HAJJ IS THE PILGRIMAGE TO CITY MAKKAH – bestumrahpackages WordPress.com HAJJ IS THE PILGRIMAGE TO CITY MAKKAH The Hajj (pilgrimage to city Makkah) is the 5th of the basic Muslim practices and institutions well-known as the 5 pillars of Islam. Pilgrimage is made to the Holy Kaaba, found in the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia, the ‘House of ALLAH Almighty,’ whose sanctity rests in that the Hazrat Ibraheem (AS) built it for the worship of ALLAH Almighty. ALLAH Almighty rewarded him by attributing the House to himself, in essence honouring it, and by making it the devotional epicentre which all Muslims face when offering the namaz or prayers. The rites and the rituals of pilgrimage are performed today exactly as did by Hazrat Ibraheem (AS) and after him by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Pilgrimage is viewed as a particularly praiseworthy activity. Pilgrimage serves as a penance, the ultimate pardon for sins, devotion, and extreme spirituality.

The pilgrimage to Makkah, the most holy city in Islam, is required of all financially and physically able Muslims once in their life. The pilgrimage rite starts a few months after Holy Ramadan, in the month last month of Zil-Hajj on the 8th day, and ends on the 13th day. Makkah is the center towards which the Muslims meet once a year, meet and revive in themselves the faith that all Muslims are equivalent and deserve the sympathy and love of others, irrespective of their race or racial origin. Therefore the pilgrimage unites the Muslims of the globe into one international fraternity. More than 2 million persons perform the Hajj each year, and the rite serves as a unifying power in Islam by bringing Muslims of diverse backgrounds together in worship. In few Muslim societies, once a Muslim has made the pilgrimage, he is often labelled with the title ‘hajji’; this, though, is a cultural, rather than religious custom. Finally, the Hajj is a manifestation of the faith in the oneness of ALLAH Almighty, all the pilgrims worship and obey the orders and commands of the One ALLAH Almighty.

At certain stations on the caravan routes to Makkah, or when the pilgrim passes the nearest point to those stations, the pilgrim enters the state of purity well-known as ihram. In this state, the particular ‘normal’ actions of the day and night become prohibited and impermissible for the pilgrims, such as clipping the fingernails, covering the head, and wearing normal garments in regards to men. Males remove their daily wears and don the garments particular to this state of ihram, 2 white seamless sheets that are wrapped around the body in a prescribed way. All this increases the sanctity and reverence of the pilgrimage, the city of Makkah, and month of Zil-Hijjah. After entering into the state of ihram, the pilgrim proceeds to Makkah and awaits the start of the Hajj. kaabahtours.co.uk is one of the authorized Hajj and Umrah travel agent based in UK offers a range of Affordable Saudi Umrah Visa from UK.

Share this: The Hajj - The Pilgrimage to Mecca Homepage > Newsletters > Issue 8 The Hajj The Hajj--the Pilgrimage to Mecca--is essentially a series of rites performed in and near Mecca, the holiest of the three holy cities of Islam--Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. As it is one of the five pillars of Islam, all believers, if they are financially and physically able, must make this Pilgrimage at least once in their life. The Hajj must be made between the eighth and the 13th days of the 12th month (called Dhu al-Hijjah) of the Muslim lunar year. Donning the Ihram In a general sense, the Pilgrimage begins with the donning of the Ihram, a white seamless garment. The Ihram is symbol of the pilgrims' search for purity and their renunciation of mundane pleasures. For men this garment consists of two lengths of white material, one covering the body from waist to ankle, the other thrown over the shoulder. For women it is customarily--but not necessarily--a simple white gown and a head covering without a veil.

At the moment of donning the Ihram the pilgrims enter a state of grace and purity in which they may not engage in any disputes, commit any violent acts or indulge in sexual relations. Uttering the Talbiyah In donning the Ihram the pilgrims also make a formal Declaration of Pilgrimage and pronounce a devotional utterance called the Talbiyah: "Doubly at Thy service, O God," a phrase which they will repeat frequently during the Pilgrimage as an indication that they have responded to God's call to make the Pilgrimage. Entering the Haram After donning the Ihram- and only after- the pilgrims may enter the Haram. In a sense, the Haram is merely a geographical area which surrounds Mecca. But because its frontiers were established by Abraham and confirmed by Muhammad, the Haram is considered a sacred precinct within which man, undomesticated plants, birds and beasts need fear no molestation and all violence, even the plucking of a wild flower, is forbidden. For the duration of the Hajj, Mecca and the Sanctuary that surrounds it have a special status.

To cross the frontiers of the Haram--which lie outside Mecca between three and 18 miles from the Ka'bah--pilgrims from outside Saudi Arabia must now have a special Hajj visa in their passports. The visa must be stamped by immigration officials stationed at various check points on roads leading into the Haram and it entitles pilgrims to travel only within the Haram and to certain other places that pilgrims must, or customarily do, visit. Non-Muslims are strictly forbidden to enter the Haram under any circumstances. Going to Mina On the eighth day of Dhu al-Hijjah the assembled pilgrims begin the Hajj by going--some on foot, most by bus, truck and car--to Mina, a small uninhabited village five miles east of Mecca, and there spend the night--as the Prophet (pbuh) himself did on his Farewell Pilgrimage--meditating and praying in preparation for "the Standing" (Wuquf), which will occur the next day and which is the central rite of the Hajj.

Standing at 'Arafat On the morning of the ninth, the pilgrims move in masse from Mina to the Plain of 'Arafat for "the Standing," the culmination--but not the end--of the pilgrimage. In what is a basically simple ceremony the pilgrims gather on the plain and, facing Mecca, meditate and pray. Some pilgrims literally stand the entire time--from shortly before noon to just before sunset--but, despite the name of the ceremony, are not required to do so. Pilgrims may, and most do, sit, talk, eat, and, although not required to do so, climb to the summit of a 200-foot hill called the Mount of Mercy (Jabal al-Rahmah) at the bottom of which Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) delivered his Farewell Sermon during his Pilgrimage. Going to Muzdalifah Just after sunset, which is signaled by cannon fire, the pilgrims gathered at 'Arafat immediately proceed in masse to a place called Muzdalifah a few miles back toward Mina.

