FAQs

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is obligatory for both men and women who are capable and have the means to do so. The call to perform Hajj rituals for men and women is mentioned in several hadith. Among them, as narrated by Umar Bin Al-Khattab:

   "بني الأسلام على خمس : شهادة أن لااله الا الله, وأن محمدا رسول الله,واقام الصلاة,وايتاء الزكاة, وحج البيت, وصوم رمضان "

It means: "Islam is built on five things: to bear witness that there is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, performing prayers, issuing zakat, performing Hajj and fasting in the month of Ramadan". (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

In another hadith, which has been narrated by Abu Hurairah that Rasulullah s.a.w has called upon the people in his sermon:

 "ياأيها الناس قد فرض عليكم الحج فحجوا"

 Which means: "O mankind, Hajj has been made incumbent upon you, so perform Hajj". (Narrated by Muslim)

There is no religious text indicating that saying the azan upon leaving the house for the purpose of performing the pilgrimage has been practiced by Rasulullah s.a.w. It may be from customs practiced by some Muslims.

Therefore, it is not wrong if one choses not to recite the azan before leaving for Hajj. At the same time it is not wrong to call the azan, because the azan which is not intended for prayer, can be called out at any time as long as one does not make it as mandatory.

The sunnah practices for a traveler though, includes  the Safar prayer of 2 raka’at followed with the supplication for traveling. The purpose is to seek protection from Allah s.w.t throughout the journey. It is also a sunnah to read the supplication prior to boarding or riding any vehicle.

For those who travel with the intention to perform hajj and umrah, if they have made the niyyah (intention) and in the state of ihram, it is then sunnah to recite the Talbiyah.

When a person dies, his assets are subject to the following accordingly:

First: Funeral needs and expenses.
Second: Settle the mortgage or property on loan from others.
Third: Settle all his debt with man and  to Allah.
Fourth: Distributing asset according to what is stated in his will (wasiat), if any.
Fifth: Distribute the balance of the estate to the deceased's heirs according to Faraid.

Therefore, if the deceased has not perfomed his obligatory haj during his lifetime when he has the ability to do so but could not do before his death, hence the beneficiary should perform the pilgrimage by using the property of the deceased. This is based on a hadith of the Prophet S.A.W as narrated by Ibn Abbas R.A:

أن امرأة جاءت إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقالت:إن أمي نذرت أن تحج, فماتت قبل أن تحج, أفأحج عنها؟ قال:نعم, حجي عنها. أرأيت لو كان على أمك دين أكنت قاضيته؟ قالت:نعم. فقال:أقضوا الذي له, فإن الله أحق بالوفاء"

Which means: "A woman came to the Messenger of Allah and said:" My mother has made a vow to do the Hajj, but she has died before she could do it. Should I do it for him? So the Prophet replied: Yes. Do you not think that if your mother owed a debt, you would pay it off for her? Fulfil her debt to Alllah; for Allah is more deserving to fulfil what is owed to him " (Narrated by Bukhari)

Therefore, you may withdraw the savings of the deceased to be used for performing the pilgrimage on behalf of him, since it considered as a debt to God which must be settled immediately. The rest of his savings/ property shall then be divided in accordance with Faraid (Islamic inheritance law).

We would advise you to inform other faraid beneficiaries of this arrangement so as to avoid dispute and misunderstanding.

If a person has not performed Hajj during his lifetime when he is able to do so, then it is obligatory for his heirs to perform Hajj on his behalf using his wealth. If he has not done the pilgrimage because he cannot afford it, then it is a sunnah for his heirs to perform Hajj for him either by using the deceased/s estate, or from the property of the heir himself.

If deceased left with no estate or insufficient savings, then his heir may withdraw from his own money to perform the hajj al-badal. It is not a sin if the beneficiary does not want to use his money, as the obligatory of hajj is due to the deceased (if he is able to do it during his lifetime), and not upon his heirs. In the Qur'an, Allah says:

"ولاتزر وازرة وزر أخرى"

Meaning: "And a sinner does not bear the sins of others" (Isra ': 15)

The "Hajj / Hajjah" title in the name of someone who has fulfilled the obligatory hajj has no basis in Islam. So, it's not necessary to change the name on the identity card or on the tombstone.

