loves the reverent.

[5:97] Allah has rendered the Qaba, the Haram House, an establishment for the people, as well as the Haram Month, the offerings and the garlands. That is so that you may know that Allah knows what is in the spaces and what is in the earth, and that Allah is Knowledgeable of all things.

[48:24] He is the One who withheld their hands against you and your hands against them inside Mecca after He made you victorious over them. Allah is Seer of what you do. [48:25] They are the ones who disbelieved and repelled you from the Masjid Al-Haram and with the offerings being prevented from reaching its destination. Had it not been for some believing men and believing women whom you did not know, you may have trampled them underfoot, thereby incurring guilt unknowingly. Allah thus admits into His mercy whom He wills. If they had become separated, We would have punished the disbelievers among them with a painful punishment.

II. WHO DECLARED HAJJ

Contrary to popular understanding Abraham did not build Qaba. We do not know who built it. Abraham's Station, Salat House - are adjectives of Masjid Al Haram.  Abraham and Ismael visited Qaba and offered their Visit to Allah for acceptance. Hajj is happening since the House is built. 

We can't ascertain authenticity of Tourah or Injeel. But there are verses in available old Testament that clearly ordained Hajj for Jews and so as Christians. 

// Psalm chapter 84-  Hajj

1. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!

2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.

5 BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE STRENGTH IS IN YOUR, WHOSE HEARTS ARE SET ON PILGRIMAGE.

6 AS THEY PASS THROUGH THE VALLEY OF BAKA, THEY MAKE IT A PLACE OF SPRINGS; THE AUTUMN RAINS ALSO COVER IT WITH POOLS.

7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

8 Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob.

9 Look on our shield,[e] O God; look with favor on your anointed one.

10 Better is one day in your courts

than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

12 Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.//

We see Allah commands in Quran to Proclaim Hajj. This proclamation refers to Prophet Muhammad and not Abraham.

[22:26] We appointed for Abraham the location of the House: "Do not associate anything with Me, and purify My House for those circumbulate and those standing, bowing and prostrating.

[22:27] AND PROCLAIM THE HAJJ TO THE PEOPLE. They WILL come to you on man and on every lean animal; they will come from every deep ravine

[22:28] to witness benefits for them, and to commemorate Allah's name during the known days for providing them with the livestock animals. So eat from it and feed the miserable, the poor.

The proclamation in 22.27 is not the beginning of Hajj as a Ibadah for Muslims but a affirmation of Hajj that is ordained since Masjid al Haram is decreed and Qaba is raised.

III. WHEN IS HAJJ

1- The sighting of the crescent moon signals the commencement of Hajj:

The arabic lunar calender is not an invention of Muslims.  Different tribes in different parts of Arabia use to follow different calendar with sequence of 12 months differently.  They also use to add a 13th month and move up or down the month of Hajj to suit harvest / business. Tribes got together and appointed Kaleb to adopt 1 calendar for of Arabia. He did so and since then single calendar is in use. Kaleb is great great maternal grandfather of Prophet Muhammad that is 6 generations before Muhammad.  So, since that time Arabs are following the calender as we know it today.

Since it is a lunar calendar the sighting of the first crescent signals the beginning of each month. The first sighting of the crescent in the month of Zhu Al-Hijjah signals the beginning of Hajj. Similarly the sighting of the first crescent in the month of Ramadan signals the beginning of fasting.

[2:189] They ask you about the crescents, say, "They are timing devices for the people and FOR THE HAJJ." Piety is not in entering houses from their backs, but piety is in being reverent. So enter the houses from their doors and reverence Allah so that you may succeed.

2- What is the duration of hajj?

The Hajj is during the known months. 2:197

The first question is how many months are decreed for Hajj?

In 9:36 we read that the count of months is 12 and that 4 out of those 12 are called 'Hurum'. The word 'Hurum' does not mean sacred as some have translated, for the word used in the Quran for sacred is 'muqqaddas', see 20:12, 79:16 and 5:21.

The word 'Hurum' (adjective) is the plural of the word 'Haram' which is also associated with the months of Hajj. Both words come from the noun 'Ihram' which means abstention. Abstention is one of the requirements during Hajj, abstention from war, hunting and so on.

As a result, we know that the number of months which Allah designated for Hajj are four (2:197).

Sadly, Mazhabies today allow Hajj only between the 8th and the 13th of the month of Zhu Al-Hijjah. Allah allowed the believers 4 months for Hajj and they restricted it to 5 days.

