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The Hajj is the yearly pilgrimage taken by Muslims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Mecca is considered to be the holiest city for Muslims. It is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims to take pilgrims at least once in a lifetime.
An adult Muslim who is physically and financially capable of taking the journey and supporting the family in their absence. Let’s learn more about what is hajj in Islam.
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1. Importance of Mecca and Medina in Islam
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam apart from Shahadah, Zakat, Salat, and Sawm, or fasting of Ramadan. Hajj is a way of showing concord and submission to God (Allah). The literal meaning of Hajj is “to attend a journey”. The journey is an inward act of intentions and an outward act of journey.
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2. History of Mecca and Medina
Muhammad (PBUH) has designed the present pattern of Hajj. However, as per the Quran Hajj traces back to the time of Abraham. As per the Islamic tradition, Abraham was ordered by Allah to leave his Hajar and his son Ishmael.
Hajar desperately ran between two hills Safa and Marwah seven times but didn’t find any water. When she returned to Ishmael and saw that a water fountain sprang from the ground as the baby scratched the ground with its leg.
As commanded to Abraham, he built the Kaaba with the help of his son Ishmael. He invited people for pilgrimage there. Muslims also believe that the archangel Gabriel was the one who brought the Black Stone from Heaven which was to be attached to the Kaaba.
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3. Hajj Dates
The rites of pilgrim to Mecca are performed over five or six days. These days extend from the 8th to the 12th or 13th day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. This is the last month of the Islamic calendar which is based on lunar cycles.
The Islamic calendar is shorter than the Gregorian calendar hence Hajj Dates can be twice in the same Gregorian calendar.
In 2021, the Hajj dates were from 11th July to 8th August 2021. In 2022, the Hajj dates are from 7th July 2022 to 12th July 2022.
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4. IHRAM
Ihram means spiritual state and state of holiness. This is the start of the ritual of Hajj for each person. Ihram is to be followed once you reach Miqat or even before depending on where you come from. During the state of Ihram, you need to abstain from certain actions.
During the Ihram, males need to wear white seamless cloths in which one is wrapped to the waist to reach below the knees while the other is draped over the left shoulder and tied to the right side. During the Ihram, females need to wear an ordinary dress as per Islamic conditions of public dressing.
All men and women refrain from shaving any body part, clipping nails, having sexual relations, using perfume, killing animals, damaging plants, getting married, and carrying weapons. Also, men are required to cover their heads while women are required to cover faces and hands.
The idea behind Ihram is to show equality for all pilgrims in front of God. This kind of following indicates that rich and poor both are the same in front of God.
5. TAWAF & SA’AY
Tawaf walks around the Kaaba seven times counter-clockwise out of which three circuits are at a hurried pace while the remaining four are at a leisurely pace for the men. Each circuit starts by kissing or touching the Black stone.
Pilgrims point the stone while reciting the prayer. Tawaf is performed on arrival known as welcome tawaf. During Tawaf, eating is not allowed but drinking water is encouraged to avoid dehydration. After Tawaf two Rakaat prayers are offered at the place of Abraham followed by drinking of water from Zamzam well.
The ritual is a manifestation of Tawhid i.e., oneness of God. After Tawaf, Sa’ay is performed which is running or walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah. These hills are located near to the Kaaba.
6. Hajj Yatra Rites
Hajj is to be carried out in a particular manner as described. The pilgrims are given handbooks that are to be followed or expert guides for the successful completion of Hajj.
The rites of Hajj are a combination of the model of Muhammad as well as events associated with Abraham. The day-wise rituals to be followed are listed below.
1. DAY ONE OF HAJJ [8th DAY OF DHU AL HIJJAH]
The first day of Hajj starts on the 8th day of the month of Dhu Al Hijjah. It is also known as Tarwiyah Day. This day is the reminder of the duties and start to follow the prohibitions of Ihram.
Tarwiyah in the Arabic language means to quench thirst. The pilgrims are told to drink enough water on the first day as at Arafat would not have water.
