Hajj

Hajj is one of the 5 pillars of Islam. It is required of every able Muslim once within their lifetime. To be considered able, one must be able to handle the financial burden, the physical burden, and be above the age of puberty. Hajj is performed at a prescribed time of the year, during the month of Thul-Hijjah, the 12th (last) month of the Hijra calendar.

Hajj is a magnificent form of worship, combining, Salat, physical effort, long hours of meditation, supplication and Glorification of ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta’ala. It is also a remembrance of the tests of Prophet Ibrahim, alaihis salaam, of his wife Hajar and his son Prophet Isma’eel,alaihis salaam. Hajj reminds us of our destiny, of the shortness of this worldly life and of how we will all leave this world with nothing but our recorded deeds. It will be those deeds which determine our final standing or position in the Hereafter.

Hajj can only be performed in Makkah and it offers Muslims the opportunity to visit the Ka’ba, the Ancient House, the House of ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta’ala, the first House constructed on earth for the purpose of worshipping ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta’ala. It was originally built by Adam, alaihis salaam, and rebuilt by Ibrahim and Isma’eel, alaihim assalaam, on its original foundation.

Many of the duties performed during Hajj are based on the supplications of Ibrahim,alaihis salaam, and the trials and test he, Isma’eel, alaihim assalaam, and Hajar endured. Hajj results in the largest gathering of Muslims at any one place and during Hajj, one will experience Salat in a jama’ah of over 1 million Muslims.