hajj

• hajj


  • the fifth pillar of islam
  • pilgrimage
  • once during their lifetime
  • 3 million people take part
• importance of hajj 


  • brings about deep spiritual transformation that makes the hajji a better person
  • teaches sincerity and humility
  • produces inner peace
  • shows self discipline
  • emphasises unity and equality
• quote on hajj : 


  ‘pilgrimage to the house is a duty owed to god by people who are able to undertake it’
• the origins of hajj 


  around 4000 years ago the prophet ibrahim was told to take his wife hajira and son ishmael to arabia

  he was then told to leave them with some supplies

  when supplies run out hajira went to look for help running up and down two hills safa and marwah

  when ibrahim returned he was told to build a shrine this became the kaaba
• entering a state of ihram


  • before hajj begins pilgrims must enter a sacred state called ihram
  • involves ritual washing , praying and putting on ihram clothing
  • the white cloth is a sign of equality and purity
• the kaaba

  • the hajj begins and ends in mecca with circling the kaaba seven times in an anti clockwise direction
  • kaaba represents the belief in one god
• travelling to arafat 


  • the crowd walk along a covered walkway linking the hills of safa and marwah
• arafat


  • at dawn on the 9th day pilgrims walk from mina to arafat where muhammad preached his last sermon
  • they spend the whole afternoon here praying
• muzdalifah and jamarat


  • walk to muzdalifah where they spend the night
  • on the way they collect 49 small pebbles to be used the next day at mina
  • at mina there are three stone walls called jamarat
  • pilgrims throw the pebbles they have collected at the walls to show they reject evil
  • pilgrims cut their hair
• returning to mecca 


  • next day pilgrims return to mecca to circle the kaaba seven more times
  • return to mina remembering god and reflecting on his blessings before hajj ends