Hajj

The hajj is a pilgrimage that Muslims undertake to the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, and it is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is an obligation for any Muslim who has reached adulthood, possesses sound health, and has the financial and physical means to make the journey, once in their lifetime.

The hajj is performed during a fixed period in Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, specifically from the 8th to the 13th day. Because the lunar calendar advances approximately ten days each year relative to the Gregorian calendar, the time of hajj shifts through the seasons.

Main Rituals

The pilgrim begins in ihram (a state of ritual consecration involving prescribed dress and prohibitions on grooming, scents, and sexual relations). Major rites include the tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba seven times), the sa'y (walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa), standing at Arafat on the ninth day, the stay at Muzdalifa, the stoning of the pillars at Mina, and the final tawaf of farewell.

Umra and Its Difference from Hajj

The umra is a visit to the Kaaba that is not bound to a specific time and consists of ihram, tawaf, sa'y, and the shaving of the head. It differs from hajj in that it lacks the fixed dates and extended rites of Arafat, Muzdalifa, and Mina. The umra does not substitute for the hajj obligation.

Administration and Numbers

The Saudi Arabian government maintains control over the administration and security of the hajj and allocates quotas (kuuta) of a fixed number of pilgrims to many countries, which has obliged Muslim nations to establish systems of fair distribution and registration. Each year large numbers of pilgrims arrive, and various facilities such as roads, tunnels, and railways have been expanded to reduce crowding.