Traditionally, there, the pilgrims sleep under the stars after gathering a number of pebbles for use during the rites on the following days. Some gather 49 pebbles, other 70, and still others wait until they get to Mina. Stoning the Pillars Before daybreak on the 10th, again roused by cannon, the pilgrims continue their return to Mina. There they throw seven of the stones which they collected at Muzdalifah at one of three whitewashed, rectangular masonry pillars. The particular pillar which they stone on this occasion is generally thought to represent "the Great Devil"--that is, Satan, who three times tried to persuade Abraham to disobey God's command to sacrifice his son--and the throwing of the pebbles symbolizes the pilgrim's repudiation of evil. Performing the Sacrifice Now begins the greatest feast of Islam: the 'Id al-Adha--the Feast of Sacrifice. After the throwing of the seven stones the pilgrims who can afford it buy a sheep, a goat or a share of some other sacrificial animal, sacrifice it and give away a portion of the meat to the poor.

The Sacrifice has several meanings: it commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son; it symbolizes the believer's preparedness to give up what is dearest him; it marks the Muslim renunciation of idolatrous sacrifice; it offers thanksgiving to God; and it reminds the pilgrim to share his blessings with those less fortunate. But as Muslims everywhere are the same day performing an identical sacrifice--and thus vicariously sharing in the elation of the pilgrims in Mecca--the Sacrifice is also an integral part of a worldwide Muslim celebration that unites those on the Hajj with those elsewhere. Donning the Ihram As the pilgrims have now completed a major part of the Hajj, men shave their heads or clip their hair and women cut off a symbolic lock to mark partial deconsecration. At this point the pilgrims may remove the Ihram, bathe and put on clean clothes, but although the period of consecration is now at an end, the prohibitions against intercourse still obtain, for the Pilgrimage is not yet over.

Making the Tawaf The pilgrims now proceed directly to Mecca and the Sacred Mosque, which encloses the Ka'bah, and, on a huge marble-floored oval, perform "the Circling" (Tawaf). The Tawaf consists essentially of circling the Ka'bah on foot seven times, reciting a prayer during each circuit. It signifies the unity of God and man and reminds believers that the Patriarch Abraham, his son Ishmael and Muhammad (peace be upon them), emphasized the importance of the Ka'bah. Kissing the Hajar al-Aswad (Black Stone) While circling the Ka'bah the pilgrims should, if they can, kiss or touch the Black Stone (Hajar Al-aswad), which is embedded in the southeastern corner of the Ka'bah and which is the precise starting point of the seven circuits. Failing this, they salute it. Kissing the Stone is a ritual that is performed only because the Holy Prophet (pbuh) did it and not because any powers or symbolism attach to the Stone per se.

After completing the last circuit of the Ka'bah, the pilgrims go to the "Place of Abraham," also within the courtyard, and worship the spot where Abraham himself offered up his devotions to God. That site is now marked by an octagonal metal and crystal structure recently built. The Tawaf after Mina is called the Tawaf of the Return and is the last essential ritual. The pilgrims are now fully deconsecrated and are hajjis--that is they have completed the Hajj. Making the Sa'y Although the key rituals of the Hajj have been completed, most pilgrims also include "the Running" (Sa'y), a reenactment of the search for water by Hagar, wife of Abraham. Hagar was led into the desert with her infant son Ishmael and left near the present site of Mecca. Frantic for water for the child, she ran desperately back and forth seven times between two rocky hillocks, one called al-Safa the other al-Marwa, until the Angel Gabriel appeared and, stamping the ground with his heel, brought forth water for her and her child.

This is the origin of the Well of Zamzam, now enclosed in a marble chamber beneath the courtyard of the Sacred Mosque. Pilgrims drink from the well before starting the Sa'y. In performing the Sa'y, the pilgrims enter a spacious enclosed gallery or corridor appended to the Sacred Mosque and called the "the Place of Running" (al-Mas'a) and approach al-Safa, one of the hillocks, now little more than a knoll at the end of the gallery. Facing toward the Ka'bah, the pilgrims declare their intention of performing the Sa'y, descend to the Mas'a and walk briskly between the hills seven times. Returning to Mina It is also customary for the pilgrims to return to Mina between the 11th and 13th--for the third time--where they cast their remaining pebbles at each of the three pillars, seven stones at each pillar on each of the days they are there, for a total of either 49 or 70 pebbles. They also visit with other pilgrims.

Departure Before leaving Mecca it is also customary to make a final Tawaf around the Ka'bah as a means of bidding the Holy City farewell and most pilgrims, if they have time, also take this opportunity to pay a visit to the Mosque of the Prophet in Medina, 277 miles to the north. This is not a part of the Pilgrimage, but it is considered meritorious to pray in the mosque which the Prophet (pbuh) himself founded. The Umrah Upon first entering Mecca, before beginning the Hajj, pilgrims also perform a Tawaf and a Sa'y. But done then, these two rites --coupled with the donning of the Ihram at the border of the Sanctuary--constitute the 'Umrah, or "the Lesser Pilgrimage." The 'Umrah is essentially a mark of respect paid to the city of Mecca upon first entering it--and although it is a requirement for pilgrims arriving from outside Mecca--a necessary prelude to the Pilgrimage--and involves two of the same rites, it is not part of the Hajj.

It is also required for Muslims who visit Mecca at other times of the year because that was the practice of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) himself. But there is only one Hajj--the ceremony which on those special days of Dhu al-Hijjah gathers and unites more than a million of the faithful from every corner of the earth. The Islamic Bulletin Hajj - ReligionFacts ReligionFacts Bowker, John (ed.) Hajj Hajj refers to a Muslim's pilgrimage to Mecca and is one of the five pillars of Islam. At least once in his or her lifetime, each Muslim is expected to undertake this pilgrimage the sacred city of Islam. This holy journey is called the hajj in Arabic. While a visit to Mecca is beneficial any time of the year, it must take place during the month of Dhu al-Hijja (the last month of the Islamic year) to fulfill the requirements of the hajj. As with the sawm (fasting), exceptions are made for those who are physically or financially unable to fulfill this obligation, and one is actually commanded not to make the hajj if to do so would cause hardship for his or her family.

However, those unable to go themselves may fulfill their obligation by sending someone in their stead. The hajj is commanded in the Quran - "And pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto God for mankind, for him who can find the way thither" (3:97) - and its rites were established by Muhammad, but Muslim tradition dates it back to Adam and Abraham, who were instructed by angels in the performance of the rites. The hajj was one of the last public acts of worship performed by Muhammad before his death. In part, the hajj commemorates the stories of Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael and it has been assigned various other meanings throughout the centuries. For many Muslims, one of the most meaningful aspects of the pilgrimage is the unifying effect of bringing together believers from all over the world to meet and worship together. Upon arrival at the boundary of Mecca (about six miles from the Ka'ba), pilgrims enter the state of ihram (purity) in which they will remain throughout the hajj. Males entering this pure state don the ihram garments - two white, seamless sheets wrapped around the body - and sandals.

