Q. "What
is the correct term "Hajj-e-Akbar"? It is generally presumed
that the Hajj performed on Friday is called "Hajj-e- Akbar"
and it is a superior kind of Hajj as compared with the Hajj performed
on other days of the week. What is the correct position in Shariah?"
(Ibid)
A. The term used in the Holy Quran is "al-hajj-al-Akbar".
But it does not mean a Hajj performed on Friday, as generally alleged
by ignorant people. The Holy Quran has used this term for the Hajj performed
by the Muslims under the supervis- ion of Sayyidna Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.)
in the year 9 A.H.i.e. one year earlier to the last Hajj of the Holy Prophet
(Sallaho Alaihai Wasallam), and this Hajj (the Hajj of 9 A.H.) was not
performed on Friday. Still, the Holy Quran has called it "al-Hajj-al-
Akbar". It is clear from this that this term has no reference to
Friday.
The Correct meaning of the term, as explained by a large number of the
commentators of the Holy Quran is that the Umrah, which can be performed
at any time throughout the year, was generally called "al-hajj-Asghar"
(the minor Hajj). In order to distinguish hajj from Umrah the former was
named "al-Hajj-al-Akbar" (the greater hajj). Therefore, each
and every hajj is al-hajj-al-akbar, no matter whether it is performed
on Friday or on any other day. The word "Akbar" (greater) is
used only to distinguish it from Umrah which is a minor Hajj.
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