What do Muslims do on a hajj
On a hajj, Muslims perform a series of rituals and activities. Here are some of the main activities that Muslims do on a hajj:
1. Ihram: Before beginning the hajj, Muslims enter a state of purity and sanctity called Ihram. They wear two white seamless sheets of clothing for men and modest clothing for women.
2. Tawaf: Upon arriving in Mecca, Muslims perform Tawaf, which involves circling the Kaaba (the black cube-shaped building located at the center of the Grand Mosque) seven times, while reciting prayers.
3. Sa'i: After finishing Tawaf, Muslims go to the hills of Safa and Marwa and walk or run seven times between these two hills to commemorate Hagar's search for water for her son Ishmael.
4. Wuquf: Muslims then travel to the plain of Arafat, where they spend the day in intense worship, prayer, supplication, and seeking forgiveness from Allah.
5. Muzdalifah: After leaving Arafat, Muslims go to Muzdalifah and spend the night there, performing prayers and collecting pebbles to later use in the stoning ritual.
6. Stoning of the Devil: In Mina, Muslims throw seven pebbles at three pillars known as Jamarat, symbolizing the rejection of evil temptations and actions. This ritual commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's (Abraham) rejection of Satan's attempts to dissuade him from sacrificing his son.
7. Sacrifice: Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha by sacrificing an animal as an act of remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. The meat from the sacrificed animal is distributed among the pilgrims and the needy.
8. Halq/Taqsir: After the sacrifice, Muslims usually shave their heads (Halq) or trim their hair (Taqsir) to symbolize the completion of the hajj rituals and the entering into a new phase of life.
9. Tawaf al-Ifadah: Again, Muslims perform Tawaf around the Kaaba as a reaffirmation of their devotion and connection to Allah.
10. Farewell Tawaf: Before leaving Mecca, pilgrims perform a final Tawaf called the Farewell Tawaf, which represents bidding farewell to the Kaaba and the holy city.
During the hajj, Muslims also engage in various prayers, recitations, contemplation, and seeking spiritual purification. The hajj is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and it serves as a significant ritual and communal experience for Muslims around the world.