4.3.9

Hajj

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Origins of Hajj

Hajj means pilgrimage - a journey made for a religious reason. The fifth pillar of Sunni Islam is Hajj.

When does Hajj happen?

When does Hajj happen?

  • Hajj should be made at least once in life, but if finances allow it can be made many times.
  • Some wealthy members in a community might sponsor less wealthy members.
  • It occurs during the final month of the Islamic calendar Dhul-Hijjah.
  • Between the 8th-12th, around 3 million people take this journey.
Where Hajj began

Where Hajj began

  • Ibrahim was commanded by Allah to take his son Ishmael and his wife Hajira to Arabia, and leave them there with bread and water.
  • After a few days, Hajira ran up and down two hills (Safa and Marwah) looking for help.
  • Hajira prayed to Allah for help.
  • Ishmael kicked the ground and water spurted out of the ground - Mecca developed around this water source.
The first Hajj

The first Hajj

  • When Ibrahim came back to collect his wife and child, Allah commanded him to build a monument to him.
  • Ibrahim built the Ka’aba which became a place of worship and the destination of the Hajj pilgrimage.
  • When Muhammad came back from Medina to Mecca he destroyed the idols that he been placed at the Ka'aba.
  • That journey back to Mecca is viewed as the first Hajj.
Preparing for Hajj

Preparing for Hajj

  • Before Hajj, Muslims must purify themselves through ritual washing, prayer, and wearing special Ihram clothing.
  • Men wear two sheets of white clothing (as a sign of purity).
  • Women have strict modesty laws, so they wear clothes of one colour that cover their bodies.
Purpose of Hajj

Purpose of Hajj

  • Hajj is transformative.
  • Followers have quality time to build a stronger relationship with Allah.
  • They become more humble and less obsessed with material comforts.
  • They develop self discipline and connects them to Ibrahim and the sacrifices he made for Allah.

The Hajj Journey

Hajj starts in Mecca, where Muhammad was born and lived until he fled. It ends in Mecca.

The Ka'aba during Hajj

The Ka'aba during Hajj

  • The Ka’aba is circled anti-clockwise seven times.
  • Muslims try and touch the black stone as they walk around. Some believe this stone came from the original Ka’aba built by Ibrahim.
  • As they go around they say a short prayer: “here I am, oh lord, at your service. Praise and blessings to you”.
The Hills during Hajj

The Hills during Hajj

  • Next is a walk between the two hills (Safa and Marwah) that featured in the Ibrahim story - this is done seven times. They walk this circuit seven times.
  • Pilgrims collect water from the well of Zamzam.
Mina

Mina

  • There is a 13-mile walk or ride to Arafat with a night stop over at Mina.
  • During the night, they pray and read the Qur'an as preparation for the next day’s rituals.
  • At Mina, there are three walls of stone which represent the temptation and the devil.
  • On day 10 the stones are thrown at the walls which symbolises rejection of the devil and temptations.
Arafat

Arafat

  • Arafat is the site of Muhammad’s last sermon.
  • Pilgrims believe that whoever completes standing the whole afternoon at Arafat will have their sins forgiven.
Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha

  • After descending from Arafat, there is the Eid al-Adha festival.
  • An animal is sacrificed. One-third of the meat is given to the poor.
  • Men shave their heads and women cut a small bit of hair.
Final Part of Hajj

Final Part of Hajj

  • Pilgrims return to Mecca and walk around the Ka-aba seven more times.
  • They return to Mina for two nights reflecting on the experience and thinking about Allah.
  • If they have time, pilgrims will travel to Medina and visit the Prophet’s Mosque (Al-Masjid an Nabawi).
Jump to other topics
1

Buddhism

1.1

Key Beliefs

1.1.1The Dhamma1.1.2The Five Skandhas1.1.3Aspects of Human Life1.1.4The Buddha1.1.5The Ascetic & Enlightened Life1.1.6Dhukka1.1.7Samudaya1.1.8Nirodha1.1.9Magga1.1.10The Wheel of Life1.1.11End of Topic Test - Buddhism Key Beliefs
1.2

Practices

1.2.1Places of Worship1.2.2Objects of Worship1.2.3Puja1.2.4Meditation1.2.5Death1.2.6Festivals1.2.7End of Topic Test - Buddhism Practices
1.3

