Along with profession of faith, prayer, fasting in Ramadan and almsgiving, the hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Its goal is the purification of the pilgrim, who receives divine forgiveness on this occasion. Those who perform the pilgrimage will be granted the honorary title of “hajj”, which induces respect.
Is it obligatory?
Every Muslim must make this pilgrimage to the Grand Mosque once in their life, if they have the material means and physical capacity. This obligation is established in the Book of Allah and in the Sunnah (the Traditions of the Prophet).
Why Mecca?
According to Islamic tradition, Mecca is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. Since its reconquest in 1924 by King al-Saud, this city has been under the protection of Saudi Arabia, which is responsible for organizing the pilgrimage.
When is it organized and how many days does it last?
The great pilgrimage takes place in the month of dou l-hija, the last of the Muslim calendar. The hajj begins on the eighth day of the month and lasts six full days, in addition to the four days including that of the pilgrim’s arrival in Mecca, and the other three days of rest before the start of the pilgrimage.
What is the Kaaba?
On arrival in Mecca, to perform Tawaf, the pilgrim walks around the Kaaba seven times while praying, around which the Great Mosque was built. This large stone cube covered in black silk which symbolizes the oneness of God and the impossibility of representing him, is the most sacred place in Islam. Every day, Muslims around the world bow down to pray in his direction.
Why Mount Arafat?
After having made the journey seven times between Safa and Marwa, 400 meters apart and close to the Great Mosque, in the footsteps of Hajar, wife of the prophet Abraham, the faithful then goes to Mina, 4 kilometers away, to spend the night The next day, he began the ascent of Mount Arafat. This is where the Prophet Muhammad is said to have delivered his last sermon. He will stay there for several hours praying and reciting the Koran.
Why the stone ritual?
The faithful then heads towards the plain of Mouzdalifa to prepare the next day for Eid el-Kebir. The pilgrim spends the night there and collects stones for the rite of stoning of the steles of Satan the next day in Mina. It is recommended to collect 70 small pebbles, the size of a chickpea, for this rite which symbolizes the rejection of evil and protection against temptations. Returning to Mecca, the faithful again makes seven rounds around the Kaaba, to perform the farewell Tawaf.
