What is Hajj? Why It is So Important to Muslims Worldwide?

What is Hajj? Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Makkah that capable Muslims perform and are expected to do it at least once in their lifetime. This is one of Islam’s five pillars, and it comes with a variety of rewards, advantages, and total forgiveness of all sins from Allah (SWT). 

In addition, every year, over two million Muslims perform the pilgrimage, which is a five-day ritual held in the final month of the Islamic calendar. So, you can book your Hajj packages with Qibla Travels Ltd.

Moreover, Hajj is one of Islam’s five pillars and a religious event. Hence, it is prohibited to engage in sexual activity, fight, act violently, or cut hair and nails while in the state of Ihram. The reason is that it is a spiritual state that Muslims enter to conduct the pilgrimage.

The Time of Hajj 

The pilgrimage must occur in the Islamic calendar’s last month, Dhu al Hijjah. From the eighth to the twelfth of Dhu al Hijjah, Muslims perform Hajj. 

Because the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar calendar, the date in the Gregorian calendar varies every year and is 10 to 11 days earlier than it was last year. 

Why Do Muslims Go on Hajj?

It is thought that Hajj allows Muslims to cleanse themselves of their sins and start over in front of Allah (SWT). Also, Muslims follow the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the prophets Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS) before him, as well as Hajrah, Ibrahim’s wife. 

She raced seven times between two hills in search of water for her dying baby. According to Islamic belief, Allah (SWT) created a fountain that still flows today. Thus, if you want to perform Hajj, select any of the Hajj packages and fulfill your religious obligation.

The Importance of Hajj: 

The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins, then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew.”

To explain the importance of Hajj in detail, we have outlined five reasons why it is so essential for Muslims: 

1. Obligatory Act of Worship 
2. Pillar of Islam 
3. The Key to forgiveness
4. The Most Sacred Place 
5. Farewell Sermon Location 

 1. Obligatory Act of Worship: 

Islam recommends every Muslim perform Hajj once a year. That is why it is an obligation for every Muslim who has the capability to go to Makkah and Madina to perform Hajj once in their lives.

Also, it is advised in Hadith to do Hajj, “O people! Allah had ordained Fard (obligatory) as the worship of Hajj.” (Sahih Muslim) 

2. Pillar of Islam: 

Islam has five pillars. Hajj is one of the 5 pillars of Islam, which is why it holds a special place in every Muslim’s life. Moreover, it is stated in the hadith, “Verily, Islam is founded on five (pillars): testifying to the fact that there is no God but Allah, the establishment of prayer, payment of Zakat, fast of Ramadan, and pilgrimage to the House.” (Sahih Muslim 16d) 

3. Key to Forgiveness: 

Whoever performs it with full dedication and pure intention, Allah SWT forgives all his previous sins. Also, Allah fulfills every wish when you ask for it while performing the religious event of Hajj.

4. The Most Sacred Places in Saudi Arabia: 

Mecca, in addition to being the birthplace of the Prophet, Makkah is home to several Islamic historical monuments that pilgrims visit during Hajj rites. 

Moreover, Ibrahim and Ismail built the first House of Worship, the Kaaba, in the direction of the Qibla. The Kaaba also has the Al-Hajr al-Aswad (the Black Stone), which was brought from Jannah. (Tirmidhi 877) 

5. Farewell Sermon Location: 

Before passing away, the Prophet delivered his final sermon at Arafat. Also, Allah tested Hajrah, and she ran between Safa and Marwa seven times in quest of water for her young son, Ismail. There, Allah had bestowed the miracle of the Well of Zamzam on her. The Zamzam well is still flowing and the water in it never finishes. It is a miracle of Allah (SWT).

How to Perform Hajj? 

There are certain rites that Muslims conduct to do Hajj. We are going to explain them briefly to you:

1. Ihram:

Pilgrims assume the state of ihram (purity) for the Hajj pilgrimage when they arrive in Mecca. Moreover, one has to wear ihram before entering Meeqat; otherwise, they cannot perform Hajj.

2. Tawaf: 

The second step is tawaf. In Masjid Al-Haram, each individual walks seven times counterclockwise around the Kaaba (the House of Allah built by Ibrahim and Ismail).

3. Safa and Marwah: 

The Muslims run seven times between the two hills of Safa and Marwah, as Hajrah did when she was searching for water.

4. Arafat: 

Pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat’s plains to stand in vigil where the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) delivered his last speech. 

5. Stoning in Muzdalifah: 

Following Arafat, they travel to Muzdalifah and then to Mina to carry out a symbolic stoning ceremony in which they throw pebbles at three barriers known as jamarat. Moreover, this represents the devil’s attempt to deceive Ibrahim (A.S) into obeying Allah. As a result, it was stopped when the prophet tossed stones at him three times. 

6. Eid ul Adha: 

The Eid ul Adha celebration begins on the tenth day of the month of Dhu al-Hijja and lasts for three days (the Feast of Sacrifice). Also, to conclude their Hajj, pilgrims execute the Qurbani (animal sacrifice) ritual and other rites. 

7. The Qurbani: 

Qurbani recalls Ibrahim’s (A.S) commitment to sacrificing his son Ismail for Allah, who spared him by sending down a lamb to take his place. 

The Final Thoughts: 

Many people from all over the world wonder about the largest gathering that occurs in Saudi Arabia and asks, “What is Hajj?” Thus, to answer every question, we have described what it is, its importance, and how to perform it. 

Moreover, It is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims visit the Holy Kaaba every year to conduct Hajj. If you are looking forward to performing Hajj this year, avail yourself of Qibla Travels Ltd.’s cheapest Hajj packages.

Their services are top-notch and they do not leave any stone unturned to deliver the best services. Their aim is your satisfaction and they do not fail at doing this. Visit their website and avail yourself of the opportunity to perform Hajj at affordable rates.