What Are the Types of Hajj? Ifrad, Tamattu’ and Qiran Hajj

The types of Hajj are three distinct ways of performing it, which determine how the Hajj candidate combines Hajj and Umrah and with what intention they enter ihram: Ifrad, Tamattu’ and Qiran. In all three types, the obligatory (fard) and necessary (wajib) acts of Hajj are the same; the differences lie in the intention, the length of time spent in ihram, the number of tawafs and sa’is, and the obligation to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving. In this article, based on the Hanafi school and the explanations of Diyanet (Türkiye’s Presidency of Religious Affairs), you will find how each type of Hajj is performed, who it suits, and the differences between them, together with a comparison table.

What Are the Types of Hajj?

Hajj is divided into three types according to the way it is performed. This distinction depends on whether the Hajj candidate performs Umrah during the months of Hajj, and whether they perform Umrah and Hajj with separate ihrams or with a single ihram. Whichever type is chosen, ihram, the standing at Arafat and the tawaf of visitation remain unchanged as the obligatory acts of Hajj.

• Ifrad Hajj: Hajj performed by entering ihram for Hajj alone.
• Tamattu’ Hajj: During the months of Hajj, Umrah is performed first and the pilgrim leaves ihram, then enters ihram again for Hajj in the same year.
• Qiran Hajj: The intention is made for Umrah and Hajj at the same time, and both are performed together with a single ihram.

How many types of Hajj are there?

There are three types of Hajj: Ifrad, Tamattu’ and Qiran. These three methods are based on the Companions entering ihram in different ways during the Farewell Hajj of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and they are accepted in all four schools of law. The difference between the schools concerns which of these types is the more virtuous.

What Is Ifrad Hajj and How Is It Performed?

Literally, ifrad means “doing something on its own”. In Ifrad Hajj, the Hajj candidate makes the intention for Hajj alone at the miqat boundary and enters ihram by reciting the talbiyah. In this Hajj, no Umrah is performed during the months of Hajj; the person remains in ihram until they shave or trim their hair on the first day of Eid.

A person performing Ifrad Hajj performs the tawaf of arrival (tawaf al-qudum) when they reach Makkah; according to the Hanafi school, this tawaf is Sunnah. They may perform the Hajj sa’i either after the tawaf of arrival or after the tawaf of visitation, as they wish. They then go out to Mina on the Day of Tarwiyah and to Arafat on the Day of Arafah, and complete their rites like the other pilgrims.

Is a sacrifice required in Ifrad Hajj?

No. The sacrifice of thanksgiving is not necessary (wajib) for a person performing Ifrad Hajj; they may offer a sacrifice as a voluntary (nafl) act if they wish. For this reason, in Ifrad Hajj the order on the first day of Eid is stoning the large pillar followed by shaving or trimming the hair. However, penalty sacrifices required for reasons such as violating the ihram restrictions are outside the scope of this ruling.

What Is Tamattu’ Hajj and How Is It Performed?

Tamattu’ means “to benefit, to make use of”. In this type of Hajj, the Hajj candidate leaves ihram during the period between Umrah and Hajj, becomes free of the ihram restrictions and benefits from this ease. Tamattu’ Hajj is the most commonly chosen method in Hajj organisations from Türkiye.

1. Ihram for Umrah: During the months of Hajj, the intention is made for Umrah alone at the miqat boundary and the talbiyah is recited.
2. Performing Umrah: On arrival in Makkah, the tawaf of Umrah and sa’i are performed, and the pilgrim then leaves ihram by shaving or trimming the hair.
3. Waiting out of ihram: Until the Day of Tarwiyah, the pilgrim spends time in worship in Makkah, free of the ihram restrictions.
4. Ihram for Hajj: On the Day of Tarwiyah or earlier, the pilgrim enters ihram again by making the intention for Hajj from wherever they are staying in Makkah.
5. The Hajj rites: The rites at Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina are performed; during the days of Eid, the sacrifice of thanksgiving is offered and the tawaf of visitation and the Hajj sa’i are carried out.

Those performing Tamattu’ Hajj do not need to perform the tawaf of arrival after entering ihram for Hajj. The Hajj sa’i is usually performed after the tawaf of visitation. You can find the steps of Umrah in detail in our guide on how to perform Umrah.

