Hajj what is it

The Hajj pilgrimage is an obligation that should be completed at least once in all able Muslims lives. It is also believed that the journey allows Muslims to wipe away any sins and wipe the slate clean in front of Allah SWT.

As per the significance of Hajj, it is also common for Muslims to seek ways to deepen their devotion to Allah SWT and one such way is through women wearing a hijab head covering. Hajj takes place during Dhul Hijjah, the 12th and final month, and begins two days before Eid ul-Adha and through the three-day festival of the sacrifice. That means that Hajj lasts for five days in total. On the first day of Hajj, a smaller pilgrimage umrah takes place in Mecca.

This is when Muslims retrace the steps of Hagar between two hills — this is after circling the Kaaba, the building housed in the centre of the Masjid al-Haram which is the most important mosque in Islam. The day is ended by spending the night in the valley of Mina. The second day of Hajj sees pilgrims head towards Mount Arafat where they will spend the afternoon.

Later in the day, as the sun sets, Muslims will head 5. Over the course of the final three days of Hajj, coinciding with Eid ul-Adha, Muslims circle the Kaaba one final time, cast stones picked up along the walk to Muzdalifa in Mina, and remove the Ihram a sacred state Muslims enter to perform the pilgrimage.

Men will also shave their heads and women cut a lock of hair as a sign of renewal. As well as completing the Hajj pilgrimage over the three days of Eid ul-Adha, Muslims will carry out the ritual sacrificial slaughter of livestock and distribute shares of meat to the poor, as per Islamic tradition.

In Islam, it is mandatory for every Muslim who is physically able, of sound mind and financially capable to go on Hajj at least once in their lifetime. Those who complete the pilgrimage may add the title of Hajji to their name. There is no obligation for children to undertake Hajj as they are not yet considered able, similar to why all those under the age of puberty do not observe the fast in Ramadhan.

Muslims believe that the prophet Abraham's wife Hagar did this when she was in search of water for her infant son Ishmael. Ishmael is believed to have struck his foot on the ground and this produced a spring of water known as Zamzam.

It is common for those on the pilgrimage to take water from Zamzam with them when they go back home. Pilgrims travel to the plain of Arafat. This is where the Prophet Muhammad gave his final sermon and Muslims pray to God here for forgiveness and guidance.

Muslims also stop at three pillars called Jamarat in the city of Mina. This is where pilgrims throw stones at pillars which stand at the place where Satan is believed to have tempted the prophet Abraham.

Muslims celebrate the festival Eid ul-Adha during Hajj. This is the second holy festival in the year. Eid ul-Adha marks Allah asking the prophet Abraham, in a dream, to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to Allah.

Ishmael agreed to it but as Abraham was about to kill his son, Allah stopped him and gave him a lamb to sacrifice instead, rewarding them for their faith and willingness to follow the request. What's the difference between a hijab, niqab and burka? Ramadan: What is Ramadan? These comments are now closed. What is Remembrance Day? Up, up and away - check out this epic hot air balloon record! Strange News: The week's weirdest stories.

Home Menu. What is the Hajj pilgrimage? What is different about Hajj ? Umrah is not an obligatory religious duty.

What Does Hajj Mean? Do all Muslims Perform Hajj? How Long is Hajj? Hajj is 10 days. When is Hajj? When is Hajj ? Where is Hajj? Hajj takes place in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

What happens on Hajj? Below is an outline of the seven main rituals and what happens on Hajj: Ihram — Muslims should observe Hajj in a state of purity called ihram. This means no arguing or fighting, abstinence from sexual activity and refraining from trimming hair and nails. In addition to this, Muslims should wear appropriate ihram clothes.

For men, ihram clothes take the form of two white sheets wrapped around the body.