Manasik al-Hajj li-Ibn Taymiyya

Manasik al-Hajj (The Rites of Pilgrimage) is a concise legal treatise on the rituals of Hajj and 'Umrah by the Hanbali scholar Ibn Taymiyya (661–728 AH / 1263–1328 CE) Manasik al-Hajj li-Ibn Ta…+1.

Background and Composition

Ibn Taymiyya authored two distinct treatises on the pilgrimage rites across his lifetime Sharh Umdat al-Fiqh - Ibn…+1. In his early years, before performing Hajj himself, he compiled a manual for certain scholars based on the transmitted sayings of previous jurists, which included numerous specific invocations and mentioned the recommendation of visiting certain historical mosques around Mecca Sharh Umdat al-Fiqh - Ibn…+1. Later in life, he composed this revised and definitive Manasik in response to repeated inquiries from Muslims requesting a brief and clear guide to what most pilgrims require at most times Manasik al-Hajj li-Ibn Ta…+1. In this later work, he relied directly on what had become evident to him from the Prophetic Sunnah rather than adhering strictly to any single school of law, selecting the strongest opinions and occasionally noting differences among jurists Manasik al-Hajj li-Ibn Ta…+1.

Contents and Methodology

The work provides a practical guide through the stages of pilgrimage:

• Ihram and Mawaqit: It begins with entering into ihram and outlines the designated stations (mawaqit): Dhu al-Hulayfa, al-Juhfa, Qarn al-Manazil, Yalamlam, and Dhat 'Irq Majmu al-Fatawa. Ibn Taymiyya addresses common misconceptions, rejecting ungrounded popular beliefs regarding sites such as the well at Dhu al-Hulayfa known as Bi'r 'Ali Majmu al-Fatawa.
• Rites in Mecca and the Sanctuaries: It explains entering Mecca, circumambulation (tawaf), the sa'y between al-Safa and al-Marwa, staying in Mina, the standing at 'Arafah, staying overnight at Muzdalifah, the stoning of the jamarat, the sacrificial slaughter, shaving or trimming hair, and the farewell circumambulation (tawaf al-wada').
• Adherence to the Sunnah and Critique of Innovations: The treatise emphasizes adhering strictly to authenticated Prophetic practice, clarifying non-legislated practices and popular additions to pilgrimage rites Manasik al-Hajj li-Ibn Ta…+1.

Transmission, Editions, and Commentaries

The book was cataloged by classical biographers such as Ibn 'Abd al-Hadi in al-'Uqud al-Durriyya and al-Sarim al-Manki—where he cited passages from both the early and the later versions—and by Ibn al-Mubarrad in Mu'jam al-Kutub Kashf al-Niqab an Muallaf…+1. The text originally occupied approximately two quires (kurrasatayn) and was included within the compilation Majmu' al-Fatawa (volume 26), spanning around sixty pages Kashf al-Niqab an Muallaf…+1.

The treatise was printed in Egypt at al-Matba'a al-'Amira in 1323 AH Manasik al-Hajj li-Ibn Ta…. Modern critical editions include those edited by 'Ali al-'Umran and published by Dar 'Alam al-Fawa'id in Mecca, as well as an edition collated against four manuscripts by Anas ibn 'Adil al-Yatama Manasik al-Hajj li-Ibn Ta…+1. It was also abridged by Husayn ibn Muhammad Al al-Shaykh under the title Mukhtasar Mansak Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyya and commented upon in recorded lectures by contemporary scholars, including Abd al-Karim al-Khudayr Mukhtasar Mansak Shaykh a…+1.