Hajj
is the fifth Pillar of Islam and another form of worship.
It is an annual pilgrimage to the holy sites in Mecca which
each adult Muslim, who can afford it, has to perform once
in life time. Apart from the financial aspect, the ability
to afford the pilgrimage also means that one is able to
travel and perform the Hajj in peace.
Muslims perform Hajj in order to visit for themselves the
holy sites where their faith started. More importantly it
is a pilgrimage to the Ka'aba, which we believe is the first
place of worship ever built on this earth, Muslims thus
refer to it as House of God. The ceremony of Hajj is also
symbolic of the Unity of God; all Muslims gather from four
corners of the earth in one spot at an appointed time and
worship God. There are no difficulties to perform Hajj apart
from the obvious financial commitment in order to travel
to Mecca. That is the reason why, strictly speaking, Hajj
is only obligatory to those who have fulfilled all their
worldly needs and have no pressing commitments left and
indeed can afford the passage to Mecca.
It is a Muslim belief that God is everywhere and He answers
those who truly seek Him. In this respect indeed going to
a particular place to seek the pleasure and nearness to
God is not the issue. However, it is the physical presence
of being in the holiest of the holy places for the Muslim
faith and indeed the congregational worship with millions
of other fellow Muslims that leaves an indelible mark on
the spiritual life of a person. It is a most supreme form
of worship and is most desirable to God.
During Hajj, the person who intends to perform it is required
to travel to Mecca during the prescribed days and observe
all the rites and ceremonies. During Hajj Muslims from all
corners of the world gather in Mecca and perform the rites
of Hajj and thus strengthen the bond of Muslim unity.
During Hajj each place brings to mind some event of the
blessed life of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings on
him). It refreshes the memory of the supreme sacrifices
made by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings on him) for
the sake of Islam.