Is Umrah performed in Tamattu’ Hajj?

Yes. The distinguishing feature of Tamattu’ Hajj is the Umrah performed during the months of Hajj. The Hajj candidate first completes their Umrah and leaves ihram, then performs their Hajj in the same year. In this way, a person performing Tamattu’ Hajj has fulfilled both Umrah and Hajj.

How is the intention for Tamattu’ Hajj made?

In Tamattu’ Hajj, there are two separate intentions. At the miqat, the intention for Umrah is made with the meaning “O Allah, I intend to perform Umrah for Your pleasure; make it easy for me and accept it.” On the Day of Tarwiyah, the intention is made for Hajj in the same way. The essential thing is that the intention is made in the heart; once the talbiyah is recited after the intention, the pilgrim has entered ihram. For details on the intention and the talbiyah, see our article on the intention for ihram.

What happens if you return home between Umrah and Hajj in Tamattu’ Hajj?

According to the Hanafi school, a person performing Tamattu’ Hajj must not return to their home country, that is, to their family, between Umrah and Hajj; if they do return, the ruling of Tamattu’ no longer applies. Visits from Makkah to Madinah, however, are not considered an obstacle to Tamattu’. If you face a particular situation, consult your group’s religious guide.

What Is Qiran Hajj and How Is It Performed?

Qiran means “to combine”. In Qiran Hajj, the Hajj candidate makes the intention for Umrah and Hajj together at the miqat and performs both acts of worship with a single ihram. After completing their Umrah, they do not leave ihram; they remain in ihram until they shave or trim their hair on the first day of Eid.

According to the Hanafi school, a person performing Qiran Hajj first performs tawaf and sa’i for Umrah. They then perform the tawaf of arrival for Hajj and, if they wish, carry out the Hajj sa’i after this tawaf. During the days of Eid, they offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving and perform the tawaf of visitation. As other schools hold the view that a person performing Qiran Hajj may make do with a single tawaf and a single sa’i, in practice the directions of the group’s religious guide should be followed.

Who can perform Qiran Hajj?

Qiran Hajj suits Hajj candidates who are able to remain in ihram for a long time and to observe the ihram restrictions carefully. Those who will arrive in Makkah during the months of Hajj only shortly before the rites begin may choose this method. According to the Hanafi school, Qiran and Tamattu’ Hajj do not apply to those who live in Makkah or within the miqat boundaries; these people perform Ifrad Hajj.

Types of Hajj Comparison Table

You can see the main differences between the three types of Hajj together in the table below.

The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving in Tamattu’ and Qiran Hajj

For those performing Tamattu’ and Qiran Hajj, offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving, in gratitude for the blessing of performing two acts of worship together in one year, is necessary (wajib). The basis of this sacrifice is the Holy Qur’an: in Surah al-Baqarah, it is stated that a person who benefits from Umrah until the time of Hajj should offer whatever sacrifice is easy for them, and that a person who cannot find one should fast for ten days, three during Hajj and seven on returning (al-Baqarah 2:196).

When is the Tamattu’ Hajj sacrifice offered?

According to the Hanafi school, the sacrifice of thanksgiving is offered during the days of Eid and within the boundaries of the Haram area. It is necessary (wajib) for those performing Tamattu’ and Qiran Hajj to keep to the order of stoning the large pillar, offering the sacrifice and shaving or trimming the hair. Today, the slaughter is mostly carried out by proxy through authorised institutions; find out from your group officials how to grant this proxy.

What does someone who cannot afford the sacrifice do?

A pilgrim performing Tamattu’ or Qiran Hajj who does not have the financial means to offer the sacrifice fasts for a total of ten days, as stated in the verse. According to the Hanafi school, three days of this fast are observed during the months of Hajj, after entering ihram for Umrah and before Eid, including the Day of Arafah; the remaining seven days are observed after the Hajj rites have been completed. On the timing of these fasts and what to do if they are missed, follow Diyanet’s current explanations.

Important: The type of Hajj is determined by the intention made when entering ihram at the miqat. Before you travel, find out which type of Hajj your group’s programme is based on, and make your intention accordingly. If you make a mistake or have any doubt about your intention, consult your group’s religious guide without delay.

