Hajj: The Pilgrimage to Mecca

Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam. It is obligatory once in a life time for every Muslim who can afford the pilgrimage and is not hampered by disease, poverty, debt or a tyrannical ruler. Arriving from every corner of the globe, Muslim pilgrims of every age, nationality, social class and color converge in Mecca to perform Hajj each year. The image of millions of  Muslim pilgrims performing Hajj is always one of the most overwhelming sights mankind ever witnesses.

When setting out for the pilgrimage, one of the first things that Muslims do is that they shed all indications of their personal wealth and class distinction by wearing simple white garments called Ihram. The purpose of the Ihram clothing is to ensure that all worldly differences between mankind are eradicated. It trains the pilgrims to consider themselves equal before Allah with only piety and good deeds as measure of their true wealth. The ihram is a symbol of simplicity, purity and equality, and it signifies that the pilgrim is in a state of worship.

A Muslim who intends to perform Hajj must make sure, before departing for Hajj that his family is provided for during the period he is away for the Hajj. He should pay up his debt and seek forgiveness from fellow human being whom he might have caused harm in the past. He should be diligent in observing Salat (five daily prayers) and Sawm (fasting) in the month of Ramadhan as well as carrying out other religious obligations. He must shun all arrogance and exhibit a character of modesty and humbleness. He must not use unlawfully acquired money or unlawful means to perform Hajj. He should seek sincere repentance from Allah of all his past sins. In short, one should depart for Hajj just like one would wish to depart from this world.