The Rituals of Hajj in the Quran
Hunting
Hunting is prohibited during Hajj as per the following verses:
“You shall not permit hunting throughout Hajj pilgrimage” 5:1
“Once you complete the pilgrimage you may hunt” 5:2
“O you who believe, do not kill any game during pilgrimage” 5:95
War and fighting
All warfare is prohibited in the Sacred months of Hajj except in self defence:
“They ask you about the Sacred Months and fighting therein: say, ‘Fighting therein is a sacrilege” 2:217
Sexual intercourse, misconduct and arguments
The prohibition against these appear in one verse:
“Whoever shall execute the Hajj in them (the specified months) shall refrain from sexual intercourse, misconduct and arguments” 2:197
The cutting of the hair
Abstaining from cutting one’s hair is a requirement during Hajj, this is to encourage the believers to concentrate on the spirituality of the occasion.
You shall observe the complete rites of Hajj and`Umrah for GOD. If you are prevented, you shall send an offering, and do not resume cutting your hair until your offering has reached its destination. If you are ill, or suffering a head injury (and you must cut your hair), you shall expiate by fasting, or giving to charity, or some other form of worship. During the normal Hajj, if you break the state of Ihraam (sanctity) between `Umrah and Hajj, you shall expiate by offering an animal sacrifice. If you cannot afford it, you shall fast three days during Hajj and seven when you return home – this completes ten – provided you do not live at the Sacred Masjid. You shall observe GOD, and know that GOD is strict in enforcing retribution.2:196
2- The visit to the Kaaba and commemoration of God
The customary visit of the Kaaba and prayers therein is an integral part of Hajj and is mentioned in the following verse that speaks of Hajj:
“They shall complete their obligations, fulfil their vows and ‘Yattawafoo’ the ancient shrine” 22:29
3- The Safa and Marwah and commemoration of God
“The knolls of Safa and Marwah are among the rites decreed by God. Anyone who observes Hajj or Umrah commits no error by ‘yattawwaf bihima” (pass by, visit) them” 2:158
4- Mount Arafat and commemoration of God
The visit and worship at Mount Arafat is one of the Quranic rites for Hajj:
“When you file from Arafat you shall commemorate God at the Sacred location” 2:198
The sacred location here is the sacred masjid in Mecca, that is because it is the only location described in the Quran as “sacred” around the area of Hajj.
5- Animal Offerings
The animal offerings are to conserve the resources at the pilgrimage site (note that around two million people converge on Mecca during pilgrimage).
“The animal offerings are among the rites decreed by God for your own good” 22:36
The Quran makes the point clear that this is not to be confused with the Pagan concept of animal sacrifice for the gods, by stating that God Almighty is in no need of sacrifice. This is emphasised by the words “for your own good”. This is also asserted in the following verse:
“Neither their meat, nor their blood reaches God. What reaches Him is your righteousness” 22:37
The offerings to the Sacred Masjid and the traditional markings on them are also mentioned in the following verse:
“God has appointed the Ka’bah, the Sacred Masjid, to be a sanctuary for the people, also the Sacred Months, the ‘hadye’ (offerings to the Sacred Masjid) and the ‘qala’ed’ (garlands marking them)” 5:97
These are the rites of Hajj that are decreed by God and are mentioned in the Glorious Quran.
All Creatures of the Sea Lawful to Eat
[5:96-97] All fish of the sea are made lawful for you to eat. During pilgrimage, this may provide for you during your journey. You shall not hunt throughout the pilgrimage. You shall reverence GOD, before whom you will be summoned. GOD has appointed the Ka`bah, the Sacred Masjid,* to be a sanctuary for the people, and also the Sacred Months, the offerings (to the Sacred Masjid), and the garlands marking them. You should know that GOD knows everything in the heavens and the earth, and that GOD is Omniscient.
The Four Months of Hajj
[2:197] Hajj shall be observed in the specified months.* Whoever sets out to observe Hajj shall refrain from sexual intercourse, misconduct, and arguments throughout Hajj. Whatever good you do, GOD is fully aware thereof. As you prepare your provisions for the journey, the best provision is righteousness. You shall observe Me, O you who possess intelligence.
Islamic calendar consists of twelve lunar months. Each month may be of 29 or 30 days depending on the sighting of the new moon. An lunar year has, on average, 355 days. This is 10 days less than the solar year. Hence an Islamic year is moved ahead 10 days each year in solar calendar year.
Following are the names of the Islamic months:
Muharram ul Haram
Safar
Rabi-ul-Awwal
Rab-ul-Akhir
Jamadi-ul-Awwal
Jamadi-ul-Akhir
Rajab
Sha’aban
Ramadhan
Shawwal
Dhul Qadah
Dhul Hijja
The Holy Quran states:
“The number of months with Allah has been twelve months by Allah’s ordinance since the day He created the heavens and the earth. Of these four are known as sacred” (Holy Quran)
[9:36] The count of months, as far as GOD is concerned, is twelve.* This has been GOD’s law, since the day He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred. This is the perfect religion; you shall not wrong your souls (by fighting) during the Sacred Months. However, you may declare all-out war against the idol worshipers (even during the Sacred Months), when they declare all-out war against you, and know that GOD is on the side of the righteous.
Altering the Sacred Months
[9:37] Altering the Sacred Months is a sign of excessive disbelief; it augments the straying of those who have disbelieved. They alternate the Sacred Months and the regular months, while preserving the number of months consecrated by GOD. They thus violate what GOD has consecrated. Their evil works are adorned in their eyes. GOD does not guide the disbelieving people.
note 9:37 The Sacred Months according to the Muslim World are Rajab, Zul-Qe`dah, Zul-Hijjah, and Muharram
Muharram, Rajab, Dhul Qadah and Dhul Hijja[ramadhan] are considered to be sacred months. Fighting during these sacred months is considered to be a sin.
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