The Hajj: Journey to Mekka

The Hajj: Journey to Mekka

The hajj is a pilgrimage to Mekka, which all healthy Muslims must

carry out. Although this is a compulsory journey, most Muslims would

be honoured to go. The hajj is one of the five pillars therefore being

an essential part of a Muslims’ faith and practice. Muslims travel to

Mekka to remember the trials of Abraham and his son and his sacrifice

to show commitment to God. Muslims only have to go on this pilgrimage

once in their lifetime but many choose to go more times. For some

Muslims it is not possible to go every year because of money, ill

health or age. If a Muslim family is poor then they will save up for

at least one member of the family to go.

Upon arriving in Mekka, Muslims wash and clean themselves known as

ghusl and then change into white clothing called Ihram. This is a

white seamless cloth, which is slightly different for male and

females. Females wear plain loose dresses that cover their whole body

except their faces, hands and feet. Males wear two unsown pieces of

cloth in which one is wrapped around their shoulders and the other is

from their waist to their ankles. After performing this task Muslims

recite the Talibiyah. This is a statement, which Muslims call out

while performing the hajj. When saying this, Muslim men should shout

and project their voice whereas women should only say the statement so

it is loud enough for themselves to hear. From now on Muslims are

forbidden to use any perfume, have any sexual relations, cut their

hair or nails or kill any living thing. This now means that each

Muslim is in the correct state of mind (consecration) to perform the

hajj.

The process of circling The Ka’ba is known as Tawaf. They start by

raising their hands towards the black stone and reciting a prayer.

They then circle the Ka’ba seven times anti-clockwise starting from

the black stone. The Ka’ba is covered by a cloth called Kiswah. In the