This aspect of the rite not only signifies the state of holiness the pilgrims have entered, but it serves to contribute to a sense of equality and unity by removing visual indicators of class, wealth and culture. Requirements for women are less stringent, but they usually dress in white with only faces and hands uncovered. While in the state of ihram, pilgrims must not cut their nails or hair, engage in sexual relations, argue, fight or hunt. When he or she enters the city of Mecca, the pilgrim first walks around the Ka'ba seven times (the tawaf, or circumambulation) while reciting the talbiya, then kisses or touches the Black Stone in the Ka'ba, prays twice towards the Station of Abraham and the Ka'ba and runs seven times between the small mountains of Safa and Marwa. The second stage of the hajj takes place between the 8th and 12th days of Dhu al-Hijja, beginning with a sermon (khutba) at the mosque on the 7th day. On the eighth day and night, the pilgrim stays at Mina or Arafat.

On the ninth day, the ritual of wuquf ("standing") takes place at the small hill of Jabal al-Rahma in Arafat. The pilgrim then returns to Muzdalifa, a small town within the Meccan boundaries, to stay the night. The tenth day is Eid al-Adha (The Feast of Sacrifice), a major holiday observed by all Muslims. For those participating in the hajj, the day is spent in Mina, where the pilgrim sacrifices an animal to commemorate Abraham's sacrifice and throws seven small stones at each of three pillars on three consecutive days (the pillars represent sins and devils). The pilgrim then returns to Mecca, where he or she once again performs the tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka'ba). The head is then shaved or the hair is trimmed, which marks the end of the state of ihram. About 2 million Muslims complete the hajj each year. The government of Saudi Arabia has contributed significant resources to maintain the holy places and manage the crowd of pilgrims. Despite the large numbers seen in Mecca each year, only a small percentage of Muslims have fulfilled the duty.

Those who have done so may add the title hajj or hajji to their names. With such a vast number of people in one place at one time, failures of crowd control and other problems have sometimes led to disaster. Some of the recent tragedies associated with the hajj have included: On July 31, 1987, Iranian pilgrims riot, causing the deaths of over 400 people. On July 9, 1989, two bombs exploded, killing one pilgrim and wounding another 16. Saudi authorities beheaded 16 Kuwaiti Shiite Muslims for bombings after originally blaming Iranian terrorists. On July 2, 1990, a stampede inside a pedestrian tunnel leading to Mecca led to the deaths of 1402 pilgrims. In 1994, another stampede killed 270 pilgrims. On February 1, 2004, 244 Muslim pilgrims were killed and another 244 injured in a stampede during the stoning of the devil ritual. Perceived failure to prevent these events, or to react appropriately to them, has led to strong criticism of the Saudi Arabian authorities by Muslims.

It should be said that such events are common enough across all religious celebrations. In January 2005, for example, Indian Hindu rituals resulted in a stampede when worshippers outside a shrine learned that their relatives had been crushed after slipping on the coconut milk that had been exploded upon an altar as an offering to the god. We can also remember the funeral of Ayatollah Khomeini, when the frenzy of thousands of mourners reached a dangerous peak and the body fell out of the casket. The other pillars of Islam are: Daily confession of faith (shahada) Daily ritual prayer (salat) Sacred Journeys Begin the Hajj in Islam's holiest city. Mina Head to Mina for a day of prayer and contemplation. Arafat Visit the place where Muhammad gave his last sermon. Mecca The Hajj begins in Mecca, Islam's holiest city and the birthplace of the prophet Muhammad. Pilgrims gather here once a year to recreate Muhammad's path as the native son returned to his tribal home the leader of a vibrant new religion. Explore Mecca View Larger Map Use the Google maps controls to explore Mecca from above.

"This is a life milestone that has been engrained in me as something that I need to do, something that I have to do." —Husam Ansari, pilgrim to the Hajj Mina On the first day of the Hajj, fifteen thousand buses carry millions of pilgrims from Mecca to the Valley of Mina, five miles away, in a route laid out by Muhammad. Men dress in ihram—two cloths wrapped around the body—while women dress modestly, without jewelry or make-up. Worshipers spend a day and night here in prayer and contemplation, sleeping alongside other pilgrims in one of the thousands of tents erected for the pilgrimage. Explore Mina Use the Google maps controls to explore the tent city of Mina from above. Bruce Feiler's Notes from the Field Citizen Journalists Pilgrims can now easily capture and share their experiences on the Hajj with the rest of the world. How are technology and social media affecting the pilgrimage to Mecca? "Who knows when something is going to touch you or not touch you, when you're going to get the closeness to Allah.

Nothing can describe that feeling but also nothing can tell you when it's going to come." —Jack Lindsay, pilgrim to the Hajj Arafat On the second morning of the Hajj, the pilgrims travel nine miles to the Plain of Arafat for the single most important event of the pilgrimage. Muslims believe that on this day, the divine descends to the lower heavens to listen to worshippers' requests for forgiveness. It was here, perched above the Plain of Arafat on the Mount of Mercy, where Muhammad gave his farewell sermon just months before he died. Valley of Muzdalifa & The Jamarat Gather rocks for a ritualistic stoning of the devil. The Great Mosque Circle the Ka'aba seven times as instructed by Muhammad. Valley of Muzdalifa & The Jamarat The second day of the Hajj ends at the Valley of Muzdalifa, where pilgrims gather stones for throwing in a ritual that symbolizes Abraham's defiance of the devil and is conducted upon returning to Mina the following day. Due to the large numbers of pilgrims, Hajj authorities are said to bring in tons of stones each year to restock the supply.

On the third morning of the Hajj, pilgrims move on to the penultimate stage of the pilgrimage, returning to Mina to stone the devil, which they do again and again in a vast, multi-level building with three massive stone pillars called the Jamarat that stand where Abraham is said to have himself confronted the devil. "The throwing of the rocks, I almost didn't go because I really didn't think of it as anything significant, almost even silly, but I went, and the first one I was throwing rocks like I was throwing them at my own flaws, and the second one, I found myself asking for strength to overcome those, and the last one, I found myself feeling so alive." —Amira Quraishi, pilgrim to the Hajj Gallery: The Jamarat The Great Mosque The Hajj ends where it began, in Mecca. At the heart of this holy city is the Great Mosque. Covering almost 100 acres, its multiple levels and corridors are said to hold up to a million pilgrims at one time. At the center is the Ka'aba, which the Koran says was built by Abraham and Ishmael. Muslims consider it the "House of God" on Earth.

