Hajj is a scared pilgrimage performed by Muslims at the holy mosque Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and takes place during the month of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month in the Islam calendar.
As Muslims, undertaking Hajj in Islam – is a spiritual duty, as long as we are financially, physically and emotionally able to do so.
In the Holy Qur’an, Allah (SWT) commands us to take this sacred journey:
You will enter the Sacred Masjid, God willing, perfectly secure, and you will cut your hair or shorten it (as you fulfil the pilgrimage rituals) there. You will not have any fear. Since He knew what you did not know, He has coupled this with an immediate victory
The Hajj pilgrimage is performed over five to six days, from the 8th to 12th or 13th of Dhul Hijjah.
As a spiritual, emotional and physical challenge, Hajj in Islam offers the opportunity to refresh our spiritual self, to cleanse us of our sins and to renew our faith in Allah (SWT).
However, with the physical challenges of each stage of Hajj and the spiritual rites, it’s important to prepare as much as possible before travelling.
Whoever performs Hajj for the sake of Allah and does not utter any obscene speech or do any evil deed, will go back (free of sin) as his mother bore him