Hajj Ends
- What
- Hajj Ends
- When
- 7/22/2021
- Where
- Muslim
Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca, the holy city located in Saudi Arabia. Every adult Muslim is required to make the pilgramage at least once in their life as laid out by the Five Pilars of Islam. The pilgrimage rite begins on on the 7th day of Dhū al-Ḥijjah (the last month of the Islamic year) and ends on the 12th day.
The pilgrimage rites pattern was established by the Prophet Muhammad, and when pilgrims are within 6 miles of the holy city they enter the holy state of ihram and don the respective garments. During the time of the pilgrimage rites, the pilgrim must enter Mecca and walk seven times around the sacred shrine called the Kaaba, in the Great Mosque, kiss or touch the Black Stone (al-Ḥajar al-Aswad) in the Kaaba, pray twice in the direction of the Maqām Ibrāhīm and the Kaaba, and run seven times between the minor prominences of Mount Ṣafā and Mount Marwah. The second part of the ritual is completed the remaining days honoring Abraham’s sacrifice, and performing the rajm ritual three consecutive times before returning to Mecca to perform the farewell to the Kaaba and leaving the city.
About two million persons perform the hajj each year, and the rite serves as a unifying force in Islam by bringing followers of diverse background together in religious celebration. Once a believer has completed the pilgrimage, he or she may add the title ḥājj or ḥajjī (for a male) or ḥājjah (for a female) to his or her name. The pilgrimage, if performed properly, is believed to wipe out previous sins for the sincere believer.