Hajj - Fifth Pillar of Islam

The fifth pillar of Islam is hajj, or pilgrimage. Every Muslim should perform hajj at least once in their lifetime if they can afford it.during the time of hajj, all barriers of language, territory, colour, race and culture disappear and the bond of faith is superior. The word "hajj" means to embark on a journey with a purpose. The purpose is essentially to visit the Ka'bah in Makkah and worship on Mount Arafat.

Hajj is an expression of one devoting themselves to one god. While on hajj, Muslims retrace the footsteps of the prophets Abraham, Muhammad and Ishmael, curse Satan, give zakat (alms giving), pray for forgiveness and give utter devotion to god. While performing hajj, all pilgrims must behave in the virtuous manner this is set out in the Quran as, 'so whoever intends to perform hajj therein, then should refrain sexual relations, nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during hajj'. This is known as a state of ihram. Hajj is completed between the 8th and 12th day of dhul hajj, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. There are many rituals that need to be completed when a pilgrim visits Makkah in order to complete hajj. Once pilgrims have completed the above rituals they have completed hajj and they have 'wiped their slates clean' and are reborn. As a sign of their preparedness all normal clothing is replaced by a simple ensemble of two white cloths. Women wear a plain garment covering all but their hands, their feet and their face. Having completed the hajj Muslims are entitled to take the name Hajji or Hajjah. The hajj is an event for Muslims only; tourists are not allowed to attend. It is expected that the pilgrims who attend will be people with the maturity and soundness of mind to understand the significance of what they are undertaking

The hajj has a significant impact on the individual and the Islamic community. Hajj unites millions of Muslims from all around the world for one sole purpose- to complete the fifth pillar of Islam.

It allows the individual to be rejuvenated and reborn. Hajj is a quest for redemption and human spirituality. The hajj is a symbolic pilgrimage where the individual carries out rituals in order to defy Satan and gain redemption. Hajj has a significant spiritual impact on the individual as it allows the pilgrim to strengthen their relationship with god. They do this by completing rituals that express the beliefs of Islam and reaffirm the belief in the one god and his prophets. Pilgrims do not worship the Ka'ba but they worship what it represents- the one god. For the Islamic community as a whole, the belief in one god unites different types of Muslims from around the world, and demonstrates a unifying stance before Allah. Hajj gathers Muslims from all around the world and it strengths the sprit of unity, equality and brotherhood among the Islamic community. It reminds the Islamic that race, colour, and gender are Muslim and worships the