In 2:197 we read the Arabic words 'farada feehinna'. Here we have two Arabic words of great significance:

1- The first word is 'farada'. This verb is from the word 'fard' which means an obligatory duty set by Allah on the believers. The Salat is a 'fard' so is the Zakat and Hajj. Thus the verb 'farada' means to actually execute or consummate the command.

2- The second word is 'feehinna'. This word is in fact two Arabic words joined together. They are 'fee' which means (in), and 'hinna' which means (them) and is used in the feminine gender. Thus the whole word means (in them). The word (them) here refers to the specified months. Now by placing these words inside the verse we get:

Whoever executes the Hajj in them (the specified months) shall refrain from … 2:197

In these two Arabic words executes the Hajj in them Allah endorses the legality of executing Hajj anytime within the specified months.

Those who have corrupted the law of Allah, and reduced the time of Hajj to the first ten days of the 12th month, justify their claims by corrupting the meaning of some Quranic verses such as:

Commemorate Allah's name during the known days. 22:28

Commemorate Allah for a number of days. 2:203

They claim that the words 'known days' and 'a number of days' indicate that Hajj can only be observed in the ten day period and not anytime during the four months.

The reply to that is two folded:

FIRST

Immediately Almighty Allah has given us a clear distinction in the verses that speak about Hajj. When Allah addresses Hajj itself, the words 'specified months' are used as in 2:197. The reason for that being that the duration of Hajj is the full four months. However when God addresses the believers, the words 'a number of days' are used, as in:

'Commemorate Allah for a number of days'. These words address the believers and they speak of 'a number of days' for the simple fact that any believer who goes to observe his Hajj goes for a number of days, he does not stay for the whole four months.

SECOND

Consider the example of the fasting of Ramadan as in the following verses:

Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was brought down providing guidance for the people, as well as clear proofs of the guidance and the Criterion. So those of you who witness the month shall fast it. 2:185

Here we read 'the month' as being the duration of fasting.

Now consider the following verse:

A number of days, but whoever among you is ill or travelling, then an equal number of other days (may be substituted). 2:184

Here fasting is spoken of as 'a number of days'. However, none of the hadith scholars have come up with a claim that we should only fast the first ten days of Ramadan!

A month, or months, can also be spoken of as days, simply because a month is made up of days. The fact that they are spoken of as days does not change the fact that they are still months. This is similar to someone describing the years of his childhood by saying 'they were the best days of my life'.

3- Which months are the 'Hurum Months' and which is the first month for Hajj?

Just as corruption has set in every ritual and practice, the Hadithers have also corrupted the issue of which months are the 4 'Hurum Months'. They claim that the 'Hurum Months' are the months of Rajab (7th month), Zhu Al-Qa'dah (11th), Zhu Al-Hijjah (12) and Muharram (1st). According to this classification, there would be 3 consecutive months for Hajj (11, 12, 1) and one isolated month (7). This classification violates the Quran on two counts.

1- The Quranic 'Hurum Months' are the months of Zhu Al-Hijjah (12th), Muharram (1st), Safar (2nd) and Rabi Al-Awwal (3rd).

2- The Quran also gives us evidence that the 4 'Hurum Months' are consecutive.

- Which months are the 4 'Hurum Months'?

The 12th month of the Islamic calendar is not called Zhu Al-Hijjah for nothing other than it ushers in the beginning of Hajj. The literal meaning of the name Zhu Al-Hijjah is: that (month) of the Hajj. It would make little sense to think that name of the 12 month - 'month of Hajj' when Hajj has already started 5 months earlier (as some claim)!

Allah refers to name of months in Quran and those are already fixed and in use. When the Quran instructs us to fast the month of Ramadan, we would know when to start fasting when month of  Ramadan starts.

- The 4 'Hurum Months' are consecutive months.

Indeed, the four 'Hurum Months' designated for Hajj are consecutive. They are the 12th, 1st, 2nd and 3rd months of the Lunar calendar. They are the months of (Zhu Al-Hijjah, Muharram, Safar and Rabi I). The consecutive nature of these four months is confirmed in the following verse:

Then when the Hurum Months have 'insalakha' (peeled off), you may fight the mushrikeen wherever you find them.'" 9:5

A key word in 9:5 related to this matter is the word 'insalakha'. The word literally means 'skinned'. This is the sense of how we skin a snake for example. The movement of skinning a snake means we would remove the skin gradually from one end to the other, or in other words; a gradual and consecutive movement.

Allah deliberately used this word in 9:5 in connection to the months of Hajj. Allah could have simply said: when the 'Hurum Months' have passed. So why did Allah deliberately use this word?

It is because the word 'insalakha' indicates a consecutive meaning, or in other words it tells us that the 4 hurum months are consecutive months.

