Hajj: The Pilgrimage to Mecca

Pilgrims can only perform Hajj between the eighth and thirteenth days of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. At other times of the year, Muslims can undertake Umrah, the minor pilgrimage to Mecca.

Umrah (Arabic: العمرة, al-umrah) takes place in Mecca and consists of several rituals performed in and around the Grand Mosque. Pilgrims perform the circumambulation of the Kaaba (tawaf), walk between the hills of Safa and Marwa (sa'i), pray at Maqam Ibrahim, the station of Abraham, and drink water from the Zamzam Well. These rituals together take several hours to complete.

Hajj (Arabic: الحج, al-hajj) begins with the same rituals as Umrah but continues in the following days with visits to the holy sites of Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina. Hajj concludes with Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, which is celebrated by Muslims around the world.

After a long period of preparation, both pilgrimages begin at places known as miqat. Pilgrims may only pass these points while wearing ihram clothing. At the miqat, they declare their intention to undertake the pilgrimage through the talbiyah prayer.

The tawaf is the most widely recognised ritual of both Hajj and Umrah. During this ritual, thousands of pilgrims walk in worship around the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque seven times, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad. Pilgrims circle the sanctuary counterclockwise, beginning at the Black Stone. When possible, the stone is kissed. The first three circuits are performed at a faster pace along the outer part of the area, while the final four circuits are completed closer to the Kaaba at a slower pace.

The harmonious movement of countless pilgrims unites believers in their worship of God. During the circumambulation, a prayer is repeated. Pilgrims perform tawaf at least twice during Hajj or Umrah. In this way, pilgrimage connects believers from around the world through rituals that express deep spiritual devotion and dedication to Allah.

Mecca is known in Arabic as Makka al-Mukarrama, meaning “The Blessed Mecca”, and is located in present-day Saudi Arabia. The Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca in 570 CE. From 610 onwards, he received the first revelations there, which would become the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam. He performed Hajj once, in 632 CE, the year of his death. On the slopes of Mount Arafat, he delivered his Farewell Sermon to the Muslim community.

At the heart of Mecca stands the cube-shaped sanctuary known as the Kaaba, the House of God, located within the Grand Mosque. Muslims believe that Adam, the first prophet, built the Kaaba and that it was later rebuilt by the Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) and his son Ishmael (Isma’il). When the building was completed, they circumambulated it seven times.

The Kaaba is a stone cube approximately fifteen metres high, with an entrance door located more than two metres above ground level. Only a select number of people are permitted to enter it. The interior is partly covered with silk textiles embroidered with Qur’anic inscriptions. The exterior is entirely covered with a black kiswa, a large cloth made of silk and gold thread, decorated with hand-drawn calligraphic Qur’anic verses. The kiswa is renewed every year on the ninth day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah.

In the eastern corner of the Kaaba is the Black Stone, which is believed by some to be a meteorite. According to tradition, this stone came from paradise and was once “whiter than milk”. It was turned black by the sins of the descendants of Adam.

Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah is the Arabic name for Medina, meaning “the Radiant City”. In 622 CE, during the first year of the Islamic calendar, the Prophet Muhammad migrated to Medina, where he built the first mosque. For Muslims, it is the second holiest site in Islam.

Medina is not officially part of Hajj, but most pilgrims visit the city before or after their journey to Mecca. The Prophet’s Mosque in Medina contains the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad, as well as the graves of his companions and successors.

To the east of the Kaaba lies the sacred Zamzam Well. The name Zamzam refers to an abundant flow of water and a well that never runs dry. The well is associated with the water that the angel Gabriel caused to spring forth for Hajar, who was desperately searching for water for herself and her thirsty son Isma’il. During the month of fasting, pilgrims break their fast at sunset by drinking this blessed water.

Hajj requires several preparations. Before departure, pilgrims ask forgiveness from the people around them, so that during Hajj they need only seek forgiveness from God. Any outstanding debts are settled.

Pilgrims also prepare by purchasing supplies for the journey and learning more about their stay and the rituals in and around Mecca. Hajj is often a turning point in a person’s life, a moment of spiritual awakening.

Pilgrims may only enter the sacred area of Mecca while in a consecrated state known as ihram. They enter this state by purifying both body and mind and by wearing ritual clothing. For men, ihram clothing consists of two unstitched white cotton garments, called izar and rida. Women may wear their usual clothing, as long as it is modest.

The simple garments of ihram symbolise equality and humility—the essence of Hajj and Umrah. Pilgrims also declare their intention to undertake the pilgrimage: through the talbiyah prayer, they inform God that they have arrived to perform the pilgrimage.

Once pilgrims have entered the state of ihram, they must observe certain restrictions. These include not hunting, fighting, using offensive language, or engaging in sexual relations. No living creature may be harmed.

When the decision has been made to undertake Hajj, several arrangements must be made. One of these is obtaining a Hajj visa for Saudi Arabia. Each year, the kingdom determines how many visas are issued to each country, which leads to waiting lists of several years in some countries. Approximately three million Muslims take part in Hajj each year, travelling from around 160 different countries.

Hajj is often a turning point in a person’s life, a moment of spiritual awakening. Many pilgrims return home with a firm intention to follow the teachings and principles of Islam more faithfully. After completing the pilgrimage, men may be given the title Hajji, and women the title Hajja. These are honorific titles. Some heads of state include this title among their official titles.