Its literal meaning is to set out towards a glorified objective.

Its legislative meaning is a body of specific acts performed in a specific manner in special places and at specific times.

Pilgrimage is one of the ordinances (prescribed acts) which every Muslim, male or female, should perform once in a lifetime if he can afford it. It must be performed at once as soon as the following requirements are fulfilled, and it would be sinful for one to postpone it while being able to perform it. Such a sin would be forgiven only after performing the pilgrimage.

1. Safety of the roads leading to the holy places.
2. Affording the expenses of pilgrimage, i.e. to have extra money more and above one’s necessary needs and the needs of whoever he supports.
3. To be able to reach Mecca and the other places of rituals in a normal way, either by walking or using some means of transportation. Whoever cannot perform Hajj because of old age or incurable illness must entrust another person to perform Hajj on his behalf, if he can afford it. A woman must be accompanied by a ‘mahram’ (a male relative whom she cannot marry such as the father, the brother, the son etc..) or in a group of trustworthy people with whom she would be secure.
4. To have eyesight, unless the blind is guided by a companion, or can reach the places of rituals himself.

The failure to perform any of these requirements necessitates a sacrifice, which is to slaughter a sheep satisfying the conditions of Hady (sacrifice), or to fast for those who cannot afford to sacrifice.

These will be included in our explanation of the manner to perform Hajj.

Actions which spoil Hajj:

1. Not to be present on the mountain of Arafa during the prescribed time.
2. To leave out one of the corners of pilgrimage. (Previously mentioned).
3. To have sexual intercourse in any manner, ( from the anterior or the posterior part ) with a human being or another creature, before Al-Tahallul Al-Asghar ( the lesser Relief ).

Whoever intends to perform Hajj must perform Umra as well ( the lesser pilgrimage ). When performing Umra with Hajj, he can choose one of three alternative ways:

In this case, one has to sanctify for Umra during the months of Hajj from the defined Miqat ( place for Ihram ), perform the requirements of Umra and be relieved from his Ihram after that.

He then should sanctify for Hajj from his place in Mecca and perform the rituals of Hajj. Under Tamattu, one has to offer a Hady (sacrifice) and if he cannot afford it, he has to fast three days during Hajj during the period starting from sanctifying for Hajj till the day of slaughtering ( the 10^th of Zulhijja ). If he misses these days he should fast during the days of Tashriq ( the three days following the day of slaughtering ). In addition to these three days, he has to fast seven days after completing the rituals of Hajj and following the days of Tashriq preferably after returning home.

These seven days could be scattered but it is better that they be consecutive. The Hady ( sacrifice ) is not required for the citizens or residents of Mecca.

In this case, one has to sanctify for Hajj alone from the Miqat ( Station of Ihram ) and circumambulate as soon as he arrives in Mecca ( Tawaf al Qudum or circumambulation of arrival ). Upon completing the rituals of Hajj, one should perform Umra on condition that he sanctifies from the Hil ( places such as al-Tanim or al-Jurana ) after the sunset of the fourth day of Barium, and no sacrifice is required in this case.

In this case, onesanctifies for Umra and Hajj together from the Miqat and then makes Tawaf Al Qudum ( circumambulation of Arrival ) and keeps his Ihram ( sanctity ) until he completes the rituals of Hajj . In such a casse it suffices him to make one single circumambulation and one Say (going around between Safa and Marwa Mountains). Say should be done after returning from Arafa Mountain and not before that-although it is permissible to perform Say after Tawaf Al Qudum according to some jurisprudents. One has to sacrifice or fast as we explained under Tanattu in case he is not a citizen or resident of Mecca.

It refers to the cattle offered to the Haram and includes camels, which are more than five years old, cows (more than two years old) and sheep (more than one year old). The cattle has to be without defects. Each pilgrim should slaughter a sheep or share with six pilgrims in offering a camel or a cow. The time to slaughter starts from the morning of the day of slaughtering (the 1^st day of Barium, i.e. the 10^th of Zulhijja) after pelting the pebbles of Jamrat al Aqaba (see page 25) and extends to the third day of Barium. It is recommended to slaughter on the first day and the Sunna (tradition of the Prophet peace be upon him) is to do it in Mena.