No annual event on the face of the earth, religious or non-religious, compares to Hajj in terms of the sheer number of participants, duration of the event, and the breadth of the agenda. In spite of this fact, it has always remained equally fascinating and mysterious to not only non-Muslims, who are barred from entering the holy city, but also to millions of Muslims, who had not performed Hajj.

What then is Hajj? In essence, Hajj is man’s evolution toward Allah; his return to Him. It is a symbolic demonstration of the philosophy of the creation of Adam, the first man. To further illustrate this, it may be stated that the performance of Hajj is a simultaneous show or exhibit of many things. It is a show of creation. It is a show of history. It is a show of unity. It is a show of Islamic ideology. It is a show of Ummah, the community of Muslims. That is why it is said in the Qur’an: “And proclaim unto mankind the Hajj. “… That they may witness things that are of benefit to them ….” (22:28)

Hajj is a duty unto Allah for mankind, for “…. those who can afford the expenses …” (3:97). It is not a tax on your wealth, but a duty. Thus, to qualify, you must be sane and wise to understand what you are getting into, and able-bodied to go through this task, and lastly, have the means or resources to perform Hajj.

The pillars of Hajj are five :

  1. Assuming Ihram
  2. Attendance at Arafat
  3. Tawaf of the Ka’ba
  4. Sa’i or running between the Safa and the Marwa (5) cutting or trimming of hair.
  5. Cutting or trimming of hair.

Others are not pillars, although some may require kaffara or a penalty, if not done. The person who puts on the Ihram or cloth for either Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) or Hajj (greater pilgrimage) is called a Muhrim.

Hajj and Umrah are performed in three ways — ifrad, tamattu, and qiran. Ifrad involves first performing Hajj and then Umrah.  Tamattu is when one first performs Umrah and then Hajj, both in the same year with some break in between the two.

Qiran is when one puts on the ‘Ihram with the intention of combining both Hajj and Umrah without any break in between the two.

The 10 etiquette of Hajj are:

  1. Requite all wrongdoings and seek forgiveness from all those who have a grudge against you.
  2. Make provision for Hajj from one’s lawful means.
  3. Learn the pillars of Hajj and its observance.
  4. Be kind and bear with others with patience, lest the reward is nullified.
  5. Observe the obligations of prayers and their rulings.
  6. Be generous, support the poor, and spend as much as he/she is able to.
  7. At the station of Arafat, remember the Day of Judgment.
  8. Should not miss visitation of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) Mosque in Madina.
  9. After returning from Hajj, one should turn oneself toward praying for Akhirah (Hereafter).
  10. One should remember parents and other close relatives who have passed away with humble prayers and make-up for them if they could not fulfill their obligations of Hajj.