As what is needed of one’s pilgrimage is the acceptance from Allah s.w.t, to be called by a 'Haji' or 'Hajjah' title is not a priority. In fact, there is no such practice from the Prophet s.a.w to place the title for the person who performs Hajj.

Also, for the deceased, his name is already stated on death certificate and the tombstone which can not be changed. And will also be the name which he will be called in the hereafter. Hence, although the deceased had performed Hajj, it is not necessary to place the title 'haji' or 'hajjah' into his name. And there is no benefit of putting the title as well. It is hoped that it’s the reward of his act of worship that reached his soul, rather than his wordly title.

Pride in oneself or in his act of worship is not what Islam promotes. Rather, it is better for those who have performed any act of worship to try to manifest the essence of the ritual. For example, in Hajj rituals, there are many positive aspects that one can appreciate, such as being inclusive, diligent in worship and also the nature of unity and brotherhood when Muslims gather from all over the world to perform Hajj. These aspects can be applied in our daily life. A Muslim hence can appreciate both aspects of Islam which is the form and essence of the true teachings of Islam.

The scholars have agreed that Dam (Hadyu – sacrifice animal) is mandatory for those who performs Hajj Tamattu' and Qiran. This is based on the word of Allah Ta'ala in surah Al-Baqarah, verse 196 which says:

"فمن تمتع بالعمرة إلى الحج فما استيسر من الهدي"

Which means: "So whoever wishes to do umrah before Hajj (in the month of Hajj) is obliged to slaughter animal of which he can afford".

Someone who is liable for Dam does not mean that his hajj is not perfect. In fact, offering Dam is by way of Allah to teach His servants to be compassion by feeding the sacrificed meat to the poor.

What we can learn from the wisdom behind the payment of dam is the spirit of giving which benefits both the one who offers the dam and those who receive it. One can then appreciate the true essence of Islam that is leading towards noble values ​​and universal characteristic of which these are the basis for developing noble character.

One needs to take ablution to perform tawaf, otherwise the tawaf  is invalid. This is because Tawaf is similar to a prayer, based on a hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas :

"الطواف صلاة إلا أن الله تعالى أباح فيه الكلام"

Which means: "Tawaf is a prayer, except that you may speak during it (tawaf)". (Narrated by Ibn Hibban and Hakim)

So if one forgets yet he is convinced that he is in the state of ablution while doing tawaf then he may follow what he is certain of. This is based on the Fiqh method :

                                                 "اليقين لا يزال بالشك"

Which means: "Certainty is not overruled by doubt"

 If while performing tawaf he then recalls that he was not in a state of wudhu, then it is obligatory for him to take the wudhu and renew his tawaf.

Providing maintenance to a wife and child is obligatory. Based on the word of God:

                                                      "وعلى المولود له رزقهن وكسوتهن بالمعروف"

Which means: "And it is an obligation for a father to provide for his wife in a good manner". (Al-Baqarah: 233)

From the Islamic law point of view, for a person who performs Hajj yet does not provide a living for his wife and children, his Hajj is still valid if all conditions and pillars pf Hajj have been fulfilled. However, he is considered as committing a sin for neglecting his responsibilities.

It is important to note here that Islam is not a mere ritual. Therefore, if one performs much on rituals but fails to fulfill his responsibility to his family, means he has failed to understand the true essence of Islam.

Let’s appreciate both aspects of Islam i.e the form and the essence of Islamic teachings, and not to only focus on one of them while ignoring the other.

There is nothing wrong with a wife to support her husband financially. Helping each other will bring forth love and affection between them. Allah S.W.T said:

"وتعاونوا على البر والتقوى ولاتعاونوا على الإثم والعدوان"

Which means: "And help each other in goodness, and do not help each other in matters of sin and infringement." (Al-Maidah: 2)

 In fact, it is an act of worship, especially if the donated money is used by her husband to perform worship.

Hajj is not an obligation for those who can not afford or unable to perform it. However, if a person receives a gift money, or a charity, from his wife or other person, then it is not wrong for him to perform the hajj with the money.