What Types of Rites Are There in Hajj?
ما هي أنواع مناسك الحج؟
What types of rites are there in Hajj?
In Islamic jurisprudence, a pilgrim can choose from three distinct types of rites (Nusuk) when intending to perform Hajj: Al-Ifrad, Al-Tamattu', and Al-Qiran. Each type defines the specific combination of Umrah and Hajj and the duration of the state of Ihram.
A pilgrim must specify their intention for one of the three established rites before entering the state of Ihram.
What is the difference between Al-Ifrad and Al-Tamattu'?
Al-Ifrad involves intending only Hajj and remaining in the state of Ihram continuously until the Hajj rituals are completed. Al-Tamattu' involves performing Umrah first, completely exiting the state of Ihram, and then re-entering Ihram specifically for Hajj on the 8th of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Is an animal sacrifice required for all types of Hajj?
No. An animal sacrifice (Hadi) is obligatory for those performing Al-Tamattu' and Al-Qiran. Those performing Al-Ifrad are not required to offer a sacrifice, although it is highly recommended as a voluntary act of worship.
What does the term 'Al-Qiran' mean in Hajj?
Al-Qiran means combining Umrah and Hajj in a single, continuous state of Ihram. The pilgrim intends to do both together upon reaching the Miqat and cannot exit the state of Ihram until the acts required for release from Ihram are performed on the Day of Sacrifice; the remaining Hajj rites continue afterward.
The Three Types of Hajj Rites
1. Al-Ifrad (The Singular Hajj)
‘Al-Ifrad’: He intends to perform pilgrimage only, when he goes in a state of Ahram and says: (Labbek Hajj). (This is the "Singular" Hajj. The pilgrim remains in Ihram until the acts required for release from Ihram are performed on the Day of Sacrifice; the remaining Hajj rituals continue afterward, and no animal sacrifice is required for this specific rite).
2. Al-Tamattu' (The Enjoyable Hajj)
Performing Umrah during the months of Hajj: He intends umrah and performs it and then he exits the state of Ihram after completing it and on the eighth day of the Dhi Al-Hijjah he intends Hajj. (This is the "Interrupted" or "Enjoyable" Hajj. The pilgrim exits Ihram [Yatahallal] after Umrah, enjoying normal lawful activities until re-entering Ihram for Hajj. An animal sacrifice is strictly obligatory for this rite).
3. Al-Qiran (The Combined Hajj)
‘Al- Qiran’: is to intend Hajj and Umrah together and remain in his Ihram state until the day of the Hajj. (This is the "Combined" Hajj. The pilgrim performs the rituals of both simultaneously without breaking the Ihram state in between, and an animal sacrifice is also strictly required).
Scholarly Insight: In Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh), the intention (Niyyah) explicitly determines the type of Hajj rite (Nusuk). Al-Tamattu' is generally considered the most highly recommended by many scholars, including the Hanbali school, because the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ expressed a strong desire to have performed it, instructing his companions to break their Ihram and perform Tamattu' if they had not brought a sacrificial animal with them. The crucial distinction between these three lies in the duration of the Ihram state and the obligation of the Hadi (animal sacrifice): the Mutamatti' (performing Tamattu') and the Qaarin (performing Qiran) must offer a sacrifice as gratitude for combining two great worships in one journey, while the Mufrid (performing Ifrad) is exempt from this financial obligation.
ما هي أنواع مناسك الحج؟
في الفقه الإسلامي، يمكن للحاج الاختيار من بين ثلاثة أنواع من النسك عند نية أداء الحج: الإفراد، والتمتع، والقران. يحدد كل نوع طريقة الجمع بين العمرة والحج ومدة البقاء في حالة الإحرام.
يجب على الحاج تحديد نيته لأحد المناسك الثلاثة المشروعة قبل الدخول في حالة الإحرام.
أنواع مناسك الحج الثلاثة
1. الإفراد
الإفراد: هو أن ينوي الحج عند الإحرام، الحج فقط ويقول: ( لبيك بحج). (وهو الحج "المفرد". ويبقى الحاج فيه محرماً حتى يؤدي أعمال التحلل من الإحرام يوم النحر، ثم يكمل بقية مناسك الحج في أيام التشريق، ولا يجب عليه هدي في هذا النسك).
2. التمتع
التمتع: وهو أن ينوي العمرة ويؤديها ثم يتحلل منها وفي اليوم الثامن من ذي الحجة ينوي الحج. (حيث يخرج الحاج من الإحرام بعد العمرة، ويمارس حياته الطبيعية المباحة حتى يُحرم للحج مرة أخرى من مكانه. ويجب عليه الهدي التزاماً بهذا النسك).
3. القران
القران: هو أن ينوي الحج والعمرة معا ويبقى محرما إلى أن يحين موعد مناسك الحج. (وهو الحج "المقترن". يؤدي الحاج فيه مناسك النسكين معاً دون أن يفك إحرامه بينهما، ويجب عليه الهدي في هذا النسك أيضاً).
