- Some people think that it is essential for the pilgrim doing Hajj or ‘Umrah to enter through a specific gate of al-Masjid al-Haraam. So some people think that if they are doing ‘Umrah they must enter through the gate called Baab al-‘Umrah, and that this is essential and is prescribed in sharee’ah. Others think that they must enter through Baab al-Salaam, and that entering through any other gate is a sin or is makrroh. There is no basis for this. THE PILGRIM DOING HAJJ OR ‘UMRAH MAY ENTER THROUGH ANY GATE.
- Some people have invented specific Du’a’s for when one enters the Masjid and sees the Ka’bah, and have introduced Du’a’s that was not narrated from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). This is a kind of Bid’ah (innovation). Worshipping Allaah with words, actions or beliefs that were not known to the Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions is innovation and misguidance which the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) warned us against.
- Some people enter the Masjid al-Haraam looking down (by avoiding looking at the Ka’bah) and then they sit down, and after some time they get up and look at the Ka’bah and start their Tawaaf. THIS HAS NO BASIS IN THE SUNNAH, ONE CAN DIRECTLY WALK INTO THE MATAAF AREA (WHERE TAWAAF IS DONE) AND START WITH THE TAWAAF.(THE FIRST SIGHT OF THE KA’BAH IS ITSELF SO REWARDING, SO WHY DEPRIVE YOURSELF OF THAT?)
- Many people have the notion that the first time they look at the Ka’bah, any Du’a that they make will be answered. THERE IS NO AUTHENTIC EVIDENCE FROM THE SUNNAH TO SUPPORT THIS BELIEF.
- Uttering the intention out loud when wanting to do, so you see the pilgrim standing facing the Black Stone when he wants to do tawaaf, saying, “O Allaah, I intend to do seven circuits of tawaaf for ‘Umrah” or “O Allaah, I intend to do seven circuits of tawaaf for Hajj,” or “O Allaah, I intend to do seven circuits of tawaaf in order to draw closer to You.”Uttering the intention out loud is bid’ah (an innovation), because the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not command his ummah to do that.
- Some of those who do tawaaf push and shove too much when they touch the Black Stone and the Yemeni Corner, and they are disturbed by the overcrowding and disturb others. They may be pushing and shoving a woman, and the Shaytaan may tempt him and fill his heart with desire when he is crowding this woman in this narrow place. People are only human and may be overwhelmed by their souls that prompt them to do evil, so an evil action may take place in the shadow of the House of Allaah. This is a matter that becomes even worse in light of where it takes place, although it is a fitnah in any place it happens.It is not prescribed to push and shove when touching the Black Stone or the Yemeni Corner, rather if it is easy for you to do so in a calm and dignified manner, then you must do it, and if it is not easy for you to do it, then you should just point to the Black Stone.
- Some people think that tawaaf is not valid unless one kisses the Black Stone, and that kissing the Black Stone is one of the conditions of tawaaf being valid, and of Hajj and ‘Umrah being valid too.This is a mistaken notion.If a person does not kiss it, his tawaaf is valid and if there is a lot of crowding then pointing is better than touching, because this is what the Messenger (ﷺ) did when the place was crowded, and because by doing this a person avoids harm that he may do to others or that others may do to him.
- Some people kiss the Yemeni Corner. There is no proof concerning this from the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ)
- Some people, when they touch the Black Stone or Yemeni Corner, touch it with their left hands in a careless manner. This is a mistake, because the right hand is better than the left hand, and the left hand is only used for unclean things such as cleaning oneself after relieving oneself, or rinsing one’s nose, and so on. When it comes to matters of kissing and respect, the right hand should be used.
