haij

Haij, also known as Hajj, is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is a mandatory religious duty for all adult Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the journey. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, the fundamental practices of the faith. It takes place over a period of five days during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah.

The pilgrimage involves a series of rituals performed in and around Mecca. These rituals are believed to commemorate the actions of the Prophet Muhammad and the prophets Ibrahim (Abraham) and Ismail (Ishmael). Key stages include circumambulating the Kaaba, the most sacred shrine in Islam, in the Masjid al-Haram, and walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah. Pilgrims also travel to the plains of Arafat, where they spend the day in prayer and reflection, and to Muzdalifah, where they collect pebbles. The stoning of the Jamarat, symbolic pillars representing Satan, is another significant ritual.

The Hajj is a deeply spiritual and unifying experience for Muslims worldwide. It is a time for forgiveness, devotion, and seeking closeness to God. Millions of Muslims from diverse backgrounds gather annually, performing the same rites, fostering a sense of global Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood. The completion of the Hajj is believed to earn a pilgrim immense spiritual reward and can lead to their sins being forgiven.