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2. DAY TWO OF HAJJ [9th DAY OF DHU AL-HIJJAH]
The second day of Hajj is known as Arafah day and starts on the 9th day of Dhu Al Hijjah. This day is also known as the day of the hajj. On the 9th Day before noon, the pilgrims arrive at Arafat. Arafat is a barren and plain land on the east of Mecca. The pilgrims stand in a contemplative vigil.
At this time, they repent and atone for their past sins and seek mercy from God. The pilgrims also listen to sermons from Islamic scholars. The scholars deliver it from Jabal al-Rahmah also known as Mount of Mercy.
The sermon lasts from noon to sunset known as “standing before god” or waqf. The pilgrims offer noon and afternoon prayers at Masjid al-Namirah. After sunset, pilgrims need to leave for Muzdalifah from Arafat without performing maghrib prayers at Arafat. Muzdalifah is the area between Arafat and Mina.
At Muzdalifah, pilgrims perform the Maghrib and Isha prayer jointly. The pilgrims needed to spend the night praying and sleeping under the open sky. The pilgrims need to gather pebbles for the next day’s ritual of stoning of Devil (Shaytan).
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3. DAY THREE OF HAJJ [10TH DAY OF DHU AL-HIJJAH]
The pilgrims perform morning prayers at Muzdalifah and proceed to Mina. At Mina, the pilgrims perform the symbolic stoning of the devil which is known as Ramy al-Jamarat. Seven stones are thrown from sunrise to sunset at the largest of the three pillars which is also known as Jamrat al-Agabah.
The remaining pillars are not stoned on the same day. The three pillars are symbols of Satan.
After stoning the devil, animals are sacrificed to start the story of Ibrahim and Ismael. The pilgrims slaughter animals. They either sacrificed themselves or oversaw the slaughtering. After the sacrifice, all male pilgrims shave their heads while females trim the tips of their hair.
This ritual is known as Halak which is an important ritual. After Halak, the pilgrims revisit the sacred mosque in Mecca. The ritual is tawaf also known as Tawaf al-Ifadah. The night of the 10th day is spent back in Mina.
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4. DAY FOUR OF HAJJ [11TH DAY OF DHU AL-HIJJAH]
On the 11th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the pilgrims throw stones at each of the three pillars from noon to sunset. The ritual is known as the “Stoning of the Devil”
5. DAY FIVE OF HAJJ [12TH DAY OF DHU AL-HIJJAH]
On 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the pilgrims perform same process of stoning of the pillars as it is done on 11th day of Dhu al-Hijjah. On the 12th day, pilgrims can leave Mina for Mecca before sunset.
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6. DAY SIX OF HAJJ [13TH OF DAY DHU AL-HIJJAH]
If any pilgrim is not able to leave on the 12th before sunset or wants to stay longer, then the pilgrim must perform the stoning ritual again on the 13th before returning to Mecca.
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7. TAWAF AL-WADAA
Upon reaching Mecca, the pilgrims need to perform Tawaf al-wadaa which means to bid farewell. To bid farewell, the pilgrims need to circle the Kaaba seven times counter-clockwise. They can attempt to touch or kiss the Kabaa.
With Tawaf al-wada the five-day pilgrim of Hajj is concluded.
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8. How to Reach Mecca – Medina from India
If you plan to go on a pilgrim to Mecca from India, then you have three options viz. by air, by sea, and by land. Here are the approximate ways and
a. BY AIR & COST
From various major cities of India like Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad, you can take a flight to Jeddah. From Jeddah, you need to take the bus and reach Mecca. The cost of a pilgrim via air would cost approximately INR 2,00,000.
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b. BY SEA & COST
The main route to Jeddah was through the sea in Shi Akbari which was scrapped in 1995. Recently, the Indian government has started a sea route from Mumbai to Jeddah. The cost by sea would be approximately INR 60,000.
c. BY LAND & COST
India is connected to Jeddah by road is approximately 3834 km. However, this is not the preferred route to travel for pilgrims.
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9. Required Documents for Traveling Mecca Medina
The latest list of documents required for traveling to Mecca and Medina is as below.
- Entry Visa
- A vaccination certification
- The Saudi identification card and wristband
- Valid permit to perform Hajj.
- Hajj and Umrah travel plans must be made through a Saudi government-approved travel agent.
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