What is Hajj in Islam
What Is Hajj in Islam?
Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to the sacred city of Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia. It is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam, making it a core religious duty for Muslims who are physically and financially able to perform it at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage takes place during the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
Religious Significance
Hajj is both a spiritual journey and a form of worship commanded by Allah (God) in the Qur’an. It commemorates the trials, sacrifices, and devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), his wife Hajar (Hagar), and their son Ismail (Ishmael). Central to Hajj is the Kaaba, a cube-shaped building in the Masjid al-Haram mosque, which Muslims face during daily prayers.
The pilgrimage symbolizes:
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Submission to God’s will
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Unity of the Muslim Ummah (community), as millions gather regardless of race, nationality, or status
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Spiritual purification, as sins are believed to be forgiven for those who complete Hajj sincerely
Key Rituals of Hajj
The pilgrimage lasts five to six days, and its main rituals include:
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Ihram – Pilgrims enter a state of spiritual purity, wearing simple white garments (two unstitched cloths for men; modest dress for women) and avoiding certain actions.
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Tawaf – Circling the Kaaba seven times in an anti-clockwise direction.
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Sa’i – Walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah, reenacting Hajar’s search for water.
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Standing at Arafat (Wuquf) – Spending the afternoon in prayer and reflection on the plains of Arafat, considered the spiritual climax of Hajj.
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Muzdalifah – Gathering pebbles after sunset to be used in the stoning ritual.
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Ramy al-Jamarat – Throwing stones at pillars representing the devil’s temptation of Prophet Ibrahim.
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Animal sacrifice (Qurbani) – Commemorating Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, replaced by God with a ram.
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Final Tawaf (Tawaf al-Wada) – A farewell circumambulation of the Kaaba before leaving Makkah.
Spiritual Rewards
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that a sincere and accepted Hajj removes a person’s sins as if they were newly born. It is a chance for renewal, forgiveness, and deepening of faith.
Hajj and the Global Muslim Community
Hajj is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, attracting over two million pilgrims annually. It is a vivid display of Islam’s universality—people of every culture, color, and language unite in worship of one God.
What Is Hajj?
Hajj is a special trip that Muslims make to the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which are the most important duties for Muslims. Every Muslim who is healthy and can afford it should try to go at least once in their life.
Hajj happens once a year in the month of Dhul-Hijjah (in the Islamic calendar). Millions of people from all over the world come together, wearing simple clothes, to worship Allah.
Why Is Hajj Important?
Hajj is a way to:
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Obey Allah’s command
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Remember the story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his family
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Show that all Muslims are equal before Allah
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Ask Allah to forgive mistakes and sins
What Do People Do During Hajj?
Some important parts of Hajj are:
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Ihram – Wearing plain white clothes and focusing on worship.
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Tawaf – Walking around the Kaaba seven times.
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Sa’i – Walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah, remembering Hajar’s search for water.
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Standing at Arafat – Praying to Allah and asking for forgiveness.
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Stoning the pillars – Throwing small stones to remember how Ibrahim turned away from the devil.
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Sacrifice – Slaughtering an animal to thank Allah.
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Farewell Tawaf – Saying goodbye to the Kaaba before leaving Makkah.
A Special Blessing
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that a person who does Hajj sincerely will come back as pure and free from sin like a newborn baby.
Steps of Hajj (in order)
Before Hajj begins
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Ihram
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Before entering Makkah, pilgrims put on simple white garments (men: two unstitched cloths; women: modest dress) and make the niyyah (intention) for Hajj.
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They recite Talbiyah: “Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk…” (Here I am, O Allah, here I am).
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Certain things become forbidden (e.g., cutting hair, using perfume, fighting).
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Day 1 – 8th Dhul-Hijjah (Yawm al-Tarwiyah)
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Travel to Mina
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Pilgrims go to Mina and pray Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr there, shortening prayers but not combining them.
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The night is spent in Mina.
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Day 2 – 9th Dhul-Hijjah (Day of Arafah)
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Journey to Arafat
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After Fajr in Mina, pilgrims head to Mount Arafat.
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From Dhuhr to Maghrib, they stand in prayer and reflection (Wuquf)—this is the most important part of Hajj.
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Missing Arafat invalidates the Hajj.
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Evening in Muzdalifah
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After sunset, pilgrims leave Arafat for Muzdalifah, pray Maghrib and Isha, then sleep under the open sky.
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They collect small pebbles (for the stoning ritual).
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Day 3 – 10th Dhul-Hijjah (Eid al-Adha)
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Stoning at Jamarat al-Aqabah
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Throw 7 pebbles at the largest pillar (symbolizing the devil).
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Animal Sacrifice (Qurbani)
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A sheep, goat, or other permissible animal is sacrificed (often done through an organized service).
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Shaving or Cutting Hair
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Men shave heads or trim hair; women cut a small portion.
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This marks partial exit from Ihram—some restrictions are lifted.
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Tawaf al-Ifadah & Sa’i
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Return to Makkah to circle the Kaaba 7 times (Tawaf) and walk between Safa and Marwah (Sa’i).
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Full Ihram restrictions are now lifted.
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Days 4 & 5 – 11th & 12th Dhul-Hijjah
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Stoning All Three Jamarat
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Each day after midday, pilgrims throw 7 pebbles at each of the three pillars (small, middle, large).
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Pilgrims may leave after the 12th or stay for the 13th to repeat the stoning.
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Final Step
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Tawaf al-Wada (Farewell Tawaf)
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Before leaving Makkah, pilgrims perform a final 7 circuits around the Kaaba as a goodbye.
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