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Introduction to Hajj


The fourth Pillar of Islam is the pilgrimage to Makkah and its surroundings
known as Hajj. All Muslims are obligated to make Hajj once in their lifetimes if
they can afford it and are otherwise able to do so.

The Hajj is made from the eighth to the twelfth of the Islamic month of
Dhul-Hijjah. In 2004, this corresponds to 30 January to 4 February.




Muslims travel from all over the world to perform Hajj. The rituals are
themselves simple, but the amount of walking necessary, the hot climate, and the
crowds make the Hajj a rigorous exercise in faith. Still, between 2 and 3
million people perform Hajj every year, and millions more yearn to do so.

To perform the Hajj, pilgrims enter a state of consecration known as ihram. In
this state they may not clip their nails, cut or pluck any hair, or have any
sort of sexual contact. Male pilgrims wear special clothes consisting of two
seamless strips of cloth, one covering the back and shoulders, the other
covering from the waist to the knees. Female pilgrims can wear ordinary clothing
that covers everything but the face and hands.

The rituals of Hajj date back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and
commemorate his willingness to sacrifice his only son, Isma`il (Ishmael). During
the days of Hajj, the pilgrims attempt to forget all but their most basic
worldly needs and to focus their attention and devotion on Allah Alone.

Upon arriving in Makkah, the pilgrims first circumambulate the Ka`bah seven
times in a ritual known as Tawaf. This ritual reminds the pilgrims that Allah
(God) should be the focus and center of their lives.

The next ritual is Sa`i, which is walking back and forth seven times between the
hillocks named Safa and Marwah. This commemorates the search for water made by
Hajar (Hagar) when Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham—peace be upon him) left her and her
infant son Isma`il (Ishmael—peace be upon him) in the desert.

On 8 Dhul-Hijjah, pilgrims head to Mina, where they spend the day supplicating
Allah. Early the next morning they go to `Arafah (or `Arafat). They spend the
day supplicating Allah and begging for His forgiveness. Many stand on the Mount
of Mercy to supplicate, though this is not necessary. When the sun sets on the
Day of `Arafah, the pilgrims’ sins are forgiven.

After sunset the pilgrims move on to Muzdalifah, where they spend the night and
collect pebbles to be used in the next ritual.

The next morning, 10 Dhul-Hijjah, is the Day of Sacrifice. Most pilgrims
slaughter a sheep or goat, and the meat is distributed to the poor. (Muslims who
are not on Hajj also slaughter that day, which is known as `Eid Al-Adha.) The
ritual commemorates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Isma`il (peace be
upon them both) and Allah’s provision of a ram as a substitute sacrifice.

But before slaughtering, the pilgrims go to throw pebbles at the stone pillars
known as Al-Jamarat. This ritual commemorates Ibrahim’s stoning of Satan when
the latter tried to tempt him to disobey Allah.

After this, the pilgrims cut or shave their hair (women cut off only a small
amount) and return to Makkah to repeat Tawaf and Sa`i. They sleep at Mina and
repeat the stoning of the pillars on the next two days. A final Tawaf before
leaving Makkah completes the Hajj.

Many pilgrims also go to Madinah before or after Hajj in order to pray in the
Prophet’s Mosque and visit his grave, although this visit to Madinah is not
necessary.

The above is only a summary. There is some variation in the performance of Hajj,
depending on whether the individual pilgrim chooses to also perform `Umrah
(often known as the lesser pilgrimage) beforehand and whether this will be while
in one prolonged state of ihram or two separate ones for `Umrah and Hajj

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