Further confirmation of the significance of the verb 'salakha' is found in 36:37 where the same verb is used, and once again it denotes a gradual and successive withdrawal.

IV. THE RITES / RITUALS OF HAJJ

1- Abstentions (ihram) during Hajj

a- Hunting

Hunting is prohibited while a person is observing Hajj as per the following verses:

You are not permitted hunting while you are hurum. 5:1

When you have come out of 'ihram' (abstentions during Hajj), you may hunt. 5:2

O you who believe, do not kill any game while you are hurum. 5:95

b- War and fighting

All warfare is prohibited throughout the Hurum months of Hajj except in self defence:

They ask you about the Hurum Month and fighting therein, say, "Fighting therein is a grave matter." 2:217

c- Sexual intercourse, misconduct and arguments

These abstentions are also to be observed during the Hajj days:

Whoever executes the Hajj in them (the specified months) shall refrain from sexual contact, wickedness and arguing during Hajj. 2:197

d- Abstaining from cutting / grooming the hair

Abstaining from cutting one's hair is a requirement during the Hajj days. 

Complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah. If you are prevented, then make a convenient offering, and do not shave / groom your heads until the offering reaches its destination. 2:196

***** It must be noted here that the claim by some that the hair must be cut or shortened / groomed at the conclusion of the Hajj is without any Quranic reference. All that the Quran states is that a person observing Hajj must refrain from cutting / grooming his/her hair during the days of Hajj. What he/she does at the conclusion of Hajj is a matter left to their own choice.

The abstentions of Hajj are to be observed by the person observing during the days in which he/she observes the Hajj. However, the abstention from warfare is to be observed by all believers throughout the 4 Hurum months (2:217).

2- The visit to the Qaba and commemoration of Allah

The customary visit to the Qba and Salah therein are an integral part of Hajj, having been mentioned in the following verse that speaks of Hajj:

Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed by the people to Allah, for those who find the means to get to it. 3:97

"Take Abraham's station as a Salat house."  2:125

3- The Safa and Marwah and commemoration of Allah

The Safa and Marwah are among the rites decreed by Allah. So whoever observes Hajj at the House or observes Umrah incurs no blame for passing by them. 2:158

4- Mount Arafat and commemoration of Allah

When you disperse from Arafat, commemorate Allah at the Mashaar Al-Haram. 2:198

The Mashaar Al-Haram is the Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca. This is because the Masjid Al-Haram is the only House called 'Haram' in the Quran.

5- Animal offerings

The animal offerings are one of the Quranic rites of Hajj.

We have decreed the animal offerings for you among the rites of Allah. In them are benefits for you. 22:36

The Quran makes the point clear that this is not to be confused with the pagan concept of animal sacrifice for the gods, by stating that Allah Almighty is in no need of any sacrifice. This is emphasised by the words 'benefits for you'. This is also asserted in the following verse:

Neither their meat nor their blood reaches Allah, but it is your reverence that reaches Him. 22:37

The offerings to the Masjid Al-Haram and the traditional markings on them are also mentioned in the following verse:

Allah has rendered the Qaba, the Haram House, an establishment for the people, as well as the Haram Month, the offerings and the garlands. 5:97

When the believers observe the animal offering they are instructed to eat from the meat and feed the poor, unless for health reasons they cannot eat the meat:

We have decreed the animal offerings for you among the rites of Allah. In them are benefits for you. So mention Allah's name on them while they are lined up, then once they collapse on their sides, you shall eat therefrom and feed the poor and the needy. Thus did We subject them to you, so hopefully you may give thanks. 22:36

6- Convenient offering

For those who progress from Umrah to Hajj, they shall make a convenient offering (to the poor and needy). If a person cannot afford to make an offering, then fasting is given as an alternative:

Those who progress from Umrah to Hajj shall make a convenient offering. And for those who are not able to, you shall fast three days during Hajj and seven on your return; that is a total of ten. That is for those whose family does not live near the Masjid Al-Haram. You shall reverence Allah and know that Allah is severe in punishment. 2:196

The Quran does not specify what the offering should be, thus it can be anything donated to the poor, such as money, clothes, food and so on.

