Hajj & Umrah

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, an obligatory pilgrimage to the Holy Kaaba in Makkah for every adult Muslim who is physically and financially capable (Sahib-e-Istita'at). While Hajj is performed during specific days in the month of Zil-Hajj, Umrah is a "lesser pilgrimage" that can be performed at any time of the year.

To complete the Hajj, pilgrims must fulfill specific obligatory acts (Fara'id):

• Ihram: Wearing the specific white seamless garments and making the intention.
• Wuquf-e-Arafat: Staying in the plain of Arafat on the 9th of Zil-Hajj (The most important act).
• Tawaf-e-Ziyarat: Circling the Kaaba seven times after returning from Mina.

• The Kaaba was first built by Hazrat Adam (A.S) and later rebuilt by Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) and his son Hazrat Ismail (A.S).
• Hajr-e-Aswad (The Black Stone) is fixed in the eastern corner of the Kaaba.
• Sa'i is the ritual of walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa, commemorating the struggle of Hazrat Hajira (A.S).
• Zamzam is the miraculous well that sprang up at the feet of Hazrat Ismail (A.S).
• Hajj was made obligatory in the 9th year of Hijrat.

• Q: What is the most important obligatory act (Rukn-e-Azam) of Hajj?
• A: Wuquf-e-Arafat (Staying in Arafat).
• Q: In which Hijri year was Hajj made obligatory?
• A: 9 A.H.
• Q: What is the "lesser pilgrimage" called?
• A: Umrah.
• Q: Between which two hills do pilgrims perform Sa'i?
• A: Safa and Marwa.

"On which date of Zil-Hajj do pilgrims gather in the plain of Arafat to perform the main ritual of Hajj?"

A) 8th Zil-Hajj

B) 9th Zil-Hajj

C) 10th Zil-Hajj

D) 12th Zil-Hajj

(Correct: B - 9th Zil-Hajj)