I intend to proceed, not copying the book, but describing incumbent (wajib) points that are noteworthy for the Hajj ifraad. Circumstances of governmental policies usually prevent Hajj qiraan, doing ‘Umra before making Hajj, and the number of days of the visa will not be enough to much more than fulfill the basic legal requirement. The religious authorities that control the holy areas now are using Qur’an and Sunnat to determine what is legal, and then offering that as the only option because of circumstances. After all, there will be about 1.5 million pilgrims present in the area, and the logistics and infrastructure of the physical area will determine what is practical and possible to actually accomplish. At the time of my Hajj, it was estimated that there were between 8 to 9 million people in the greater Jedda area, making business and serving Hajj.

There are many Sunnats that can be examined that can enhance the quality of your experience, but making the Hajj qiraan is not, sadly, one of them. Due to the immense task of preparing the area and making ready the animals that will be used for sacrificed for ‘Eyd, the entire process is evolved to meet that need singularly. Hajj can be extremely difficult physically, and to help people with basic needs, and preparing the tents for Mina and the surrounding area, all the “extras” other than necessity (wajib) is cut back. Of course, if you have enough money, you can get anything you want there, but I will leave it to you to debate the morality of that issue. As much as is done, you will see poor people running after trucks that contain water, and in some cases food, being in severe need in deserted places. For the sake of all of this, almost all of pilgrims are mufreed (fard deeds only).

There are also sunnat that say if you pray in the Medina haram for 40 consecutive times (wacht) that the weight of that deed will cancel out an entire life of heedlessness. The structure of your visa will prevent that, as you will not be allowed the number of days to complete that intention. This is to prevent people from thinking about being materialistic and heedless their whole life, then running to make 3 ‘Umra or Hajj with

At least 8 days in the Medina haram. Officials are preventing observing sunnat in that manner now because of the possibility of abuse. Of course, when possibilities are curtailed in this manner, you are not afforded the opportunity to intend advanced deeds. The debate of the how the holy areas are used is beyond the scope of this offering. The point is not to see how much you can get with, but take care in what you are able to do, and afford manners - not anger, to those around you and with the officials that are serving your needs.

Hajj Ifraad - Mufreed (fardan)(Hajj by itself)

Declaration of Intentions - Hajj ifraan - Hajj without ‘Umra first (with or without sacrifice).

Initiation Prayer

Our God - Verily (You exist)

I want (to make) the Hajj Ifraad (obligatory pilgrimage)

Then ease (Hajj) for me.

And accept (Hajj) from me.

I intend the obligatory pilgrimage,

And I consecrate (myself)(wear ihraam) sincerely for God Most High.

Blood Sacrifice Intention (hadi)

You should be certain about the intention of sacrifice of a gift animal. Rasoolallaah (sal) followed in the footsteps of Ibraheem (as), and in this manner he brought the gift animal with him (sal) as Ibraheem (as) did. This is considered the best (qiraan) but you can get an animal there and have that done (you will not be allowed to do this without aid of officials), or fast 3 days before and 7 days after to compensate for not following sunnah. The fasting intention should be for that purpose alone, that is to start then finish the action of making sacrifice to God Most High, in the way of Ibraheem (as), as performed by Rasoolallaah (sal). In any case, you should be clear about what you are going to do, as you do have to pay for the animal if it is not includes in your tour package.

Enter Service - Talbiya li da’watihi (accept the invitation)(respond to a query)

(labiy II, respond to an invitation, follow in, enter into service, obey the fard-ifraad)

Responding to you, Oh God, (I am) entering

Entering (with) no association with You (I am) proceeding

Verily (without doubt) the praise

And the gracious blessings (are) with You, and the Sovereignty,

No multiplicity (is) in You

I am responding to Your commands, oh God, I am complying.

Pilgrims will arrive at the Hajj terminal, and from that point you will enter the consecrated place (haram) to reach Mekka. On the required day, 8^th Dhul Hijja, you will enter the masjeed and do your fard tawaaf, the Tawaaf Quduwm. If you are blessed to have arrived early, you can make ‘Umra as long as you can complete it before the sun sets for 8^th day of the lunar month. You will have to go outside of the holy area, make ghusl, and don ihraam again for Hajj as you finish an ‘Umra. You then make the intention to make Hajj, perform your 2 raka’ts, and begin the talbiyat for that intention. There are buses running to various places outside of haram for this purpose. But as you see pilgrims, officials, and merchants enter, it will become difficult everywhere.