A pillar is a part of Hajj without which Hajj loses its validity and the pilgrim must repeat his Hajj. This invalid Hajj is considered an Umrah. The Hanafi School stated that Hajj has two pillars:
1. Spending a day at Arafah.
2. Tawafal Ifada which is done at the yaum Al-Nahr - the day of sacrificing animals - on returning from Mina Circumambulation. Generally, Abu Hanifa held Tawaf as obligatory and Ihram is a prerequisite for the validity of Tawaf. Malik and Ahmad had a different standpoint for they stated that there are four pillars of Hajj:
1. Ihram.
2. Spending a day at Arafah.
3. Sa'i between Safa and Marwah.
4. Tawaf Al Ifada which involves seven rounds of the Ka'bah.
Ash-Shaf'i added two more pillars:
1. Clipping some of the pilgrim's hair or shaving it all.
2. Close sequence of most rites of Hajj, e.g. Ihram must proceed all other rites and standing at Arafah must proceed Tawaf. Now, I will embark on the journey of Hajj and Umrah. I will give you a helping hand into both realms and guide you as to what to say and do. This guide will be indispensable to pilgrims. It will explain the obligations, duties and Sunnahs. Let us travel to the Holy lands and supplicate Allah the Almighty to accept our Hajj and 'Umrah and forgive our sins, and appreciate our effort. Amen.
العرض العادي
