What is Hajj?

Hajj in Islam denotes the annual pilgrimage to Mecca by Muslim(s) who are able to perform this duty. Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam and it has verdicts and conditions on how to fulfil this religious duty which should be done by every Muslim once in a lifetime if possible. The Muslim who performs Hajj is generally called Haj (for man) and Hajah (for a woman). This honorific title is to show the level of respect to this religious duty and the Muslim who performs it.

Similar to the daily prayers, Hajj is a form of worshipping Allah. Hajj has an old history and according to the holy Book, Quran, Prophet Ibrahim and his son Prophet Ismael (Peace be Upon Them) raised the walls of the old house, the holy Kaaba (called Al-Masjid Al-Haram which means the Sacred Masjid), where Muslims direct in their prayers and where they circumambulate (Tawaf) around this holy house as a part of Hajj.

Although the actions to perform Hajj may be seen as only movements, they are symbolic and have core meanings; hence the Muslim should obey Allah and His orders and think at the same time of Allah’s superiority and mercy in every action or a part of Hajj.