What are the essential pillars of the Hajj?
We know this fact, Muslims from across the entire world travel to Mecca to perform a religious obligation. This spiritual pilgrimage is commonly known as Hajj. Every Muslim wants to accomplish this holy journey because it is one of the obligatory duties of Islam. It also has a rich history, great significance, and numerous interesting facts. This auspicious trip is a collection of various rituals and pillars. Study the full description of this article for further details: “What are the essential pillars of the Hajj?” This description will assist you in determining the right response to this query.
The Hajj is a religious pilgrimage to Mecca that takes place once a year. Every Muslim who is physically and financially capable must perform this spectacular journey by booking Hajj packages at least once throughout his lifetime. There are numerous pillars and rites of Hajj, such as the Day of Arafah, Rami al-Jamarat, and farewell Tawaf.
Hajj – essential pillars
The Hajj ceremonies last for five or six days. These rituals officially start on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah and end on the 13th of the same month. This spiritual trip is the largest religious gathering that occurs each year in Islam. A religious journey to Mecca includes various fundamental ceremonies. These are the following:
- Intentions and Ihram
- Reaching Mina
- The Day of Arafah
- Arriving at Muzdalifah
- Rami al-Jamarat (Stoning the devil)
- Sacrifice
- Farewell circumambulation (Tawaf al-Wida)
Intentions and Ihram
Making a sincere intention and wearing Ihram garments are the two major rituals of Hajj. After making an intention, Muslim pilgrims must wear Ihram garments. These garments consist of two unstitched white sheets for men and a loose-fitting outfit for women. Pilgrims should wear Ihram for the Hajj before crossing the Miqat, the outer boundaries of Mecca. They must perform Tawaf al-Qudoom and Sa’i inside the walls of Masjid al-Haram after entering the pious state of Ihram.
Reaching Mina
Mina, a small town, is 6 kilometres away from Mecca. When pilgrims arrive in this small town, they must stay there and rest until the next day. Pilgrims offer all five prayers when they visit Mina, beginning with the noon prayer and ending with the Morning Prayer.
Read Also: Popular Ziyarat destinations in Medina
The Day of Arafah
Before noon on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims gather in Arafat, a barren region 22.9 kilometres east of Mecca. They maintain a proper vigil and seek remission for their past transgressions from Allah Almighty. Additionally, they listen to the sermon delivered by Islamic scholars from close to Mount Arafat. According to Islamic tradition, the last Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) gave his last sermon on this mountain.
Arriving at Muzdalifah
Muzdalifah, a small town between Mina and Mount Arafat, is the next stop for pilgrims. When pilgrims reach this location at sunset, they offer both sunset and night prayers together. Muslims spend a full night under the open sky and collect 49 pebbles of similar size for the ritual of Rami al-Jamarat. They leave this small town on the morning of the 10th of Dhul Hijjah.
Rami al-Jamarat (Stoning the devil)
On arriving at Mina, pilgrims carry out the ritual of Rami Jamarat-al-Aqabah. They threw seven stones at the column structure. This act is performed in memory of Abraham when the devil tried to discourage him from obeying God’s order. Abraham reacted by throwing some pebbles to make the devil go away.
Sacrifice
After performing Rami, pilgrims sacrifice animals to remember the tale of Abraham and his son Ismael. This slaughtered animal can be a lamb or a camel. Pilgrims should distribute slaughtered animal meat to the needy.
Farewell circumambulation (Tawaf al-Wida)
After completing the Hajj, the farewell Tawaf is the last ritual a pilgrim must perform before departing from Mecca. However, this act is only necessary for Hajj pilgrims who have travelled from outside the boundaries of the Miqat. Therefore, people who live within the boundaries of Miqat are exempt from having to perform this circumambulation.
Conclusion
The Hajj is an annual religious trip to Mecca. This holy journey symbolizes peace, brotherhood, and submission to Allah Almighty. It also has a rich history and various essential pillars and events. These pillars include the Day of Arafah, stoning the devil, and farewell circumambulation. One can perform the pilgrimage to Mecca after booking Hajj or Umrah packages from any good and reputable company.
