(11) The Pilgrimage, or Hajj, to the Holy City of Mecca

           The hajj, which is the Arabic name for the pilgrimage to Mecca, is one of the 5 Pillars of Islam that serves as a manual for the basic yet necessary acts that must be undertaken by a believer in Islam. The hajj, however, is only required of those Muslims who are healthy and those who can afford the trip, but Muslims are at least expected to try and attempt the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetimes.

The Hajj

            Pilgrims have often experienced “a spirit of exaltation and excitement”, as the “meeting of so many Muslims of all races, cultures, and stations in life in harmony and equality moves many people deeply”, a great example how people with all sorts of differences can still unite under a single belief, which showcases the simple beauty of religion.

            The hajj occurs yearly “between the eighth and thirteenth [day] of the last month of the Muslim year, Dhu al Hijjah.” Many other pilgrimages can still be undertaken by a Muslim throughout the course of a year, but it counts instead as a lesser pilgrimage than the hajj, known as the umbra. The accommodations that the Saudis have provided for the pilgrims visiting the holy cities of Mecca have increase the number of pilgrims who perform the hajj—as “in 1965, almost 300,000 Muslims came from abroad to perform the rites of pilgrimage.” And 18 years later, in 1983, “that number has climbed to more than 1 million.”

Most Muslims make the journey to Mecca

            At the start of the journey, it is traditional that the pilgrims arrive at Jidda, and then proceed onto the holy cities. The pilgrims wear a “simple, white garment” that is used just for the pilgrimage. They are also required to “vow not to cut their hair or their fingernails or to engage in sexual activity during the course of the pilgrimage.” At the entrance, the pilgrims need to prove that they are Muslims because non Muslims are not permitted to enter the holy cities.

            The first act that is performed by many of the pilgrims is “running back and forth seven times between two hills, then drinking water from the well of Zamzam.” This symbolizes that humans depend on the gifts of God in order to survive. This was seen in Hagar, Abraham’s wife, and her son, Ishmael’s plight. It is believed that Hagar was abandoned (at the spot that the pilgrims are now running in at this stage of the hajj) by her husband, Abraham, in the desert. She had started to run towards what she saw as an oasis in the hills. She had then paced back to her son, Ishmael, finding out that while he was playing, he had discovered a well.

            The pilgrims then stand at the Mount of Mercy and the Plain of Arafat, at what is considered to be “the most important ritual of the pilgrimage.” Here, the pilgrims beg and appeal to God for the forgiveness of their sins.

            Finally, on the tenth day of the hajj, the pilgrims throw stones at the three pillars. Also, if the pilgrims can afford to, they sacrifice a goat, camel, or sheep, and distribute the excess meat to the poor. The stoning was seen when Ishmael had thrown stones at the devil as a way of showing his faithfulness to his God, and God’s decision of sacrificing Ishmael. And as a response to Ishmael’s faith and devotion, God had instead chosen to sacrifice a goat.

            The pilgrims can then leave the pilgrimage by having three of their hairs cut at Mina. The pilgrims are also welcome to revisit Mecca and re-circle the Kaaba. Some even take a smart advantage of their opportunities of already being the holy country of Saudi Arabia, and visit the sacred city of Medina, where the prophet Muhammad was buried.              

            To many, the hajj is “a powerful, visual demonstration of the universality of Islam and the sisterhood and brotherhood of all human beings.” To celebrate this beautiful leadership of the Muslim community , and their ownership of many of Islam’s holy sites, the Saudi Arabian kings address the pilgrimage every year. They even provide financial assistance to groups of foreign Muslims who can’t afford to go themselves, and by doing so, allows all Muslims, free of the things that can hold some back and distinguish one from another, to come together and unite under the holy teachings of Islam, and complete the journey which follows the ideals and the principles of Islam, of the pilgrimage, or hajj, to the holy city of Mecca. 

Revealed - The Hajj (Discovery Channel)