What is the Hajj?
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Hajj is performed according to the example of the Prophet's own pilgrimage, and its commandment is there in the Holy Quran.
Hajj is the only pillar that is not obligatory, but Muslims should perform it once in their lives if they are healthy and wealthy and capable to do it.

Preparation for Hajj
• First of all pilgrims must have enough money to pay not only for themselves but also to provide for their families during their absence. Therefore, the hajj pilgrimage is not obligatory.
• Pilgrims must be healthy.
• Pilgrims have the special pilgrim dress which consists of two simple clothes (known as ihram). Pilgrims have to give up sex, perfume, jewelry, etc. and can not go into legal agreements during the state of Ihraam.
• Men and women can not also cut their hair or nails during the state of Ihraam because all these things are not allowed.

Ihram
Ihmraam consists of two pieces of white fabric, worn around the waist and the other around the shoulders. The ihram is important because it means that everyone is equal under the hajj. Disparities in wealth, class and race are destined to disappear during Hajj for Muslims to strengthen unity and brotherhood of Islam.

When pilgrims enter into the state of ihram, they must be especially aware of the laws of Allah, and therefore should avoid all forms of violence. They must abstain from sex and fully dedicate to Allah and his worship.

The rituals of Hajj

Tawaaf
During Tawaaf Muslims circle around Kaaba in a counterclockwise direction seven times. If it is possible for them to touch or kiss the black stone then they must do it.

Why Ka'ba so important?

Kaaba is located in the courtyard of the holy mosque in Mecca. Kaabs is believed to have been built by Adam as a house of prayer for the first time and then afterwards by Prophet Abraham (PBUH).

Sa'i:
Pilgrims walk between the hills Marwa and Sa'fa to copy what Hagar did with his young son, Ismail, when they sought water to survive in the desert. It is also remembrance of Ibrahim fir his fight with the devil. The pilgrims collect water from the well of Zamzam, which was discovered by the young Ismail. This is considered the holiest of water in the world and the Muslims carry back home bottles filled with this water.

Standing on Arafat:

The pilgrims listen to a sermon by the imam where they get a couple of hours and confess their sins before God. It is said that Arafat is the place where Adam and Eve landed on earth when they were thrown from Eden. It is a place where Adam and Eve confessed their sins and were forgiven. Muslims believe that the final judgment will take place in the filed of Arafat on the Day of Judgment. So, they confess their sins in the place of Arafat, and they are forgiven by God (as Islam teaches them will), so these sins do not count against them on judgment day.

Stoning of the devil in Mina:

At Mina pilgrims throw stones at the stone pillars representing the devil trying to lure the command of Abraham when he was ready to sacrifice his son Ishmael for the sake of Allah’s pleasure. So, hajj pilgrims also sacrifice animals by Muslims in Mina in completing the Hajj. But today, most pilgrims pay officers appointed to slaughter those animals and the meat of those animals is immediately put into refrigerated trucks for distribution to the poor people. After completion of these rituals, pilgrims can remove Ihram and wear regular clothes.

In the end Muslim men shave their heads whereas women cut their hair to show that they have entered into the new life free of any sins of their previous lives after making true repentance in front of Allah (S.W.T).

Source: Hajj Packages 2012

What is Hajj Obligation?

Hajj is the largest Muslim pilgrimage and described as "the greatest journey in the world" and is a pilgrimage that all Muslims must fulfill if they are solvent and healthy in their lives. For this reason, the Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam known as the structure behind the Muslim faith.

As the birthplace of Mohammed, where the Qur'an was compiled and holiest city, Mecca is the destination of hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims in the 12^th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Dhu al-Hijjah.

Hajj is generally believed to be linked to the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) but Muslims claim that the origin of the pilgrimage and its rituals to return well before the seventh century until the time of Ibrahim.

These rituals include walking seven times counterclockwise around the Kaaba, known as Tawaf. Sai, which includes walking between the two hills of Safa and Marwa, drink the holy water from Zamzam well, waking up in the wilderness of Mount Arafat, and stoning the devil which is known as Rami.

Once these are completed, the Hajj pilgrims shave their heads.

This three day pilgrimage is also related to the Prophet Ibrahim because it commemorates the ultimate sacrifice Prophet Ibrahim was ready to commit for their love of God by sacrificing his firstborn son Ishmael.

The reasons why Muslims go on pilgrimage can be divided into two main reasons. More importantly, by performing the pilgrimage Muslims show their final devotion and submission to God. The second element to display on your Hajj is solidarity with all other followers of Islam.

This union is a demonstration of equality and harmony among the pilgrims. For this reason, no signs of wealth such as jewelry allowed on the occasion of Hajj. Also pilgrims have to wear white clothes which show humility of salves of Allah in front of their lord.

A state of devotion is held in Hajj, which means no vulgarity or program of vanity during hajj. Pilgrims must also take care of themselves and other pilgrims to see that there is no chaos, no fighting and violence against animals.

These conditions are essential for the proper performance of the Hajj which all pilgrims must abide by during performance of holy obligation of umrah.

Source: Hajj Packages