Hajj is an especially essential occasion within the Islamic calendar, which occurs every year on a distinct date.
Presently, many Muslims from across the globe make a pilgrimage to the holy metropolis of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
The custom sees millions travel each year, and is luckily again in full power for 2022 – following, after all, two years of many Covid pandemic-related disruptions.
However what precisely is Hajj, the place does this custom come from, and when is it taking place this yr? Right here is every little thing it’s worthwhile to know in regards to the non secular occasion.
Table of Contents
What’s Hajj?
Hajj is the Muslim pilgrimage to the town of Mecca, which is situated within the Center Japanese nation Saudi Arabia.
It is among the most essential traditions in Islam.
Pilgrims head to Kaaba, a sacred mosque in Mecca, and there they are going to pray alongside different Muslims from all world wide.
All Muslims, ought to they be bodily match and financially steady sufficient to take action, are required to do the Hajj pilgrimage at the least as soon as of their lives.
The custom dates again to Prophet Ibrahim, however can be linked to Prophet Muhammad who Muslims imagine established the rites carried out on the finish of Hajj.
When does Hajj 2022 begin?
In 2022, Hajj begins this night (July 7) and ends on the night of Tuesday, July 12.
The pilgrimage takes round 5 to 6 days in whole, and it should be accomplished throughout this time.
As talked about, the date adjustments yearly as it’s carried out on the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
In 2023, Hajj will start on the night of Monday, June 26 and finish on Saturday, July 1.
Why do Muslims make the pilgrimage to Mecca?
Hajj is a time of self-renewal for Muslims – as they imagine the pilgrimage symbolises equality as individuals from everywhere in the world come collectively to finish the custom.
Collectively they carry out plenty of rituals with no elements equivalent to race and social standing taking part in a component.
Earlier than getting into Mecca, all males ought to put on a white garment referred to as an Ihram to indicate equality.
As soon as they get there, pilgrims go to the Masjid al-Haram and stroll across the Kaaba 4 occasions rapidly and 4 occasions slowly, earlier than strolling seven occasions between the hills of Safa and Marwah (very like Abraham’s spouse Hagar was stated to do).
A set route then continues over six days, as defined under:
The route for the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia
First day of Hajj
Pilgrims enter right into a state of holiness by sporting the Ihram whereas inside Mecca and proceed to Mina, a city round 10km outdoors the town. It tends to be giant teams that make this journey, they usually camp when there.
Mina, the town of tents, has over than 100,000 air-conditioned tents that present non permanent lodging to Hajj pilgrims.
As soon as in Mina, the day is spent praying.
Second day of Hajj
From Mina, pilgrims transfer in direction of the deserts of Arafat, which is round 15km away.
As a part of the journey, they’re required to spend a day on the Plains, and pray till sundown, earlier than going 10km on to Mizdilafah as soon as the moon is out.
On this leg of the journey, individuals will decide up pebbles for the following day’s rituals, earlier than tenting out for the night time.
Third day of Hajj – Eid al-Adha begins
Pilgrims head in direction of Mina once more and this time alongside to Jamarat Bridge, the place a symbolic stoning of the satan takes place.
Throughout this, individuals will throw seven pebbles at a wall that represents the satan, earlier than sacrificing an animal.
The sacrifice gained’t all the time be accomplished in person, and other people can as an alternative purchase a sacrifice voucher in Mecca for it to be accomplished by proxy.
After this, the circling of the Kaaba and working between hills will likely be accomplished in Mecca.
From right here on, regular clothes may be worn, and most select to spend the night time in Mina.
Fourth day of Hajj
The next day, pilgrims once more go to Jamarat Bridge and carry out the stoning of the satan.
Pilgrims as soon as once more keep in Mina in a single day.
Fifth day of Hajj
One other satan stoning ceremony occurs on at the present time, and by sundown, pilgrims transfer again to Mecca.
Sixth day of Hajj
On the ultimate day, pilgrims carry out Tawaf Widaa, a remaining circumambulation of the Kaaba and begin to go away Mecca for his or her properties.
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