TERMS OF SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE

 
    Before dealing with the rites of the pilgrimage, there are some terms that need explanation such as Ihram, Ifrad Qiran, Tamattu'.

    Ihram implies, literally, prohibition, and entails the abstention from things that are hithefto allowed. The opposite of Ihram is Ihlal.

Ifrad, Qiran, and Tamattu :

      To grasp the significance of these terms, it is best to mention the various observances of the Pilgrimage and the Lesser Pilgrimage. The observances of the Lesser Pilgrimage are : Ihram, circumambulation of the Ka'ba, the running between Safa and Marwa, and having the head shaved, or the hair cut. With this the Ihram for the Lesser Pilgrimage come to an end and all restrictions are lifted.

     As for the Pilgrimage, the observances are Ihram, the circuit of the Ka'ba, the running between Safa and Marwa, the standing (Wuquf) at Mount Arafat on the 9th of Dhul-hijja, the throwing of the pebbles on the Day of Sacrifice 10th of Dhul'-Hijja), together with other observances to be mentioned later.

     From this we can discern some differences between the Pilgrimage and the Lesser Pilgrimage. The ceremonies of the Pilgrimage exceed these of Umra. While the Ihram for the Lesser Pilgrimage ends with the running between Safa and Marwa, and having the head shaved or the hair cut, Ihram for the Pilgrimage ceases only after the standing at Mount Arafat, and performing all the rites of the 10th of Dhul-Hijja.

       Furthermore, the Pilgrimage is confined to well- known months, whereas the Lesser Pilgrimage is performed at any time.

    What will happen if `Umra occurs during the months of the Hajj ? Here it is possible for a person to belong to one of three categories Mufrid, Qarin and Mutamatti.  

      a) If the pilgrim intends to perform the Hajj alone, he is called Mufrid, meaning he has not thought of combining the `Umra with Hajj. He who intends from the very start to combine both `Umra and Hajj is called Qarin. So the difference here lies only in the primary intention, and not in rites observed, whether he be a Mufrid or a Qarin.

    But there is the case of a person who intends the `Umra first, carries out all its rites, and is freed from Ihram. He thus relieves himself of the limitation, imposed by this state of consecration till the 8th day of Dhu'l Hijja, when he reassumes Ihram for the Hajj. Such a person is called Mutamatti'.

    The Mutamatti' should not under any circumstances have already driven his sacrificial beast to the Ka'ba. The three cases are illustrated by the testimony of `Ai'sha:

"We accompanied the Apostle of God (Prayers and God's Peace be upon him), on the Farewell Pilgrimage. Some of us assumed Ihram and cried Labbayka with the intention of performing the `Umra, others with the explicit desire to combine both the Hajj and `Umra, and others to perform the Hajj alone."