Fatwas on Innovations of Hajj

• Regarding entering al-Masjid al-Haraam through a particular door, and the supplication upon seeing the Ka'bah

Question: What are the mistakes some pilgrims commit when entering al-Masjid al-Haraam?

Answer: From amongst the mistakes that some pilgrims fall into when entering Al-Masjid al-Haram are:

Firstly: That some people think it is imperative, for making Hajj or 'Umrah, to enter through a particular door of Al-Masjid al-Haraam. So, for example, some people see that it is necessary for one making 'Umrah to enter via the door which is called the "'Umrah Door" (Baab al-'Umrah) or that this is something that must be done and that it is legislated. Others see that it is imperative to enter via the "Door of Peace" (Baab as-Salaam) and that entering through any other door is a sin or disliked - and there is no evidence for this. So, it is upon the one making Hajj or 'Umrah to enter via any door they wish, and when doing so, extending the right foot first (upon entry) and saying that which is mentioned for entering all masaajid. So, he sends his salutations upon the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and says:

(O Allaah! Forgive me my sins and open Your Doors of Mercy to me)).

Secondly: Some people innovate certain supplications when entering the Al-Masjid al-Haraam and upon seeing the House (Ka'bah). They innovate supplications which have not been mentioned by the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and they supplicate to Allah with them. This is an innovation. So the act of worship, for the Sake of Allah, by speech, action or belief which the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) or his companions were not upon, is an innovation and an evil, that which the Messenger of Allah has warned against.

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen
al-Bid'u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa Asla lahu - Page 384;
Fiqh al-'Ibaadaat - Page 344

• Regarding kissing the Yemeni corner

Question: Is it permissible to kiss the Yemeni corner (of the Ka'bah)?

Answer: Kissing the Yemeni corner (ar-Rukn al-Yamaanee) is not confirmed from the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Any act of worship which is not confirmed from the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is an innovation and not something which draws one near to Allah. So based upon this, it is not legislated for a person to kiss the Yemeni corner since this is not confirmed upon the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Rather, it has been mentioned in a weak hadeeth that can not be used as proof.

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen
al-Bid'u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa Asla lahu - Page 388;
Fiqh al-'Ibaadaat - Page 348

• Regarding making the talbiyyah as a group in chorus

Question: What is the ruling regarding making the Talbiyah as a group in chorus?

Answer: Some of the pilgrims make the talbiyah as a group in chorus, so one of them is either at the front, middle or behind and makes the talbiyah whilst all of them follow him in chorus. This has not been mentioned on the authority of (any of) the companions. Rather, Anas Ibn Maalik said:

(We were with the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) (on the Hajj al-Wadaa' (farewell pilgrimage)) and from amongst us were those who recited "Allaahu Akbar" and those who recited "Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah" and those who reicted the talbiyyah).

This is (what has been) legislated for the Muslims, whereby each one then makes talbiyah on his own without joining together with others.

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen
al-Bid'u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa Asla lahu - Page 394;
Fiqh al-'Ibaadaat - Page 343

• Regarding the mistakes which occur during the tawaaf

Question: There are some mistakes which occur whilst making tawaaf, what are those mistakes?

Answer: Many pilgrims adhere to specific supplications whilst making tawaf. There are groups from amongst them that take (their supplications) from one designated to read and then they all repeat this as a group in chorus. This is a mistake from two points:

Firstly: This is adhering to a supplication which is not mentioned to be adhered to in the this place (tawaf) because no specific supplication has been mentioned on the authority of the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) whilst performing tawaf;

Secondly: The group supplication in chorus is an innovation, which also interferes with the (concentration of) other pilgrims making tawaf. That which is legislated is for everyone to supplicate on their own without raising the voices.

Shaykh Ibn Fowzaan
al-Bid'u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa Asla lahu - Page 398;
al-Fataawa Fadheelatush-Shaykh Saalih Ibn Fowzaan al-Fowzaan - Volume 2, Page 30

• The ruling regarding washing the stones for stoning (the Jamaraat)

Question: What is the ruling regarding washing the stones for stoning (the Jamaraat)?

Answer: They should not be washed. Rather, if a person washes them with the intention of worshipping Allaah (by this action), then this is an innovation because the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not do this.

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen
al-Bid'u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa asla lahu - Page 404