Annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca during the Islamic lunar month of Dhu-ul-Hijja. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
Arabic pronunciationThe Hajj (حج translit: Ḥajj), (Turkish:Hac), (Malay:Haji) is the Pilgrimage to Mecca in Islam.
The government of Saudi Arabia issues special visas to foreigners for the purpose of the pilgrimage, which takes place during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah.
Preparations
Traditionally, pilgrims travel to Mecca in groups with their friends or family, or people from their local mosque, in order to save money.
While in Mecca for the Hajj, male pilgrims are required to dress only in an Ihram, a garment consisting of two sheets of white unhemmed cloth, the top draped over the torso and the bottom secured by a white sash; The ihram is intended to show the equality of all pilgrims in the eyes of Allah, symbolizing the idea that there is no difference between a prince and a pauper when everyone is dressed equally. Many female pilgrims traditionally wear a simple white or black dress with a head covering.
A place designated for changing into Ihram is called a miqat. While the pilgrim is wearing the Ihram, he cannot shave, cut his nails, or wear jewelry.
Performing the Hajj
Umrah
Upon arrival in Mecca, the pilgrim (locally known as a 'Hajji'), performs a series of ritual acts symbolic of the lives of Abraham (Ibrahim) and Hagar (Hajarah), and of solidarity with Muslims worldwide.
These rituals comprise the Umrah, sometimes called the lesser Hajj. The Umrah can be taken at any time throughout the year and although completing it is highly commendable, Muslims are still required to perform the greater Hajj, during the appointed time.
Despite not being part of the ritual, most pilgrims drink water from the Zamzam Well when the Umrah is completed.
At this point, the pilgrim can change from the ihram to regular clothes. This release from ihram is known as the mut'ah of Hajj.
Optional journey to Medina
Though it is not required as part of the Hajj, after the Umrah, pilgrims often travel to visit the city of Medina and the Mosque of the Prophet. After spending a night or more in Medina, pilgrims return to Mecca to prepare for the beginning of the greater Hajj.
Completing the Hajj
The greater Hajj (al-hajj al-akbar) begins on the eighth day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah.
The next morning, on the ninth of Dhu al-Hijjah, the pilgrims leave Mina for Mount Arafat. No specific rituals or prayers are required during the stay at Arafat, called the wuquf, although many pilgrims spend the time praying, talking to God, and thinking about the course of their lives.
Having spent the night in Muzdalifah, the pilgrims now go back to Mina. As the first part of the stoning of the jamarat ritual, pilgrims throw seven pebbles at the large jamrah (wall) in Mina. Today many pilgrims buy a sacrifice voucher in Mecca before the greater Hajj begins;
On this day pilgrims are released from most ihram restrictions; The head shaving is a symbol of rebirth, signifying that the pilgrim's sins have been cleansed by completion of the Hajj. On this or the following day the pilgrims visit the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca for a tawaf called the Tawaf az-Ziyarah (or Tawaf al-Ifadah) which is an obligatory part of the Hajj.
On the afternoon of the 11th, pilgrims must stone all three jamarat in Mina. Pilgrims must leave Mina for Mecca before sunset on the 12th. (If they are unable to leave Mina before sunset, they must perform the stoning ritual again on the 13th before going to Mecca.)
Finally, before leaving Mecca, pilgrims perform a farewell tawaf called the Tawaf al-Wada.
Types of Hajj
According to the Shafii, Maliki, Hanbali and Hanafi schools of Islamic fiqh, there are three types of Hajj.
Hajj al-tamattu is where the Umrah rituals are performed first and then the Hajj rituals (those described in the previous section) are performed. Hajj al-ifrad is where the Hajj rituals are performed first and then the pilgrim gets into ihram for the Umrah rituals. Hajj al-qiran is where the pilgrim gets into ihram for both Hajj and Umrah.The Imamiyyah school recognises the first type of Hajj, but essentially equate the last two types.
Effects of the Hajj
The pilgrim, the hajj, is honoured in his or her community. For some, this is an incentive to perform the Hajj. In some communities, a person who has done the Hajj will be nicknamed "hajji" or "hajjah" - which can be translated as "honorable pilgrim".
Islamic teachers say that the Hajj should be an expression of devotion to God, not a means to gain social standing.
Spiritual aspects
In spite of some physical hardships, pilgrims who complete the Hajj consider it one of the greatest spiritual experiences of their lives. Many Muslims regard the Hajj as one of the great achievements of civilization, because it brings together people from around the world and focuses them upon a single goal: completing the Hajj.
The Hajj rituals have a deep psychological significance for Muslims.
A believer is required to make the pilgrimage at least once in his or her life time.
Incidents during the Hajj
There have been many incident during the Hajj that have led to the loss of hundreds of lives.
Non-Muslims in Mecca
The second caliph, Umar, is believed by many Muslims to have expelled non-Muslims from Hijaz (Western part of Arabia).
As one might expect, the existence of "forbidden cities" and the mystery of the Hajj aroused intense curiosity in European travellers. A number of them pretended to be Muslims and entered the city of Mecca and then the Kaaba to experience the Hajj for themselves. his name, as he signed it in Arabic below his frontispiece portrait for "The Jew, The Gypsy and al-Islam," was al-Hajj 'Abdullah'.
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