Each year, countless Muslim pilgrims from all over the globe make their way to Saudi Arabia to participate in the Hajj. This pilgrimage, one of the five essential practices of Islam, offers a profound spiritual journey. It provides adherents an opportunity to fulfill a mandatory religious duty and seek divine forgiveness for their previous transgressions.
**OVERVIEW OF THE HAJJ**
The Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It involves a series of specific religious rites and obligations. Every physically and financially able Muslim is obliged to undertake this pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. Many devout followers embark on this journey more than once.
The Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. These fundamental principles also include professing faith, praying, charitable giving, and fasting.
**WHEN DOES THE HAJJ TAKE PLACE?**
The pilgrimage is observed once a year during the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, which is the last month of the Islamic calendar. For this year, the Hajj is slated to commence on June 4. During summer, the pilgrimage presents added challenges due to high temperatures. Indeed, last year, over 1,300 lives were lost due to the extreme heat, as confirmed by Saudi officials. Most of these casualties were reportedly unauthorized pilgrims undertaking long walking journeys under the blazing sun.
**WHY IS THE HAJJ SIGNIFICANT TO MUSLIMS?**
For those who undertake it, the Hajj represents not just a religious obligation but also an exceptionally spiritual voyage. Participants view it as a means of asking for God’s forgiveness, growing closer to the divine, and following in the footsteps of prophetic figures.
The Hajj also serves as a uniting force for Muslims from diverse backgrounds and cultures, bringing them together in shared worship and rituals, fostering feelings of unity, humility, and communal equality. Many pilgrims carry the prayer requests of loved ones back home, and spend years dreaming and saving to participate in the pilgrimage. Preparations are extensive, requiring the packing of essentials, studying Hajj rituals, and seeking advice from past pilgrims.
**KEY RITUALS DURING HAJJ**
Pilgrims must declare their intention to perform the Hajj and enter a state known as ‘ihram’. During ihram, there are specific rules to follow, such as restrictions on wearing regular stitched clothes. Instead, men don two simple white cloths to minimize distractions, reject vanity, and focus on humility and devotion.
A pivotal moment of the Hajj is the gathering at the plain of Arafat, where pilgrims invoke God’s name, ask for forgiveness, and pray, often with tears flowing openly. Another key ritual is the ‘tawaf’, which involves circumambulating the Kaaba in Mecca seven times. The Kaaba serves as the directional point for all Muslim prayers globally.
Additionally, pilgrims replicate the trek of Hagar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, by running between two hills seven times, commemorating her quest for water for her son.
**UNDERSTANDING EID AL-ADHA**
Concurrently with the Hajj, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha, the “Feast of Sacrifice”. This holiday begins on the tenth day of Dhul-Hijja. It symbolizes Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion and willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. Muslims observe this festival across the world by sacrificing sheep or cattle, distributing a portion of the meat to those in need.
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