- Some people think that touching the Black Stone and the Yemeni corner is done for barakah or blessing, not as part of the ritual of tawaaf, so they touch them seeking barakah from them. This is undoubtedly contrary to the purpose, for the purpose of touching the Black Stone or wiping it or kissing it is to glorify Allaah. Hence when the Prophet (ﷺ) touched the Black Stone he said: “Allaahu akbar,” as an indication that the purpose of this action is to glorify Allaah, not to seek barakah by touching this stone. Hence when ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) touched the Black Stone he said: “By Allaah, I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit anyone nor harm anyone. Had I not seen Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) kissing you I would not have kissed you.”[Saheeh Al Bukhari, Vol. 2, Book of Hajj, Hadith No. 1597]
- Some people recite a specific Du’a in each circuit of Tawaaf. The Prophet (ﷺ) did not recite a specific du’aa’ in each circuit, and neither did his companions.This is a kind of bid’ah that was not narrated from the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) or his companions. The Prophet (ﷺ) did not recite a specific Du’a in each circuit, and neither did his companions. The most that can be said concerning that is that between the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone the Prophet (ﷺ) used to say: “Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil ‘akhirati hasanatan waqina ‘adhaban-nar” “Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!” [Surah al-Baqarah 2:201].(People are seen carrying small booklets in which there is a
Du’a for each circuit, and he/she reads this booklet)(I have seen some people reciting ‘Naat’ during Tawaaf instead of making Du’a) - Some people wipe the walls of the Ka’bah during Tawaf. The Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) did not touch anything other than the black stone and the Yemeni corner.
- People stand in the line of the Hajr-e-Aswad (black stone) for a long time. Don’t crowd the place, move on.
- Some people enter through the gate of the Hijr (Hateem) when doing Tawaaf, and they do not complete Tawaaf from outside the Hijr, especially when it is crowded.When some people enter through the gate of the Hijr when doing Tawaaf and exit through the other gate when it is crowded, thinking that this is easier. It is a serious mistake because the one who does that is not considered to be doing Tawaaf around the Ka’bah.
- There some people who do not make sure to keep the Ka’bah on their left, so you see them doing Tawaaf with their womenfolk, and they hold hands with their brothers or friends to protect the women, so you see them doing Tawaaf with their back towards the Ka’bah, and his brother or friend doing Tawaaf facing towards the Ka’bah. This is also a serious mistake, because the scholars say that one of the conditions of Tawaaf being valid is that the Ka’bah should be to one’s left, and if you have you back towards it, or face it, or walk with it to your right, then this Tawaaf is not valid.
- It is often noticed that some pilgrims cling to the Kiswah (covering) of the Ka’bah, rubbing their hands over it or kissing it for blessing. Kissing any place on earth is Bid‘ah, apart from the Black Stone. In fact, kissing even the Black Stone would have been a Bid’ah were it not for the fact that the Prophet used to kiss it, and we are obliged to follow his example and guidance as stated earlier. (Some people try to cut a piece of cloth from the Kiswah, thinking they are carrying the blessings of Ka’bah with them. Some even carry this piece of cloth so that it is placed on their eyes during their own funeral. ALL OF THIS IS BID’AH)
- While doing Tawaaf, some people carry cell phones in their hand and video record the Ka’bah, their Tawaaf and the surroundings. TAWAAF IS AN ACT OF IBAADAH, SO CONCENTRATE ON IT.IMPORTANT NOTE: Though being in the state of Wudhu (ablution) is not a condition for Tawaaf, but it is undoubtedly better and is more on the safe side and by doing that one is following the example of the Prophet (ﷺ), and no one should neglect purity because it is undoubtedly better to do tawaaf in a state of purity.But a person may not perform Wudhu again if it is too difficult to keep or repeat one’s Wudhu, such as during the days of Hajj, or if a person is sick or elderly and it is hard to keep his Wudhu as well as deal with the crowds and so on.
- Touching or kissing the Maqaam-e-Ibraheem thinking there is blessing in it. (We have already discussed the ruling on such types of act).
- Some people stand behind the Maqaam-e-Ibraheem is that they make a long supplication which they call “du’a. al-maqam”. There is no basis for this from the Sunnah of the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam). This is an innovation that is prohibited. Along with this being an innovation, every innovation is (a door to) misguidance, whereby some people hold (small) books which contain this supplication and they begin supplicating in a loud voice and those behind them respond by saying “Ameen”. This is an innovation, and with this there is interference upon worshippers (in prayer) around the maqam Ibrahim.
- Do not lengthen your 2 Rak’ah behind Maqaam-e-Ibraheem.
- It is not always possible to pray behind the Maqaam because of the people making Tawaaf. Trying to pray right behind the Maqaam in such conditions would be a sinful act.
