Islam places a lot of importance on the Hajj, but how much do you know about it?
Therefore, we’ve compiled our top Hajj facts (in no particular order) so you can have access to all the information you require!
Hajj Is The Fourth Pillar Of Islam
The fourth pillar of Islam and an Islamic and spiritual obligation is to perform the Hajj.
Allah (SWT) commands Muslims to travel to Makkah and complete the pilgrimage as a part of their faith at least once in their lifetime. The Holy Qur’an has an entire Surah (chapter) named after it!
In this chapter, Allah (SWT) tells us:
“We designated for Abraham the site of the House, [saying], ‘Do not associate anything with Me and purify My House for those who perform Tawaf and those who stand [in prayer] and those who bow and prostrate. And proclaim to the people the Hajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass – That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on known days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals… Then let them… fulfill their vows and perform Tawaf around the ancient House. That [has been commanded], and whoever honors the sacred ordinances of Allah – it is best for him in the sight of his Lord…”
Qur’an | 22:26-30
May we all be able to undertake Hajj, Ameen!
The Hajj has a history of more than 1,500 years
The history of Hajj predates the reign of the Prophet Muhammad by a great deal (peace and blessings be upon him). In reality, the Hajj ceremonies date back to 2000 BCE!
The Hajj is much older if we consider the rituals involved, which include jogging between Safa and Marwa to simulate Hajar’s (the wife of Ibrahim AS) journey in the quest for water.
Additionally, the Kaaba itself is far older than 631CE. On the site of the Kaaba, the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) erected a memorial, and followers of many faiths used to gather and visit the location. Ibrahim (AS) prepared to offer his son as a sacrifice on Mount Arafah.
When he led a group of worshippers to the Kaaba in 632 CE, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) then led the first official Hajj. He did this by destroying the idols inside the Kaaba and repurposing them in the name of Allah (SWT).
The early Muslims, including the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), followed Hajar’s route between the highlands of Safa and Marwa. In three different places throughout the journey, they imitated the stoning of Iblis (Satan), as Prophet Ibrahim (AS) did when Iblis tempted him to disobey Allah (SWT). Ibrahim (AS) kept up his devotion to Allah (SWT). The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) delivered his final speech atop Mount Arafah.
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) only made the Hajj once during his lifetime. Since then, Muslims from all across the world have carried on the tradition for more than 2,000 years. Allah praised—such history!
On the 8th – 13th of Dhul Hijjah, Hajj is always performed
The month of Dhul Hijjah, often known as “the month of the pilgrimage,” is when the Hajj takes place.
The Hajj occurs every year during the same period of the lunar calendar, by the Islamic calendar. Therefore, according to the Gregorian calendar, the dates appear to advance by about 11–12 days every year.
Dhul Hijjah will take place in 2022 from July 7 to July 11 and 12.
The month of Dhul Hijjah is particularly significant. In addition to being the final month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims also do the Hajj during this time, provide Qurbani to those in need, and observe Eid al-Adha just before the new year begins.
On the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah, the holy Day of ‘Arafah
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“It expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year.”
Hadith | Muslim
Hajj is performed by over 2.5 million Muslims every year
How many people actually perform the Hajj each year? We all know how popular it is.
Well, a stunning 2.5 million people performed the Hajj in 2019, according to Saudi government statistics! Subhan’Allah…
You might be surprised to learn that non-Saudi pilgrims came from more countries than any other group, with the biggest number coming from Egypt (1.9 million) compared to Saudi residents overall (634K).
Alhamdulillah, pilgrims come from all over the world, with Asian (non-Arab) nations hosting the majority (59%) of non-Saudi pilgrims. However, Egyptians make up the largest contingent of non-Saudi pilgrims, accounting for roughly 36% of the total 35,355 pilgrims in 2019.
Pakistan (12%), Yemen (10%), India (9.8%), Sudan (5.8%), and Bangladesh (4.3%) are other nations with sizable populations.
Thank God, we are a truly worldwide Ummah!
After performing the Hajj, you are referred to as a Hajji (Hajjah for women). But did you know that throughout the Arabic-speaking world, this moniker is often used to show respect for elders?
More than 351,000 people manage Hajj
To accommodate everyone who is coming to Makkah to perform the Hajj, a lot of workers and services are undoubtedly required.
Over 350,000 employees and volunteers were in charge of offering services linked to the Hajj in 2019. This comprised:
- Health care
- Communication services
- Transportation
- Supervision services
Your Hajj involves a variety of services from the time you make your reservation to the time you depart and pass through immigration.
The journey is lengthy and labor-intensive. Subhan’Allah…
You now have some fascinating knowledge about the Hajj to share with your loved ones, so get ready by learning some important tips on how to get ready for the pilgrimage!
Facts About The Prophet Muhammad
In the Islamic tradition, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the final prophet in a line of messengers sent by Allah (SWT) to preach Tawheed (monotheism). Five times a day in Salah (prayer), Muslims recite the Shahada(declaration of faith)
Transliteration:
“Ashadu an la ilaha illa illa-ilah, wa ashadu anna muhammadan rasul ullah.”
Translation:
“There is no God but God (Allah – i.e. there is none worthy of worship but Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
It is the most revered verse in Islam, and its significance must be fully understood and kept in mind when reciting it. Although the Prophet Muhammad is the most revered of all the prophets, Muslims recognize him as a man and the messenger of the revelation; he is not linked with God, and Muslims are prohibited from worshipping any deity other than the one God, Allah (SWT).
More information on the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is provided below.
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was an orphan. Both his parents died as an infant
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was illiterate
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) had a solid reputation (al-Amin (trustworthy)) among everyone who knew him or knew of him
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was given prophethood at age 40
- Muslims are obliged to say Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam (SAW), which means peace and blessings be upon him, whenever they mention the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
Five things every Muslim should know about Hajj
May we all perform the Hajj during our lifetimes, inshaAllah! The Hajj is one of the most significant events in the life of a Muslim. It entails a number of ceremonies and rituals that must be observed for the sacred journey to be considered valid. The Hajj ceremonies and rituals are steeped in divine knowledge and present Muslims who undertake the trip with a spiritual, emotional, and physical challenge.
- Every Muslim is required to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime, as long as they are physically, emotionally, and financially eligible to do so
- Hajj consists of 18 steps
- Hajj was first performed by Ibrahim (AS) and then later by his son, Prophet Ismail (AS)
- Throughout history, Hajj has had to be banned due to plagues
- Before the current infrastructure surrounding the Kaaba, Masjid al-Haram was at times flooded, and pilgrims would have to swim around the Kaaba in order to perform Tawaf
If you’re planning to embark on a spiritual journey to Mecca for Umrah, you’ll need to secure an Umrah visa before your trip. Our easy-to-use Umrah visa form simplifies the process and helps you obtain your visa quickly and efficiently. Simply fill out the form with your personal and travel information, and we’ll take care of the rest.