On the final night of the Hajj, pilgrims make the ritual known as Tawaf, circling the Ka'aba seven times while barefoot, as instructed by Muhammad. The ritual can take several hours to complete. At the southwest corner of the Ka'aba is a black stone encased in silver. Some Muslims believe that this is a stone from the heavens. Explore the Great Mosque Saudi Arabia: Hajj Pilgrimage - Chapter 4 - 2016 Yellow Book | Travelers' Health | CDC Saudi Arabia: Hajj Pilgrimage Christopher S. Bowron, Salahudin M. Maalim DESTINATION OVERVIEW They will come to thee on foot and (mounted) on every kind of camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways . . . (Quran 22:27) The Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and the largest mass gathering in the world. Every able-bodied adult Muslim who can afford to do so is required to make Hajj at least once in his or her lifetime. Hajj takes place from the 8th through the 12th days of Dhu al-Hijja, the last month of the Islamic year.

Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, the timing of Hajj varies with respect to the Gregorian calendar (for example, it was October 1–6 in 2014 and September 20–25 in 2015). More than 2 million Muslims from >183 countries make Hajj each year (approximately 2.8 million in 2010), >11,000 of whom travel from the United States. Most international pilgrims fly into Jeddah and take a bus to Mecca. By foot or by bus, the pilgrim then travels 8 km to the massive tent city of Mina, where most pilgrims are housed in air-conditioned tents. At dawn on the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijja, pilgrims begin a 14.4-km walk to the plain of Arafat, passing Muzdalifah along the way ( Map 4-16 ). The route is littered with cool mist sprinklers to counteract the oppressive daytime temperatures, but the risk of heat-related illnesses during this part of the journey is high. Hajj ambulances and medical stations along the route are available for medical assistance.

Hajj culminates on the Plain of Arafat, a few miles east of Mecca, where the Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon. Pilgrims spend the day in supplication, praying and reading the Quran; it is the pinnacle of most pilgrims’ spiritual lives. After sunset, pilgrims begin the 9-km walk back to Muzdalifah, where they sleep in the open air. At sunrise on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijja, pilgrims collect small pebbles at Muzdalifah and carry them to Mina. This day’s ritual is called the Stoning of the Devil at Jamaraat. During this ritual, pilgrims throw 7 tiny pebbles (specifically, no larger than a chickpea) at each of 3 white pillars. The crowded conditions at this site pose potential hazards; multiple deadly stampedes occurred from 1994 to 2004. In 2004, after 251 pilgrims were killed and another 244 injured, the Saudi government replaced the round pillars with wide, elliptical columns to reduce crowd densities.

However, after another stampede in 2006 that killed 380 pilgrims and injured 289, the single-tiered Jamaraat pedestrian bridge was demolished and replaced with a wider, multilevel bridge. Subsequently, no further incidents have occurred at Jamaraat. Traditionally after Jamaraat, pilgrims sacrifice an animal to symbolize the ram that Abraham sacrificed instead of his son. More recently, pilgrims are required to purchase a “sacrifice voucher” in Mecca and have this sacrifice performed by proxy. Centralized, licensed abattoirs perform the sacrifice on behalf of the pilgrim. After returning to Mecca, pilgrims go immediately to the Grand Mosque, which contains the Ka’aba, the most sacred site in Islam, and perform a tawaf, circling the Ka’aba 7 times counterclockwise. Because of the vast number of people (each floor of the 3-level mosque has a capacity of 750,000), a single tawaf can take hours.

In addition to tawaf, pilgrims may perform sa’i, walking or running 7 times between the hills of Safa and Marwah and then drinking water from the Well of Zamzam. Previously performed in open air, this route is now enclosed by the Grand Mosque and can be traversed via air-conditioned tunnels, with separate sections for walkers, runners, and disabled pilgrims. After a final tawaf, pilgrims leave Mecca, ending Hajj. Although it is not required as part of Hajj, many pilgrims extend their trips to travel to Medina. In Medina, pilgrims visit the Mosque of the Prophet, which contains the tomb of Mohammed and is the second holiest site in Islam. Map 4-16. Hajj destination map HEALTH ISSUES Immunizations All pilgrims should be up-to-date with routine immunizations. In addition, hepatitis A and B and typhoid vaccines are recommended. Although a requirement for polio vaccine does not include adult pilgrims from the United States, it is best to ensure full vaccination against polio before travel. Children up to 15 years of age must show proof of vaccination with quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine and polio vaccine.

Children older than 15 years of age have the same vaccination requirements as adults. Meningococcal Vaccine Because of the intensely crowded conditions of the Hajj and high carrier rates of Neisseria meningitidis among pilgrims, outbreaks of meningococcal disease have historically been a problem during Hajj. In the aftermath of outbreaks in 2000 and 2001 that affected 1,300 and 1,109 people, respectively, the Saudi Ministry of Health began requiring all pilgrims and local at-risk populations to receive the meningococcal vaccine. Hajj visas cannot be issued without proof of meningococcal vaccination. All adults and children >2 years of age must have received a single dose of quadrivalent A/C/Y/W-135 vaccine and must show proof of vaccination on a valid International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis. Children between 3 months and 2 years of age must show proof of vaccination with 2 doses of meningococcal A monovalent vaccine with a 3-month interval between the doses. Hajj pilgrims must have had the meningococcal vaccine ≤3 years and ≥10 days before arriving in Saudi Arabia.

Current Hajj vaccination requirements are available from the following sources: Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health ( ) Saudi Arabian Embassy ( ) Respiratory Infections Respiratory tract infections are common during Hajj; the most common cause of hospital admission is pneumonia. These risks underscore the need to follow the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendations for pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine for pilgrims aged ≥65 years and for younger pilgrims with comorbidities. Seasonal influenza vaccine, including H1N1, is strongly recommended for all pilgrims. Behavioral interventions such as hand hygiene, wearing a face mask, cough etiquette, social distancing, and contact avoidance can be effective at mitigating respiratory illness among Hajj pilgrims. Pre-Hajj travel advice about common respiratory conditions should include a general assessment for respiratory fitness, necessary vaccinations, and prescription of adequate supplies of portable respiratory medications (prefer inhalers over nebulizers). The crowded conditions during Hajj increase the probability of tuberculosis transmission. Pilgrims are advised to see their doctors if they develop signs of active tuberculosis: cough with sputum and blood at times, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever, and night sweats.

