Etiquette of Hajj and Umrah
Hajj satisfies the fifth and last pillar of Islam. Every Muslim who is healthy and sane and who can afford it must undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his or her lifetime.
The Almighty says:
The Hajj (pilgrimage) is (in) the well-known (lunar year) months (i.e. the 10th month, the 11th month and the first ten days of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, i.e. two months and ten days). So whosoever intends to perform Hajj therein (by assuming Ihram), then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj. And whatever good you do, (be sure) Allah knows it. And take a provision (with you)for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa ( piety, righteousness). So fear Me, O men of understanding ! (Al-Baqarah 197)
People should perform the rituals of Hajj and Umrah with respect, veneration, love and submission to the Almighty, in a tranquil and dignified manner, following the ways of our beloved Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
These great rituals should be filled with Dhikr (remembering Allah), takbeer (proclaiming Allah’s greatness by saying Allaahu akbar), Tasbeeh (glorifying Allah by saying Subhaan-Allaah), Tahmeed (praising Allah by saying al-hamdu Lillaah) and Istighfaar (seeking Allah’s forgiveness by saying Astaghfir-Allaah), because he is in a state of worship from the moment he enters Ihram until he exits it; Hajj is not a time for idle talk or doing anything without restrictions. It is the time of real devotion and increase of good deeds.
The pilgrim and others should regularly observe the things that the Almighty has enjoined such as praying in congregation on time, and enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil.
The pilgrim should strive to benefit the Muslims and treat them kindly by guiding them, helping them when needed, and being compassionate towards the weak, especially in places where such compassion is appropriate, such as in crowded places. Showing compassion to people brings mercy from the Creator, for Allah shows mercy to those of His slaves who are merciful.
The pilgrim should avoid obscenity, immorality, sin and arguing that does not support the truth. He should avoid aggressivity towards people or annoying them, so he should avoid backbiting, malicious gossip, cursing, swearing, hitting, and looking at non-mahram women, for these things are Haram (forbidden) whether one is in a state of Ihram or not, but they are even more HarAm when one is in Ihram.
He should avoid things that many people do, such as saying words that do not befit the rituals. For example, when stoning the Jamarat, some of them say, “ We are stoning the Shaytaan” and they may curse the site or hit it with shoes etc., which is contrary to the idea of humility and worship, and defeats the purpose of stoning the Jamarat, which is to carry out the commands of the Almighty.
Article by: go-makkah.com