Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, a core belief and practice that every Muslim must follow. It is a journey to Mecca, a sacred city in Saudi Arabia, where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad received the Quran’s initial revelation from God. For Muslims who are physically and financially capable of doing it, the Hajj is a must once-in-a-lifetime requirement.
Read this article, to know more about Hajj and its main Rituals:
What is Hajj and How to Do It?
Hajj is a spiritual journey that transforms the lives of those who perform it. It is a source of blessings, forgiveness, and peace for Muslims. It also demonstrates unity, diversity, and solidarity among the Muslim community.
Hajj occurs annually in the 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, called Dhul-Hijjah. The exact dates vary each year according to the sighting of the new moon, but in 2023, Hajj is expected to start on June 27 and end on July 1.
Hajj involves a series of rituals that retrace the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), his wife Hajra (Hagar), and his son Ismail (Ishmael), who are revered figures in Islam. Muslims believe that Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice Ismail to obey God, but God intervened and provided a ram instead. Jews and Christians also share this story.
The main rituals of Hajj are:
– Ihram:
This is the state of purity and consecration that pilgrims enter before starting Hajj. They wear simple white garments that symbolize equality and humility. They also abstain from certain actions, such as cutting their hair or nails, wearing perfume, hunting, or engaging in sexual activity.
– Tawaf:
This is the act of circling the Kaaba, the cube-shaped building that Muslims believe was built by Ibrahim and Ismail as the first house of worship for God. The Kaaba is located in the Masjid al-Haram, the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven times in an anti-clockwise direction, while reciting prayers and supplications. They also try to touch or kiss the Black Stone, a sacred relic embedded in one corner of the Kaaba.
– Sa’i:
This is the act of walking or running between two hills, Safa and Marwa, located near the Kaaba. Pilgrims do this seven times, following the example of Hajar, who searched for water for her son Ismail after they were left alone in the desert by Ibrahim. God rewarded her faith by making a spring of water gush out from under Ismail’s feet. This spring is called Zamzam and its water is considered blessed by Muslims.
– Arafat:
This is the most important day of Hajj, when pilgrims gather at a plain called Arafat, about 20 kilometers east of Mecca. They spend the day in prayer and repentance, seeking God’s forgiveness and mercy. They also listen to a sermon delivered by a religious leader at a place called Mount Arafat, where Muhammad gave his farewell sermon to his followers.
– Muzdalifah:
This is an area between Arafat and Mina, where pilgrims spend the night after leaving Arafat. They collect pebbles that they will use for the next ritual.
– Rami al-Jamarat:
This is the act of throwing pebbles at three stone pillars called Jamarat, located in Mina. The pillars represent Satan’s temptations to Ibrahim when he was about to sacrifice Ismail. Pilgrims throw seven pebbles at each pillar, starting from the smallest to the largest, while reciting “Allahu Akbar” (God is great). This ritual symbolizes their rejection of evil and their obedience to God.
– Eid al-Adha:
The Hajj pilgrimage comes to an end with this sacrifice festival. An animal, such as a sheep, goat, cow, or camel, is sacrificed by pilgrims, and its meat is distributed among them, their loved ones, friends, and those in need. This ceremony honors Ibrahim’s willingness to offer Ismail as a sacrifice and God’s kindness in giving a ram in his place. Muslims who are not performing the Hajj around the world also observe Eid al-Adha.
– Tawaf al-Ifadah:
This is another circling of the Kaaba that pilgrims perform after completing all the other rituals. It signifies their completion of Hajj and their gratitude to God.
– Tawaf al-Wida:
This is a farewell circling of the Kaaba that pilgrims perform before leaving Mecca. It signifies their departure from Hajj and their return to their normal lives.
Some Final Words:
Hajj teaches Muslims the values of patience, humility, sacrifice, and compassion. It is a unique experience that every Muslim should aspire to perform at least once in their lifetime. It is a way of fulfilling their duty to God and expressing their love for Him. It is also a way of following the footsteps of the prophets and the righteous people who came before them.
Hajj is a gift from God that Muslims should cherish and appreciate. Through hajj, Muslims have the chance to strengthen their ties to God and His creation, refresh their faith, and purify their souls.