Haj is one of the best forms of worship and one of the most sublime deeds because it's one of the pillars of Islam. A Muslim's religion is incomplete without it. (Any) worship is only acceptable when the following is true: u One devotes it to Allah alone, with a desire for the Hereafter. It cannot be done with the intention of being seen among people or for worldly gain. u One follows the Prophet's example, in words and deeds. This cannot be accomplished except by gaining knowledge of the Sunnah. The three types of Haj: Tamattu: A pilgrim wears Ihram for Umrah only during the months of Haj, which means when a pilgrim reaches Makkah, he/she makes Tawaf and Sa'i for Umrah. Then shaves or clips the hair. On the day of Tarwiya, which is the eighth of Dhul Hijja, the pilgrim puts on his Ihram for Haj only and carries out all of its requirements. Ifrad: A pilgrim wears Ihram for Haj only. When he reaches Makkah, he performs Tawaf for his arrival and Sa'i for Haj. He doesn't shave or clip his hair as he doesn't disengage from Ihram. Instead, he remains in Ihram till after he stones Jamrah Al-Aqaba on the Eid day. It is permissible for him to postpone his Sa'i for Haj until after his Tawaf for Haj. Qiran: A pilgrim wears Ihram for both Umrah and Haj or he wears Ihram first for Umrah, then makes intentions for Haj before his Tawaf for Haj. The obligations on one performing Ifrad are the same as those on one performing Qiran, except that the latter must slaughter whereas the former is not obligated to do so. The best of the three forms is Tamattu. It is the form that the Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged his followers to perform. Even if a pilgrim makes his intention to perform Qiran or Ifrad he is allowed to change his intention to Tamattu. He can do this even after he has performed Tawaf and Sa'i. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed Tawaf and Sa'i during the year of the Farewell Haj with his Companions, he ordered all those who hadn't brought sacrificial animals to change their intention for Haj into intention for Umrah. cut their hair, and disengage from Ihram till Haj. He said, “If I hadn't brought the sacrificial animal, I would have done what I have ordered you to do.” – Excerpt from the book How to Perform the Rituals of Haj and Umrah __