- Some people jog the whole way, from Safa to Marwah. You are supposed to do Ramal only within the green lights.
- Some women run between the green lights. Remember, Ramal is only for Men. (I have seen husbands yelling at their wife on top of their voice just because she didn’t run behind him in between the two green lights and he had to wait for her.)
- Some people read specific Du’a other than the recommended one’s between Safa and Marwah.
- Some people shave part of the head completely with a razor, and leave the rest. Once a man shaved half his head and left the other half, and when asked about that he replied, “I did it because I want to do ‘Umrah twice, so I shaved half for the first ‘Umrah and left half for this ‘Umrah.” This is ignorance and misguidanceSHAVE YOUR COMPLETE HEAD, DO NOT LEAVE PARTS UNSHAVED.
- If you shall trim, take from all sides of your head.
- There are some people who, when they have finished Sa’ee, if they cannot find anyone to shave their heads or cut their hair, they go back to their house and exit Ihraam, and put on regular clothes, then they shave their heads or cut their hair after that. This is a serious mistake, because a person cannot exit Ihraam without shaving his head or cutting his hair.
- Do not shave your beard.
- Some people think that they have to enter ihraam from al-Masjid al-Haraam, so you see them putting themselves through hardship to go to the mosque and enter ihraam from there. This is a mistaken notion, because it is not obligatory to enter ihraam from al-Masjid al-Haraam. Rather the Sunnah is for the pilgrim to enter ihraam from the place where he is staying.
- Some of the pilgrims think that it is not proper to enter ihraam in the garments that they wore when they entered ihraam for ‘Umrah, unless they wash them first. This is also a mistaken notion, because the ihraam garments do not have to be new or clean. It is true that the cleaner they are, the better, but to say that they are not valid for ihraam because one has worn them for ihraam when performing ‘Umrah is not correct.
- Many people do not confirm if where they are located is inside or outside the borders of Mina. Confirm the same by looking at the big sign boards stating ‘MINA ENDS HERE’ OR ‘MINA STARTS HERE’.
- Only in Arafah and Muzdalifah you need to shorten and combine prayers. In Mina only shorten your prayers, but pray them at the correct time.
- Spending the 8th day in Mina is the Sunnah of the Prophet of Allaah. Many people skip this and go to Arafah.
- Some people do not recite the Talbiyah out loud even though it is prescribed to recite it out loud. Crowds of pilgrims pass by and you can hardly hear anyone reciting the Talbiyah. This is contrary to the Sunnah and it is contrary to what the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) enjoined his Companions to do.
- Another mistake that people make with regard to staying in Mina on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah is that some people join the prayers in Mina, so they join Zuhr and ‘Asr, and Maghrib and ‘Isha’. This is contrary to the Sunnah. What is prescribed for the people in Mina is to shorten their prayers without joining them. This is the Sunnah that is narrated from the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam). The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) did not join his prayers in Mina but he did shorten the four-rak’ah prayers to two rak’ahs, so he prayed Zuhr with two rak’ahs at its proper time, ‘Asr with two rak’ahs at its proper time, Maghrib with three rak’ahs at its proper time, ‘Isha’ with two rak’ahs at its proper time and Fajr at its proper time.
- Some people do not recite the Talbiyah out loud on their way from Mina to ‘Arafah. It was proven that the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) continued to recite the Talbiyah until he had stoned Jamarat al-‘Aqabah on the day of Eid.
- One of the most serious mistakes that some pilgrims make is to stop outside ‘Arafah, and they stay there until the sun goes down, then they leave for Muzdalifah. Those who stand in these places have not performed Hajj, because the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Hajj is ‘Arafah.” Whoever does not stand in ‘Arafah in a place that is part of it, and at the time specified for the standing, his Hajj is not valid, because of the hadeeth referred to. This is a serious matter.There are markers that clearly indicate the boundaries of ‘Arafah, and they are not hidden except for one who is careless and negligent. Every pilgrim must look for the boundaries so that he will be sure that he is standing in ‘Arafah and not outside it.
- It’s not compulsory to pray Zuhr and Asr on Arafah day in the Masjid of Arafah (Masjid-e-Namira). You may pray in your tent with your group. NOTE: A part of Masjid-e-Namira is outside the boundaries of Arafah.