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. The illness is caused by a novel coronavirus that is similar to the virus responsible for the 2003 global outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Cases have been identified in and around the Arabian Peninsula, but cases have also been exported to other countries, including the United States. The most common symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. However, myalgias, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia have also been reported. The severity of illness has ranged from mild to severe, and approximately 35% of reported cases have been fatal. The role of animal-to-human transmission is unclear, but the virus has been found in camels in this region. The diagnosis can be suspected on clinical grounds and confirmed by PCR testing. More information is available in Chapter 3, MERS . Other Health and Safety Risks Communicable Diseases Diarrheal disease is common during Hajj, and travelers should be educated on usual prevention measures and self-treatment.

A pre-travel visit should include discussions about prevention, oral rehydration strategies, antimotility agents, and emergency antibiotic use for treatment of traveler’s diarrhea. Chafing caused by long rituals of standing and walking in the heat can lead to fungal or bacterial skin infections. Clothing should be light, not restrictive, and changed often to maintain hygiene. Travelers should be advised to keep skin dry, use talcum powder, and be aware of any pain or soreness caused by garments. Any sores or blisters that develop should be disinfected and kept covered. Special attention should be paid to protect the feet, which are bare when inside the Grand Mosque. Nasal ablution, called istinshaaq, is the practice of rinsing your nose with water before performing some rituals during the Hajj. Medical literature has identified rare cases of primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by Naegleria fowleri. Even though no cases of Hajj-related PAM have been reported, nasal ablution is common during Hajj, and pilgrims are advised to use safe water to protect themselves from this potential risk. When in doubt, they should use bottled water.

Boiling or filtering the water are other ways to decrease the risk of PAM. At the end of Hajj, Muslim men must shave their heads. The use of unclean blades can transmit bloodborne pathogens, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Licensed barbers are tested for these bloodborne pathogens and are required to use disposable, single-use blades. Unfortunately, unlicensed barbers continue to operate by the roadside, where they use nonsterile blades on multiple men. Male travelers should be advised to be shaved only at officially designated centers, which are clearly marked. Noncommunicable Diseases and Other Hazards Hajj is arduous even for young, healthy pilgrims, and many Muslims wait until they are older before making Hajj. Pilgrims who are caught up in the spiritual experience of Hajj may forget to take their usual medications. Travelers with chronic medical conditions should undergo a functional assessment before leaving for Hajj. The medical provider should identify each traveler’s unique risks and tailor a plan on how to reduce them. The provider should make any adjustments to the usual medical regimen, ensure that the traveler has an adequate supply of medications, and educate the traveler about symptoms that should prompt urgent medical attention.

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are leading causes of death, particularly when Hajj occurs during the summer months. Pilgrims should stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and seek shade when possible. Umbrellas are frequently used to provide portable sun protection. Travelers should be counseled on minimizing the risk of heat-related injuries as well as sun avoidance. Some rituals may also be performed at night to avoid daytime heat. Pilgrims can be reassured that night rituals have been advocated as legitimate by religious clerics. Fire is a potential risk at Hajj. In 1997, open stoves set tents on fire, and the resulting blaze killed 343 pilgrims and injured >1,500. As a result, makeshift tents were replaced with permanent fiberglass structures; no pilgrim is allowed to set up his own tent or prepare his own food. Cooking in the tents is also prohibited. Trauma Trauma is a major cause of injury and death during Hajj. Pilgrims may walk long distances through or near dense traffic, and motor vehicle accidents are inevitable. The most feared trauma hazard, however, is stampede.

In such dense crowds, little can be done to avoid or escape a stampede once it has begun, but the physical environment of the Hajj has been engineered specifically to minimize this risk. Past stampedes have often begun as minor incidents; the 2006 Hajj stampede, for example, began when some pilgrims tripped over fallen luggage, but it resulted in hundreds of injuries and deaths. Death usually results from asphyxiation or head trauma, and providing prompt treatment is next to impossible in large crowds. Special Health Considerations Menstruation Women are not permitted to perform tawaf around the Ka’aba stone if they are menstruating. The remainder of the rituals may be performed during menstruation if the tawaf was performed before the menstrual period began. Thus, a female Hajj pilgrim who suspects that she may be menstruating during the Hajj may request hormonal suppression of menstrual bleeding. Diabetes Mellitus Muslims with diabetes planning to make Hajj should make a pre-Hajj travel clinic visit with enough advanced notice to carefully construct a diabetes management plan tailored to the health challenges of the Hajj. Diabetic patients should ensure adequate prescriptions for all medications, including syringes and needles.

A diabetes emergency kit should include easily accessible carbohydrate sources to counter hypoglycemia, glucometer and test strips, urine ketone sticks to evaluate for ketoacidosis, a list of medications and care plans, and glucagon as indicated. Lastly, durable and protective footwear are necessary to avoid minor foot trauma that can lead to infections. Epilepsy Before making Hajj, a pilgrim’s seizure disorder must be controlled on stable doses of medications. Before departure, Hajj travelers should ensure they have adequate supplies of routine medications, as well as a buccal or rectal formulation of antiseizure medications. SAUDI GOVERNMENT SAFETY MEASURES The Saudi government has created a Ministry of Hajj that collaborates with the Ministry of Health to improve pilgrims’ experience, including mitigating health risks during Hajj. The hospitals and health centers in and around the holy sites are adequately staffed and equipped for the large gathering. The medical facilities offer high quality of care, and services are offered free to Hajj pilgrims. To ensure efficient transport through the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, the Saudi government has built a modern airport terminal solely dedicated to Hajj pilgrims.

Furthermore, modern modes of transportation (light rail, 15,000 Hajj dedicated buses, and even high-speed rail lines) have been developed to safely transport pilgrims to the city of Mecca and other holy sites. To mitigate the risk of heat exposure during this journey, the government provides complimentary water distributed from refrigerated trucks, more air conditioned sites (tents at Mina), large sun-blocking canopies, and thousands of fine mist sprinklers. To further protect themselves, travelers are urged to avoid the most densely crowded areas during Hajj. When the option exists, performance of rituals at nonpeak hours is encouraged. For example, most pilgrims prefer to perform the Stoning of the Devil at midday, but Saudi authorities have decreed that it may be performed anytime between sunrise and sunset or even by proxy, if the pilgrim cannot access the Jamaraat bridge. BIBLIOGRAPHY Ahmed QA, Arabi YM, Memish ZA. Health risks at the Hajj. Lancet. 2006 Mar 25;367(9515):1008–15. Alsafadi H, Goodwin W, Syed A. Diabetes care during Hajj.

