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Hajj

Islam

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Hajj

Hajj is the fifth pillar of the Five Pillars of Islam: pilgrimage to Makkah. Every healthy Muslim hopes that they will be able to make this pilgrimage once during their life time.

The Hajj is a deeply spiritual experience for Muslims. On arriving at the city of Makkah, pilgrims enter a state of mind called ihram where they dedicate themselves to prayer and purity.

From this point on they are not allowed to use perfume, have sex, cut their hair or nails, or kill any living thing. Muslim men wear two white sheets, showing that all are equal under Allah.

Investigate ihram in more detail.

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Hajj 2010

Hajj is the fifth pillar of the Five Pillars of Islam: pilgrimage to Makkah. The hajj takes place in the twelfth month of the Muslim calendar. In 2010, the dates for Hajj fall between the 14th – 17th November.

Muslims come from all over the world to perform Hajj. It is estimated that around 3 million pilgrims will attend Hajj in 2010.

In order to attend Hajj, Muslims must apply for a Hajj visa before they can go. If the person has a non-Muslim name (e.g. a convert) then they must also provide an Islamic certificate to prove that they are a Muslim.

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The route and duties of the Hajj

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Hajj experience

Hajj promotes the idea that all Muslims are equals before Allah. During Hajj the acts of worship help pilgrims to reflect on the course of their lives and their relationship with Allah.

How do you think it might feel to go on Hajj? Think about:

the religious importance of Makkah;

how it might feel to be in a place of religious importance;

how it might feel to perform the Hajj alongside millions of others;

the significance of the different rituals.