Q&A for How to Perform Hajj

The ihram should be worn before you pass your meeqat. There is a different meeqat for different countries. Either you can wear your ihram right when you leave your home for hajj or wear it just before you pass the meeqat.

Breaching the rules of ihram, such as wearing clothing underneath the ihram that should not be worn, or incorrectly performing obligatory acts, such as missing out on the sa'i and then having intercourse. In these cases, the fidyah needs to be offered.

No.

The country doesn't matter. As long as you are a Muslim, you can perform the Hajj.

They can proceed to Madina after performing Hajj, or they can also visit there before performing Hajj.

The sacrifice which is done at the time of Hajj should be done in the name of the one unable to do Hajj, not the name of the one who is physically doing it.

Hajj is done is Makkah, not Madinah. You can visit Madinah before or after the Hajj if you wish, but all the rites of Hajj or Umrah can only be done in Makkah.

No, you can not. Only men are allowed to shave it.

It is permissible for a woman to use pills to delay her period at the time of Hajj if she fears she may get her period, but that is only after consulting a specialized doctor to make sure that this will not affect her health. She may do likewise in Ramadaan if she wants to fast with the people.

Hajj is compulsory for Shias and Sunnis, however, they both have different rites and rituals that need to be performed.

Yes. You can only remove the ihram after the jamarat (stoning). For all of the rituals you have mentioned, you must be in the state of ihram.

Some scholars say it is not obligatory for travelers, but the people of Makkah are obliged to sacrifice, as well as the ones who can afford it according to the Hanafi madhab. According to the Shafi'i madhab, it is recommended.

Simply because non Muslims don't believe in one god and don't accept Muhammad as prophet of Allah, so there is no meaning in performing hajj.

It is impermissible to shave hair from the head (or from any part of the body) or cut your nails while in the state of ihram. It is also haram to do so if you intend to make a sacrifice, whether in Hajj or not, during the ten days of Dhul Hijjah.

You only remove or exit the state of ihram after you have finishing the stoning (Jamrat al-‘Aqabah).

The fifth pillar of Islam is to make a pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, at least once in one's lifetime. This pillar is obligatory for every Muslim, male or female, provided that he/she is physically and financially able to do so.

It is haraam -- forbidden -- to smoke both inside and outside of Hajj because it undoubtedly harms the smoker (as well as those around them) and creates a foul, unpleasant smell. The Prophet said, "There should be no harming or reciprocating harm."

Women cannot do sa'ee, tawaaf, or the farewell tawaaf while menstruating. They can do other rituals, however.

You just need to cut a lock of hair. Your hairstyle does not matter unless it prohibits you from cutting.

Yes. The important thing is that you cut at least a lock of your hair.

Hajj is a pillar of Islam and is therefore considered a fundamental core belief of the religion. It is considered by many as "going back to Allah", as Allah's house, the Ka'abah, is situated in Makkah, and you circumambulate around it seven times. Allah created us pure and sinless with Muslim nature and the Hajj pilgrimage is when we return to Allah, pure in white ihram, in equality and brotherhood.

Yes, you can perform Hajj on behalf of a dead person.

You stay overnight in Minna on day one, day two, day three, day four and day five if you wish to. Otherwise, depart for Makkah before sunset. Therefore, it will be three days if you depart for Makkah on the fifth day or four days if you remain in Mina on the fifth day.

Yes, you are getting their hasanaat and also yours. Plus they also get theirs.

Ask Allah (SWT) for guidance and forgiveness and learn how to perform tawaf ul wida and tawaf ul ziyarah correctly and how you can perform the Hajj correctly.

They are separated during Mina, for men and women cannot be in the same tents during this time.

It's just based on gender norms. Long hair is considered by many cultures to be a feminine thing and is therefore accepted/encouraged for women and not for men. Women have plenty of restrictions of their own to deal with, though.

The ihram for men is always white. For women, however, there is no color that is specifically prescribed, but most tend to wear black.

No, you must dress in a simple way which does not include jewelry.

It depends when you want to do it as long as you do it. You can do it before you go to Makkah or when you're in Makkah peforming Hajj or Umrah.