The Hajj Pilgrimage to Makah is an obligation upon every Muslim who is of sound mind and is physically and financially able. To perform the Hajj is to complete the pillar of Islam. Muslims on a daily basis, pray towards the Kaaba, the sacred house of Allah, every day. Its foundation has been laid by the Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail. Despite growing up in an environment surrounded by images of the Kaaba and picture frames, seeing the Kaaba for the first time with one’s eyes is an overwhelming experience. It is an incredible, sublime experience which fills one with awe and admiration.

إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍۢ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِى بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًۭا وَهُدًۭى لِّلْعَلَمِينَ

‏فِيهِ ءَايَتٌۢ بَيِّنَتٌۭ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَهِيمَ ۖ وَمَن دَخَلَهُۥ كَانَ ءَامِنًۭا ۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلْبَيْتِ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًۭا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنِ ٱلْعَلَمِينَ

The Hajj Pilgrimage

One the first day of Hajj when the arrival to Makah takes place one must perform ghusl and make intention by saying:

The Next step is performing welcome tawaaf which is to walk around the Kaaba seven times and then Sa’yee. Sa’yee is the remembrance of the story of Hajra(a.s) who ran between Safa and Marwa looking for some water and sustenance to feed her son Ismail who was crying. That is where well of Zam Zam was revealed by Angel Jabreel.

إِنَّ ٱلصَّفَا وَٱلْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنْ حَجَّ ٱلْبَيْتَ أَوِ ٱعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا ۚ وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًۭا فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ

The day of Tarwiyya in Mina: 8^th Dhul Hijjah

The days of Hajj are the most strenuous and the most rewarding days a person faces in his life. The day after the welcome tawaaf the pilgrims leave for Mina. People go from 5-star hotels to tents which they share with others from all over the world.

The day of Arafat – 9th Dhul Hijjah

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said in one authentic hadith: “The Hajj is Arafat” (Al-Hakim)

They spend the day at Arafat praying, making dua and remembering Allah. This day is the 9^th day of Dhul Hijaah. This is where Prophet Muhammad ﷺ delivered his last sermon 1433 year ago.

The Open Desert of Muzdalifah:

Pilgrims combine Maghrib with Esha praying them short and they spend the night there remembering Allah swt and thanking him to allowing them to present at Arafat. They also collect stones after praying Maghrib and Esha which will be used to stone the Jamaraat. People spend this night roofless under thousands of stars.

The Day of Sacrifice/Eid day 10^th Dhul Hijrah:

It is on this day that Muslims all over the world celebrating Eid UL Adha. They sacrifice lambs and distribute the meat to people who are in need.

Mina Jamaraat: The Stoning

To complete the rights of Hajj Muslims must stone the 3 Jamaraat.

Before Muslims leave Makah to go back home, they do a farewell tawaaf around the Kaaba. This is usually a very emotional time for the Muslims because the cost of Hajj is so expensive as many people will most likely be able to visit this holy house only once in their lifetime Journey.