Hajj is the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, which is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey.
Some Important Aspects
Kaaba
The cube-shaped building located in the center of the Masjid al-Haram mosque in Mecca. It is considered the most sacred site in Islam. During Hajj, pilgrims perform Tawaf, which involves circumambulating the Kaaba seven times in a counterclockwise direction.
Sa’y
Sa’y is the ritual of walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, which are located near the Kaaba. This act commemorates Hagar’s search for water for her son Ishmael.
Mina
The tent city located about 5 kilometers east of Mecca, where pilgrims stay during the Hajj. It is also the site where pilgrims perform the ritual of stoning the devil.
Arafat
The plain of Arafat is a crucial part of the Hajj pilgrimage. Pilgrims gather here on the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah to perform the Wuquf, which involves standing in prayer and reflection from noon until sunset.
Stoning the Devil
Stoning the Devil is a ritual performed in Mina, where pilgrims throw pebbles at three pillars (formerly walls) that represent Satan. This act symbolizes the rejection of evil.
Ihram
The state of spiritual purity and the specific clothing worn by pilgrims during H
Eid al-Adha
Marks the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage. It commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. Pilgrims and Muslims worldwide perform animal sacrifices, and the meat is distributed to the needy.
- “Feast of the Sacrifice”
- Corresponds to the climax of Hajj
- Muslim communities observea around the world, usu. w/ food drives and meat distribution(and fancy gatherings)
- TL;DR: hajj matters to everyone - not just the pilgrims