Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, making it a mandatory religious duty for all adult Muslims able to perform the pilgrimage – later this month over 2.5 million pilgrims arrive in Mecca
Muslims across the world are days away from landing in the holy city of Mecca, where almost two million worshippers will embark on the sacred annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, making it a mandatory religious duty for all adult Muslims considered physically and financially able to perform the pilgrimage. The journey must be made by all worshippers at least once in their lifetime.
Hajj symbolises unity and devotion as well as giving Muslims a chance to seek spiritual purification and strengthen their faith.
What is Hajj?
Hajj takes place every year during Dhul Hijjah – the final month of the Islamic calendar.
Millions of Muslims across the globe travel to Mecca to take part in the pilgrimage, considered a core act of worship and one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
Every adult Muslim must perform the religious duty at least once in their lifetime, provided they are physically and financially able.
When does Hajj take place this year?
Hajj occurs during the 12th and final month of the Islamic year, called Dhu al-Hijjah. The pilgrimage takes place between the 8th and 12th (or 13th) of Dhul-Hijjah. When the new crescent moon is sighted, Eid al-Adha begins, which lasts for four days.
This year observers in Saudi Arabia officially confirmed the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon on Sunday. This means the month of Dhul Hijjah began on Monday and Hajj will take place from May 25 this year.
While Hajj will not officially begin until next Monday, May 25, many pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia weeks ahead of time in order to prepare for the event.The exact date of Hajj moves by about 10–11 days each year because the Islamic world follows a lunar calendar dictated based on cycles of the moon.
How do pilgrims perform Hajj?
Over five to six days pilgrims perform a number of rituals in and around Mecca as part of Hajj. Firstly before pilgrims arrive they prepare and meditate on their intention (niyyah) to perform the Hajj.
Then it is time to enter the spiritual state of Ihram or ritual purity. This involves strict rules about clothing, men wear two simple white, unstitched cloths whilst women usually wear loose fitting clothing. This is so that when over 2.5 million pilgrims arrive in Mecca there is no outward distinction between them, symbolising everyone’s equality.
Pilgrims then walk seven times anti-clockwise around the Kaaba, the black stone building at the centre of Islam’s most important mosque and holiest site, in worship and devotion known as Tawaf.
After performing Tawaf pilgrims then complete Sa’i, in this ritual sees them walking and running between the two hills of Safa and Marwa. This is to commemorate the search for water in the desert by Hajar and the ongoing struggle encountered in everyday life.
The apex of the Hajj pilgrimage occurs on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah where pilgrims congregate on the plane of Arafat to stand in prayer, seeking God’s forgiveness, mercy, and guidance.
Next, the overnight stay in Muzdalifah sees collect pebbles for the next ritual, the symbolic stoning of the devil, Rami. This ritual takes place at three stone pillars in Mina. This is to symbolise the rejection of evil.
Following the ritual of Rami, an animal sacrifice is offered in remembrance of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son. The meat is shared with fellow pilgrims and all those in need in a communal feast.
At the conclusion of Hajj pilgrims return to the Kaaba to perform the Tawaf Al-Ifadah marking the culmination of the primary rituals.
