Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam that every sane Muslim man and woman of age is obligated to take part in at least once in their lifetime if they are financially able to do so. The Prophet ﷺ said:  “The reward for a Hajj mabroor (accepted Hajj) is nothing but Paradise” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim). So what makes Hajj so special? Here are 8 facts about Hajj: 

1. Hajj literally means “to intend a journey”

Millions of Muslims from all over the world get ready for this journey of a lifetime and come together to perform this obligation as one big community. Despite all the changes in recent years that have made Hajj easier and more accessible for pilgrims, Hajj is a test of patience, endurance and faith. 

The Prophet ﷺ said: “The one striving in the cause of Allah and the one performing Hajj and the one performing `Umrah are all the delegation of Allah. He calls them and they respond to His call, and they ask Him and He answers their supplication.” (Ibn Majah)

Dhul Hijjah: What Does the Day of Arafah Represent?

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2. Hajj takes place on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah

Hajj starts on the same date every year, on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah. The 9th of Dhul Hijjah is the blessed day of Arafah and Eid ul Adha begins on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. 

3. Hajj symbolises equality 

Muslims from all over the world worship together as a reminder of how we are all equal in front of Allah, judged only by our deeds and not our status, gender or race. Dressed simply and alike in Ihram, everyone looks the same. There is also no segregation between men and women, as there is for the daily prayers, symbolising our gathering on the Day of Judgement where we will all gather to have our deeds weighed. Through this, Allah reminds us that on that day, nothing will matter except our closeness and sincerity to Him. 

4. Hajj erases our sins

Allah gives us so many opportunities to restart with a clean slate, and performing Hajj is one of the greatest opportunities to seek this clean slate and the forgiveness of Allah. For those not on Hajj, fasting on the day of Arafah and standing to pray on Laylatul Qadr are other opportunities throughout the year. 

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or transgression will return [free from sins] as he was on the day his mother gave birth to him.” (Al-Bukhari)

• The Prophet ﷺ said “Hajj is Arafah.”

The Prophet ﷺ also described Arafah: “On this day, Allah, the most Exalted, descends to the nearest heaven, and He is proud of His servants on the earth and says to those in heavens, look at My servants, they have come from far and near, with hair dishevelled and faces covered with dust, to seek my Mercy. Even if their sins are as much the sand or the froth of the sea, I shall forgive them.”

5. Arafah was the where Adam (as) and Hawa (as) reunited

Arafah comes from the word “to know” and it is on Arafah that Adam (as) and Hawa’ (as) were reunited on Earth after repenting to Allah and being sent down from Jannah. Every year, reflecting that tradition, Muslims gather on Arafah to repent to Allah and reconnect with Him. 

Dhul Hijjah: What Does the Day of Arafah Represent? | Amaliah 

6. The rituals of Hajj honour the family of Ibrahim (as)

Hajj honours the family of our beloved Prophet Ibrahim (as) who displayed immense Tawakkul or trust in Allah, for example: 

• Tawaaf is performed around Kaaba that he built with his son Ismail (as)
• We run on Safa and Marwa in the footsteps of his wife, Hajar (as) 
• We drink Zamzam that Allah allowed Hajar (as) to discover and we remember that that discovery led to the flourishing of the city of Makkah
• We perform Ramy and pelt Shaytaan with stones in honour of Ibrahim (as) who did so when Shaytaan attempted to lead him and his followers astray on their Hajj journey
• The practice of sacrificing an animal honours Ibrahim (as) as he was ready to sacrifice his son on the orders of Allah without question.

The Route of #Hajj pic.twitter.com/KPgbBWB7N0

— 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 (@HaramainInfo) July 6, 2022

7. The Prophet ﷺ only performed Hajj once in his lifetime

The Prophet ﷺ only performed one Hajj in his lifetime in 10 A.H., at the age of 62 and he passed away the following year. On the day of Arafah, the Prophet ﷺ delivered the farewell sermon where he said: 

“O people, your Lord is One, and your father is one: all of you are from Adam, and Adam was from the ground. The noblest of you in Allah’s sight is the most Godfearing: Arab has no merit over non-Arab other than Godfearingness.”

Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ Last Sermon | Amaliah 

May Allah accept all our deeds and duas in these blessed days of Dhul Hijja