Hajj is a great pillar of Islam. People continue to perform Hajj since Ibrahim established the foundations of the House and authorized the people to perform the Hajj as his Lord Almighty commanded him to this day. The pilgrimage does not stop as long as a believer is on the earth, so if God takes the souls of the believers, and there is nothing left on the surface of the earth except the wicked of creation whom the Hour will realize while they are alive, the flow of pilgrims to the Sacred House of God will stop as it will come.
Hajj definition in Islam
The meaning of Hajj in the language refers to the intention of the great thing, but in the Islamic legal terminology, it is: the intention of the Sacred House of God; To perform specific rituals, the hajj definition in Islam is visiting a specific place, the Kaaba, and Arafah, at a specific time, the month of Dhul-Hijjah, with the intention of performing the rituals of Hajj after entering ihram for it.
Facts about Hajj (Pilgrimage)
Here are some interesting facts about Hajj
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam
The pillars of Islam are the actions of the prey that are apparent in word and deed. They are the foundations of worship by which a Muslim draws closer to his Lord. The Muslim religion is not complete until he comes to these pillars completely, observing the conditions associated with them.
hajj in the 5 pillars of Islam, The Prophet Muhammad said: “Islam is built on five: testifying that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God, establishing prayer, paying zakat, fasting Ramadan, and pilgrimage to the House for those who can afford it.
The purpose of the hajj in Islam is God’s unification, steadfastness in his religion, and steadfastness in what was sent by his Messenger Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. The greatest of his goals is directing people to the Oneness of God, being faithful to Him, and following His Messenger, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, in what God sent him with truth and guidance in Hajj and others.
Hajj to Mecca, every Muslim is required to make at least once in their lifetime
Hajj is obligatory for every capable Muslim, according to what is mentioned in the Qur’an: God Almighty says, “And to God, it is obligatory for the people to perform the pilgrimage to the House for those who are able to find a way to it. [Al-Imran: 97]. (proclaim to the people the pilgrimage, they will come to you on foot, and on every camel, they will come from every deep valley). [Al-Hajj: 27].
The Muslim must perform Hajj once in his life, If the Muslim performs Hajj after that one or more times, that was voluntary on his part, As stated in the honorable Sunnah. On the authority of Ibn Abbas, who said: The Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, addressed us and said: O people, the Hajj was prescribed for you, Al-Aqra’ bin Habis got up and said: Is it every year, O Messenger of God? He said: If I had said it, it would have become obligatory, you would not act upon it and you would not be able to act upon it. It was narrated by Ahmad and Al-Nasa’i with its meaning.
The conditions for Hajj are:
- Islam, since a non-Muslim is not obligated to perform Hajj, and if he performs it, it is not valid.
- The obligation is that the Muslim is an adult of sound mind.
- Freedom, since Hajj is not obligatory for the slave who owns it because he is unable to do so.
- The ability, and it is in money and body, that he has money with which he can perform Hajj, and he is also healthy in body and is not incapable of performing the rituals.
- The presence of a mahram for women.
Hajj is a time to reconnect with God and venerate the Kaaba, the most sacred site in Islam
Hajj Strengthen the servant’s relationship with his Lord By reciting the Talbiyah and remembering God during the rituals, circumambulating the House, and kissing the Stone.
It is one of the best deeds and acts of worship to God. On the authority of Abu Hurairah, may God be pleased with him, he said: The Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, was asked: Which deed is the best? He said: “Faith in God and His Messenger.” It was said: Then what? Jihad for the sake of Allah said”. It was said: “Then what?” He said: “An accepted Hajj.” {Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Al-Tirmidhi, Al-Nasa’i, and Ahmad}. The pilgrimage is equal to jihad in the way of God and replaces it for those who are not able to do it and who are not assigned to it. And in a narration: I said: O Messenger of God, shall we not invade and fight with you? He said: “But the best and most beautiful jihad is the pilgrimage, an accepted pilgrimage.” Aisha said: I will not give up Hajj after I heard this from the Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him. {Al-Bukhari, Book of Hajj, Hadith 1728}.
Hajj is the time to give back to the community
Hajj is one of the most important manifestations of the unity of Muslims, as it is the season for the practical application of the unity of the Islamic nation. Where differences: color, gender, and language, dissolve and unity is declared in destination and intention, in words and actions, in dress and body, in standing and movement, in addition to that it carries with it what leads to convergence and a coalition of souls and strengthening ties, with the greater matter which is the nation’s connection to its Creator, and its followers for his legitimacy, and its upholding of Islamic scales, and its abolition of earthly standards.
Hajj is a time to reflect on your life and ask for forgiveness
Hajj is the time when a person returns to himself and achieves devotion to God – the Almighty – in the human soul. When the pilgrim wears the garment of ihram, and avoids what appears luxury and adornment, the meanings of reverence, submission, and humility to God appear in that; To obtain his mercy and forgiveness. An excused pilgrimage is a reason for the forgiveness of sins. On the authority of Abu Hurairah, may God be pleased with him, he said: I heard the Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, say: “Whoever performs Hajj for the sake of God and does not speak obscenely or commit immorality, he will return as on the day his mother gave birth to him.” {Bukhari 1424}. According to al-Tirmidhi: “Whoever performs Hajj and does not obscene or commit immorality, his past sins will be forgiven.” {H 739}. The pilgrim is a visitor to God, and whoever visits God will be honored by God.
On the authority of Omar, may God be pleased with him, on the authority of the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, who said: “The invader for the sake of God, the pilgrim, the pilgrim, the delegation of God, he called them and they answered him, and they asked him and he gave them.” Doing more Hajj and Umrah eliminates poverty. The Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, said: “Continue between Hajj and Umrah, for the follow-up between them eliminates poverty and sins, just as the bellows removes impurity from iron.” {Al-Tirmidhi H. 738 on the authority of Ibn Masoud, Ibn Majah H. 2887 on the authority of Omar, and Al-Sahihah H. 1200}.
The rituals of Hajj
According to the Shafi’is, Hajj has four pillars:
- Ihram with the intention.
- Standing at Arafat.
- Tawaf around the Ka’aba.
- Walking between Safa and Marwa.
How to Perform the Hajj?
By performing the rituals mentioned above, which need a more detailed explanation, which we will discuss in another article.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed the definition of Hajj, its rituals, and many facts related to it. It is a link to the cradle of prophecy, and remembrance of valuable past incidents, as it is a factor of unity among Muslims, and for this reason, many virtues of Hajj were mentioned in the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Hajj FAQs
why Hajj is celebrated by Muslims?
This is because the Muslim rejoices greatly when he obtains a travel visa for Hajj, because of its virtues and great reward, and despite the fact that Hajj is imposed on those who can only find many poor people saving their money throughout their lives in order to be able to travel for Hajj.
What is the main point of Hajj?
This pilgrimage is an annual Islamic conference convened by a divine invitation, in which the delegations of Islamic nations and their representatives meet, in the purest place, To unite and return to their Lord and gather on one word, which is the word of monotheism.