Types of Hajj: Ifrad, Qiran and Tamattu
Short answer: There are three types of Hajj: Ifrad, Qiran and Tamattu. The difference is whether Umrah is performed with Hajj, and how. Most pilgrims from Pakistan perform Hajj-e-Tamattu, because they arrive well before Hajj.
At a glance
| Type | Ihram | Umrah | Dam-e-shukr (sacrifice) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ifrad | For Hajj only | No | Not wajib |
| Qiran | For Hajj and Umrah together | Yes, in the same Ihram | Wajib |
| Tamattu | First for Umrah, then separately for Hajj | Yes, in a separate Ihram | Wajib |
The three types in detail
Hajj-e-Ifrad
- Ihram is entered at the Miqat with the intention of Hajj only.
- No Umrah is performed with the Hajj.
- You remain in Ihram until halq or qasr on 10 Dhul Hijjah.
- Dam-e-shukr is not wajib, though you may offer a voluntary sacrifice.
Hajj-e-Qiran
- Ihram is entered at the Miqat with the intention of both Hajj and Umrah together.
- On reaching Makkah you perform Umrah, but you do not leave Ihram.
- Hajj is performed in the same Ihram, which ends on 10 Dhul Hijjah.
- Dam-e-shukr is wajib.
- According to the Hanafi school, Qiran is the most virtuous of the three, but staying in Ihram for a long time is difficult.
Hajj-e-Tamattu
- During the months of Hajj, Ihram is entered at the Miqat for Umrah only.
- After Umrah you leave Ihram with halq or qasr.
- On 8 Dhul Hijjah you enter a new Ihram for Hajj from Makkah.
- Dam-e-shukr is wajib.
The full details are on the “How to Perform Hajj-e-Tamattu” page.
Fard and wajib acts of Hajj
Fard (if any is missed, the Hajj is not valid):
- Ihram
- Wuquf at Arafat
- Tawaf al-Ziyarah
Main wajib acts (if missed, a dam is usually required):
- Wuquf at Muzdalifah
- Sa’i between Safa and Marwah
- Rami (stoning) of the Jamarat
- Halq or qasr
- For Qiran and Tamattu: dam-e-shukr, and the order of rami, sacrifice and halq on 10 Dhul Hijjah
- Tawaf al-Wida for those coming from outside the Miqat
Do
- Decide before you leave which type of Hajj you will perform, and make your intention accordingly.
- Learn the rulings of Hajj in advance from your group’s scholar or Hajj trainer.
- Arrange your dam-e-shukr in advance.
Don’t
- Don’t leave Ihram after Umrah if you entered Ihram for Qiran.
- Don’t decide rulings yourself; if in doubt, ask a reliable scholar.
Common mistakes
- Intending Tamattu but treating the Ihram as Qiran, or the other way round.
- Thinking dam-e-shukr is wajib on everyone. It is not wajib for Ifrad.
- Treating Tawaf al-Wida as optional.
Frequently asked questions
Which are the months of Hajj? Shawwal, Dhul Qadah and the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
What if I can’t afford the sacrifice? A pilgrim performing Qiran or Tamattu who cannot afford the sacrifice must fast ten days: three during Hajj before 10 Dhul Hijjah, and seven after Hajj. Ask a reliable scholar for the details.
Why do most Pakistani pilgrims perform Tamattu? Because they arrive days or weeks before Hajj, and in Tamattu they can leave Ihram after Umrah and stay comfortably until Hajj.