With the collaboration of Abdolhadi Mas`udi,

1^st ed., 1997, 404 pages, Arabic

Dar al-Hadith, Qom, Iran

The importance attached by Mus­lims to the practice of hajj has pro­mpted the writing of numerous wor­ks on the subject, dealing with its secrets and rites. None the less, the­re was as yet no book that dealt with this important divine obligation and related issues from the viewpoints of Shi`ite and Sunni hadiths and that elaborated its significant and constructive role. As a result, the author intends to make a sys­tematic and novel examination of the subject based on the Holy Quran and Hadith.

In this work, a part of the Encyc­lopedia of Mizan al-Hikmah, the au­thor makes an attempt to elaborate the foundations of the Abrahamic and Muhammadan hajj and to dis­cuss its social and personal aspects as reflected in the Holy Quran and sunnah. He also discusses the impo­rtant points that should be taken into account during the pilgrimage to the two Holy Shrines. The work is arranged in three parts: the exa­lted Mecca, hajj and `umrah (the minor hajj), and the Medina Munawarah (Illuminated). Each part, in several chapters, elab­orates the relevant rituals and practices. 

Part one discusses the characteristics, virtues and rites rela­ting to the exalted Mecca and its holy sites, i.e. the Ka'ba, Al-Masjid al-Haram.

Part two elaborates the character­istics, virtues, rites and bles­sings of hajj and `umrah.

Part three is devoted to the vir­tues of Medina as well as to those of the holy sites and the history of their establishment. It also presents a nu­mber of hadiths relating to the rew­ards, ben­efits and rites of pilgri­mage to the Shrine of the Holy Pro­phet (PB­UH), the tombs of the Shi`ite Imams (PBUT) who are laid to rest at Baqi’ as well as paying homage to Hadhrat Fati­mah al-Zahra. (SA). Each chapter opens with relevant Quranic ver­ses and goes on to present, chronologically, the hadiths of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the Infallible Imams (PBUT).

The work has been translated in­to Persian and is published, along wi­th the Arabic text, with the follo­wing bibliographical data: Hajj wa `Umrah in the Holy Quran and Ha­dith, trans. Javad Mohaddesi, Qom: Dar al-Hadith, 1^st ed., 631 pages. 

A selection of this work is also published with the follo­wing biblio_­graphical data: The Im­age of Hajj and `Umrah, trans. Ja­vad Mohad­desi, summariz­ation by Abdolhadi Mas`udi, Qom: Dar al-Hadith, 1^st ed., 2001, 130 pages. 

The shorter version is a small volume, which elaborates the characteristics of Mecca as well as the rituals relating to ent­ering and leaving of the city. The pilgrims can carry it along with them during the entire hajj pilgrimage, from Miqat [where the pilgrims wear pilgrimage garb (ihram) and start their pilgri­m­mage] and ihram to the circumambulation around the Kaaba and the walk (sa`y) between Safa and Marwa. The book also includes the supplications relating to each rite and their wis­dom. It is arranged according to the order of the performance of the obligatory and recommended rites of hajj and `umrah. The book concludes with the rites of pilgrimage and ziyarats (pra­yers recited during visiting the shrines of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), Hadhrat Fatimah (PBUH) and the Infallible Imams (PBUT) buried at Baqi`, and the martyrs of Uhud. There are also a few small maps assisting the pilgrim in identifying the sites and rituals of hajj. 

A selection of the contents of the same book is published with the following bibliographical data: Ad`iyyah al-hajj wa Adabuhu, summarization by Abdolhadi Mas`udi, Qom: Dar al-Hadith, 1998, Pocket size. The Persian translation of this sum­mary is published with these bibliographical data: The Prayers and Rites of Hajj and `Umrah, trans. Javad Mohaddesi, Qom: Dar al-Hadith, 1^st ed., 1998, 152 pages, Pocket size.