What is the Hajj?
Q: What is the Hajj?
A: The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, the most holy city of the Muslims. It is a Fard or mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey.
Q: What are the five pillars of Islam?
A: The five pillars of Islam are Shahadah, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj.
Q: What does it mean to be mustati?
A: To be mustati means to be physically and financially capable of performing the Hajj.
Q: When does the pilgrimage occur?
A: The pilgrimage occurs from the 8th to 12th (or in some cases 13th) of Dhu al-Hijjah, which is the last month of the Islamic calendar.
Q: How do pilgrims demonstrate solidarity during Hajj?
A: Pilgrims demonstrate solidarity during Hajj by joining processions with hundreds of thousands of people simultaneously converging on Mecca for the week-long event. They also perform a series rituals such as walking counter-clockwise seven times around Ka'aba, running back and forth between Al-Safa and Al-Marwah hills, drinking from Zamzam Well, standing in vigil at Mount Arafat plains, spending a night in Muzdalifa plain, and throwing stones at three pillars symbolizing stoning devil.
Q: Is Umrah a substitute for Hajj?
A: No, Umrah is not a substitute for Hajj; even if they choose to perform Umrah they are still obligated to perform Hajj at some other point in their lifetime if they have means to do so.
