Updated 25 September 2013

Hajj is a special time of the year for Muslims all over the world.  Whether you are fortunate enough to be able to perform Hajj this year, or will be wishing your friends and family well on their journey, the month of Zilhajj is close to our heart.

We all know the importance of Hajj and the aspects and rituals behind this fifth pillar of Islam and each year we happily come together to pray and celebrate together.  From the time of Prophet Ibrahim, millions of Muslims travel to the Holy city of Mecca to perform Hajj.  And those who do not go to perform Hajj still take part in amaals, re-enact the acts of pilgrimage and celebrate Eid. 

Hajj allows people to unify themselves with others, absolve themselves of sins and pay tribute to Allah, where all equal in the His eyes regardless of race or status. 

WF SHOP FEATURES HAJJ SPECIAL
The World Federation has featured a 4GB Media player preloaded with MP3’s for Hajj, including lectures, duas, munajat, ziyarat, nauhas, qasidas and much more! 

This is a great item to have close at hand whether you will be listening from the Haram or in your own home! Loaded with more than 80 files, including lectures by Mulla Asgherali MM Jaffer, this will also make a great gift for a Haji-to-be.

For further details or to order your Media player visit the wfshop today!

TIPS ON STAYING HEALTHY DURING HAJJ
It is extremely important that pilgrims take the utmost care to ensure that they stay healthy.  Here are 8 tips that will help:

1. Prepare well ~ By eating well, exercising and sleeping properly, you will be more resilient during your journey.

2. Stay hydrated ~ Always keep water with you and drink water regularly, especially when it’s extremely hot.

3. Protect yourself from the sun ~ Avoid being in the heat too long and keep an umbrella close by for shade.

4. Wash hands regularly ~ Use soap and water regularly, especially before meals.

5. Eat well ~ Eat healthy and avoid street vendors!

6. Take your medication ~ If you have any medication prescribed by your doctor, be sure to take it on time.

7. Avoid elbowing ~ Try to avoid getting caught up in pushing and shoving, it could cause injury.

8. Do not kneel or stoop ~ If you drop something during Tawaaf or sa’ee, don’t try to pick it up…you could get injured

NEW RULINGS ON TAWAF FROM AYATOLLAH SISTANI
Ayatollah Sistani has released new rulings in regards to Hajj and Tawaf:

Question # 1: Is it permissible to perform Tawaf around Bayt al Haraam, optionally, on the bridge which has been constructed recently inside Mataaf (Tawaf Area), in case of the following circumstances:
• With the assumption that bridge is lower to the level of The Holy Ka’ba
• The bridge is parallel to level of The Holy Ka’ba
• The bridge is higher to level of The Holy Ka’ba

Answer # 1: If it is lower than the wall of The Holy Ka’ba it is permissible to perform Tawaf, even if it is as low as one palm.

Question # 2: The same assumption but with compulsion on pilgrims to perform the Tawaf upon the bridge.

Answer # 2: Apart from the above mentioned condition, the tawaf is not permissible on the bridge. So for those who cannot perform tawaf except on that bridge, they should delegate to another.

Question # 3: With supposition to unacceptability of Tawaf upon the bridge, but a pilgrim started his Tawaf, ignorantly or with compulsion by officials of Haram. After that it became possible for him to come down and perform Tawaf in Tawaf area itself; will he have to restart it or complete the previous one?

Answer # 3: He should restart.

Question # 4: In the condition of inability to pray the obligatory Salaat al Tawaf at the generally accepted rear area of Maqame Ibrahim nor at any place of Masjid al Haraam due to massive crowds, is pilgrim allowed to pray Salaat outside Masjid al Haraam (outside arena) or should he wait for vacant space even if Muwalaat (maintenance of succession) is elapsing?

Answer # 4: He will pray in Masjid al Haraam even if Mawalaat is elapsing.

Question # 5: Is it permissible to perform A’maal of  Masjid al Haraam (Tawaf al Hajj, Salaat al Tawaf, Sa’ee, Tawaf al Nisaa and Salaat of Tawaf al Nisaa) for general pilgrims (apart from women and patients) before going to Arafaat due to fear of massive crowd (specially this year) due to the construction going on in Masjid al Haraam?

Answer # 5: For those who find it too hard to perform tawaf after returning (from Arafaat) due to the massive crowd, it is permissible to perform it beforehand (before going to Arafaat)

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ARRANGE A QURBANI TODAY
The practice of Qurbani dates back to the time when God ordered Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his only son, Ismail through a dream. In his love and devotion to God, Ibrahim followed his dream and moved to perform the sacrifice; however, God intervened at the last minute and replaced Ismail with a ram. Since then, the Qurbani of an animal is practiced by Muslims worldwide as a reminder of Ibrahim’s obedience to God.

The World Federation takes orders for Qurbanis to be performed on your behalf throughout the year. The Qurbanis will be arranged in Kenya, Tanzania and Sri Lanka where the meat will distributed among deserving families including widows and orphans. Most of these families are not able to afford meat and so it is not part of their regular diet. The Qurbani meat will provide them with nutritional benefits and link them to people around the world who are thinking of them. 

COST OF QURBANI
All Qurbani requests will be carried out on goats. However, The World Federation reserves the right to make any changes in the event of unforeseen circumstances. 

The World Federation would like to wish all those who have been granted the gift to perform Hajj this year a safe and spiritual journey.  We pray that your duas and amaals be accepted.