Hajj

Performing the Hajj

Upon arrival in Mecca, the pilgrim ('Hajji') performs a series of ritual acts symbolic of the life of the prophet Muhammad, and of solidarity with Muslims worldwide. These acts of faith are:

Related Topics:
Prophet - Muhammad

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• Perform a tawaf, which consists of circling the Kaaba four times at a hurried pace, followed by three times, more closely, at a leisurely pace, in an anti-clockwise direction.
• Rapidly walk seven times back and forth between the hills of Safa and Marwah. This is a re-enactment of Hagar's frantic search for water, before the Zamzam well was revealed to her by Allah.

These rituals complete the umrah, sometimes called the "lesser hajj". After this point, the pilgrim can shed the ihram and put on regular clothes. Although not a part of the ritual, most pilgrims drink water from the Well of Zamzam when the umrah is completed.

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Though it is not required as part of the Hajj, after the umrah pilgrims often travel to visit the city of Medina and the Mosque of the Prophet, wherein he is buried beside Abu Bakr and 'Umar. After spending a night or more in Medina, the Hajj continues. The pilgrim dons the ihram once again and performs the final three acts of faith. This is known as the Al Hajjul Akbar, or "greater hajj." The duties of the greater hajj are:

Related Topics:
Medina - Abu Bakr - 'Umar

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• Journey to the hill of Arafat and spend an afternoon there. The journey usually takes three to five days for the full round trip. At the plain of Arafat, the pilgrim stays from afternoon until sundown. No specific rituals or prayers are required during the stay at Arafat, though many pilgrims spend the time praying, talking to Allah, and thinking about the course of their lives.
• Upon returning from Arafat, travel to the city of Mina just outside of Mecca, and participate in the stoning of the devil. This requires collecting a number of pebbles from the ground on the plain of Muzdalifah (various Hajj accounts list the number of pebbles as between 49 and 70), and throw the pebbles at the three pillars at Mina, which represent the devil. All three pillars represent the devil: the first and largest is where he tempted Abraham against sacrificing Ishmael, the second is where he tempted Abraham's wife Hagar to induce her to stop him, and the third is where he tempted Ishmael to avoid being sacrificed. He was rebuked each time, and the throwing of the stones symbolizes those rebukes.
• Perform a second tawaf around the Kaaba. This completes the requirements of the Hajj.

After stoning the devil, many male pilgrims will then shave their head (women cut off a lock of their hair) as a symbol of rebirth, to show that their sins have been cleansed by completing the Hajj.

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The "lesser hajj" can be performed at any time of the year, but the "greater hajj" must take place during the month of Dhu Al-Hijjah. Most pilgrims perform both stages of the hajj during the time of the "greater hajj" because of the difficulty and expense of traveling to the city of Mecca. For many pilgrims (especially ones who had difficulty travelling due to health or finances), the journey to Mecca is a once in a lifetime event.

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