أَنْسَاكُ الْحَجِّ الثَّلَاثَةُ

Three ways, all valid 'Aa'isha reports: "We went out with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the year of the farewell pilgrimage. Some of us took iḥraam for Umrah, others for Hajj and Umrah, and others for Hajj alone" (Bukhari 1562, Muslim 1211). Scholars agree: all three ways are valid. They differ on which is best.

The months of Hajj "Hajj is in well-known months" (2:197): Shawwaal, Dhul-Qa'da and the first ten days of Dhul-Ḥijja for the majority, or the whole month of Dhul-Ḥijja for the Malikis [À VÉRIFIER]. Taking iḥraam for Hajj before these months is discouraged or does not count as Hajj, according to the schools [À VÉRIFIER]. Tamattu' requires the Umrah to be performed during these months.

1. Tamattu' (التَّمَتُّعُ, "enjoying") • At the miiqaat, during the months of Hajj, one takes iḥraam for Umrah alone: "Labbayka 'Umratan". • One performs the Umrah (ṭawaaf, sa'y, then shortening the hair, lesson 5) and leaves iḥraam: everything becomes permitted again. This is the "enjoyment" that gives it its name. • On 8 Dhul-Ḥijja, one takes iḥraam again for Hajj, from Makkah, where one is staying. • One owes a sacrifice (hady) on the day of sacrifice or the days of tashriiq. Whoever cannot find it, or cannot afford it, fasts three days during Hajj and seven days on returning home (2:196). • One performs two sa'y: one for Umrah, one for Hajj (after ṭawaaf al-ifaaḍa).

2. Qiraan (الْقِرَانُ, "joining") • At the miiqaat, one takes iḥraam for Umrah and Hajj together: "Labbayka 'Umratan wa Ḥajjan". One remains in iḥraam until the day of sacrifice. • On arriving in Makkah, one performs the arrival ṭawaaf (ṭawaaf al-quduum), and may perform the sa'y of Hajj right after it; otherwise, it will be done after ṭawaaf al-ifaaḍa. • A hady is owed, as for tamattu' (2:196). • For the majority, a single ṭawaaf and a single sa'y count for both Umrah and Hajj; for the Hanafis, the qaarin performs two ṭawaafs and two sa'ys [À VÉRIFIER]. • Many scholars consider that this is how the Prophet ﷺ performed his Hajj, because he had brought his sacrificial animals; others have understood the reports differently [À VÉRIFIER : présentation des récits].

3. Ifraad (الْإِفْرَادُ, "alone") • At the miiqaat, one takes iḥraam for Hajj alone: "Labbayka Ḥajjan". One remains in iḥraam until the day of sacrifice. • Ṭawaaf al-quduum is a sunna; the sa'y of Hajj may be performed after it or after ṭawaaf al-ifaaḍa. • No hady is obligatory; a voluntary sacrifice remains possible. • Whoever also wants an Umrah performs it separately, for example after Hajj, by going out to the ḥill (at-Tan'iim or elsewhere).

In summary • Tamattu': iḥraam for Umrah → Umrah → leaving iḥraam → iḥraam for Hajj on the 8th; hady: yes; sa'y: two. • Qiraan: a single iḥraam for both, without leaving it before the 10th; hady: yes; sa'y: one (two for the Hanafis). • Ifraad: iḥraam for Hajj alone; hady: no; sa'y: one.

Which is best? Each position has its evidence; this course adopts none of them [À VÉRIFIER : présentation des avis]: • For the Hanafis, qiraan is best. • For the Malikis and Shafi'is, ifraad is best (for the Shafi'is, provided one also performs an Umrah in the same year). • For the Hanbalis, tamattu' is best. They rely in particular on what the Prophet ﷺ told those of his companions who had not brought a hady: to turn their iḥraam into an Umrah, and on his words: "Had I known what I know now, I would not have brought the hady, and I would have made it an Umrah" (Muslim 1218). In practice, many pilgrims who come from far away perform tamattu', which allows them to leave iḥraam between Umrah and Hajj. But the choice also depends on the group's programme (arrival date, stay in Madinah before or after). Decide before leaving, with the imam and the group leader.

The residents of Makkah "That is for one whose family does not live near the Sacred Mosque" (meaning of 2:196): the resident of Makkah owes no hady for tamattu'; for the Hanafis, he performs neither tamattu' nor qiraan [À VÉRIFIER].

The hady today The hady is sacrificed in the ḥaram (in Minaa or Makkah). Today, most pilgrims buy an official voucher that delegates the slaughter and the distribution to the poor [À VÉRIFIER : fonctionnement actuel]; the arrangements within your group: to be completed by the centre.

Understanding the lesson

Explanation The diversity of ways of performing Hajj comes from the Sunna itself: during the same pilgrimage, before the Prophet's ﷺ eyes, the companions performed all three. Each is therefore an authentic way of obeying Allah. Scholars then compared the reports to know which is best, and they reached different conclusions, each with serious arguments. This disagreement is a richness: it allows one to choose according to one's situation, without looking down on someone who made another choice. The hady of tamattu' and qiraan is not a punishment: it is thanks to Allah, who allows two acts of worship to be joined in a single journey. And whoever cannot pay for it fasts: no one is excluded. Finally, the choice is practical as much as legal. Remaining in iḥraam for several weeks is hard for someone who arrives early; this is why many pilgrims from far away choose tamattu'.

Lessons to draw from it • Choose your way before leaving, with the imam and the group, and know why. • Learn the steps specific to your way (how many sa'y, when to leave iḥraam). • Include the hady in your budget if you perform tamattu' or qiraan. • Respect pilgrims who follow another school or another way. • If you cannot afford the hady: plan the three days of fasting during Hajj and the seven on your return.

Key points to remember • Three valid ways (Bukhari 1562, Muslim 1211). • Tamattu': Umrah, leaving iḥraam, then Hajj; hady; two sa'y. • Qiraan: both together in a single iḥraam; hady. • Ifraad: Hajj alone; no obligatory hady. • Without a hady: three days of fasting during Hajj and seven on returning home (2:196).

The main message The three ways of performing Hajj come from the Sunna: choose yours knowingly, with the imam and your group, and complete it fully for Allah.

The text: Surah Al-Baqara (2), verse 196 [TEXTE ARABE À INSÉRER : sourate 2:196]

Summarised meaning (long verse): "And complete Hajj and Umrah for Allah. If you are prevented, [offer] whatever sacrifice is possible for you, and do not shave your heads until the sacrifice has reached its place. Whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head owes a compensation: fasting, charity or a sacrifice. When you are safe, whoever enjoys Umrah until Hajj must offer whatever sacrifice is possible for him; whoever finds none fasts three days during Hajj and seven when you have returned, ten complete days. That is for one whose family does not live near the Sacred Mosque. And fear Allah, and know that Allah is severe in punishment." The word "tamatta'a" (to enjoy) gave tamattu' its name.

Arabic text: deliberately not typed, to avoid any error; it is to be copied from the centre's mushaf (or a verified source) at the place indicated.