Clin Med. 2011 Jun;11(3):218–21. Alzahrani AG, Choudhry AJ, Al Mazroa MA, Turkistani AH, Nouman GS, Memish ZA. Pattern of diseases among visitors to Mina health centers during the Hajj season, 1429 H (2008 G). J Infect Public Health. 2012 Mar;5(1):22–34. Assiri A, Al-Tawfiq JA, Al-Rabeeah AA, Al-Rabiah FA, Al-Hajjar S, Al-Barrak A, et al. Epidemiological, demographic, and clinical characteristics of 47 cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease from Saudi Arabia: a descriptive study. Lancet Infect Dis. 2013 Sep;13(9):752–61. Balaban V, Stauffer WM, Hammad A, Afgarshe M, Abd-Alla M, Ahmed Q, et al. Protective practices and respiratory illness among US travelers to the 2009 Hajj. J Travel Med.

2012 May–Jun;19(3):163–8. Khan NA, Ishag AM, Ahmad MS, El-Sayed FM, Bachal ZA, Abbas TG. Pattern of medical diseases and determinants of prognosis of hospitalization during 2005 Muslim pilgrimage Hajj in a tertiary care hospital. A prospective cohort study. Saudi Med J. 2006 Sep;27(9):1373–80. Memish ZA. The Hajj: communicable and non-communicable health hazards and current guidance for pilgrims. Euro Surveill. 2010 Sep 30;15(39):19671. Memish ZA. Saudi Arabia has several strategies to care for pilgrims on the Hajj. BMJ. 2011;343:d7731. Memish ZA, Al-Rabeeah AA. Health conditions of travellers to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj and Umra) for 1434 (2013). J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2013 Jun;3(2):59–61.

World Health Organization. Health conditions for travellers to Saudi Arabia pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj). Wkly Epidemiol Rec. 2005 Dec 9;80(49–50):431–2. Pilgrimage to Mecca: Hajj CONTACT US Pilgrimage to Mecca: Hajj Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca - Islam's holiest city. All Muslims must perform this pilgrimage as an act of worship at least once in his/her lifetime. Performed during the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah, and lasting 5-days, Hajj is a series of ritual acts, which symbolize the lives of Abraham and his son Ishmael. Sequence of the Hajj Journey: Day 1 Ihram: Before entering the Holy city of Mecca, the pilgrim must first perform a ritual cleansing and wear special Ihram garments, which consist of two unhemmed white sheets. In doing so, the pilgrim declares their intention abstain from the restricted acts, such as using perfume, trimming their nails, or sexual intercourse. Umrah: Once in Mecca, the pilgrims enter the The Sacred Mosque (Masjid Al Haram).

In the centre of the Mosque stands a cubic building 15 meters (49 ft) high and 10 meters (33 ft) wide. This, the Kaaba, was built by Abraham and Ishmael as a house of worship, and is considered the center of the Muslim world. Embedded in the South Eastern corner of the Kaaba is the black stone (al-Hajar-ul-Aswad), which is believed to have fallen from heaven and turned black from the absorption of sin. Entering the Mosque, the pilgrims perform their first Tawaf. In a Tawaf, the pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven times and kiss the black stone on each rotation. After Tawaf, on the same day, the pilgrims perform sa'i, running or walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, which are 450 meters (492 yards) apart. This is a re-enactment of Hagar's (Abraham's wife) frantic search for water for their son Ishmael, before an angel revealed to her the ZamZam Well.

Day 2 Arafat: On the second day of Hajj, the pilgrims travel 14.4 km (9 miles) east from Mina to Mount Arafat - the place of the last sermon of the profit Muhammad. Considered the culminating experience of Hajj, pilgrims spend the afternoon in contemplative vigil. From afternoon to sunset, they stand, in prayer and reflection, facing Mecca. In the evening after Arafat, pilgrims leave for Muzdalifah, traveling 9 km (5.6 miles). Muzdalifah: At Muzdalifah, which is located between Arafat and Mina, the pilgrims sleep in the open (i.e., without tents). They spend the night in prayer and gathering stones for the next day's ritual "stoning of the devil." Before the sun has risen, the pilgrims return to Mina. Day 3 Ramy al-jamarāt: On the third day, in Mina, pilgrims perform the stoning of the devil (ramy) where they throw their stone pebbles at the largest of three Jamarat pillars. The Jamarat pillars represent the temptations of Satan.

After the stoning, an animal is sacrificed, either by the pilgrim or by someone appointed by the pilgrim to perform the sacrifice in their name. Tawaf al-Ifadah: Returning to Mecca on the same day, Pilgrims revisit The Sacred Mosque for an additional Tawaf, called Tawaf al-Ifadah, which symbolizes being in a hurry to respond to God, an obligatory part of the Hajj. As a final sacrifice, the pilgrim then shaves his/her head or cuts off a portion of hair. Following this act, all of the restrictions of Ihram are lifted, meaning that they can wear everyday clothing, wear perfume, etc. Day 4 / 5 The Days of Tashriq: The pilgrims then return to Mina for two days. On each of the two days, pilgrims, again, stone the Jamarat pillars, each with seven stones. These two days are spent in contemplative prayer. On the fifth day, pilgrims return to Mecca where a Farewell Tawaf is performed and the Hajj is complete.

The Hajj | Arabic Word a Day Arabic Word a Day 9 Comments The Hajj Pending the observed phase of the moon (as with every other annual Islamic event, which if you recall are dated according to the lunar Hijri calendar), it appears that the Hajj for the year 1434 AH will begin either Sunday or Monday. I thought I would take the opportunity to write a post about Islamic pilgrimage in general, which you can find at my regular blog . Here we’ll talk about the Hajj and look at some relevant vocabulary. I will add some Persian and Turkish pilgrimage vocabulary as well. The Hajj (الحَجّ) is a group pilgrimage to the city of Mecca (full name: مكة المکرمة makkah al-mukarramah, “the Honored Mecca” or “the Holy City of Mecca”), in the western region of Saudi Arabia known as the Hejaz (الحِجاز, al-ḥijāz). It is, with the exception of Ramadan, the central event of the Islamic calendar.

