What is Hajj and why is it important – this question directly relates to the soul of Muslims. It is not a trip to specific lands. Indeed Hajj is the annual pilgrimage of Mecca, which is a must for able Muslims to complete at least once in their life. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and after its completion leads to great reward and attainment of the grace of Allah (SWT).
More than two million Muslims perform the Hajj every year, which lasts for five days in the last month of the Islamic (lunar) calendar. It is not 3 or 4 million Muslims’ wish rather it is a wish of all Muslims in the world. So, Saudi Arabia has introduced a quota system according to which Muslims perform Hajj. So, a Muslim must contact a licensed agency to buy Hajj Packages.
This great act of worship is to give Muslims a chance to start a new life, that is, to be cleansed of all their sins like a newborn baby. Today, the entire Muslim Ummah performs Hajj in the same way as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed Hajj.
Why do Muslims go on Hajj?
A duty like Hajj should be performed at least once in the life of all Muslims. Those who complete this journey are thought to have erased all previous sins of the Muslims.
Muslims complete the Hajj journey following the same path as the Prophet of Islam (SAW) and the Prophets Abraham (AS) and Ishmael (AS) have done before him. During Hajj, they also travel the path on which Hajra (AS) -the wife of Ibrahim (AS), ran seven times between two hills (Safa and Marwa). Hajra (AS) had turned to these two hills to quench her thirst for water for her thirsty son. According to Islamic belief, then Allah (SWT) created a spring which continues to this day.
Given the importance of Hajj, it is also common for Muslims to perform Hajj to deepen their devotion to Allah (SWT).
What Happens on Hajj?
The Hajj is performed in the 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar, Dhu al-Hijjah, and the journey continue two days before Eid al-Adha and until the three-day festival of sacrifice. This means that a total of five days are required for Hajj.
On the first day of Hajj, Umrah is performed in Makkah. During this time, the Muslims follow the footsteps of Hajra (AS) between the two hills and go back and forth 7 times. Instead of Mecca, some Muslims first choose Medina so that they can visit the Mosque of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). And the first day of the Hajj ends with spending the night in the valley of Mina.
On the second day of the Hajj, the pilgrims head to Mount Arafat, where they spend the afternoon. There the Muslims also climb the mountain Jabal al-Rahma, the place where the Holy Prophet (PBUH) delivered his last sermon. As the sun sets on this day, Muslims travel to Muzdalifah, about 6 miles from Arafat – there is an option to cover the distance of 6 miles by bus, but healthy people have intended to cover this distance on foot.
During the last three days of Hajj, i.e. on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, Muslims circumambulate the Ka’bah for the last time, stoning to Jammarat in Mina. Then men shave their heads and women shave their heads a little bit as a sign of Taqsir. In addition to completing the Hajj in the three days of Eid al-Adha, Muslims sacrifice cattle just by following the sacrificial process offered by Abraham.
Who Goes on Hajj?
In Islam, every physically able Muslim must do it at least once in his life. If one is physically able that means mentally healthy and financially able, he must go on Hajj at least once in his life. Hajj in Arabic means ‘to travel’. Hajj is not obligatory on children until they reach the age of puberty.
When is Hajj 2022?
In 2202, the Hajj will begin on Thursday, July 7, and will end on the evening of Tuesday, July 12, with Eid al-Adha. As the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic remain, the mortality rate of infected patients has been low. Therefore, a large number of Muslims will travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj this year. This number is higher than the number for the remaining two years but is still lower than the number of pilgrims in 2019.
This year, Muslims should seek travel advice from Saudi Arabia, as well as from their country’s best travel agencies. Because they can easily get Cheap Hajj Packages from the agencies where they live. The Saudi government has made it clear that only those who are fully vaccinated and over the age of 65 will be allowed to perform the Hajj 2022. Don’t forget to present a negative PCR test.
