Hajj is one of Islam's five pillars of worship. Hajj is a pilgrimage that is required of all Muslims, specifically those who are financially secure. Allah says in Quran: “It is on people for the sake of Allah to perform Hajj of his house, anyone who is able to undertake the journey to him” (Quran, 2:196). A Muslim who is physically capable of performing the Hajj at least once in his or her lifetime is required to do so. Muslims must plan ahead of time for money, aid, and funding in order to perform the Hajj.
READ ALSO: Conditions of Hajj
The Hajj is regarded by Muslims as a great deed and a testament to their faith. When asked, "What deed is the most virtuous?" the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) replied, "What deed is the most virtuous?" "I have complete faith in Allah and His messenger," he added. What is the next? "Jihad in the service of God," he said. "What is the next?" It's an accepted Hajj pilgrimage. (Bukhari)
Allah (SWT) promises to forgive all the sins of those who perform the Hajj. Hajj purges sins and a path to a new and better life with strengthened faith. There are six must-go places that every Muslim is required to visit:
Masjid-al-Haram
Kaaba is located within the Masjid al-Haram around which Hajj pilgrims are required to do tawaf. The Holy Kaaba is Allah's House, and every Muslim wishes to see and touch it once in a lifetime. Masjid Al-Haram contains the following key structures: Kaaba, Hajr-e-Aswad, Maqam e Ibrahim, Mount Safa, and Marwah. Additionally, the mosque contains a well of Zamzam from which Muslims drink blessed water.
Mina
Mina is located around 8 kilometres east of Masjid al-Haram, where pilgrims usually spend the night on their way to Mecca. As it turns out, pilgrims who arrive here on the eighth Zilhajj will also arrive again on the tenth and the thirteenth. Mina is also known as "the tent city," because during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, it is home to an incredible number of tents. In the Mina Valley there are over 100,000 pilgrim tents.
This place, known as Mina, is where pilgrims throw stones in memory of the time when Prophet Ibrahim (AS) used a large rock to supposedly defeat the Shaitan (Satan), who was preventing the will of God from being fulfilled. As part of their pilgrimage, Muslims are required to visit this sacred site.
Muzdalifah
Muzdalifah is situated in Makkah, which is situated on an expansive plain between the peaks of
Arafat and Mina. Many pilgrims leave Mina around sunset to make the most of their time in Muzdalifah.
During their stay, pilgrims who come to pray at the top of Muzdalifah's hill will offer prayers on the hilltop as well. It is an important location in Ziyarat during Hajj for Muzdalifah.
Mount Arafat
For Muslims who go on Hajj,
Arafat Day is held on the second day of the pilgrimage, on the 9th of Zilhajj, the day they leave Mina. It is imperative for every pilgrim to complete the circle (i.e., to stand at Arafat) during Hajj to uphold the sanctity of the pilgrimage. Missing this ritual nullifies the entire pilgrimage. In the presence of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw), the well-known Farewell Sermon was delivered. Muslims arrive at Mount Arafat at noon and pray with the rest of the community, remembering Allah throughout the day.
Cave of Hira
Cave of Hira is the place where the last prophet Muhammad (SAW) received first revelation. It is the location where Prophet Muhammad (SAW) practiced his intense form of meditation every day during his youth. The mosque is approximately 5 kilometres away from this location. It takes approximately 45 minutes to reach the summit of the mountain climbers used to climb the mountain.
Cave of Thaur
During His (PBUH) migration from Makah to Medina, the Holy Prophet (SAW) stayed here for three days and three nights in the Cave of Thaur. It takes an hour and a half to get to this location from the ground.
There are numerous Ziyarat locations throughout the state of Washington that you must see while performing Hajj. Blessed are those who perform Hajj this year, for they will reach the house of God sooner. Ameen
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