Hajj of a Minor and its orders

Hajj of a Minor and its orders

As similar to the other orders of Islam, Hajj is also mandatory on a Minor after one reaches the age of puberty. If a minor offers a Salaat (prayer), keeps a Roza (fast) and performs a Hajj then in this situation it is correct and permissible, though the child posses an intellect and sense or not. When a minor commits some good deed, then even the parents get its reward. Hajj also maintains the same order.

It is given in the Hadith of Sahih Muslim Shareef that once a noble Sahabiya (Lady Companion) (May Allah SWT be well pleased with her) appeared in the graceful presence of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) with her child and said: “O the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam)! Does the Hajj of this boy can also be carried out?” The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: “Yes, the Hajj of him can also be carried out and you too will receive the reward (thawab) of it.” (Sahih Muslim Shareef, Hadith No. 3317)

If a Minor performs a Hajj, it will be regarded as Nafl (optional). If the Hajj becomes Fardh (mandatory), after one reaches the age of puberty; then it is compulsory for him/her to perform Hajj again. (Jamia Tirmidhi Shareef)

If the Minor is understanding, possess a good intellect and sense then he himself should wear Ihram (Hajjis Clothes) and should maintain cleanliness and purity and should even keep the acts before one’s eyes that are compulsory and necessary for one to follow during the state of Ihram and should also perform the rituals by oneself that can be performed and the one which he/she cannot perform, those rituals should be performed by their guardians.

The child who is so young that he/she does not possess any intellect and sense, then in such case the guardian should wear Ihram and perform the rituals on his/her behalf. One should take the minor in his/her laps during the time of Tawaf (rounds made around the Holy Ka’ba) and Sa'e (rounds made between the two holy Mountains of Safa and Marwah) and perform them which will be sufficient enough for both. Similarly at the time of Waqufe A’rafa (pausing at A’rafa) one should also make the Niyyah (intention) even on the behalf of minor. Try your level best to save the minor from the things prohibited during the state of Ihram. If the minor commits some sin, then there will be no compensation on the minor and even on his/her guardian. At the time of Ihram, the stitched clothes should be removed from the body of that child and as usual he/she should also be made to wear the sheets of Ihram.