Its completion is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and every able-bodied Muslim who can afford the journey is obliged to complete it at least once in his or her life, though women must be accompanied either by a husband or a مَحرَم (maḥram), a male relative (blood or in-law) who could not legally marry her (brother, son, father, etc.). The Hajj is meant to invoke the pilgrimage of Muhammad and his followers from Medina (full name: المدينة المنورة al-madīnah al-munawwarah, literally “the Radiant City”) to Mecca in 632, the first truly Islamic pilgrimage during which Muhammad taught his followers its ceremonial rites. However, that pilgrimage was itself rooted in pre-Islamic Arabian practice; Mecca was a regional holy site long before Muhammad began preaching, something that Mecca’s merchant community used to its advantage in boosting commerce.

Legend says that the pilgrimage was founded to commemorate the struggles of Hagar (هاجَر) and her son Ismāʿīl (إسماعيل, the Biblical Ishmael), who wandered in the desert after being cast away by Abraham (إبراهيم, Ibrāhīm) and Sarah, dying of thirst, until God opened a well for them, the Well of Zamzam (زَمزَم), in what is now Mecca. Historically Muslims journeyed to Mecca via Hajj caravan, both as an expression of group solidarity and for safety. Both imperial and local rulers were at pains to see that any caravans that originated in or passed through their territories were protected, and failure to do so could lead to diplomatic crises if the subjects of another ruler, or if the practitioners of a powerful ruler’s sect, were harmed during the journey (if, say, a group of Shiʿa pilgrims were harmed while traveling through a region controlled by a Sunni ruler, that ruler could probably expect to hear from the pre-eminent Shiʿi monarch of the time).

Nowadays, of course, we don’t do things by caravan very much anymore, and most of the ~1.5-2 million pilgrims who come from outside Saudi Arabia (last year about 3.2 million total pilgrims made the Hajj, about 1.7 million of whom came from outside the Kingdom) do so by plane, landing either in Medina or (more commonly, since it’s much closer to Mecca) Jeddah. The pilgrims then process from these cities on to Mecca, camping in the desert at night. The rituals include the requirement that pilgrims enter a sacral state of bodily and spiritual cleanliness, known as إحرام (iḥrām). This includes wearing very simple white robes and avoiding any scents like deodorants, cologne, perfume, and scented soaps (unscented soap is provided to pilgrims for bathing, which is also part of the iḥrām requirement). It also demands that the pilgrim cleanse his or her mind of negative/impure emotions and thoughts and that he or she abstain from things like smoking, swearing, killing animals, and quarreling.

The Kaaba during the Hajj After arriving in Mecca the pilgrims then act out a series of rituals meant to commemorate the lives and experiences of Ibrahim, Hagar, and Ismaʿil. First they perform a طَواف (ṭawāf), or circumnabulation (moving around a sacred object) of the Kaaba (الكَعبة, al-kaʿbah), the large black cube-shaped structure in the center of the Masjid al-Haram (المَسجِد الحَرام, al-masjid al-ḥarām, “Mosque of the Holy Place”), which is done seven times around the Kaaba. Ibrahim and Ismaʿil are said to have built the Kaaba together after being commanded by God to build a structure where He could be worshiped, and the tawaf, done by all pilgrims in harmony, is meant to symbolize the unity of the Islamic community in its worship of the One God. The Kaabah is covered by a cloth, called the Kiswah (كِسوة), which is manufactured every year; each year’s cloth is cut into pieces and given to pilgrims, dignitaries, and Islamic organizations.

After prayers in the mosque, they perform the سَعي (saʿī), during which they run back and forth between two hills in the mosque courtyard, Safa (الصَفا, al-ṣafā) and Marwah (المَروة, al-marwah), commemorating an episode in which Hagar is said to have run frantically between those hills searching for water to give to the infant Ismaʿil before God revealed the Zamzam well (drinking water from the well is part of the ritual). Map of the Hajj rituals The next day the pilgrims process to Mina, a neighborhood outside Mecca, and spend the day in prayer, camping there that night. The following morning they journey further outside Mecca (now around 13 miles outside the city), to Mount Arafat (جَبَل عَرَفات, jabal ʿarafāt), where Muhammad gave his final sermon during that first Hajj in 632.

They spend the day in prayer, reflection, and reciting Qurʿan, and this ritual, called the Wuquf (الوُقوف, al-wuqūf, “stopping,” or “standing”) is the centerpiece of the pilgrimage (failure to spend the day at Arafat renders the whole effort moot). That night they sleep in the open air in an area about halfway on the trek from Arafat back to Mina. The next day they return to Mina and participate in the commemoration of Ibrahim’s near-sacrifice of Ismaʿil (this is the Biblical Abraham-Isaac story, but according to Islam it was Ismaʿil who was to be sacrificed). They throw stones and pebbles at three walls (which used to be three pillars) that symbolize the three times Satan tested Ibrahim’s faith and willingness to sacrifice Ismaʿil as God commanded.

The “Stoning of Satan” (رَمي الجَمَرات, ramī al-jamarāt) leads into a celebration of the Feast of the Sacrifice or Eid al-Adha (عيد الأضحى, ʿīd al-aḍḥā), which is celebrated by Muslims worldwide and about which I’ll say a little more in a later post. The pilgrims will return to Mecca and complete at least one more tawaf (usually two) before leaving Mecca.

Many will avail themselves of the proximity to then make a pilgrimage of sorts to Medina, where they will visit the Prophet’s Mosque (المَسجِد النَبَوي, al-masjid al-nabawī) and other important sites like the Mosque of the Two Qiblas (المَسجِد القِبلَتَين, al-masjid al-qiblatayn), where Muhammad is said to have commanded his followers to stop praying in the direction of Jerusalem and start praying toward Mecca and which consequently had two prayer niches (قِبلة, qiblah, the marker in every mosque showing the direction that the worshipers should face) until the Saudis destroyed the one facing Jerusalem because the Saudis enjoy destroying pieces of Islamic heritage . Travelers might also visit Muhammad’s grave, located within the Prophet’s Mosque, and graves of other prominent figures in the early Islamic community (أمة, ummah), or at least the ones that the Saudis haven’t yet bulldozed .

Those who have completed the Hajj earn the right to be called Hajji (الحَجّي) and may be greeted with a simple الحَج مُبارَك, “Hajj Mubarak” (“Congratulations on the Hajj”); more ostentatious welcomes or greetings would run counter to the spirit of the pilgrimage, of humbling oneself before God). So that’s the story of the Hajj.

