The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the defining rituals of Islam. Every able Muslim is required to journey to Mecca at least once in their lives’.
Here are five reasons outlining the importance of the Hajj pilgrimage.
1. It is Fardh (obligatory) for anyone who can afford and is physically able
❝وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلْبَيْتِ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًۭا ❞
❝Pilgrimage to this House is an obligation by Allah upon whoever is able among the people.❞
2. It is one of the 5 pillars of Islam
“Verily, al-Islam is founded on five (pillars): testifying the fact that there is no God but Allah, establishment of prayer, payment of Zakat, fast of Ramadan and Pilgrimage to the House.”
3. All sins will be forgiven
“Whoever performs Hajj to this House (Ka`ba) … he will come out as sinless as a newlyborn child.”
4. It is Islam’s Holiest Site
As well as being the birthplace of the Prophet ﷺ, Mecca holds many Islamic historical sites, which pilgrims visit during Hajj rituals.
The Kaaba is the direction of the Qibla and the 1st Home of worship built by Ibrahim and Ismail. The Kaaba also holds the Al-Ḥajaru al-Aswad (the Black Stone), brought from Jannah.
5. Mount Arafat
Mt Arafat is where the Prophet ﷺ gave his farewell sermon before passing.
Safa and Marwa are the two hills in which Hajar ran in between seven times in search for water for her baby son Ismail, after being tested by Allah in the desert. Therein Allah had blessed her with the miracle of the Well of Zamzam. Muslims reenact this during Hajj by walking in between the hills.
إِنَّ ٱلصَّفَا وَٱلْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ فَمَنْ حَجَّ ٱلْبَيْتَ أَوِ ٱعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا ۚ وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًۭا فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ
❝Indeed, ˹the hills of˺ Ṣafa and Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever performs the pilgrimage or minor pilgrimage,2 let them walk between ˹the two hills˺. And whoever does good willingly, Allah is truly Appreciative, All-Knowing.❞