Ethics

1.3.1Kamma1.3.2Five Moral Precepts1.3.3End of Topic Test - Buddhism Ethics
2

Christianity

2.1

Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God2.1.2The Problem of Evil2.1.3Monotheism2.1.4Creation2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation2.1.6The Trinity and Creation2.1.7Afterlife2.1.8Heaven and Hell2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs
2.2

Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human2.2.3The Crucifixion2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension2.2.6Sin2.2.7Original Sin2.2.8Punishment2.2.9The Means of Salvation2.2.10Achieving Salvation2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation2.2.13Theories of Salvation2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.3

Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship2.3.2Prayer2.3.3Sacrament2.3.4Baptism2.3.5Other Sacraments2.3.6Eucharist2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations2.3.8Christmas & Easter2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals
2.4

Community

2.4.1Local Community2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth2.4.3Worldwide Church2.4.4Reconciliation2.4.5Persecution2.4.6Caring for Those in Need2.4.7End of Topic Test - Community2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices
3

Catholicism (Christianity)

3.1

Key Beliefs

3.1.1The Trinity3.1.2Creation3.1.3Incarnation3.1.4Redemption3.1.5Life After Death3.1.6Heaven and Hell3.1.7End of Topic Test - Catholic Key Beliefs
3.2

The Seven Sacraments

3.2.1Meaning & Significance3.2.2Baptism3.2.3Confirmation3.2.4Reconciliation3.2.5Anointing of the Sick3.2.6Marriage3.2.7Holy Orders3.2.8The Eucharist3.2.9End of Topic Test - The Seven Sacraments
3.3

Practices

3.3.1Prayer3.3.2Popular Piety3.3.3Pilgrimage3.3.4Pilgrimages HyperLearning3.3.5Funeral Rites3.3.6The Duty to Love Our Neighbour3.3.7Catholic Agencies3.3.8Catholic Social Teaching3.3.9Justice3.3.10War3.3.11Mission & Evangelism3.3.12End of Topic Test - Catholic Practices
4

Islam

4.1

Key Beliefs

4.1.1Oneness of God4.1.2Six Articles of Faith4.1.3Five Roots of Usul4.1.4The Nature of God4.1.5Angels4.1.6Freedom4.1.7Life After Death4.1.8Human Responsibility4.1.9End of Topic Test - Muslim Key Beliefs
4.2

Authority

4.2.1Prophethood4.2.2The Holy Books4.2.3The Imamate4.2.4End of Topic Test - Muslim Authority
4.3

Practices

4.3.1Worship4.3.2Ten Obligatory Acts4.3.3Shahadah4.3.4Salah & Its Significance4.3.5Mosques4.3.6Rak'ahs4.3.7Sawm4.3.8Zakah4.3.9Hajj4.3.10Jihad4.3.11Festivals & Commemorations4.3.12End of Topic Test - Muslim Practices4.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Muslim Practices
5

Judaism

5.1

Key Beliefs

5.1.1The Nature of God5.1.2God as One5.1.3God's Name5.1.4God as Creator5.1.5Free Will5.1.6God as Law Giver and Judge5.1.7The Divine Presence & Beliefs5.1.8Role of the Messiah5.1.9End of Topic Test - Jewish Key Beliefs5.1.10Exam-Style Questions - Jewish Beliefs
5.2

Covenant & The Mitzvot

5.2.1The Promised Land5.2.2Abraham5.2.3The Covenant5.2.4The Covenant at Sinai5.2.5The Covenant at Sinai 25.2.6Key Moral Principles5.2.7End of Topic Test - Covenant & The Mitzvot
5.3

The Synagogue & Worship

5.3.1The Synagogue & Its Importance5.3.2Public Acts of Worship5.3.3Shabbat5.3.4Worship & Law5.3.5End of Topic Test - Synagogue & Worship

Practice questions on Hajj

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Which pillar of Sunni Islam is Hajj?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Preparations for Hajj:True / false
  3. 3
    How often do pilgrims undertake Hajj? Multiple choice
  4. 4
    How can and how often do pilgrims undertake Hajj? True / false
  5. 5
    How many times and in what direction is the Ka'aba circled?Multiple choice
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Zakah

Jihad