Download hajj in Makkah (1)

The meaning and significance of the events of hajj in Makkah (1)
Hajj – The annual pilgrimage to Makkah
‘Perform the pilgrimage and the visit to Makkah for Allah’. (Surah
2:196)
Hajj is the fifth and final pillar of Islam and is a religious duty prescribed
by Allah. It is the pilgrimage to Makkah. Makkah is in Saudi Arabia and
is a very special place for Muslims because it was there that the prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) was born and where he received the very first
revelation from Allah. All Muslims are expected complete the Hajj at
least once during their lifetime. Over two million Muslims undertake the annual pilgrimage.
Hajj occurs during the 8-13 in the month of Dhul Hijjah, which is the twelfth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Hajj is
a journey that every sane, adult Muslim must undertake at least once in their lives if they can afford it and are
physically able. Many Muslims save for years in order to perform the pilgrimage. They often have to travel thousands
of miles. Pilgrims generally travel on hajj in groups.
Hajj is the worldwide gathering of the family of Islam in an act of worship (ibadah), regardless of social status, wealth
nationality or colour. The pilgrimage enables Muslims from all around the world, of different colours, languages, races
and ethnicities, to come together in a spirit of universal brotherhood and sisterhood to worship the
One God together.
Before reaching the holy city, pilgrims perform a washing ritual (wudu) and enter into a state of
holiness called ‘ihram’. Whilst in a state of holiness, Muslims must dress and behave appropriately.
Male pilgrims are required to dress only in a garment consisting of two sheets of white unsewn
cloth. Women are simply required to maintain their hijab (headscarf) and normal modest dress,
which does not cover the hands or face. These simple garments symbolise the fact that Allah does
not recognise any distinctions of class or culture and that all stand equal before Him, whether rich
or poor.
Ihram also symbolises leaving behind all worldly possessions and worries in order to return to
Allah and is a sign of the pilgrim’s humility.
During hajj pilgrims are forbidden to:
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Have sexual relations
Shave their hair or cut their nails
Use perfume or scented oils
Kill or hunt anything
Fight or argue
Women covering their faces even if they would do so in their home country
Men wearing clothes with stitching
In short, pilgrims must treat the hajj as a sacrifice to Allah and devote themselves wholly to Him for this brief but
intense period of their lives. This is expressed in the frequent pilgrim calls in Arabic which mean ‘doubly at your
service, O God’.