Introduction

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Every healthy Muslim hopes that, by the grace of Allah, he will be able to make the pilgrimage to Makkah once during his or her life time.

There are certain people who are not expected to carry out this obligation.

the old;

the sick and disabled;

those who can’t afford to make the journey.

Making the trip to Makkah and visiting places connected with the prophet Muhammad make the Hajj a deeply spiritual experience. It is a time to...

get rid of pride and bad thoughts;

feel an equality with all humankind;

feel companionship and unity with other Muslims.

The Hajj takes place in the 12th month of the Muslim calendar (Dhu-l-Hijja). When the pilgrims arrive in the city of Makkah they enter a state of mind called ihram. Whilst in the state of ihram Muslims must dedicate themselves to prayer and purity, Muslim men wear two white sheets to symbolise purity and to show that all are equal in the sight of Allah.

From this point on Muslims are not allowed to...

• use any perfume;

• have sex;

• cut hair or nails;

• kill any living thing.

This is the prayer called the talbiyah which the pilgrims utter over and over again as they arrive in Makkah.

‘When you are in Makkah the whole experience gives you an amazing spiritual feeling, like you’ve finally come home. You feel like everyone is with you and for you and on your side. It is a great feeling of peace , harmony and tranquillity.’