- Women should avoid getting into a crushing crowd, like in Masjid-e-Namira.
- You do not have to go to the Jabal al Rahmah (Mount of Mercy) in Arafah. Many people hurt themselves and others to be there even though it is not a Wajib thing to do. REMEMBER – Prophet (ﷺ) said, “I am standing here but all of ‘Arafah is the place of standing.”
- Jabal al Rahmah is not a holy mountain. Do not wipe its sand and rocks for Barakah (blessings).
- Some people start making Du’a in the early part of the day during the Day of Arafah and later you find them sleeping in the afternoon time. REMEMBER – The time for Du’a starts after Zuhr time and continues till Maghrib
- Some people face Jabal al Rahmah on Arafah day when making Du’a. One needs to face the Qiblah and not Jabal al-Rahmah.
- You should not treat your time in Arafah like any other day. You should realize the significance and pray to Allah in humility.
- Some people leave Arafah before Maghrib time. Make sure you don’t leave Arafat before Maghrib, if you do so your whole Hajj is nullified and you have to make a sacrifice.
- At Maghrib time in Arafah, do not pray Maghrib and Isha until you reach Muzdalifah, even if you reach there at 11:00 at night. However, if you see half the night approaching, pray where you are on the road.
- People, when they leave ‘Arafah for Muzdalifah some people push and shove others, and they are in too much of a hurry which sometimes leads to accidents.
- Make sure you are in Muzdalifah before you stop and rest. Many people think they are in Muzdalifah but they are not. Look for the border signs. If you have not seen one, chances are you are still not in Muzdalifah even if you see others sleeping on the road.
- After praying Maghrib and Isha in Muzdalifah, go to sleep immediately, this is what the Prophet of Allaah did.Some people stay up on the night of Muzdalifah praying qiyaam, reading Qur’an and reciting dhikr. This is contrary to the Sunnah, because the Prophet (ﷺ) did not worship Allaah in this manner on this night.
- Some pilgrims pray Fajr before its time, praying and leaving. This is a serious mistake, because prayer offered before its time is not accepted.
- Some people think that the stoning of the Jamarat is not valid unless it is done with pebbles from Muzdalifah. Hence you will find them going to a lot of trouble to gather the pebbles from Muzdalifah before they go to Mina. This is a mistaken idea, because the pebbles may be taken from anywhere, from Muzdalifah, from Mina, or from any place. The point is that they should be pebbles.
- Some people, when they pick up the pebbles, wash them, either for fear that someone may have urinated on them, or to clean them, because they think that if they are clean, this is better. Whatever the case, washing the pebbles is an innovation (bid’ah), because the Messenger (ﷺ) did not do that, and worshipping Allaah by doing something that the Messenger (ﷺ) did not do is a kind of bid’ah.
- Some people think that these Jamarat are devils, and that they are actually stoning devils, so you may see them becoming very emotional and very angry, as if the Shaytaan himself is in front of him. This is a mistaken notion. We stone these Jamarat as an act of remembering Allaah, following the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ), as an act of worship.Based on this false belief you will see some people picking up large rocks and throwing them, because they think that the bigger the rock, the greater the effect and revenge on the Shaytaan. You also see them throwing shoes, pieces of wood and the like, which are not prescribed for throwing.(So if we say that this belief is false, what do we then believe about stoning the Jamarat? We believe that we stone the Jamarat as an act of veneration and worship of Allaah, and following the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ)).
- Some people think that the pebbles must hit the pillar in the pit. This is a mistaken notion, because it is not essential for the stoning to be valid that the pebbles should hit this pillar. This pillar is only there as a marker for the pit in which the pebbles land. If the pebbles land in the pit that is sufficient, whether they hit the pillars or not.
