HAJJ
KNOWN AS THE PILGRIMAGE TO THE KA'BA IN MAKKAH, SAUDI ARABIA
Hajj is one of the 5 pillars of Islam. It is required of every able Muslim once within their lifetime. To be
considered able, one must be able to handle the financial burden, the physical burden, and be above the age of
puberty. Hajj is performed at a prescribed time of the year, during the month of Thul-Hijjah, the 12th (last)
month of the Hijra calendar.
Hajj is a magnificent form of worship, combining, Salat, physical effort, long hours of meditation,
supplication and Glorification of ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta'ala. It is also a remembrance of the tests of
Prophet Ibrahim, alaihis salaam, of his wife Hajar and his son Prophet Isma'eel,alaihis salaam. Hajj
reminds us of our destiny, of the shortness of this worldly life and of how we will all leave this world
with nothing but our recorded deeds. It will be those deeds which determine our final standing or position
in the Hereafter.
Hajj can only be performed in Makkah and it offers Muslims the opportunity to visit the Ka'ba, the Ancient
House, the House of ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta'ala, the first House constructed on earth for the purpose of
worshipping ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta'ala. It was originally built by Adam, alaihis salaam, and rebuilt by
Ibrahim and Isma'eel, alaihim assalaam, on its original foundation. Many of the duties performed during
Hajj are based on the supplications of Ibrahim, alaihis salaam, and the trials and test he, Isma'eel, alaihim
assalaam, and Hajar endured. Hajj results in the largest gathering of Muslims at any one place
and during Hajj, one will experience Salat in a jama'ah of over 1 million Muslims.
For more information about Hajj,
Ramadan,
Eid-ul-Fitr,
Eid-ul-Adha,
Islamic Basics or other Islamic topics, please
contact your local Masjid or Islamic Center or contact IFANCA.
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