Now here’s some additional pilgrimage-related vocabulary: Pilgrim or Hajji (one who has completed the Hajj): حاجّ (ḥājj), or حاجّة (ḥājjah) for women Umrah, a lesser pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time (but that does not fulfill the requirement for completing the Hajj): العُمرة (al-ʿumrah) The sacred Black Stone in the Kaaba, the structure’s eastern cornerstone, which is kissed ritually by pilgrims (at least the ones who can reach it) during their circumnabulations: الحَجَر الأسوَد (al-‎ḥajar al-aswad) The Maqam Ibrahim, the stone on which Ibrahim is said to have stood in order to build the upper parts of the Kaabah, which is kept in a large display in the Mosque of the Holy Place and around which pilgrims gather to pray after performing tawaf: مَقام إبراهيم Other kinds of pilgrimage, particularly Sufi and Shiʿa pilgrimage to sites associated with the family of Muhammad and the Imams, and notable Sufi figures, may be referred to as زِيارة (ziyārah), or

 “visiting.” The Hajj is among the most remarkable events of the year anywhere in the world, bringing over three million pilgrims together from all over the world in one place, with one purpose, performing the Hajj rituals in unison.

Hopefully this post has provided you with some basic details and useful vocabulary about the pilgrimage. Share this: hajj | Islam | Britannica.com Islam Ibn Jubayr Hajj, also spelled ḥadjdj or hadj, in Islam , the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia , which every adult Muslim of either sex must make at least once in his or her lifetime. The hajj is the fifth of the fundamental Muslim practices and institutions known as the Five Pillars of Islam . The pilgrimage rite begins on the 7th day of Dhū al-Ḥijjah (the last month of the Islamic year) and ends on the 12th day. Muslim pilgrims surround the Kaʿbah, Mecca, Saudi Arabia. © ayazad/Fotolia The hajj is incumbent on every Muslim who is physically and financially able to make the pilgrimage, but only if his absence will not place hardships on his family. A person may perform the hajj by proxy , appointing a relative or friend going on the pilgrimage to “stand in” for him or her.

The pattern of pilgrimage rites was established by the Prophet Muhammad , but variations have arisen in it, and the stringent formal itinerary is not strictly adhered to by the mass of pilgrims, who frequently visit the various Meccan sites out of their proper order. When the pilgrim is about 6 miles (10 km) from Mecca, he enters the state of holiness and purity known as ihram and dons the ihram garments, consisting of two white seamless sheets that are wrapped around the body. The pilgrim cuts neither his hair nor his nails until the pilgrimage rite is over. He enters Mecca and walks seven times around the sacred shrine called the Kaʿbah , in the Great Mosque, kisses or touches the Black Stone (Ḥajar al-Aswad) in the Kaʿbah, prays twice in the direction of the Maqām Ibrāhīm and the Kaʿbah, and runs seven times between the minor prominences of Mount Ṣafā and Mount Marwah. On the 7th of Dhū al-Ḥijjah the pilgrim is reminded of his duties.

At the second stage of the ritual, which takes place between the 8th and the 12th days of the month, the pilgrim visits the holy places outside Mecca— Jabal al-Raḥmah , Muzdalifah , Minā —and sacrifices an animal in commemoration of Abraham’s sacrifice. The pilgrim’s head is then usually shaved, and, after throwing seven stones at each of the three pillars at Minā on three successive days (the pillars exemplify various devils), he returns to Mecca to perform the farewell ṭawāf, or circling, of the Kaʿbah before leaving the city. Pilgrims casting stones (rajm) at Jamrat al-ʿAqabah … Amellie BBC - Religions - Islam: Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca Women must not cover their faces, even if they would do so in their home country. Men may not wear clothes with stitching. Bathing is allowed but scented soaps are frowned upon. Umra The Hajj is a real pilgrimage - a journey, with rites and rituals to be done along the way.

You begin at a place just outside Mecca called the Miqat, or entry station to the Hajj. There you bathe, put on the Ihram (the special white clothes), make the intention for Umra and begin reciting the Talbiya Du'a (prayer). Here I am at Your service, O Allah, here I am at your service! You have no partner. Here I am at your service. All praise and blessings belong to you. All dominion is yours and You have no partner. Talbiya Du'a Then you go to the Masjid al Haram and walk around the Ka'ba seven times repeating du'as and prayers. This is called the Tawaf. Afterwards you should sip some Zam Zam water. Zam Zam water is water from the Zam Zam well, the sacred well which opened in the desert to save Hajira and Is'mail from dying of thirst. Next you go to the walkway between the hills of Safa and Marwa and walk back and forth between them seven times. This completes the Umra portion of the Hajj rituals and some of the Ihram restrictions are relaxed. Hajj Now make your intention for the Hajj and put on the Ihram garments again.

Travel to Mina on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah (a date in the Islamic calendar) and remain there until Fajr (dawn) next morning. Then you travel to the valley of Arafat and stand in the open praising Allah. The heat of Arabia at midday provides a hint as to what the Day of Judgement will be like. At the end of the day, travel to Muzdalifa for the night. Gather together 49 or 70 small stones together to use the next day. One of the pillars of Jamraat © In the morning you return to Mina and throw the stones at pillars called Jamraat. These represent the devil. Then a sacrifice called a Qurbani should be made in which a lamb or sheep is slaughtered and the meat distributed among the poor. After this, men's heads are shaved and women cut a lock of their hair. Then return to Mecca and make a Tawaf (this is the ritual of walking around the Ka'aba seven times). Then it's back to Mina for 3 or 4 days, stoning the pillars each day.

Finally do a farewell Tawaf in Masjid-al Haram on the twelfth day of the month of Dhul Hijjah, ask Allah's forgiveness, make du'a and the Hajj is finished. Many people then go to the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, but this is optional. A man who has completed the Hajj is called a Hajji, a woman who has completed it is called a Hajjah. At the end of the Hajj, Muslims from all over the world celebrate the holiday known as the Eid ul Adha or Festival of the sacrifice. This festival commemorates the obedience of the Prophet Ibrahim when he was ordered to sacrifice his son Is'mail. Ibrahim proved his love and devotion to Allah by showing his willingness to kill his beloved son if Allah wished it. In the end Ibrahim did not have to kill his son as Allah gave him a ram to sacrifice instead.

Question: The Hajj is a pilgrimage to which city?
Answer: Mecca