Hajj is pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime for those who can afford it, while the first three pillars are obligatory on all Muslim men and women.1, 2
During his Hajj, before sunrise on December 21, 1971, Rashad Khalifa's soul was taken to a place in the universe and introduced to all the prophets as God's Messenger of the Covenant.1, 2
The Quran restores Zakat in verse 6:141 and restores Hajj to the four correct months.1
Hajj and Umrah are decreed once in a lifetime for those who can afford it; Hajj commemorates Abraham's submission and must be observed in the four Sacred Months, while Umrah can be any time.1
Hajj continues with a day at Arafat, a night at Muzdalifah, days at Mina with an animal sacrifice to feed the poor, stoning that symbolizes rejecting Satan's polytheism, and a farewell circling of the Ka'bah.1, 2, 3
Hajj has been distorted, as most Muslims observe it only a few days in Zul-Hijjah and count the wrong months as sacred, a distortion strongly condemned.1
Pilgrimage begins with a bath and Ihraam, men in seamless sheets and women in modest dress, and pilgrims abstain from intercourse, shaving, haircuts, arguments, misconduct, and bad language, while cleanliness is encouraged.1, 2
The Umrah portion consists of walking around the Ka'bah seven times while glorifying God and then walking between Safa and Marwah seven times.1, 2
Visiting Muhammad's tomb and treating it as a second Sacred Mosque is flagrant idolatry that nullifies the pilgrims' Hajj and violates the Quran.1, 2
Submitters observe the Hajj pilgrimage at the Sacred Shrine during the four sacred months.1
Pilgrimage to Mecca is made once in a lifetime by those who can afford it, commemorating Abraham's submission to God.1
After the stoning, pilgrims return to Mecca and walk seven times around the Ka'aba as the last step of Hajj, praising God and following the Quran's rules throughout.1
From Muzdalifah pilgrims go to Mena to spend a few days commemorating God.1, 2
Hajj can be a great conference of submitters from distant nations responding to God alone, and we should ask God for the chance to make pilgrimage in our lifetime.1, 2
Hajj is one of the pillars of Submission and is done by visiting the Sacred Mosque in Mecca, which Abraham and Ismail built.1, 2
Pilgrimage begins with the state of Ihram, entered by showering and wearing Ihram clothes, seamless sheets for men and a modest comfortable dress for women.1
Pilgrims commemorate God by saying that they have responded to Him and proclaiming that He has no partner.1
Pilgrims offer an animal sacrifice on the first morning at Mena to commemorate God's intervention saving Ismail and Abraham from Satan's trick.1, 2
Pilgrims throw 21 pebbles at Mena, seven at each of three stations, symbolizing the rejection of Satan's polytheism.1
The next step is walking between Safa and Marwah seven times, and with these three steps pilgrims complete Umrah.1, 2
The second step of pilgrimage is walking around the Ka'aba seven times while glorifying and praising God.1
These are the only steps of Hajj; visiting Muhammad's tomb in Medina as another Sacred Mosque is a later innovation, since the Quran speaks of only one Sacred Mosque.1, 2
To complete Hajj, pilgrims must glorify God at Arafaat, pray the sunset prayer there, and then go to Muzdalifah for the night prayer.1, 2, 3
Umrah is a shortened version of Hajj and can be observed at any time of the year.1
Whoever observes Hajj must refrain from sexual intercourse, misconduct, and arguments throughout it, and the best provision is righteousness.1
Hajj is to be observed during the four sacred months, Zul-Hijjah, Muharram, Safar and Rabi I, so Muslims must be allowed to perform it in any of these months.1, 2
Scholars and leaders restricting Hajj to a few days against God's commandment cause deadly crowding, and such tragedies will continue until people follow God's laws.1, 2
Watering pilgrims and caring for the Sacred Masjid are not equal in God's sight to believing in God and the Last Day and striving in His cause.1
After Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, and their followers continued the pilgrimage to the Ka'aba to worship the same God and preach a common message.1, 2
The best provision for the pilgrimage is righteousness; reaching the Ka'aba does not save anyone or give special status, and only righteousness, not the offering, reaches God.1, 2
The gathering of pilgrims lets people set aside prejudice, feel united under one Creator, and promote the best community, one that advocates righteousness and forbids evil.1, 2
The pilgrimage to Mecca is an inner spiritual journey that does not end at the Ka'aba but is limited only by the limits people impose on their own souls.1, 2
God's name must be mentioned over animals sacrificed as a rite of Hajj, a purpose different from killing animals just for food.1, 2
Hajj is required once in a lifetime only for those who can afford it, cannot be done on behalf of another, and may be done during four months.1, 2
Visiting Muhammad's tomb is wrong, since he devoted worship to God alone and never asked anyone to reverence him.1
Hajj shows universal brotherhood, as pilgrims of all colors and languages display unity and self control on a mass scale.1
Pilgrims who visit the Prophet's tomb in Medina and devote themselves to it commit idolatry, nullifying their pilgrimage and wasting their money and effort.1, 2
Hajj may be done during the four Sacred Months, but the scholars who control the Sacred Masjid restrict it to a few days against God's will, causing deadly crowding.1, 2, 3
The Quran teaches that Islam rests on five pillars: testifying that God is One, five daily contact prayers, fasting Ramadan, Zakat, and Hajj for those who can afford it.1, 2, 3
Hajj and Umrah are decreed once in a lifetime for those who can afford it, and pilgrimage commemorates Abraham's exemplary submission to God.1
Hajj must be observed during the four Sacred Months of Zul-Hijjah, Muharram, Safar, and Rabi I, while Umrah can be observed at any time.1
Like all other religious duties, Hajj has been distorted, since most Muslims observe it only a few days and name the wrong Sacred Months, a distortion strongly condemned.1
Pilgrimage begins with a bath and the state of Ihraam, men in seamless sheets and women in modest dress, abstaining from intercourse, shaving, haircuts, arguments, misconduct, and bad language.1
Pilgrims spend a day of worship at Arafat, go to Muzdalifah, then Mina, where they offer an animal sacrifice to feed the poor and commemorate God saving Ismail and Abraham.1, 2