The History Of The Pilgrim To Mecca

Among the most beloved traditions and rituals of the Islamic faith is a pilgrimage that unites Muslims around the world. It is known as the Hajj, an Arabic word meaning “to set out for a place” (“Short History of Hajj”). It is one of the five pillars that define the Islamic faith. The Hajj itself is a five day trip into Mecca, the Islamic holy city, as well as surrounding areas. It is a trip that thousands of Muslims undergo each year. It is a staple of Islamic faith, as well as a spiritual and emotional journey that brings Muslims closer to God.

The history of the Hajj dates back to the time of the Prophet Ibrahim. According to Islamic belief, the Prophet Ibrahim, also known as Abraham, was told by Allah to “bring his wife, Hajira (Hagar) and their child Is'mail to Arabia from Palestine” (“Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca”) due to Ibrahim’s other wife Sarah’s jealousy. When Hajira’s supplies ran out, the situation became dire; Hajira and Is’mail began to “[suffer] from hunger and dehydration” (“Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca”). Hajira frantically began to run between two hills, Safa and Marwa, in search of any signs of others travelling through or living in the desert that could be of assistance (“Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca”). After running back and forth between the hills a total of seven times, Hajira heard a voice and called for help (“Running”). The voice belonged to the Angel Jibril, “who hit the ground with his wing until … water emerged” (“The Story of Zamzam Water”), rescuing Hajira and Is’mail. The water source was made into a well called the Well of Zamzam, and would continue to flow as the city of Mecca grew around it (“Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca”). Ibrahim and Is’mail would go on to build the Kaaba in praise of Allah; the Kaaba i...

... middle of paper ...

...e devil” (Jamarat). Following this step is the sacrifice of an animal on Eid al-Adha (“Hajj (pilgrimage)”). This is to remind the pilgrims of Ibrahim’s near sacrifice of Is’mail to Allah, before Allah spared Is’mail and a sheep was sacrificed in his stead. After another Tawaf around the Kaaba, pilgrims are free to leave (“Notes on Different Types of Tawaf”). It is common that pilgrims visit the city of Medina following the completion of the Hajj, where the Prophet Muhammad is buried (Marican).

The Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, and is required of every Muslim who has the means to go (Ahmed and Balaban). It is a pilgrimage to the Islamic holy land, a chance to walk in the footsteps of the Prophets Ibrahim and Muhammad. It is a statement of faith and dedication to Islam that thousands of Muslims experience each year that strengthens their connection to Allah.