HAJJ
Hajj (or Haj) is one of the five pillars of Islam and is an annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime, provided they are physically and financially capable of doing so.
Hajj is performed during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, which is the last month of the Islamic calendar. It is a multi-day journey that involves a number of rituals and activities, including:
Ihram: Before entering Mecca, pilgrims must enter a state of purity called Ihram. This involves dressing in simple white garments, abstaining from worldly activities such as sex, fighting, and shaving, and reciting specific prayers.
Tawaf: Pilgrims circle the Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure located in the center of the Grand Mosque, seven times in a counterclockwise direction.
Sa'i: Pilgrims walk or run seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, located near the Grand Mosque.
Arafat: Pilgrims spend the day in Arafat, a plain located about 20 kilometers east of Mecca. This is considered the most important part of Hajj, as pilgrims gather to pray, ask for forgiveness, and seek guidance from Allah.
Muzdalifah: Pilgrims spend the night in the open air in Muzdalifah, a plain located between Arafat and Mina. They collect pebbles here for the next ritual.
Stoning of the Devil: Pilgrims throw pebbles at three pillars representing Satan, located in Mina, on three successive days.
Animal sacrifice: On the first day of Eid al-Adha, pilgrims sacrifice an animal, such as a sheep or a goat, as a symbol of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son for Allah.
Tawaf al-Wada: The final act of Hajj is to perform Tawaf al-Wada, the farewell circumambulation of the Kaaba, before leaving Mecca.
Hajj is a significant event in the Islamic calendar and brings together Muslims from all over the world, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, or social status, to perform a shared act of worship and devotion to Allah.
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