Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca is the fifth pillar of Islam and a religious duty for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake it once in their lifetime. During Hajj, Muslims of all backgrounds gather to glorify God, seek forgiveness, and observe the rites demonstrated by the Prophet Muhammad. Hajj demonstrates the universality and unity of Islam, as pilgrims sacrifice material interests and celebrate their brotherhood. Performing Hajj purifies the soul and nurtures virtues like kindness, strength, and humility.

2.  Hajj or Pilgrimage to Makah, is the fifth pillar of Islam and
an incumbent religious duty once in a lifetime for those
who are physically and financially able. Allah Says: In it are
Signs Manifest; (for example), the Station of Abraham;
whoever enters it attains security; Pilgrimage thereto is a
duty men owe to Allah,- those who can afford the journey;
but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His
creatures. (Qur’an 3: 97)

3.  Hajj is the largest yearly gathering of faith in which
Muslims from al races, colors and walks of life glorify Allah,
remember him, seek his forgiveness and observe the
pilgrimage rites as described and demonstrated by the
prophet (P.b.u.h); during this gathering they also get to
know one another and discuss their common affairs. It is a
demonstration of the universality of the Islam and the
unity and equality of all Muslims.

4.  Hajj also confirms the commitment of Muslims to the
creator and their readiness to give up the material interests
in his service. The pilgrim, as he presents himself to Allah
sacrifices all worldly things: wealth, family, friends,
distinctions of dress, birth and race. He also celebrates the
brotherhood of all Muslims. All are equal in dress and in
what they must do just as they will all stand equal before
Allah on the day of Judgment. Nothing, in fact, does more
to promote Muslim unity than the coming together of this
huge gathering each year through Muslims from different
parts of the world to get fresh charge of spiritual energy.

5.  The pilgrimage constitutes a most spectacular visual
illustration of how belief in one God, Allah, leads to a
union of people from different parts of the world and of
different ethnic communities into the ties of brotherhood.
It creates for those who perform it an occasion to meet and
know one another, to exchange views and compare
experiences and unite their efforts to the common good. It
purifies the soul and nurtures such noble qualities as
kindness, strength and modesty.

6.  Allah commands pilgrims to avoid all forms of wickedness
and to observe patience and perseverance. The Qur’an says:
For Hajj are the months well known. If any one undertakes
that duty therein, Let there be no obscenity, nor
wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj… (Qur’an 2: 197)

7.  The prophet (P.b.u.h) mentioned the great merits of a
pilgrimage to Makkah on different occasions. When he was
asked about the best actions, he replied: Narrated Abu
Huraira: The Prophet was asked, "Which is the best deed?"
He said, "To believe in Allah and His Apostle." He was then
asked, "Which is the next (in goodness)?" He said, "To
participate in Jihad in Allah's Cause." He was then asked,
"Which is the next?" He said, "To perform Hajj-Mabrur. "
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 2, Hadith 594)

8.  The Hajj mabroor here means the one that is
performed with the intention of seeking Allah’s
pleasure only and one that is done in accordance with
the prophet’s practice. The prophet (P.b.u.h) also said
on another occasion: “He who makes a piligrimage for
Allah’s sake and does not talk loosely nor act
immorally will return as pure from sin as the day he
was born. (Reported Al-Bukhaaree)

9.  There are three types of Hajj:
1. Hajj At-Tamattu: This involves performing Umrah
first during any of months of the hajj, removing the
Ihraam garments after Umrah, and then assuming
the state of Ihraam again for Hajj on the eighth day
of Dhul-Hijjah of the same Year.
2. Hajj Al-Ifraad: This involves assuming the state of
Ihram for Hajj only and reaming in this state until
Hajj is finished. No Umrah is required.

10. 3 .Hajj Al-Qiraan: This involves assuming the state of
Ihraam for both Umrah and hajj.
• It is worth noting that the killing of a sacrificial animal is
obligatory only on those who perform Hajj At Tamattu and
Hajj Al Qiraan. Those performing Hajj-Al-Ifraad are not
required to slaughter a sacrificial animal.