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The sacred pilgrimage of Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and is required of every Muslim at least once in their lifetime. Each year, millions of Muslims from across the world travel to Makkah, in Saudi Arabia, to perform Hajj.
Hajj takes place during the same time each year, in the sacred month of Dhul Hijjah – the twelfth month in the Islamic Calendar. Hajj begins on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah and lasts approximately five to six days, depending on the sighting of the moon. This year, these dates are expected to correspond with the 4th to the 9th of June 2025. When the new crescent moon is sighted, Muslims around the world welcome in the four-day festival of Eid al-Adha.
Muslims are commanded by Allah (SWT) to fulfil the sacred pilgrimage of Hajj as relayed in the Holy Qur’an:
While Hajj is required of every Muslim, it is only required so long as they have the capacity. There are conditions which make Muslims eligible or exempt from performing Hajj.
The sacred pilgrimage of Hajj is comprised of a series of rites and rituals – some in order – that provide a spiritual, emotional, and physical challenge for the pilgrim. For example, a pilgrim can expect to walk between 5km and 15km per day, as Hajj requires some travel between several locations in and around the vicinity of Makkah. Much of the pilgrimage takes place at the Masjid al-Haram, where the Kaaba is located.
Hajj is a spiritual duty and a pillar of Islam and, for many, it is a once in a lifetime event. Going more than once during your lifetime is permitted whilst sincerely seeking Allah’s (SWT) pleasure.
As the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Muslims who perform the sacred pilgrimage of Hajj are required to undergo a series of rites and rituals which each offer their own unique purpose and wisdom.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, which form the basic foundations of a Muslim’s beliefs. Unlike prayer, alms and fasting, Hajj is required of every Muslim only once during their lifetime, so long as they are physically, emotionally, and financially eligible. However, Muslims are permitted to go more than once if they have the means.
The Hajj pilgrimage is a test of patience and temperament, and can be spiritually, emotionally, and physically challenging. However the sanctity of this occasion provides an experience and opportunity like no other for drawing closer to Allah (SWT), and many Muslims around the world strive their whole lives for the opportunity to perform Hajj.
Muslims believe Hajj offers a chance to wipe clean past sins and start anew before Allah. Additionally, the act of performing Hajj with increased Taqwa (being God-conscious) and to a high standard of perfection, is rewarded with Paradise.
While Hajj is first and foremost a spiritual duty, it is also very physically demanding. As pilgrims walk on average between 5km and 15km per day, it is encouraged for Muslims to physically prepare for Hajj weeks in advance, so that the travel that is required between locations across the five or six-day pilgrimage is not a shock to the system. Being physically prepared provides an aide to the emotionally and spiritually demanding aspects of Hajj.
Hajj and Umrah are both sacred pilgrimages in Islam and share many of the same qualities, rites and rituals. However, there are some main differences, one of the biggest being that Hajj is a fifth pillar of Islam and required of every Muslim so long as they have the capacity, whereas Umrah is a voluntary pilgrimage.
Here are some more differences between Hajj and Umrah:
In 628 CE, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Muslims performed the first Hajj. He was instructed to re-establish the traditions started by Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) as instructed by Allah (SWT), generations before.
Under the commandment of Allah, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) travelled to the barren desert of Makkah to perform various acts of worship, including building the Kaaba.