❀ The Most Virtuous Type of Hajj and the Excellence of Hajj al-Tamattuʿ ❀
🖋 Question:
Which type of Hajj is best for us, considering that we have already deposited money with our agent for the sacrificial animal?
Answer:
There are three types of Hajj. It is essential to understand each one clearly in order to determine which type you should choose:
➊ Hajj al-Tamattuʿ:
- From the Miqāt, one makes niyyah only for ʿUmrah, saying:
"Labbayka Allāhumma ʿUmrah"
- Perform Tawāf upon arrival in Makkah, offer two rakʿahs at Maqām Ibrāhīm, perform Saʿī between Ṣafā and Marwah, then cut the hair and exit the state of iḥrām.
- Resume normal life until the 8th of Dhul-Ḥijjah, then enter iḥrām again, this time for Hajj, and perform the rituals of Hajj.
➋ Hajj al-Qirān:
- From the Miqāt, make niyyah for both ʿUmrah and Hajj together.
- Perform ʿUmrah on arrival in Makkah, but do not exit iḥrām.
- Remain in the state of iḥrām until the completion of Hajj, starting from the 8th of Dhul-Ḥijjah.
➌ Hajj al-Ifrād:
- Enter iḥrām with intention for Hajj only.
- Perform Ṭawāf Qudūm and Saʿī, but remain in iḥrām, and proceed to Minā and complete the rituals of Hajj.
Which One is Best?
While all three types are valid by scholarly consensus, there is difference of opinion regarding which is most virtuous (afḍal).
✦ Some scholars consider
✦ Others consider
Evidence:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Had I known earlier what I came to know later, I would not have brought the sacrificial animal with me.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Bāb Qawl an-Nabiyy: Law istakbaltu min amrī mā istadabartu – ḥadīth 7229; Abū Dāwūd 1784]
Those companions who had not brought sacrificial animals and had entered iḥrām for Qirān, the Prophet ﷺ instructed them to:
➤ Complete the ʿUmrah,
➤ Exit iḥrām,
➤ Change intention to Tamattuʿ
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1218; al-Bayhaqī 4/338]
Some companions misunderstood this as a recommendation, and did not exit iḥrām. The Prophet ﷺ expressed strong displeasure at this:
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 8/654–155; Ibn Khuzaymah 2606; al-Bayhaqī 5/19; Musnad Aḥmad 6/175]
As narrated by ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها
Conclusion:
Given that the Prophet ﷺ wished he had performed Hajj al-Tamattuʿ, and that he commanded those without sacrificial animals to do so, and expressed displeasure when they did not — it is evident that Hajj al-Tamattuʿ is the most virtuous.
This is also the view of many scholars as recorded in:
- Nayl al-Awṭār 4/130–131
- al-Fatḥ ar-Rabbānī 11/90–99
Thus, Hajj al-Tamattuʿ is preferred, especially for those not bringing their sacrificial animal personally.