How Does the First Day of Eid Unfold for Each Type of Hajj?

The first day of Eid is the day on which the difference between the types of Hajj is felt most clearly. Arriving in Mina after the standing at Muzdalifah, pilgrims begin the day’s rites by throwing seven pebbles at the large pillar. The steps that follow then vary according to the type of Hajj being performed.

A person performing Ifrad Hajj may leave ihram by shaving or trimming their hair directly after the stoning; if they wish, they may also offer a voluntary sacrifice. Those performing Tamattu’ and Qiran Hajj, on the other hand, first wait for their sacrifice of thanksgiving to be offered and then shave or trim their hair. According to the Hanafi school, it is necessary (wajib) for these pilgrims to keep to the order of stoning, sacrifice and shaving. If the sacrifice is being carried out by proxy, confirmation that the sacrifice has been offered must be obtained from the group officials before shaving or trimming the hair.

After shaving or trimming the hair, the ihram restrictions come to an end, except for marital intimacy. The tawaf of visitation is common to all three types of Hajj and is performed during the days of Eid. Those performing Tamattu’ Hajj also carry out the Hajj sa’i after this tawaf; pilgrims performing Ifrad and Qiran Hajj who have already performed sa’i after the tawaf of arrival do not repeat the Hajj sa’i. You can find the details of the stoning in our article on stoning the Jamarat.

Which Type of Hajj Should You Choose?

The most decisive factors in choosing the type of Hajj are how long you will stay in the holy lands during the months of Hajj and whether the Hajj candidate can remain in ihram for a long time. For a Hajj candidate who arrives in Makkah weeks before the rites, spending this whole period in ihram can be difficult. Tamattu’ Hajj therefore offers considerable ease on longer programmes.

• If your programme is long and you will arrive in Makkah well before the rites, Tamattu’ Hajj is generally the most practical option.
• If you are able to remain in ihram for a long time and to observe the restrictions meticulously, you may consider Qiran Hajj.
• If you will set out with the intention of Hajj alone, without performing Umrah, or if you live in Makkah, Ifrad Hajj applies.
• For elderly Hajj candidates and those with health problems, the days spent out of ihram bring considerable relief.

Which type of Hajj is the most virtuous?

According to the Hanafi school, the most virtuous type of Hajj is Qiran, followed by Tamattu’ and then Ifrad. In the Shafi’i and Maliki schools, Ifrad is regarded as more virtuous, and in the Hanbali school, Tamattu’. This difference in virtue does not change the fact that all three types are valid and acceptable; what matters is that the Hajj candidate chooses the method best suited to their own situation.

How many days does Tamattu’ Hajj take?

The length of Tamattu’ Hajj depends on the organisation’s overall programme length. While Umrah can be completed within a few hours, the Hajj rites are performed between the 8th and 13th days of Dhu al-Hijjah. The time between Umrah and Hajj varies according to the date on which the group arrives in Makkah.

Common Mistakes Regarding the Types of Hajj

A significant proportion of mistakes regarding the types of Hajj stem from the rules of intention and ihram. As these mistakes can often require a penalty, it is important to be careful:

• Making the intention for Hajj and Umrah together at the miqat even though the group is following a Tamattu’ programme,
• Violating the ihram restrictions after the Tamattu’ Umrah before shaving or trimming the hair,
• In Qiran Hajj, acting against the restrictions in the belief that one has left ihram after Umrah,
• Not paying attention to the order of sacrifice and shaving even though the sacrifice of thanksgiving is necessary (wajib),
• Setting off without having adequately learned the ihram restrictions.

We explain in detail what must be avoided while in ihram in our article on ihram restrictions. To see how Hajj unfolds day by day, take a look at our guide on how to perform Hajj, and for the general differences between Hajj and Umrah, see our article on the differences between Hajj and Umrah.

Whichever type of Hajj you choose, making your intention correctly and learning the rites in advance will help you complete your worship in peace. At RotaNur, we are happy to explain which type of Hajj our programmes are planned around and which options suit you. You can find the details of our programmes on our Hajj tours page, and send us any questions you have through our contact page or our WhatsApp line.

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