11. Types Of Hajj

There are three forms of Hajj:

1. Ifrad, 

2. Qiran, and 

3. Tamattu. 

Following are descriptions of each.

1. Ifrad:  

In this form of Hajj the pilgrim enters the state of ihram with the niyyah (intention) of Hajj only, saying "Labbayka bi Hajj",  which means "I respond [O Allah], to You with Haj". After completing all the rites of Hajj the pilgrim is released from ihram. 

For such a pilgrim, the sacrifice of an animal is not obligatory. Additionally, he may perform "Umrah after Hajj" if he so choose.

2. Qiran: 

In this form of Hajj the pilgrim enters, ihram with the intention of 'Umrah and Hajj together, saying, "Labbaykka bi hajjin wa umrah," which  means "I respond [O Allah], to You with hajj and umrah." 

Such a pilgrim cannot remove ihram after umrah but must first sacrifice an animal and perform tawaf al-ifadah [circumambulation of the Ka'bah] of hajj.

In his Farewell Pilgrimage the Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam performed this form of hajj  because he has bought a sacrificial animals along with him. After performing umrah he instructed all of the people, except those who had brought sacrificial animals with them, to remove ihram until the time for hajj.

3. Tamattu: 

In this form of hajj upon reaching the meeqat [the place at which the pilgrim is required to assume ihram] the pilgrim enters the state of ihram with the intention of umrah only, saying, "Labbayka bi Umrah" which means "I respond, [O Allah] to You with umrah." 

Once in Makkah he performs tawaf [making seven circuit's around the Ka'ba] and Sa'i [running seven times between as-Safa and al-Marwah]. After shaving the head or shortening the hair he removes ihram thereby completing umrah.

He then is free from all restrictions of ihram. He enters the state of ihram for the second time on the 8th of Dhul- Hijjah with the intention of hajj and remove it after performing all of the hajj rites.

Of the three forms of Hajj tamattu is preferable for those pilgrims who do not bring sacrificial animals along with them, such as those who come from for of places. Those pilgrims who bring sacrificial animals along with them should perform the qiran form of Hajj. In both cases it is obligatory for the pilgrim to sacrifice an animal on the 10th of Dhul- Hijjah. In this regard Allah states:

Faman- tamatta-'a-bil-'Umrati 'ilal Hajji fammastaysara minal - hady. Famal- lam yajid fa-siyaamu salaasati 'ayyamin- fil-Hajji wa sab- 'atin 'izaa raja- 'tum. Tilka 'asharatun- kaamilah.

"Whoever performs umrah [during the hajj months] followed by hajj,  sacrifices such animal as can be obtained with ease. And whoever cannot find [such an animal]- then  a fast of three days while on hajj and off 7 when you have returned [home]. Those are 10 complete [days].