Accessible Conspectus: Integrals of Ḥajj

This post is part of a series of posts aimed at making The Ultimate Conspectus accessible to readers who have never read fiqh before.


6.2 Integrals of Ḥajj

Overhead of the Manasik
Days, places and distances for the various rites of Ḥajj.

The first integral is that one must enter the state of iḥrām accompanied by intention.

The second is that one must stand on the plain of ‘Arafah. What is required here is that one be present on the plain of ʿArafah for at least a single instant sometime between noon on the 9th day of Dhil Ḥijjah (the day of ʿArafah) and dawn on the 10th of Dhil Ḥijjah (the day of naḥr). It is not valid if one is insane or intoxicated. However, it is valid if one is asleep or simply passes through or is even unaware that they are located somewhere on ʿArafah.

The third integral is that one must circumambulate the House seven times. In Arabic, this is known as “ṭawāf.” It is done counter-clockwise, with each revolution starting at the Black Stone.

The fourth integral is that one must traverse between Ṣafā and Marwah seven times. The traversals begin at Ṣafā. The first transition between Ṣafā and Marwah counts as a single traversal, as does the next from Marwah to Ṣafā. Each traversal counts as one of the seven times. One begins at Ṣafā and ends the 7th at Marwah.

The fifth integral is shaving or trimming the head.

The sixth integral is doing most of the integrals mentioned above in the following order:

  • Making the intention before everything else.
  • Standing on ʿArafah comes before the essential circumambulation, and shaving or trimming.
  • Circumambulation comes before traversal if one did not perform it when doing the arrival circumambulation.
  • No order is required between circumambulation and shaving or trimming the head.

The rest of the series is available here. Share this post with others using the buttons down below.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.