Chapter I: —of Pilgrimage.fn#5

Know, says the theologist, with scant preamble, that the acts of Al-Hajj, or pilgrimage, are of three kinds:

[p.282] 1. Al-Arkan or Farayz; those made obligatory by Koranic precepts, and therefore essentially necessary, and not admitting expiatory or vicarious atonement, either in Hajj or Umrah. 2. Al-Wajibat (requisites); the omission of which may, according to some schools,[FN#6] be compensated for by the Fidyat, or atoning sacrifice: and 3. Al-Sunan (pl. of Sunnat), the practice of the Prophet, which may be departed from without positive sin.

Now, the Arkan, the pillars upon which the rite stands, are six in number,[FN#7] viz.:

1. Al-Ihram (rendering unlawful), or the wearing pilgrim garb and avoiding certain actions. 2. Al-Wukuf, the standing upon Mount Arafat. 3. The Tawaf al-Ifazah, or circumambulation of impetuosity.[FN#8]

[p.283] 4. The Sai, or course between Mounts Safa and Marwah. 5. Al-Halk; tonsure (of the whole or part) of the head for men; or taksir, cutting the hair (for men or women).[FN#9] 6. Al-Tartib, or the due order of the ceremonies, as above enumerated. But Al-Sai (4), may either precede or follow Al-Wukuf (2), provided that the Tawaf al-Kudum, or the circumambulation of arrival, has previously been performed. And Halk (5) may be done before as well as after the Tawaf al-Ifazah (3).

Now, the Wajibat (requisites of pilgrimage, also called Nusuk) are five in number, viz.:

1. Al-Ihram, or assuming pilgrim garb, from the Mikat, or fixed limit.[FN#10] 2. The Mabit, or nighting at Muzdalifah: for this a short portion, generally in the latter watch, preceding the Yaum al-Nahr, or victim-day, suffices. 3. The spending at Muna the three nights of the Ayyam al-Tashrik, or days of drying flesh: of these, the first is the most important. 4. The Rami al-Jimar, or casting stones at the devil: and 5. The avoiding of all things forbidden to the pilgrim when in a state of Ihram.

Some writers reduce these requisites by omitting the second and third. The Tawaf al-Widaa, or the circumambulation of farewell, is a Wajib Mustakill, or particular requisite, which may, however, be omitted without prejudice to pilgrimage.

Finally, the Sunnat of pilgrimage are many in number. Of these I enumerate but a few. Hajj should precede Umrah. The Talbiyat should be frequently ejaculated. The Tawaf al-Kudum must be performed on arrival at Meccah, before proceeding to Mount Arafat.[FN#11] The two-bow prayer should follow

[p.284] Tawaf. A whole night should be passed at Muzdalifah and Muna.[FN#12] The circumambulation of farewell must not be forgotten,[FN#13] and the pilgrim should avoid all sewn clothes, even slippers.