Hajj Akber

Misconception: ‘It’s Hajj-E-Akbar If 9th (Arafah) Falls On Friday!’

“Alhamdulillah, the 9th day is Friday! We’ll get to perform Hajj-e-akbar!” “Hajj-e-akbar mabrook!” “Performing Hajj-e-akbar has greater rewards than an ordinary Hajj…”

THESE are some statements we hear from people that leave us confused as to what is right. There is a common misconception regarding “Hajj-e-Akbar” that if the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah falls on a Friday, then it is called a “Hajj-e-Akbar” meaning greater Hajj. If it doesn’t, then it is called “Hajj-e-Asghar”, meaning “minor Hajj”. People think that if they get to perform Hajj-e-Akbar they will be getting extra rewards and that it is superior to Hajj-e-Asghar.

There is no evidence in the Sunnah or from the sayings of the Prophet  regarding such a Hajj-e-Akbar and its virtues.

The greater Hajj is Hajj itself and the minor Hajj is ‘Umrah according to the view of the majority of the scholars . Ibn Hajar  said: “The scholars differed in opinion in regard to what is meant by the minor Hajj, and the majority of them are of the view that it is ‘Umrah. It was also said that the minor Hajj is the day of ‘Arafah and the greater Hajj is the day of Al-Adha [i.e. the day of ‘Eid] as on this day the remaining rituals (of Hajj) are completed…”

The scholars named ‘Umrah the minor Hajj because of the letter of the Prophet  to ‘Amr Ibn Hazm  which reads “‘Umrah is the minor Hajj”.

Hence, we come to know that the greater Hajj is Hajj itself, and there is no extra reward or virtue if the Day of Arafah falls on Friday. Your reward will be according to your sincere intentions and good deeds performed during Hajj.