Hajj is usually defined to us in Global Studies as a pilgrimage which the Muslims are required to make to Mecca during the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah. But as a Muslim, I can tell you that there’s much more to this one dimensional word “pilgrimage.”
Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca, but the purpose and reason behind it are things that are extremely important ideas to know about Hajj. But before understanding the reason of the rituals it is vital that you know the steps.
Hajj is a set of rituals one after another.
As Muslims first arrive in Mecca, their first step is to perform Umrah. Umrah is a mini version of Hajj with just a few rituals. Before performing Umrah, however, Muslims are required to adopt a humble attire. After performing the Umrah, Muslims usually have a few days in between.
On the 8th day of Dhul-Hijjah, (for us that would have been Wednesday, Oct. 24) Muslims report to Mina, which is a town near Mecca. Then after the sun rises, Muslims go to Mt. Arafat. Muslims do much more than the obligatory prayers here. They completely devote themselves to Allah (Arabic for God) and beg for forgiveness earnestly. Similarly, Muslims then report to Muzdalfa. Soon afterwards they return to Mina and throw pebbles at a wall to show their hatred of the Satan.
Then comes Eid-ul-Adha! (The background of this holiday is described in more depth previously).
On Eid, the pilgrims perform the sacrifice, like all other Muslims. Then, Muslims are required to perform “Tawaaf-e-Ziarath.” Along with walking around the ka’bah (a cube shaped building) seven times (tawaaf) , the pilgrims also pray. Then after a few other rituals you may leave after performing the last “tawaaf” of the Hajj.
So, basically this sounds like a series of rituals, one after another. But what’s the point? What are you trying to gain?
There are many things that can be gained from Hajj. The first thing mentioned in the steps of Hajj is that Muslims ought to adopt humble attire. Humble attire can be defined as one sheet of cloth for men and normal and plain clothes for women. The reason for this action is for Allah to reveal to us that EVERYONE is equal in his eyes and the no one is superior to the other. Pilgrims are required to bury all their arrogance and turn to Allah as His slaves only. Along with that, this action poses an important question. If you can stop all of the actions, such as wearing nice clothes, that are permitted and encouraged in Islam for the sole reason that Allah is telling you, then what stops you from stopping the prohibited actions of Islam?
Junior Asma Hussain brings up another point of how Hajj brings unity among all Muslims.
“Hajj is important to me because it’s something required in my religion, and it’s a time where millions of Muslims come together and worship God together. I want to go one day, because I want to be a part of that,” Hussain said.
Hajj is a way to show complete devotion to Allah. Pilgrims are constantly responding to Allah’s wills, moving from here to there.
This devotion betters the relationship between Allah and his slaves.
Junior Mahnoor Bhatti also feels this way.
“Hajj will allow me to be one step closer to Allah because every Muslim is required to do so, and every Muslim in my past has done so too. I feel like just by performing all the rituals I am pleasing Allah and that makes me feel like I’m a better Muslim,” said Bhatii.
Allah realizes the struggle of his servants. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) passed on information about Islam to his followers. Since these bits of information are not from the Qur’an they are known as Hadith.
In one Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) said, “Whoever performs Hajj to this house – Kaa’bah- and does not commit any obscenity and wrongdoing, he, or she, will come out as the day he, or she, was born – pure and free from sins” (Bukhaari, Muslim).
Allah also recognizes our hard work as declaring the pilgrims his personal guests.
As a Muslim, Hajj is a big deal to me. The virtues of Hajj have instilled in me a very strong desire to go for Hajj one day. I have been to Saudi Arabia before, but I have never performed Hajj. Mecca is beautiful and even though the architecture of the Ka’bah isn’t the most amazing piece of architecture, the love of it grows every times I remember it.
Junior Fariha Waheed also awaits the day she can visit Saudi Arabia and perform Hajj.
“It’s one of the five pillars and it’s such an extraordinary place. Everyone who has went there has told me words cannot explain how great it is. Pictures of the Ka’bah are breathtaking, and I want to see it up close,” said Waheed.
Bhatti also expresses similar feelings.
