Hajj Rituals and Pilgrimage

Arrival in Mecca

• Pilgrims wear special white garments called ihram to symbolize equality.
• Men wear two strips of plain cloth, while women wear modest forms of dresses or a hijab, but do not cover their faces.

The Hajj Rituals - Mecca

• Pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven times counter-clockwise, reenacting the prophet Muhammad's actions when receiving the revelation of the Quran.

Pilgrimage in Islam

• Hajj is considered a pilgrimage in Islam, and it is one of the five pillars of Islam.

Walking Between the Hills

• Pilgrims walk between the hills of Safa and Marwa, representing Hagar's frantic search for water for her son, Ishmael.
• The walk must be completed at a brisk pace.

Drinking from ZamZam Well

• The story of Hagar and Ishmael continues as they are miraculously saved and given water from the Zamzam Well, which is said to have miraculous healing powers.

Hajj Rituals in the Desert

• Pilgrims live out in the desert for several days in tents, outside of the city of Mecca.
• The Day of Standing Together is performed on the plains of Arafat, marking the high point of Hajj.

Cutting Hair

• One of the final rituals involves either shaving the entire head or cutting it short, symbolizing a fresh start and a new beginning.

Stoning of the Pillars

• Pilgrims throw small pebbles at three pillars representing the devil, symbolizing the rejection of temptation.

End of the Hajj

• The end of the pilgrimage marks the festival of Eid al-Adha, which means the feast of sacrifice and marks when the pilgrims may return home.