Refresher & Advanced · Worship Refresher

Pilgrimage and Worship Etiquette

Test your knowledge of specific rituals and rulings in Hajj, 'Umrah, and prayer.

7 questions · Hard · about 4 minutes

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7 questions, about 4 minutes.

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Show questions and answers Spoilers: every answer and explanation for all 7 questions.

1. What is the basic rule about what a male muhrim may wear?

  • He may wear what is not specifically forbidden and is not tailored to fit the body or limbs. (correct answer)
  • He may wear ordinary shirts and trousers if they are loose.
  • He may only wear garments explicitly listed as allowed.
  • He may wear perfumed clothing if the scent is light.

Why

The basic principle is that the muhrim may wear what he likes except what the Prophet ﷺ forbade, such as shirts, trousers, burnooses, turbans, khuffayn without need, and clothing dyed with saffron or wars. “Stitched clothing” does not mean any cloth that has stitching; it means clothing tailored to the size or shape of a limb or the whole body. A wrapped cloth used like an izar to cover the ‘awrah is permissible if it is not tailored like trousers or underwear.

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2. What is the ruling if someone enters ihram for ‘umrah and then decides not to complete it without a valid excuse?

  • It is haram, and he must complete the ‘umrah. (correct answer)
  • It is permissible because ‘umrah can always be cancelled.
  • It only requires saying the Talbiyah again.
  • It turns automatically into tawaf al-wada‘.

Why

Once a person has begun Hajj or ‘umrah by forming the intention and entering ihram, he must complete it. He does not have the right to cancel it simply because he changes his mind. If he stipulated a condition when entering ihram and the feared obstacle occurs, then he may exit ihram according to that condition. Otherwise, cancelling the intention does not cancel the ihram. If someone did prohibited acts out of ignorance or forgetfulness, he is excused from fidyah according to the cited ruling, but he must still repent if he cancelled without a valid excuse and complete the ritual properly.

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3. What is the ruling if a few hairs accidentally protrude from a woman’s hijab during prayer?

  • The prayer is valid because a very small accidental exposure is overlooked. (correct answer)
  • The prayer is invalid in every case.
  • She must stop the prayer immediately even if it is only a few hairs.
  • Hair does not need to be covered during prayer.

Why

A woman’s hair is ‘awrah in prayer, so she should take proper precautions before praying and wear a covering that does not allow hair to show. If only a few hairs protrude through small gaps, this does not invalidate the prayer because it is insignificant. If a large amount becomes uncovered and she notices it, she should cover it immediately; if she leaves it uncovered after becoming aware, the prayer is invalid and must be repeated. If she only notices after the prayer, her prayer is not invalidated.

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4. Where should a worshipper generally look during prayer?

  • At the place of prostration, except in tashahhud where he looks toward the pointing finger. (correct answer)
  • Straight ahead throughout the entire prayer.
  • At the ceiling during ruku‘.
  • At the fingertip throughout the entire prayer.

Why

The majority view cited is that it is recommended for the worshipper to fix his gaze on the place of prostration during prayer, and this supports khushu‘. There is an exception in the tashahhud, where the worshipper looks toward the pointing finger. During ruku‘, the worshipper should not raise or lower the head; rather, the head and gaze should remain in a balanced posture, with the head level with the back.

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5. When is it Sunnah for the Haji to offer the hadiy sacrifice?

  • On the Day of Eid, the tenth of Dhu’l-Hijjah. (correct answer)
  • Immediately after exiting ihram for ‘umrah.
  • Whenever he returns to his home country.
  • After completing sa‘i between as-Safa and al-Marwah.

Why

The hadiy sacrifice is connected to the rituals of Hajj and is offered in the sacred land, not in the pilgrim’s home country. It is obligatory for those doing tamattu‘ or qiraan, and recommended for one doing ifraad. The Sunnah is to slaughter the sacrifice on the Day of Eid, the tenth of Dhu’l-Hijjah. A pilgrim does not have to offer another sacrifice at home, though leaving money with his family for an udhiyah on Eid is good.

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6. What should a worshipper do if his gums bleed slightly while he is praying?

  • Spit the blood into a tissue and continue praying. (correct answer)
  • Swallow it because it is a natural bodily function.
  • Stop praying and repeat wudu in every case.
  • Ignore the blood and leave it in his mouth deliberately.

Why

Blood from the gums should not be swallowed, whether in prayer or outside prayer. If a person deliberately swallows it while praying, the prayer is invalid because it resembles eating in prayer; if it reaches the throat involuntarily, the prayer remains valid. Slight gum bleeding is usually overlooked, so the worshipper should spit it into a tissue while praying, especially in a mosque. Blood from the mouth or teeth does not invalidate wudu according to the more correct view cited, but a large amount of blood that gets on the body or clothes should be washed off.

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7. What is the ruling on swallowing saliva after rinsing the mouth during wudu while fasting?

  • It does not matter if the rinsing water was spat out first. (correct answer)
  • It always breaks the fast.
  • It requires expiation.
  • It is forbidden because all mouth moisture must be removed.

Why

After rinsing the mouth during wudu, the fasting person should spit out the water. He should not go to extremes in spitting repeatedly, because that can lead to waswaas. If he deliberately swallows actual water left in his mouth after rinsing, he has broken the fast and must make up that day. But if he spat out the water and then swallowed normal saliva or residual wetness, that does not break the fast because avoiding it is difficult.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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