“And complete the Hajj or Umra in the service of Allah (V.196 sura Baqara).  Hajj is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam.  Sura Al-Imran states: “The first house of worship appointed for men was that at Bakka full of blessing and of guidance for all the worlds.

In it are sighs manifest; the station of Abraham, whoever enter it attain security pilgrimage there too is a duty men owe to Allah-those who can afford the journey but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of his creatures.” (V.96-97)

It is obligatory for all Muslims to visit Mecca once in his or her life, provided he or she is in a position to do so.

A Muslim certified okay, health wise must again ensure that he has sufficient funds to defray the expenses involved in performing Hajj to Mecca.

Pilgrims are advised to travel right from home. One, two or three ihrams cloths for women is enough. Women could in addition take two to three of their best dresses for the visit to the Prophet's mosques and to other holy places. This is prudent because in Mecca and Medina, you will find anything you wish to buy.

Men will travel even lighter than women because they can easily buy ready-made ihrams on arrival at Jeddah town.

The pilgrim must be careful in spending money and must not be lavish. They should bear in mind that they more more days to spend in Mecca while waiting for hajj.

Types of Hajj

The three types of hajj are Ifraad, Tamatu and Hiran.

Al-Ifraad: the intention of this is to perform hajj only. After putting on your ihram you have to continue with it until the end of the hajj period.

After reaching Mecca, you will quickly put off your baggage at your place of residence, refresh yourself and go straight to the Kaaba. Perform tawaf seven times, after praying two rakas at “Mahama Ibrahima” if possible or anywhere around the Kaaba. That will complete the tawaf. Then go to Zam Zam and drink from that water.

After that, you will walk seven times between the other rites at Safa and Marwa. Start from Safa to Marwa. (that is one round). You end at Marwa for the seven round. You can put off the ihram after going to Arafat and throwing the first jamra (seven stones) corresponding to the 10th day of Zul Hijah. For this kind of hajj you do not sacrifice a ram.

Al-Hiran: The intention of this type is to perform hajj and umrah. After arriving in Mecca, you put down your baggage and go straight to the Kaaba, tawaf seven times and do the same at Safa and Marwa. Still with the ihram, you will perform your daily prayers at Kaaba.

Putting on the ihram does not prevent you from going about your business around Mecca. On the 8th day you will go to Arafat. Then after throwing of the first jamra, you put off the ihram, but you have to sacrifice a ram. This is to thank God for granting you permission to perform both hajj and umrah at the same time.

At-Tamatu: This is easier than the first two. The majority of pilgrims from The Gambia and the sub-region normally choose the hajj tamatu. The pilgrim performing this type of hajj should do the tawaf seven times round the Kaaba and the same at Safa and Marwa. Then pilgrim has to put off the ihram and be in their habitual clothes.

They will remains in the state until the 8th day of the month of Zul-Hijjah,  when he should be in a state of ihram. He has to sacrifice a ram, because of putting off the ihram at a period of time .

Those in menses on the way to Mecca should bath, put on the ihram, pronounce the type of hajj they intend to do but such woman should not enter the mosque. They can recite prayers on the way with the others and say “LABAIKA”.

Prophet Mouhammed (SAWS) said: “Women in menses and those who have delivered are not clean, yet they can do as others during the hajj, except going to the mosque and the Kaaba to pray.”

As narrated by some scholars, Aisha, wife of Prophet Mouhammed (SAW) once had her menstruation on her way to Mecca during the hajj, then she started crying. The Prophet Mouhammed (SAWS) told her that it was from Allah that it came from and that it happened to all women. However, after taking bath and putting on your ihram, you should be careful not to have any stains on your clothes.

After reaching Mecca, you can visit any other places except the Kaaba. You can go about your business around the city of Mecca. You are only prohibited from performing your prayers and entering the Kaaba to tawaf.

If the menstruation stopbefore you leave for Arafat, then you can go to Kaaba and perform the tawaf and walk round Safa and Marwa. If the menses continue until you leave for Arafat, then you go with the others to Mina and Arafat. The only thing you cannot do is to perform the five daily prayers.

According to some scholars of Hahnabila Shafiiyu and Imam Ibnu Taimiya, if the menses continue until you come back from Arafat, back to Mecca about a day before you depart, then you will have to dress up carefully and go to the Kaaba, tawaf and walk round Safa and Marwa.  “He has chosen you and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion.” (Sura Hajj v. 78). All these types of hajj are good.

As narrated by some scholars, Aisha, the Prophet’s wife said: “In the year that all the Muslims were on their way with Prophet Mouhammed to perform the hajj from Medina, each one of them choose one of these types of hajj. Those who choose Tamatu on arrival in Mecca walked round the Kaaba seven times and to Safa and Marwa seven times.

Then they put off their ihram. Those who choose Ifraad and Hiran continue with their ihram. The Prophet (SAWS) choose Ifraad. But that does not disqualify the other two (Hiran and Tamatu). Each one of them choose the one that suited him or her. So, it depends on the one that you can do.

We are reminding those who are suppose to slaughter a ram (who chose Tamatu and Hiran) to put aside money for the cost of the ram before arriving. If it is not possible he/she should fast three days in Mecca and seven days on arrival back home.”... if any one wishes to continue the Umra on the hajj, he/she must make an offering such as he can afford. But if he cannot afford it, he should fast three days during the hajj and seven days on his return, making ten days in all...” (sura Baqara v. 196).

Whilst in Saudi Arabia,, follow the laws of the government, make yourself ambassador of your country, help one another and avoid anything that is forbidden there.

“For hajj are the months well known. If anyone undertake that duty therein, let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling. In the hajj and whatever good ye do, (be sure) Allah knoweth it. And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best of provisions is right conduct. So fear me o ye that are wise.” (sura Baqara v.197).