What is hajj and why is it important

It is also believed that the journey allows Muslims to wipe away any sins and wipe the slate clean in front of Allah SWT. As per the significance of Hajj, it is also common for Muslims to seek ways to deepen their devotion to Allah SWT and one such way is through women wearing a hijab head covering. Hajj takes place during Dhul Hijjah, the 12th and final month, and begins two days before Eid ul-Adha and through the three-day festival of the sacrifice.

That means that Hajj lasts for five days in total. On the first day of Hajj, a smaller pilgrimage umrah takes place in Mecca. This is when Muslims retrace the steps of Hagar between two hills — this is after circling the Kaaba, the building housed in the centre of the Masjid al-Haram which is the most important mosque in Islam.

The day is ended by spending the night in the valley of Mina. The second day of Hajj sees pilgrims head towards Mount Arafat where they will spend the afternoon. Later in the day, as the sun sets, Muslims will head 5. Over the course of the final three days of Hajj, coinciding with Eid ul-Adha, Muslims circle the Kaaba one final time, cast stones picked up along the walk to Muzdalifa in Mina, and remove the Ihram a sacred state Muslims enter to perform the pilgrimage.

Men will also shave their heads and women cut a lock of hair as a sign of renewal. As well as completing the Hajj pilgrimage over the three days of Eid ul-Adha, Muslims will carry out the ritual sacrificial slaughter of livestock and distribute shares of meat to the poor, as per Islamic tradition.

In Islam, it is mandatory for every Muslim who is physically able, of sound mind and financially capable to go on Hajj at least once in their lifetime. Those who complete the pilgrimage may add the title of Hajji to their name. There is no obligation for children to undertake Hajj as they are not yet considered able, similar to why all those under the age of puberty do not observe the fast in Ramadhan.

As the Covid pandemic continues, though, it is uncertain how viable it will be for vast numbers of Muslims to travel for Hajj this year — just as 's pilgrimage was also affected. This makes up one of the five pillars of Islam and brings with it great rewards, benefits and complete forgiveness of any sin from Allah SWT. The Hajj pilgrimage takes place in the last month of the Islamic year, Dhul Hijjah, with the first day of Hajj taking place on the eighth day of the month.

Its purpose is to offer Muslims the chance to start anew in the eyes of Allah SWT , clearing themselves of any sins they may have as they seek the forgiveness of our merciful God by completing this physically demanding journey. Pilgrims will pray around the Kaaba at the centre of the Masjid al-Haram, the most important mosque in Islam. The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam and is considered to be one of the most sacred traditions that any Muslim could hope to undertake. The Hajj pilgrimage lasts for five or six days, depending on when pilgrims can leave.

Muslims who remain for the sixth day perform the stoning of the devil ritual also performed on the fourth and fifth days of Hajj , in which they throw seven pebbles at the three pillars in Mina. The first day of Hajj is on Saturday 17 July, two days before the beginning of Eid al-Adha, which commences in the evening of Monday 19 July, lasting until Thursday 22 July.

In , Saudi Arabia has ruled that Muslims who live outside of the country are once again barred from completing the Hajj pilgrimage, as was also the case in when only around 1, residents in Saudi Arabia were permitted.

Observant Muslims around the world face toward the Kaaba during their five daily prayers. Women forgo makeup and perfume and wear loose-fitting clothing and a head covering, while men dress in seamless, white terrycloth garments. The white garments are forbidden to contain any stitching — a restriction meant to emphasize the equality of all Muslims and prevent wealthier pilgrims from differentiating themselves with more elaborate garments.

Muslims are forbidden from engaging in sexual intercourse, cutting their hair or trimming nails while in the state of ihram. It is also forbidden for pilgrims to argue, fight or lose their tempers during the hajj. To perform the umrah, Muslims circle the Kaaba counter-clockwise seven times while reciting supplications to God, then walk between the two hills traveled by Hagar.

Before heading to Mecca, many pilgrims also visit the Saudi city of Medina, where the Prophet Muhammad is buried and where he built the first mosque. After spending the night in the massive valley of Mina, the pilgrims head to Mount Arafat, some 20 kilometers 12 miles east of Mecca, for the pinnacle of the pilgrimage.

Thousands will also scale a hill called Jabal al-Rahma, or Mountain of Mercy. It is here where the Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon, calling for equality among mankind and for Muslim unity.

Around sunset, pilgrims head to an area called Muzdalifa, 9 kilometers 5.