What is Hajj and Why is it Important?

Author: Mominah Tannous

What is Hajj and Why is it Important?

What is Hajj and why is it important – this question directly relates to the soul of Muslims. it's not a visit to specific lands. Indeed Hajj is that the annual pilgrimage of Mecca, which could be a must for able Muslims to finish a minimum of once in their life. it's one amongst the five pillars of Islam and after its completion ends up in great reward and attainment of the grace of Allah (SWT).

More than two million Muslims perform the Hajj each year, which lasts for five days within the last month of the Islamic (lunar) calendar. it's not 3 or 4 million Muslims' wish rather it's a wish of all Muslims within the world. So, Asian nation has introduced a quota system in step with which Muslims perform Hajj. So, a Muslim must contact a licensed agency to shop for Hajj Packages2023.

This great act of worship is to offer Muslims an opportunity to begin a brand new life, that is, to be cleansed of all their sins sort of a neonate. Today, the complete Islamic Ummah performs Hajj within the same way because the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed Hajj.

Why do Muslims persist Hajj?

A duty like Hajj should be performed a minimum of once within the lifetime of all Muslims. people who complete this journey are thought to possess erased all previous sins of the Muslims.

Muslims complete the Hajj journey following the identical path because the Prophet of Islam (SAW) and therefore the Prophets Abraham (AS) and Ishmael (AS) have done before him. During Hajj, they also travel the trail on which Hajra (AS) -the wife of Ibrahim (AS), ran seven times between two hills (Safa and Marwa). Hajra (AS) had turned to those two hills to quench her thirst for water for her thirsty son. per Islamic belief, then Allah (SWT) created a spring which continues to the current day.

Given the importance of Hajj, it's also common for Muslims to perform Hajj to deepen their devotion to Allah (SWT).

What Happens on Hajj?

The Hajj is performed within the 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar, Dhu al-Hijjah, and therefore the journey continue two days before Eid al-Adha and until the three-day festival of sacrifice. this suggests that a complete of 5 days are required for Hajj.

On the primary day of Hajj, Umrah is performed in Makkah. During now, the Muslims follow the footsteps of Hajra (AS) between the 2 hills and return and forth 7 times. rather than Mecca, some Muslims first choose Medina so they'll visit the Mosque of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). and also the first day of the Hajj ends with spending the night within the valley of Mina.

On the second day of the Hajj, the pilgrims head to Mount Arafat, where they spend the afternoon. There the Muslims also climb the mountain Jabal al-Rahma, the place where the Holy Prophet (PBUH) delivered his last sermon. because the sun sets on at the present time, Muslims trip Muzdalifah, about 6 miles from Arafat – there's an choice to cover the gap of 6 miles by bus, but healthy people have intended to hide this distance on foot.

During the last three days of Hajj, i.e. on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, Muslims circumambulate the Ka'bah for the last time, stoning to Jammarat in Mina. Then men shave their heads and girls shave their heads a touch bit as an indication of Taqsir. additionally to completing the Hajj within the three days of Eid al-Adha, Muslims sacrifice cattle just by following the sacrificial process offered by Abraham.

Who Goes on Hajj?

In Islam, every physically able Muslim must make love a minimum of once in his life. If one is physically able meaning mentally healthy and financially able, he must last Hajj a minimum of once in his life. Hajj in Arabic means 'to travel'. Hajj isn't obligatory on children until they reach the age of puberty.

When is Hajj 2023?

In 2023, the Hajj will begin on Monday, 26 June, and can endwise the evening of Saturday, 1 July, with Eid al-Adha.

This year, Muslims should seek travel advice from Saudi Arabia, further as from their country's best travel agencies. Because they will easily get Cheap Hajj Packages from the agencies where they live. The Saudi government has made it clear that only people who are fully vaccinated and over the age of 65 are allowed to perform the Hajj.