- One of the most serious mistakes that are made is when some people take the matter of stoning the Jamarat lightly, and delegate someone else to do it on their behalf even though they are able to do it. This is a serious mistake, because stoning the Jamarat is one of the rituals of Hajj.If over crowding of the place is what you fear of, then you can do it at night, because night is also the time for stoning, although the day is preferable.NOTE – Similarly if a woman is afraid of something if she stones the Jamarat with the people, she can delay it until the night. Hence the Prophet (ﷺ). did not allow the weak ones among his family – such as Sawdah bint Zam’ah and those like her – to forego stoning the Jamarat and to delegate someone else to do it on their behalf; rather he gave them permission to leave Muzdalifah at the end of the night, to stone the Jamarat before the place became crowded. This is the greatest evidence that a woman should not delegate this task just because she is a woman.Yes, if a person is disabled and unable to stone the Jamarat by himself, either during the day or at night, then in this case it is permissible for him to delegate it to someone else, because he is incapable of doing it.
IMPORTANT –
1] Throw the pebbles separately.
2] Throw the Jamarat from small to medium to large. Not the other way.
3] Throw seven pebbles at each Jamaraat, not more or less.
4] The time for stoning the Jamarat for 11th, 12th and 13th Dhul Hijjah starts after noon.
- Some people do the farewell tawaaf and then stay in Makkah after that. This means that their farewell tawaaf is invalidated, and they must do another one when they are going to leave. But if a person stays in Makkah after doing the farewell tawaaf in order to buy something or to load his luggage etc, there is nothing wrong with that.
- Some people, when they do the farewell tawaaf and want to leave the Mosque, walk backwards, saying that they do not want to turn their backs to the Ka’bah. This is a bid’ah (innovation) which was not done by the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) or by any of his companions. The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) venerated Allaah and His House and if this were indeed an act of veneration towards Allaah and His House, the Prophet (ﷺ) would have done it. The Sunnah is, when a person has completed the farewell tawaaf, to leave the Mosque walking forwards, even if he turns his back towards the Ka’bah in this situation.
- Some people, after doing the farewell tawaaf, stop at the door when leaving the mosque and turn to face the Ka’bah, as if bidding farewell to it, and they make Du’a or say salaams and so on. This is also a kind of bid’ah.
- Praying (making Du’a) to the Prophet (ﷺ) or calling him, or seeking his help, as some of them say, “O Messenger of Allaah, heal my sick loved one; O Messenger of Allaah, pay off my debt; you are the means, you are the fulfillment of my need,” and other words which imply shirk and which are the opposite of Tawheed which is the right of Allaah over His slave.
- Standing before the grave in a posture of prayer, placing the right hand on top of the left over one’s chest or below the navel. This is a haraam action, because this is a posture of humility and worship which we are only permitted to do for Allaah.’
- Bowing or prostrating at the grave, which are actions we are only permitted to do for Allaah. It was narrated that Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “It is not appropriate for a human being to bow to another.” Narrated by Ahmad, 3/158
- Praying to Allaah at the grave, or believing that du’aa’ offered at the grave will be answered. This is a haraam action because it is something that may lead to shirk. If du’aa’s offered at graves or at the grave of the Prophet were better and more correct and more beloved to Allaah, then the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) would have encouraged us to do that, because he did not leave anything that will bring us close to Paradise but he urged his ummah to do it. Because he did not do that, we know that it is an action that is not prescribed in sharee’ah, and it is an action that is haraam and forbidden.
- Repeatedly visiting his grave and going there a great deal, such as visiting after every obligatory prayer, or every day after a specific prayer. This is going against the words of the Prophet (ﷺ), “Do not take my grave as a place of festivity (which you visit repeatedly).”
- Turning to face the grave from all sides of the mosque, or turning to face it whenever one enters the mosque or finishes a prayer, and putting one’s hands on one’s sides and inclining the head when sending salaams upon him, All of these are widespread and well-known innovations (bid’ah) which go against sharee’ah.
- Some of those who are unable to go to Madeenah send their salaams to the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) with some visitors, some of whom stand and convey these salaams. This is an innovated action that has been made up. Those who send salaams and those who convey them should refrain from doing so, because there is no need for that, as the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Send blessings upon me for your greeting will reach me no matter where you are.” And he (ﷺ) said: “Allaah has angels on earth who travel around conveying to me the salaams of my ummah.”
- Do not reserve a place that is more than your need. Many people are looking for places to sit down and sleep.
- Do not waste your Hajj time in vain chatting.
- Do not push anyone when you are in a crowd.