What are the types of hajj and which one is best suitable?

For nearly 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide, the Hajj is a summit of their spiritual lives. A sacred pilgrimage mandated by Islam, Hajj is observed by millions who gather in Mecca each year to fulfill an obligation considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam. But what many may not realize is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to Hajj. Different types of Hajj exist, each with its virtues, requirements, and recommended practices. Read the step-by-step procedure of hajj.

This comprehensive guide is designed to give you an in-depth understanding of 3 types of Hajj. It can be an enlightening resource for Muslims and non-Muslims seeking a deeper comprehension of this significant rite.

The Three Types of Hajj

	HAJJ-E-IFRAD		HAJJ-E-QIRAN	HAJJ-E-TAMATTU
Meaning		The literal meaning of ‘Ifrad’ is “alone” and “solitary”	The lexical meaning of ‘Qiran’ is “to bring two things together”	The literal meaning of ‘Tamattu’ is “to take advantage of something”.
Definition		Wearing Ihram solely with the intention of Hajj, performing the rituals and acts of Hajj, and not combining Umrah with it, is termed as “Hajj Ifrad”.	Wearing Ihram with the intention of both Umrah and Hajj, performing Umrah first, then Hajj, and not removing the Ihram in between is termed as “Hajj Qiran”.	Wearing the Ihram with the intention of Umrah before reaching the Miqat, performing the rituals and acts of Umrah, then removing the Ihram, and then wearing Ihram with the intention of Hajj during the days of Hajj, and performing the rituals of Hajj is called “Hajj Tamattu”.
Eligibility		Allowed for those who live within the boundaries of Miqat	Performed by those who live outside Miqat and avail the concession for living far away from Miqat	Performed by those who live outside Miqat and want to relax after performing Umrah
Tawwaf Al-Qudum (Arrival)		When he reaches Mecca, will perform Arrival Tawwaf.	When he reaches Mecca, will perform arrival Tawwaf.	Those performing Hajj Tamattu do not have to perform the Tawaf al-Qudum. See the other types of Tawwaf.
Wearing and Taking off Ihram		Pilgrim is required to wear Ihram for the intention of Hajj only and take it off immediately after performing it	Pilgrim is not allowed to take off the Ihram after performing Umrah. He will do so after performing Hajj	Pilgrim is allowed to take off the Ihram after performing Umrah then he is required to wear a new one for Hajj
Halaq or Qasr (Shaving or cutting hair)		He will not shave or clip hairs as he remains in Ihram till stoning the Jamrah Al-Aqabah	The pilgrim will not shave or trim his hair after performing Tawaf the Sa’i of Umrah. Instead, he remains in the state of Ihram until performing the rites of Hajj, after which he shaves or trims his hair and exits the state of Ihram.	After performing Tawaf and Sa’I of Umrah, the pilgrim shaves or trims his hair, thus concluding the Ihram for Umrah. Then he wears Ihram for Hajj. After performing Hajj, he will again shave or trim his hair.
Sacrifice of Animal		He doesn’t need to offer a sacrifice.	He must sacrifice an animal.	He must sacrifice an animal. If he is unable to do so, he is required to fast for 10 days.

Hajj Ifrad

One of the sacred types of Hajj is ‘Hajj Ifrad’, which involves the pilgrim entering the state of Ihram intending Hajj only. This means that they will perform the rites of Hajj and then exit the state of Ihram without performing Umrah (a separate pilgrimage). This type of Hajj is often chosen by those living within the proximity of Mecca or those who wish to perform Umrah at a different time of the year. There are some key points to keep in mind when performing Hajj e Ifrad:

A person performing Hajj Ifrad is called ‘Mufrid’.
It is the simplest type of Hajj.
According to Imam Shafi, Hajj Ifrad is better.
Allowed for those who live within the boundaries of Miqat and did not perform Umrah within the months of Shawwal, Zul Qadh, and ten days of Zul Hajj.
Pilgrim is required to wear Ihram for the intention of Hajj only and take it off immediately after performing it.
He doesn’t need to offer a sacrifice.

“The Prophet (PBUH) performed Hajj Ifrad. [Sunan Ibn Majah]

Hajj Qiran

One of the famous types of Hajj is ‘Hajj Qiran, which entails combining the rites of Hajj and Umrah without taking off of Ihram from the moment of entering until the rites of both Umrah and Hajj are completed. Pilgrims partaking in this type of Hajj must maintain the state of ihram throughout, performing the rites for both Hajj and Umrah in a single state of intention. Keep in mind some key considerations while performing Hajj e Qiran:

A person performing Hajj Qiran is called ‘Qarin’.
According to Imam Hanafi, Hajj Qiran is better.
Allowed for those who live outside the boundaries of Miqat.
When he reaches Mecca, he will perform Tawwaf of arrival.
Pilgrim is required to wear the Ihram before Umrah and is not allowed to take off his Ihram before performing Hajj.
He must offer a sacrifice.
He must shave or trim his hair.

Hajj Tamattu

One of the facilitative types of Hajj is ‘Hajj Tamattu’, which is commonly performed by most pilgrims. In this type of Hajj, the pilgrim first performs Umrah during the months of Shawwal, Dhul Qadh, or even the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, and after completion of Umrah, exits the state of ihram. Then they re-enter the state of Ihram for Hajj. The majority of pilgrims who come for Hajj from outside the local areas choose this type of Hajj due to its relative ease and flexibility. There are some key advantages of this type:

The main advantage of this approach is the break between Umrah and Hajj
This type of Hajj begins with the intention of performing Umrah and wearing the ihram at the designated Miqat (a location where pilgrims enter into the state of ihram), followed by the completion of Umrah, the temporary exit from ihram, and then the re-entry and completion of the rites of Hajj.
He doesn’t need to perform Tawwaf of arrival
He must offer a sacrifice.
He must shave or trim his hair.

Conclusion

The Hajj is not just a physical act of pilgrimage but a culmination of spiritual growth, reflection, and an embodiment of the global Muslim community. We cannot say which one is the best type of Hajj. Understanding the differences between Hajj Ifrad, Qiran, and Tamattu can offer unique insights into the diversity of observance within the Muslim world. Whether one performs Hajj in one state of Ihram, or two, or seeks the intertwining of Hajj and Umrah, the goal of this spiritual expedition remains the same: To fulfill a duty to God and to experience a transformation of the soul, one must understand these different types of Hajj.

Stay connected with us for more understanding via one-on-one coaching. Ask questions about Hajj and Islamic pilgrimage practices in the communities and forums available online. In the spirit of the Hajj, fostering understanding and communication can be as much a pilgrimage as the physical act of traveling to Mecca. Go forth on your engagement with Hajj – the community awaits.