Introduction to Hajj

By : AElfwine Mischler

clipped from www.readingislam.com The fifth Pillar of Islam is the pilgrimage to Makkah and its surroundings known as Hajj. All Muslims are obligated to make Hajj once in their lifetimes if they can afford it and are otherwise able to do so. The Hajj is made from the eighth to the twelfth of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah. Upon arriving in Makkah, the pilgrims first circumambulate the Ka`bah seven times in a ritual known as Tawaf. This ritual reminds the pilgrims that Allah (God) should be the focus and center of their lives. For more on the significance of the rituals, see: Wisdom behind Pilgrimage (Hajj) Wisdom behind Rituals The Symbolism and Related Rites of the Ka`bah The next ritual is Sa`i, which is walking back and forth seven times between the hillocks named Safa and Marwah. This commemorates the search for water made by Hajar (Hagar) when Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) left her and her infant son Isma`il (peace be upon him) in the desert.