The Hajj of the Beloved Prophet ﷺ
How Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Performed Hajj
An illustrated book based on Hadith and Sirah
Dear reader, throughout this book we have used old photographs. The pictures are only 70–140 years old. There is a purpose behind using these images. We wanted to convey that, even in the recent past, people performed Hajj on foot and riding camels. While making Tawaf of the Ka'bah and performing the Sa'i between Safa and Marwah, they had no protection from the heat of the sun. The mataf (the area for Tawaf) was of concrete and sand. In the pictures you will see that there were tin sheds over the Sa'i pathway. They travelled to Mina, Arafah and Muzdalifah on foot and riding camels. In the intense heat of the sun they had to stay in the non-air-conditioned tents of Mina and Arafah. There were no trees on the plains of Mina and Arafah. The pilgrims had to cook for themselves. Water was scarce relative to the need. The 'Nahr-e-Zubaida' was the only source of water. Ice-cold water was unthinkable. Toilet facilities, too, were inadequate. Even in such harsh conditions they performed Hajj. Their Hajj was brimming with love for the Messenger and obedience to Allah, Subhanahu wa Ta'ala.
Today, pilgrims have fast aircraft, luxurious ships, and air-conditioned bus and train services. The hotels of Makkah are fully air-conditioned and have modern toilet facilities. The mataf has a special kind of tile that does not become hot even in the blazing sun. The Sa'i pathway between Safa and Marwah is also air-conditioned. There is chilled water, and the blessed water of Zamzam is available everywhere. For travel to Mina, Arafah and Muzdalifah there are air-conditioned buses and trains. The tents of Mina and Arafah are also air-conditioned. There are modern toilet facilities and ample chilled water.
Countless trees have been planted on the plain of Arafah. In Mina and Arafah the pilgrims no longer need to cook. There is ample food and fruit, along with emergency medical care and many other facilities.
Amid all this abundance, love for the Prophet ﷺ has been lost, and gone are the devoted lovers of the Messenger who followed his Sunnah. Today we seek out how Hajj can be performed with the most comfort and ease. Even while physically able, we abandon the Sunnahs of the Messenger. Despite all these facilities, we do not spend the night in the tents of Mina. After casting the pebbles at the Jamrah, we return to our hotels in Makkah. We do not go to Mina and Arafah on the appointed days and at the appointed times in following the Messenger.
Yes, the Hajj caravans carry pilgrims by bus to Mina, Arafah and Muzdalifah at the times fixed by Saudi Arabia's Hajj management authority. This is a constraint they cannot avoid. The elderly, children and women may avail of this facility.
But we, strong and able youth — can we not walk to Mina, Arafah and Muzdalifah out of love for the Messenger ﷺ, following his Sunnah! Believe me, the joy and contentment you will find in walking for the sake of the Sunnah of the Messenger ﷺ, you will never find in a 30–40 minute ride in an air-conditioned bus in the dark of night.
Just imagine! You are walking along that very road, that very path, on which the Messenger ﷺ and his Companions walked. Aloud, at the top of your voice, you are reciting the Talbiyah, just as the Companions of the Messenger ﷺ did. That path and those mountains — which existed in the time of the Messenger ﷺ — bear witness to your Talbiyah. What greater gain is there than this! What sweeter experience is there than this! Your chest will be drenched with tears. Amid this caravan of hundreds of thousands of people, you will not even realise when you have reached Mina, Arafah and Muzdalifah.
So let us learn how the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions performed Hajj, and let us strive to perform Hajj accordingly. May Allah, Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, make our Hajj journey easy and accept it.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, obligatory only once in a Muslim's life upon those who have the physical and financial means. Hajj is not merely a journey; it is a rare opportunity for purification of the soul, total submission, and attaining nearness to Allah. Therefore, before performing Hajj one needs long preparation, complete knowledge of Hajj, and a sincere intention, all combined together.
Our guide at every step of Hajj is the Prophet of Mercy, Muhammad ﷺ. Every step he showed is for us a path of guidance and salvation in the Hereafter. In the matter of Hajj, our foremost task is to learn and follow the Sunnah of how he and his noble Companions performed Hajj.
Sad but true: although many are mindful of the essential obligatory (fard) and required (wajib) acts of Hajj, they remain indifferent to the beloved Sunnahs of the Prophet. As a result, many — though physically able — are deprived of performing many valuable Sunnahs of Hajj. For example: spending the nights of the 10th, 11th and 12th of Dhul-Hijjah in the tents of Mina; praying Fajr at Mina on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah; and setting out from Mina towards Arafah after sunrise on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, and so on.
These acts are not merely Sunnah; they are a radiant expression of love for the Prophet, of following him, and of taqwa (God-consciousness).
Through this book, our aim is to present the Prophet's Hajj journey before you from beginning to end — so that you may come to know how the beloved Messenger ﷺ performed Hajj, and in that light make your own Hajj ever more aligned with the Sunnah.
Chapter 1: The Journey from Madinah to Makkah
Chapter 2: Entering Makkah and Performing Umrah
Chapter 3: The Days of the Sacred Hajj
Chapter 4: The Return from Makkah to Madinah
We will present each chapter in simple language and in sequence, in shaa Allah, so that your interest in and awareness of performing Hajj according to the Sunnah may grow. As guests of the House of Allah, our only desire should be to attain the pleasure and nearness of Allah by performing Hajj on the path shown by the Prophet.
May Allah accept this effort of ours and grant us the ability to perform Hajj with a true understanding of its essence. Ameen.