1. The Three Legitimate Pilgrimage Rites (Al-Ansaak) | الأنساك الثلاثة المشروعة في الحج
Islamic law provides three distinct methods for performing the pilgrimage: Tamattu', Qiran, and Ifrad. Aisha reported in Sahih al-Bukhari (1562) that during the Farewell Pilgrimage, companions set out under these three distinct intentions under the Prophet's guidance.
مِنَّا مَنْ أَهَلَّ بِعُمْرَةٍ، وَمِنَّا مَنْ أَهَلَّ بِحَجَّةٍ وَعُمْرَةٍ، وَمِنَّا مَنْ أَهَلَّ بِالْحَجِّ (البخاري 1562 ومسلم 1211)
خيرت الشريعة الإسلامية الحاج بين ثلاثة أوجه لأداء النسك: التمتع، والقران، والإفراد؛ كما روى أصحاب النبي ﷺ في حجة الوداع أنهم أهلوا بهذه الأنساك الثلاثة؛ وكلها صحيحة مجزئة عن فريضة الإسلام.
2. Al-Tamattu': The Favored Modern Choice | نسك التمتع وفضله وأحكامه
In Tamattu', a pilgrim enters Ihram for Umrah during the Hajj months, completes Tawaf and Sa'i, and completely exits Ihram by shaving or trimming hair. On the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, they enter a fresh Ihram for Hajj. Because of enjoying normalcy between rites, a sacrificial animal (Hady) is mandatory for those whose families do not reside near the Sacred Mosque, with prescribed fasting instead if unable to obtain it.
فَمَن تَمَتَّعَ بِالْعُمْرَةِ إِلَى الْحَجِّ فَمَا اسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ (سورة البقرة: 196)
التمتع هو أن يحرم بالعمرة وحدها في أشهر الحج، فإذا وصل مكة طاف وسعى وقصر وتحلل تماما من إحرامه؛ ثم يحرم بالحج في اليوم الثامن من ذي الحجة؛ وسمي متمتعا لتمتعه بمحظورات الإحرام بين النسكين، ويلزمه الهدي (هدي الشكران) إن لم يكن من حاضري المسجد الحرام، فإن لم يجد صام ثلاثة أيام في الحج وسبعة إذا رجع.
3. Al-Qiran: Combining Both Pilgrimages | نسك القران وأحكامه
In Qiran, the pilgrim enters Ihram for both Umrah and Hajj simultaneously, or enters for Umrah and joins Hajj to it before Tawaf. They remain in the strict state of Ihram continuously until the Day of Nahr (10th Dhul-Hijjah), performing one Tawaf and one Sa'i, and a sacrifice (Hady) is required.
وَأَتِمُّوا الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّـهِ (سورة البقرة: 196)
القران هو أن يجمع الحاج بين العمرة والحج بإحرام واحد من الميقات، أو يحرم بالعمرة ثم يدخل الحج عليها؛ ويبقى على إحرامه محظورا عليه كل المحظورات حتى يوم النحر؛ ويكفيه طواف واحد وسعي واحد عند الجمهور، وتلزمه شاة كالمتمتع.
4. Al-Ifrad: The Singular Pilgrimage | نسك الإفراد وضوابطه
In Ifrad, the pilgrim enters Ihram intending Hajj alone. They perform arrival Tawaf (Tawaf al-Qudum), remain in Ihram until the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, and complete all Hajj rites. The Mufrid (pilgrim performing Ifrad) is not required to sacrifice an animal (Hady).
أَهْلَلْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّـهِ بِالْحَجِّ خَالِصًا (صحيح مسلم 1216)
الإفراد هو أن ينوي الحاج الحج وحده دون عمرة قائلا: لبيك حجا؛ ويظل على إحرامه حتى يرمي جمرة العقبة يوم النحر ويتحلل؛ ولا يلزمه ذبح هدي عند جمهور الفقهاء، وهو النسك المشروع لأهل مكة عند الحنفية، إذ لا تمتع ولا قران لهم عندهم، وأجازهما لهم الجمهور ولا هدي عليهم.
Scholarly Insight: The three options of Nusuk accommodate pilgrims' varying geographical origins, physical stamina, and financial means with divine mercy. Read more in the tafsir of Surah Al-Baqarah.
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
What are the three types of Hajj rites (Nusuk)?
1. Al-Tamattu', 2. Al-Qiran, 3. Al-Ifrad.
Which type of Hajj allows a pilgrim to exit Ihram between Umrah and Hajj?
Al-Tamattu' allows complete exit from Ihram after Umrah until re-entering for Hajj on the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah.
Which types of Hajj require an animal sacrifice (Hady)?
Al-Tamattu' and Al-Qiran require a sacrificial animal for those whose families are not resident near the Sacred Mosque; those unable to obtain it fast instead. Al-Ifrad does not require this sacrifice.
What should a pilgrim performing Tamattu' do if they cannot afford a sacrifice?
They fast three days during Hajj and seven days after returning home (ten days in total), as stated in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:196).
Prepared by Eng. Ghada Homad, founder of IslamFAQ, researched and written in consultation with qualified scholars, reviewed by Professor Khaled Jassem Al-Houli, Associate Professor of Comparative Jurisprudence and Islamic Politics, Faculty of Sharia and Islamic Studies, University of Kuwait. Read more about the authors and this project →