The Hajj

What is Hajj?

  • Annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
  • Visiting holy places and performing religious rites.
  • Prescribed by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
  • One of the five pillars of Islam.
  • Must be performed once in a lifetime if financially and physically able.

Hajj in Sacred Islamic Writings

  • Qur'an (3:96): First House (of Prayer) at Bakkah (Makkah) is a blessed place and guidance for all peoples.
  • Qur'an (3:97): Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to God by those who can afford it.
  • Hadith: Performing Hajj without obscenity and wrongdoing results in purity from sins.

Rituals of Hajj

  • Three types of Hajj:
    1. Qiran: Performing Umrah and Hajj together.
    2. Tamattu: Performing Umrah and Hajj separately.
    3. Ifrad: Performing only Hajj.
  • Hajj Tamattu (most popular):
    • Pilgrims arrive before Hajj and perform Umrah.
    • Umrah: Ihram, Tawaf (circumambulation of Ka'bah), Sa’y (walking between Safa and Marwa).
    • After Umrah: Exit Ihram until 8th of Dhul Hijjah.
    • 8th Dhul Hijjah: Re-enter Ihram, proceed to Mina.
    • 9th Dhul Hijjah: Proceed to Mount Arafat for supplication and prayer until sunset, then move to Muzdalifah.
    • 10th Dhul Hijjah: Stone the largest devil (Jamarat ul-Aqaba), sacrifice animal, exit Ihram, perform Tawaf al-Ifadhah and Sa’y in Mecca.
    • 11th Dhul Hijjah: Stone each pillar at Jamarat seven times.
    • 12th Dhul Hijjah: Stone each pillar at Jamarat seven times, perform farewell Tawaf if departing Mecca.
    • Pilgrims usually stay in Saudi Arabia for one or two weeks, visiting important sites in Mecca and Madinah.

Islamic Ethics Expressed Through Hajj

  • Equality of all Human Beings:
    • Ihram clothing symbolizes equality.
    • Interaction with Muslims from all backgrounds.
    • Practical way of developing equality by removing racism.
  • Detachment from the Load of Sin:
    • Seeking forgiveness before departure.
    • Repenting to God.
    • Rules of Ihram connect to behavior of a Muslim.

Islamic Beliefs Associated With Hajj

  • Tawhid: Represents the largest concentric circle around which the Muslim institution of prayer is built.
  • Worship: Individual and collective worship connecting with monotheism symbolized by Abraham and Adam.
  • Connection with Messengers of God:
    • Adam and Eve: Mount Arafat meeting point.
    • Abraham: Leaving Hagar and Ishmael, Zamzam well, Sa’y ritual, sacrifice of Ishmael, rebuilding of Ka'bah.
  • Remembrance of the Day of Judgement: Masses moving in unison, stripped of worldly possessions.
  • Hajj in Context of Other Pillars:
    • Shahadah: Detachment from false masters.
    • Salat: Detachment from worldly affairs.
    • Zakat: Detachment from wealth.
    • Fasting: Detachment from physical desires.
    • Hajj: Detachment from sins and racism.

Impact of Hajj

  • Equality of all Human Beings: Realizing the universality of Islam.
  • Connecting Point for Muslims: Sharing ideas and experiences.
  • Developing Mental Strength: Determination, perseverance, patience.

Impact of Hajj on the Individual

  • Brings the pilgrim closer to God.
  • Reminded of departure from this world to the Hereafter.
  • Connects to universal monotheism.
  • Increases gratitude to God.
  • Development of Mental, Spiritual and Physical Strength.

Impact of Hajj on the Community

  • Creates universal brotherhood/sisterhood.
  • Greatest social event in the Muslim world.
  • Increases God-consciousness.
  • Removes division between religious interpretations.