what is good. Allah—Mighty and Majestic—says:

“Do not choose the bad from it to give in charity.” [al-Baqarah: 267]

He, Most High, also says:

“Allah accepts only from those who are mindful of Him.” [al-Mā’idah: 27]

Section: The Obligatory Elements of Hajj

The obligatory elements of Hajj are four: intention, circumambulating the House, going between al-Safā and al-Marwah, and standing at ‘Arafah. Ibn al-Mājishūn held that standing at al-Mash‘ar al-Harām (the Sacred Monument) is obligatory, on account of the words of Allah—Mighty and Majestic:

“Remember Allah at the Sacred Monument.” [al-Baqarah: 198]

The evidence that it is not obligatory is that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, sent the weaker women and children ahead from Muzdalifah to Minā. He did not do so at ‘Arafah, even though the need for such a concession was more pressing there. Ibn al-Mājishūn also held that stoning Jamrat al-‘Aqabah is obligatory.

Section

Bathing during Hajj is recommended on three occasions: when entering ihram, when entering Mecca, and for standing at ‘Arafah. The most emphatically recommended of these is bathing to enter ihram. This involves rubbing the body and cleansing it thoroughly, and menstruating women and women with postnatal bleeding also perform this bath. As for bathing to enter Mecca and for standing at ‘Arafah, it does not involve such rubbing and thorough cleansing. It is reported that Ibn ‘Umar would not wash his head when performing this bath, and Ibn Habīb recommended this practice.

Menstruating women and women with postnatal bleeding bathe for standing at ‘Arafah, since they stand there even while not ritually pure. For entering Mecca, they bathe at Dhū Tuwā and do not postpone their bath until the time of entry, because they do not enter the House. Success comes from Allah.