The Arabic word hajj literally means “to embark out for a place”. In Islamic terminology, hajj refers to the annual pilgrimage that Muslims embark onto Mecca with the intention of visiting holy places and performing certain religious rites in accordance with the way prescribed by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Hajj, or the Pilgrimage, consists of visiting a number of sacred places such as Kabbah, Arafat and performing specific rites during the period from the 8th to 13th Dhu’l Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic Calendar. This pilgrimage is done once in a lifetime by those Muslims rich enough to make the journey. Hajj has a number of important rituals which includes Putting on Ihram, the two pieced cloth, Circumambulating the Kabbah seven times, A fast walk between Safa and Marwah near Kabbah, Visiting and staying at Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah, Throwing pebbles at three fixed places in Mina, Shaving or trimming hair and Sacrifice of an animal which is distributed to the poor. The Quranic verse, “All that is in the heavens and on the earth extols and glorifies Almighty Allah, for He is the Tremendous, the Wise,” (Qur’an, 57:1) tells us that all creatures of Almighty Allah glorify, praise and, hence, worship Allah in a language of their natural disposition. When a seed lifts a tall tree or a bud on a branch opens up into a beautiful flower, all reflect the Power, Wisdom and Glory of Almighty Allah. Just as this occurs individually when creatures display the wonders of the Creator and live in accordance with the purposes of their creation, they also worship Almighty Allah collectively by obeying to the call of Almighty Allah in large numbers. Muslims also obey to the call of Almighty Allah by turning up in millions at the time of pilgrimage. The central aims of worship, that is exalting, glorifying and praising Almighty Allah, occur individually and collectively.
Since human rights cannot be forgiven by Almighty Allah, pilgrims usually see their family and friends and settle any unsettled issues and ask for forgiveness for mistakes and sins done to them. Thus, when Muslims circle the Kabbah and collectively pray in the plains of Arafat, they are affirming their commitment to Almighty Allah and to monotheism.
Muslims exalt Almighty Allah by showing up in mass, as though saying ‘You are greater than myself and above Hajj – Significant Practice in Islam the whole of humanity; here we are ready to worship you in mass.’ They glorify Almighty Allah by going around the Kabbah, as though saying ‘just as we are circling the one and only Kabbah, the oldest place of worship on earth, we only obey you the Absolute One worthy of worship.’ They praise Almighty Allah through the collective supplication (Dua) and remembrance of Almighty Allah in the plains of Arafat. Muslims believe that the Kabbah was the first place of worship built by the first human and the first Prophet, Adam (AS). It was later rebuilt on the same foundations by Abraham (AS) and his son Ismail (AS) and declared as a shrine dedicated to monotheism. Abraham (AS) called on people to make pilgrimage to the site. The climax of Pilgrimage occurs at the plains of Mount Arafat, about twenty kilometers outside of Mecca. All pilgrims have to be present in this location at the same time simulating the day of resurrection. Everybody wears the same simple garment and supplicates to Almighty Allah with no distinction of race, status or wealth. The plea and petition of millions of people at the same time is a compelling spiritual force that begs forgiveness. If three million people walked to the palace of a president and asked for something, certainly he would not reject them. According to Prophet Muhammad (AS), Almighty Allah will not return a sincere pilgrim asking forgiveness empty handed. His or her sins will be wiped off and attain the sinless state of a newborn. Since human rights cannot be forgiven by Almighty Allah, pilgrims usually see their family and friends and settle any unsettled issues and ask for forgiveness for mistakes and sins done to them. Thus, when Muslims circle the Kabbah and collectively pray in the plains of Arafat, they are affirming their commitment to Almighty Allah and to monotheism.
