KINDS OF IHRAM OR HAJJ

Hajj or ihram is divided into three categories, each of which all scholars say are legitimate: Qiran (combining ‘Umra and Hajj in one state of ihram), Tamattu’ (combining Hajj and ‘Umra with a break in between), and Ifrad (Hajj only).

Qiran. Here, pilgrims declare their intention to perform both Hajj and ‘Umra together, and say when doing talbiya: “Labbayk bil-hajj wa’l-umra (O God, I answer your call to perform Hajj and ‘Umra.”) [Talbiya is: Labbayk, Al-lahumma labbayk; labbayk la sharika laka; inna’l-hamda wa’l-minnata laka wa’l-mulk, la sharika lak. (Here I am, my God, here I am at Your service. Here I am at Your service. You have no partner. Assuredly, all praise and gratitude are for You, and all dominion. You have no partner.)] Such pilgrims must re-main in the state of ihram until they have performed all the rites of ‘Umra and Hajj.

Tamattu’. In this case, pilgrims perform ‘Umra during the Hajj season and then perform Hajj. It is called tamattu’ (enjoyment) because these pilgrims have the added advantage of performing Hajj and ‘Umra together without having to go back home, and also because after performing ‘Umra they can wear their usual clothes, apply perfume, and do other things until they have to put on their attire for Hajj.

Anyone intending to do tamattu’ should, on approaching the miqat, make the intention for ‘Umra. While uttering talbiya, they should say: Labbayk bil ‘Umra (O God, I answer Your call to perform ‘Umra). They should wear their Hajj attire (women have no special Hajj attire) until they circumambulate the Ka’ba, walk between Safa and Marwa to perform sa’y, and then cut off a little of their hair or shave it off altogether (men only). After that, they may wear their usual clothes and do all that is permissible but that is prohibited while in the state of ihram. On Dhu’l-Hijja 8, they must declare their intention to per-form Hajj, re-enter the state of ihram, and put on their special attire from Makka.

Ifrad. Ifrad means that pilgrims intending to perform Hajj only should only make the intention for Hajj while at the miqat. While saying talbiya, they should say: Labbayk bi-hajj (O God, I answer your call to perform Hajj) and wear their Hajj attire until all the rites of Hajj are completed. After that, they can make ‘Umra if they so desire