hajj/pilgrimage to Makkah

• fifth pillar

  • only pillar of Islam that Muslims don't HAVE to perform
  • compulsory for those who are able to make the journey e.g:
  • have enough money to leave their homes for a lengthy period
  • are physically and mentally fit enough to carry out his demanding ritual
• importance of Makkah

  • holiest city on earth
  • has immense spiritual significance
  • Prophet Ibrahim was commanded by God, in a dream, to sacrifice his son
  • Ibrahim overcame a test when the devil appeared, trying to trick him into denying God's word, Ibrahim threw stones to drive the devil away
  • angel showed his wife Zamzam well
  • Ibrahim built the ka'ba as a place of worship to the one, true God
  • Prophet Muhammad was born
  • ^ received first revelations from God
  • ^ returned before his death to reclaim the city for GOd
• preparation

  • enter a state of ihram (purity)
  • put on special garments
  • men must wear two sheets of white, unsewn cloth
  • women must wear a plain, ankle-length garment, but can leave their faces uncovered
• significant aspects

  • tawaf: circling the Ka'ba seven times- some try to kiss the black stone
  • walking seven times between two hills of Mawah and Safa, in memory of Hajar (Ibrahim's wife), in her frantic search for water for her son
  • drinking from the Zamzam well, remembering the water revealed to Prophet Ibrahim's wife by the angel
  • wukuf: standing before Allah on the Plain of Arafat, remembering his mercy and forgiveness- could be considered most important part of Hajj
  • collecting pebbles at Muzdalafah
  • hurling pebbles at the pillars at Mina to show rejection of the devil
• significant aspects (2)

  • camping at Mina, sacrificing an animal
  • men shave their heads when Hajj is complete
  • returning to Makkah to repeat the tawaf