The Fifth Pillar of Islām

Al Ḥajj (Pilgrimage) is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and it is the fifth of the five pillars of Islām. It is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for every Muslim who is physically and financially able to make the journey.
Ḥajj (Pilgrimage) is a spiritual and physical journey that involves a series of rituals performed over five to six days, from the 8th to the 12th or 13th of Dhul-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

Significance of Ḥajj

Ḥajj is important because it is one of the five pillars of Islam, it purifies the soul by wiping away sins, and it fosters a deep sense of spiritual connection to Allah.

• Expiation of Sins: A properly performed Ḥajj can erase past sins, leading to a fresh start and spiritual purification.
• Closeness to Allah: The rituals and intense devotion create a profound connection between the pilgrim and Allah.
• Spiritual Renewal: The pilgrimage offers a chance for inner peace, fulfillment, and a renewal of faith.
• Submission and Humility: Ḥajj teaches submission to Allah's will through enduring hardships and shedding worldly pride.
• Character building: The challenges faced during the journey build patience, resilience, and humility.
• Gateway to Paradise: According to Islamic teachings, an accepted Ḥajj can be a means of entering Paradise.

Stages in Performing Ḥajj

The stages of Ḥajj include entering the state of iḥrām, performing a welcome ṭawāf (circumambulation of the Kaʿabah) and Saʿy (walking between Safā and Marwah), then moving to Mina on the 8th of Dhul-Ḥijjah, traveling to ʿArafah for prayer on the 9th, and spending the night in Muzdalifah. The final stages involve returning to Mina to stone the pillars, sacrificing an animal, and performing a final ṭawāf (Ṭawāful Ifāḍah), followed by a farewell ṭawāf (Ṭawāful Wadāʿ) before leaving.

• Intention & Iḥrām: Make the intention to perform Ḥajj and enter the state of iḥrām, a sacred state of purity.
• Ṭawāf & Saʿy: Perform a welcome ṭawāf around the Kaʿabah seven times, followed by saʿy, which involves walking between the hills of Safā and Marwah seven times. This completes an initial ʿumrah and allows for a temporary state of the iḥrām to be lifted.
• Move to Mina: On the 8th of Dhul-Ḥijjah, pilgrims travel to Mina, also known as the "City of Tents," and spend the day and night in prayer.
• Day of ʿArafah: On the 9th of Dhul-Ḥijjah, pilgrims go to the plains of Mount ʿArafat to pray and seek forgiveness. This is a central rite of Ḥajj, known as wuqūf.
• Move to Muzdalifah: After sunset, pilgrims travel to Muzdalifah to pray and rest, combining the Magrib and ʿIshāʾ prayers. They also collect pebbles for the next day's ritual.
• Move to Mina: Pilgrims travel back to Mina after Fajr prayer in Muzdalifah.
• Rami (Stoning): They stone the Jamarat al-Aqabah, a stone pillar representing Satan, with seven pebbles
• Qurbān (Sacrifice): Pilgrims sacrifice an animal to mark the beginning of ʿĪdul Aḍḥā.
• Shaving/Trimming Hair: Men shave their heads, and women cut a lock of their hair, which signifies the lifting of certain iḥrām restrictions.
• Ṭawāful Ifāḍah: Pilgrims return to Makkah to perform a second, obligatory ṭawāf around the Kaʿabah and another Saʿy.
• Return to Mina: Pilgrims return to Mina to spend another night.
• Stoning: On the 11th and 12th days, pilgrims return to the Jamarat (pillars) to stone them again.
• Ṭawāful Wadāʿ (Farewell Ṭawāf): Before leaving Makkah, pilgrims perform a final ṭawāf around the Kaʿabah