Home » Mind & Soul » Islam in the U.S. » Hajj: The Pilgrimage to Makkah

Hajj: The Pilgrimage to Makkah

©

For centuries, countless millions of Muslims from around the world have made their journey to Makkah, the center of the world, in present-day Saudi Arabia to perform the pilgrimage known as Hajj. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is an obligation upon every Muslim male or female once in their lifetime. Hajj ceremonies occur during six days, between the eighth and the thirteenth days, of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijjah.

Hajj is the largest religious gathering in the world, drawing Muslims from over one hundred nations. Every year over two million Muslims who are financially and physically able make their journey to Makkah to perform Hajj. Visa records from the Embassy of Saudi Arabia show that some 7,000 American Muslims took part in the pilgrimage last year with the numbers steadily increasing each year, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

During Hajj several ceremonies are performed that are symbolic of the teachings of Islam and date back to the trials of Prophet Abraham and his family. According to the Qur'an, Abraham and his oldest son Ismael built the Ka'aba, which is the qibla or direction all Muslims face in prayer five times a day. The rituals of Hajj were established by Prophet Abraham (pbuh) and commemorate the trials in his life and that of his wife Hajar and their son Ismael.

"Thus We settled Abraham at the site of the House (the Ka'aba) [saying]: 'Do not associate anything with Me, and purify My house for those who walk around it, and those who stand there (praying), and those who bow down on their knees in worship. Proclaim the pilgrimage among mankind: they will come to you on foot and on every lean (beast of burden); Let them come from every deep ravine, to bear witness to the advantages they have, and to mention God's name on appointed days..." [Chapter 22 - "The Pilgrimage," verses 26-28]

There are several obligatory and optional activities that are performed during Hajj. The first rite of Hajj begins when a pilgrim makes their niyyah, or intention to perform Hajj and enters into a state of self-control called ihram, during which it is forbidden to harm living creatures or even raise the voice in anger. A distinctive feature of the Islamic pilgrimage is that all male pilgrims are clothed in two pieces of unsown white cloths, called the ihram in Arabic. There is no specific requirement for women, who may dress in simple clothes. The ihram represents equality and purity and is not taken off until the pilgrimage is complete.

The copyright of the article Hajj: The Pilgrimage to Makkah in Islam in the U.S. is owned by . Permission to republish Hajj: The Pilgrimage to Makkah in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.