5 Pillars of Hajj Often Confused with Obligatory Hajj

Dream - Muslims who intend to perform Hajj worship should know the pillars of Hajj and their respective requirements. Hajj is one of the five main pillars of Islam.

Hajj is a journey undertaken by Muslims to the Holy Land of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This worship is performed at least once in a lifetime, during the months of Dhu al-Hijjah. Hajj is an obligation for every physically, financially, and mentally capable adult Muslim.

During the Hajj worship, every Muslim is required to perform a series of worship rituals prescribed by Islamic teachings. One of them is the pillars of Hajj, which must be performed to ensure the validity of the Hajj.

So what are the pillars of Hajj in the implementation of the Hajj worship? Let's take a look at the full explanation below about the important pillars of Hajj that every Muslim must know.

Pillars of Hajj that Need to be Known

Discussion about the pillars of Hajj is very important for every Muslim to understand. Many people mix up the understanding between the pillars of Hajj, the conditions of Hajj worship, and obligatory Hajj. In fact, the pillars of Hajj are different from obligatory Hajj as well as the conditions of Hajj.

This time, Dream will quote an explanation from the book Fathul Qaribil Mujib which is a book of Shafi'i fiqh. Based on the book, there are 5 (five) pillars of Hajj that must be performed during the Hajj worship, namely:

1. Performing Ihram

The first pillar of Hajj is ihram. This pillar marks the beginning of a series of Hajj worship. Ihram is the intention of Hajj worship that is recited at the designated miqat. The intention in ihram must be done by considering the time (miqat zamani) and place (miqat makani).

Miqat zamani is done in the month of Shawwal, Dhu al-Qa'dah, and the beginning of Dhu al-Hijjah. Meanwhile, miqat makani is carried out (for the first wave of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims) in Bir Ali. As for the second wave of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims, their miqat is on the aircraft at the same level as Qarnul Manazil or at King Abdul Aziz Jeddah Airport.

During the taking of ihram, Hajj pilgrims recite the intention and wear ihram clothing. Ihram clothing consists of two simple white pieces of cloth. All Hajj pilgrims wear white clothes that symbolize simplicity and equality in the presence of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.

2. Standing at Arafah

Standing at Arafah is one of the pillars of Hajj that must be included in the series of Hajj worship. On the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, Hajj pilgrims gather at Arafah Plain for standing. Standing at Arafah is one of the most important parts of Hajj worship, where pilgrims stand under the scorching sun from Dhuhr time until sunset to pray, remember Allah, and seek forgiveness from Allah SWT.

3. Thawaf Ifadhah

The next pillar of Hajj after standing at Arafah is Thawaf Ifadhah. So after standing at Arafah, Hajj pilgrims move to Masjid al-Haram to perform Thawaf Ifadhah, which is walking around the Kaaba seven times starting from the Black Stone (Hajar Aswad) with the Kaaba on the left side of the pilgrim's body. In short, Hajj pilgrims walk around the Kaaba counterclockwise.

The main time to perform Thawaf Ifadhah is on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah after stoning the Jamrah Aqabah and Tahallul. Pilgrims can also perform Thawaf Ifadhah on the days of Tashreeq.

4. Sa'i from Safa to Marwa

After Thawaf, Hajj pilgrims perform Sa'i, which is running between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times in Masjid al-Haram. Sa'i is done to commemorate the search for water by Hajar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, for her son named Ismail.

5. Tahallul

The last pillar of Hajj is Tahallul, which is shaving the hair as a sign of completing the series of Hajj worship. Tahallul is performed at least after the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah.

Those are the important pillars of Hajj that every Muslim must understand. Because Hajj worship has a deep spiritual meaning for the Muslim community.

In addition to fulfilling religious obligations, Hajj worship also trains patience, self-control, and brotherhood among fellow Muslims. Therefore, this worship must be carried out by observing all its provisions in order to be accepted by Allah SWT as a hajj mabrur (accepted Hajj).