7 - Circumbulation 

...and purify My House for those circumbulate... 22.26

..."Purify My house for those who circumbulate.. 2.125

V. THE RITES / RITUALS OF UMRAH

The rituals of Umrah are rituals 2 and 3 on the list of Hajj rituals above. They are:

1- The visit to the Qaba and commemoration of Allah

The customary visit to the Qaba and Salat  therein are an integral part of Hajj, having been mentioned in the following verse that speaks of Hajj:

Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed by the people to Allah, for those who find the means to get to it. 3:97

"Take Abraham's station as a Salat house."  2:125

2- The Safa and Marwah and commemoration of God

The Safa and Marwah are among the rites decreed by God. So whoever observes Hajj at the House or observes Umrah incurs no blame for passing by them. 2:158

Umrah can be observed on any day of the year and not only during the 4 Hurum months of Hajj. As a result, when observing Umrah, no 'ihram' is required. The 'ihram', detailed above (Abstentions (Ehraam) during Hajj) is to be observed only by those observing their Hajj during the 4 months of Hajj.

VI. CORRUPTIONS

1- Restricting the time for observing Hajj

 Allah allowed the believers 4 months for Hajj and they restricted it to 5 days!

2- The Hajj garments

O children of Adam, take along your 'zinah' to every masjid. 7:31

3- The 'miqat' innovation

The miqat is a location that has been set from which pilgrims are required to start wearing the 'ihram' garments, and enter into a state of 'ihram', then from there proceed to Mecca for Hajj or Umrah. They should not pass these locations without being in a state of 'ihram'. This is a pure innovation.

4- The 'Black Stone'

Do you ibadah besides Allah what does not benefit you in any way nor harm you? 21:66

Say, "Do you ibadah besides Allah what does not posses any harm nor benefit for you?" 5:76 also see 10:18 and 25:55.

5- The water of 'Zamzam'

No relation to Hajj. 

6- The stoning ritual

He said, 'Then get out of it, for you (Satan) are 'rajeem' (outcast). 38:77 and 15:34.

The word 'rajeem', which simply means outcast, has been corrupted to mean 'stoned', hence it is claimed that the stoning ritual during Hajj is an authorised Quranic command!

7- Hajj by Deputization!

Allah asserts the fact that no person will be accountable for the sins of another, and also that no person will be credited from the deeds of another. In other words, every person will be held accountable only to what he/she has done.

The human being has nothing to benefit him except his own work. 53:39

8- Ihram (abstentions) during Umrah!

The word 'ihram' is clearly defined in the Quran as a requirement during Hajj and not Umrah. Ihram is closely connected to the Shahr Al-Haram' (the abstention months). 

9- Women not allowed to perform Hajj without a 'mihrim'!

Another corrupt restriction that has no Quranic reference is the forbidding of women to observe their Hajj or Umrah without being in the company of a 'mihrim'. 

10- Women forbidden from observing their Salat during menstruation, and thus forbidden from completing their Hajj rituals!

No such restriction either for Salat or Hajj

11- Visiting the Prophet's tomb in Medina and declaring it a second "Haram Masjid"

The majority, if not all, of those observing their Hajj make it a custom to visit prophet Muhammad's tomb in Medina at the Masjid that carries his name. By doing so they are committing the most flagrant act of idol worship, and thus invalidating their Hajj.

According to the command in 6:162 we are told that we should dedicate all our rituals to the name of God alone. Hajj is older than prophet Muhammad himself. Abraham and his descendants performed Hajj, they did not have Muhammad's tomb to visit. 

The masjids are for Allah, so do not call upon anyone else besides Allah. 72:18

VII. SO CALLED QURBANI 

Instead of he said / she said - let us look at what Quran says.

[37:102] Then when  he was old enough to work with him, he said, "O my son, I see in a dream that I am slaughtering you, so see what you think." He said, "O my father, do as you are commanded to do. You will find me, Allah willing, of the patient ones."

[37:103] Then when they both submitted, and he placed his forehead on the ground,

[37:104] We called him, "O Abraham,

[37:105] you have believed the vision!" Indeed, We thus reward the good-doers.

[37:106] This was a clear test indeed.

[37:107] We made a concession for him in place of a grave slaughter.

1. He said, He said. Notice - there is no Allah says.

2. Submitted - one can submit to anything by own Judgement.  It it Allah declares what is submission to Allah.

3. Note the "!" after vision. Allah's commands does not come with "!". It is a rebuke / sarcasm from Allah. Recollect here - Allah rebuked Muhammad 6 times in Quran.

4. Test - Iblis itself is a test for mankind. The vision is not from Allah. So, the test is not from Allah.  More importantly, Allah never commands any human to commit Sin. Not even in dreams. (It is another topic about how Allah tests)

5. He saved Ibrahim from a 'GRAVE SLAUGHTER'.  That confirms slaughtering one's innocent child is a GRAVE SIN. 

The Qurbani / Animal sacrefice ordained by Allah is only During Hajj.