Before You Go to Makkah: Mistakes in Hajj Most People Don’t Realize

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Final success belongs to the righteous, and there is no transgression except against the wrongdoers. As-Salaam Alaikum Wa Rah'matullahi Wa Barakaat'u! A Note Before You Read: In the last article, we addressed the ruling on delaying Hajj despite having the ability. The conclusion was clear: Hajj is not an obligation that can be postponed. Now comes the next step: what must be done when you go, and more importantly, what happens if something is missed? Many perform Hajj, while few understand its structure. Without understanding, mistakes happen. Some mistakes can be corrected, while others cannot. Read carefully. Part One: The Pillars of Hajj (Arkaan) These are the core acts of Hajj. If one is missed, the Hajj is invalid and must be repeated. 1. An-Niyyah (The Intention) The intention to begin Hajj is not just clothing (لباس); it is a state of mind. “Actions are only by intentions.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1, Sahih Muslim 1907) Without intention, there is no Hajj. 2. Standing at Arafah The greatest pillar. Abdur-Rahman bin Ya'mar narrated: Some people among the residents of Najd came to the Prophet ﷺ at Arafah. They were questioning him, so he ordered a caller to proclaim: “The Hajj is Arafah. Whoever came to Jam during the night, before Fajr, then he attended the Hajj.” (Sunan at-Tirmidhi 889, Sunan Abu Dawud 1949) Whoever misses Arafah has missed Hajj. No compensation fixes this. 3. Tawaf al-Ifadah Circling the Ka'bah after returning from Arafah. “And let them perform Tawaf around the Ancient House.” (Qur’an 22:29) Without this Tawaf, Hajj is incomplete. 4. Sa’i Between Safa and Marwah Walking between the two mountains.  “Perform Sa’i, for Allah has prescribed it for you.” (Sahih Muslim 1218) Part Two: The Obligations of Hajj (Wajibat) These are required acts, but missing them does not invalidate Hajj; instead, a sacrifice is required. 1. Entering Ihram from the Miqat    Passing the Miqat without Ihram requires compensation. Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما reported that the Prophet ﷺ designated the Miqat stations and said: “They are for their people and for whoever passes through them of those who are not from there, for those who intend Hajj and Umrah.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1524, Sahih Muslim 1181) Departing from the designated station is established by the Prophet's ﷺ own designation. Violation requires a dam, derived from the general principle of Ibn Abbas: "Whoever leaves a wajib of Hajj must offer a dam." (Muwatta' Malik 1044, and reported by al-Bayhaqi) 2. Staying in Muzdalifah after leaving Arafah. Allah says in the Qur'an: “Then depart from where the people depart and ask forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Qur'an 2:199) The Prophet ﷺ stopped and stayed at Muzdalifah on the night of the 9th, prayed Maghrib and Isha combined there, and remained until after Fajr before departing for Mina. (Sahih Muslim 1218 ) Jabir's detailed account of the Farewell Pilgrimage. 3. Staying in Mina During the Days of Tashreeq The Prophet ﷺ stayed in Mina on the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul Hijjah and performed the stoning on each day. Jabir's account in (Sahih Muslim 1218) details this stay; the Hadith is long.  The Prophet ﷺ also said in a narration of Jabir again that: “Mina is a place of staying for whoever reaches it first.” (Sunan Abu Dawud 1937, graded Sahih by al-Albani) The permission to depart after two days rather than three comes from: Words of Allah that say: “Whoever hastens in two days, there is no sin on him, and whoever delays, there is no sin on him, for the one who fears Allah.” (Qur'an 2:203) 4. Stoning the Jamarat – Throwing the pebbles . The Prophet ﷺ stoned the Jamarat and said: “Take from me your rites (how to worship).” (Sahih Muslim 1297)  Jabir's detailed narration of the Farewell Pilgrimage (Sahih Muslim 1218) describes the Prophet ﷺ throwing seven pebbles at the Jamarat al-Aqabah on the 10th, and stoning all three Jamarat on the 11th, 12th, and 13th. His performance establishes it as wajib. For missing it: “Whoever forgets a stoning or misses it, let him offer a dam.” (Muwatta' Malik 1044, attributed to Ibn Abbas) 5. Shaving or Trimming the Hair “And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal reaches its place of slaughter.” (Qur'an 2:196) This ayah establishes shaving/trimming as part of the rites of Hajj; its mention alongside other rites indicates its obligatory status. Abdullah bin Umar narrated that the Prophet ﷺ shaved his head after the sacrifice on Eid al-Adha and made du'a three times for those who shave versus once for those who trim: "O Allah, have mercy on those who shaved." They said: "And those who trimmed, O Messenger of Allah?" He said it again. They said: "And those who trimmed?" The third time, he said, “And those who trimmed.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1727, Sahih Muslim 1301) Shaving is superior, trimming is valid. Both are obligatory as an exit from Ihram. 6. Farewell Tawaf (Tawaf al-Wada) Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما reported: “The people were commanded that their last act should be with the House — except that it was lightened for the menstruating woman.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1755, Sahih Muslim 1328) And in another narration from Ibn Abbas: “Let none of you leave until his last act is at the House.” (Sahih Muslim 1327) The exemption for menstruating women in the same hadith actually strengthens the obligation for everyone else; exemptions are only granted from what is required, not from what is merely recommended. Optional Guidance: Bathing and perfume before Ihram Bathing: Not obligatory, but recommended. Zaid bin Thabit narrated that the Prophet ﷺ would perform Ghusl before Ihram. Perfume: Applying scent is not obligatory. Avoid scented clothing (e.g., saffron, wars). “And he should not wear clothes which are scented with saffron or war.”  (Sahih al-Bukhari 1542) Pause and Reflect: Jabir reported that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said:  “Learn your rites (your religion or act of worship) from me.”  (Sahih Muslim 1297) Hajj is not learned in Makkah. Learn before you go. So that when you stand in Arafah, perform Tawaf, or complete Hajj, you are certain. This is the difference between performing Hajj and performing it correctly. In the next article, in shaa Allah, we will explain what happens when a pillar or obligation is missed, common mistakes, what happens if they occur, and how to correct them. May Allah grant us knowledge before action, acceptance after action, and allow us to perform Hajj upon the Sunnah of His Messenger ﷺ. May He make our Hajj complete, accepted, and a source of purification for our sins. If you have any feedback, send us an email (T&Cs apply):  support@nurquest.com