Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, that is mandatory for all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey and supporting their family during their absence from home. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which are the fundamental practices and institutions of the religion. The pilgrimage is a spiritual, emotional, and physical challenge that tests the patience and temperament of the pilgrim.
The Hajj occurs in Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, between the eighth and 13th days of the month. The pilgrimage rite begins on the 7th day of Dhū al-Ḥijjah and ends on the 12th day. The Hajj is associated with the life of Islamic prophet Muhammad from the 7th century AD, but the ritual of pilgrimage to Mecca stated in Muslim sources stretches back to the time of Abraham.
The key steps of the Hajj include:
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Intent and Ihram: The very first rite of Hajj is to make a pure intention and to enter ihram – a pilgrims sacred state – when crossing the outer boundaries of Mecca, called Miqat.
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Tawaf: Muslims circle the Kaaba in Mecca counter-clockwise seven times while reciting prayers.
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Say: Pilgrims walk between two hills in a reenactment of Hagar’s search for water for her son Ishmael.
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Mina: Pilgrims spend the night in Mina, a tent city outside of Mecca.
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Arafat: Pilgrims gather in Arafat, a plain outside of Mecca, to pray and ask for forgiveness.
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Muzdalifah: Pilgrims gather stones for throwing in a ritual that symbolizes Abrahams defiance of the devil and is conducted upon returning to Mina the following day.
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Tawaf al-Ifadah: Pilgrims return to Mecca to perform another tawaf.
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Farewell Tawaf: Pilgrims perform a final tawaf before leaving Mecca.
The Hajj is a profound spiritual experience that wipes away sins, brings Muslims closer to God, and highlights Muslim unity. It is a unifying force in Islam by bringing followers of diverse backgrounds together in religious celebration. Once a believer has completed the pilgrimage, he or she may add the title ḥājj or ḥajjī (for a male) or ḥājjah (for a female) to their name.
