Introduction

Today we will learn by which mistake of a person Hajj becomes invalid (that is, it breaks), and when Hajj is missed (fawt).

Hadith: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Take your rites (of Hajj) from me.” (Sahih Muslim 1297) 

What Invalidates Hajj

There is only one thing that invalidates Hajj, that is, breaks it: intimacy with one’s wife, meaning fulfilling the marital rights between husband and wife.

Its detail is this: when a person puts on the ihram for Hajj on 8th Dhul Hijjah, being intimate with his wife becomes forbidden for him after that. This remains so until he performs Tawaf-e-Ziyarat.

Hadith: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever performs Hajj for the sake of Allah and does not commit rafath (sexual relations or lewd speech) nor fusūq (disobedience), he returns (free of sins) as on the day his mother gave birth to him.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1521, Sahih Muslim 1350) 

Ruling if Intimacy Occurs Before Standing at Arafat

But if a person was intimate with his wife before the standing at Arafat (wuqoof-e-Arafah), his Hajj becomes invalid. Now this person will not abandon the rest of the rites of Hajj. That means he will complete all the rites, and as expiation (kaffārah) he will sacrifice one dam, that is, a goat, a sheep, or one share of a large animal. He will also make up (qaḍā) this Hajj the following year.

Ruling if Intimacy Occurs After Standing at Arafat but Before Tawaf-e-Ziyarat

But if a person was intimate with his wife after standing at Arafat and before Tawaf-e-Ziyarat, the Hajj will not become invalid. However, as expiation, he will have to sacrifice a large animal, that is, a camel, a cow, etc.

The Same Rule Applies to Umrah

The same applies to Umrah. When a person puts on the ihram with the intention of Umrah, his wife becomes forbidden for him until he performs the Tawaf of Umrah.

• If intimacy occurs before the tawaf: the Umrah becomes invalid. Making up that Umrah (qaḍā) will be obligatory, and a dam as expiation will also be obligatory.
• If intimacy occurs after the tawaf: the Umrah will not become invalid. However, one dam will be obligatory.
• After completing the Umrah: when the person completes the Umrah, that is, takes off the ihram after shaving (ḥalq) or trimming (qaṣr), his wife becomes fully lawful for him.

Fawāt-e-Hajj (Missing the Hajj)

Finally, I will also tell you about what happens when Hajj is missed (fawt). Its detail is this: if a person cannot reach the plain of Arafat on 9th Dhul Hijjah, even for a single moment, his Hajj is missed (fawt).

Hadith: ‘Urwah ibn Mudarris (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the Prophet ﷺ at Muzdalifah and asked whether his Hajj was valid. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever attends this prayer (Fajr at Muzdalifah) with us and had come to Arafat before that, by night or by day, his Hajj is complete and he has fulfilled his rites.” (Sunan Abi Dawud 1950, Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 891, Sunan an-Nasa’i 3041, Sunan Ibn Majah 3016. Graded sahih by Al-Albani.) 

Ruling for One Who Misses Hajj

• The remaining rites of Hajj will no longer be obligatory on him.
• Performing Hajj the next year will be obligatory on him.
• No kind of expiation will be obligatory on him.
• However, in place of this Hajj, performing an Umrah will be obligatory. That is, he comes back to Makkah, performs tawaf, shaves or trims his hair, and takes off the ihram.

Case 1: Hajj-e-Ifrād (حَجّ الإِفْرَاد)

All of the above applies when this is Hajj-e-Ifrād. Hajj-e-Ifrād means that at the time of putting on the ihram, the person makes the intention for Hajj only.

Case 2: Hajj-e-Tamattu (حَجّ التَّمَتُّع) 

Hajj-e-Tamattu’ means that at the time of putting on the ihram, the person intends to perform Umrah only, take off the ihram, and then put on the ihram again for Hajj. Now, if the standing at Arafat is missed, the Tamattu’ Hajj is also missed, and the sacrifice (dam) that was obligatory on him as a thanksgiving sacrifice (?) is also lost. However, in place of Hajj he will perform an Umrah and take off the ihram, meaning he comes back to Makkah, performs tawaf, shaves or trims, and takes off the ihram.

Case 3: Hajj-e-Qirān (حَجّ القِرَان)

If the standing at Arafat is missed by someone performing Hajj-e-Qirān for some reason, Hajj-e-Qirān means the person performs both Umrah and Hajj with one ihram. He has the choice to do Hajj first and Umrah afterwards, but if he had performed the Umrah first, then his ruling is also that of Hajj-e-Tamattu’, and the make-up (qaḍā) will be the next year.

If he had not performed the Umrah before, then the rest of the ruling will be the same. However, two Umrahs will now be obligatory on him: one that he had intended at the time of putting on the ihram, which he will perform first, and then afterwards the second Umrah in place of the Hajj. Then he will take off the ihram and become lawful.

Conclusion

Only one thing invalidates Hajj: intimacy with one’s wife after putting on the ihram. If it happens before the standing at Arafat, the Hajj is invalid and must be completed, expiated with a dam, and made up the following year. If it happens after Arafat but before Tawaf-e-Ziyarat, the Hajj stands, but a large animal must be sacrificed. Hajj is missed entirely if a person cannot reach Arafat on 9th Dhul Hijjah. In that case, an Umrah is performed in its place, and Hajj is repeated the next year. Learn these rulings before you travel, and consult a qualified scholar if you are ever unsure.

Author Bio:

The author is an Islamic content writer and researcher associated with Tajweed Ul Quran Worldwide, dedicated to sharing authentic Islamic knowledge in a simple way. Through practical content on Hajj, Umrah, Quran, Sunnah, and Duas, the author helps pilgrims prepare for their journey. If you’re learning about the men’s and women’s hajj-umrah differences, click here to learn more.