The hajj takes place annually; it is one of the 5 pillars of Islam. Once in lifetime, each Muslims is expected to travel to Makkah, as long as they can afford it. The ka’bah is seen as Gods house. They believe it was first built by Adam and later rebuilt by the prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael. It is a simple cube-shaped building, covered in a black cloth, but Muslims believe it was the first ever place built just for the worship of God.
Each year, during the twelfth Islamic month, two million Muslims from all over the world go to Makkah. Non-Muslims are not allowed in the city. The hajj reminds all Muslims that they are equal in the eyes of God. So, as they near Makkah, the pilgrims change their clothes, a male Muslim must wear 2 sheets of unsewm white cloth. Women may wear their everyday clothes but must be covered from head to ankle. The white sheets are symbolic; they remind Muslims that they must be willing to give up everything for their God “Allah”. It is also a reminder that dead people are wrapped in similar sheets. After death, all fine clothes and wealth are of no value. The Ihram also has another significance, it reminds all Muslims that they must stay together and love each other in the name of Allah. It also builds a better atmosphere while on the pilgrimage as it brings all the Muslims into one.
The hajj lasts five days. In that time, each Muslim is expected to think of God constantly.
So on the first day of hajj the pilgrimage begins at Makkah. Each Muslim walks around the Ka’bah, starting at the black stone. Some pilgrims try to kiss or touch the stone as a sign of respect; if they cannot do this due to the large amount of people then they will raise their hand in salute to the stone. The stone is said to be from paradise and is black because of the sins that have been committed on the earth. Muslims should make Tawaf around the Ka'bah, as a gesture of greeting the mosque. This is done by circling the Ka'bah seven times in the counter clockwise direction, starting from the black stone with Takbeer and ending each circle at the Black Stone with Takbeer, keeping the Ka'bah to one's left. Then the pilgrim goes to Maqam Abraham (Abraham’s Station), and performs two rak'ah (prayer sequences) behind it, close to it if possible, but away from the path of the people making Tawaf. In all cases one should be facing the Ka'bah when praying.
A typical prayer, which the Muslims try to speak a lot, is called “Talbiyah”. “Labbayka Allahummu, labbayk – Labbaka la shareeka Laka Labbayk. Inna – alhanda. Wan – ntinata Laka Walmuk. La Shareek Lak”.
This is Arabic so has to be translated to be understood in English, it translates to “ Here I am, O Allah, here I am! I am here! O Allah without equal, here I am! Yours is the praise, the grace and the kingdom. No partner do you have. The pilgrims will try to say this prayer as much as possible.
The next ritual for the Muslims is to make Sa'i (the run) between the two small hills, Safa and Marwah. This re-enacts the journey of Hagar and her son Isma'il who were abandoned in the desert and ran between the two hills searching for water. While facing the Ka'bah he praises Allah, raises his hands and says Takbeer "Allah-u Akbar" three times, then makes supplication to Allah. Then the pilgrim descends from the hill of Safa and heads towards the hill of Marwah. One should increase the pace between the clearly marked green posts, but should walk at a normal pace before and after them. When the pilgrim reaches the Marwah, he should ascend it, praise Allah and do as he did at the Safa. This is considered one round and so is the other way from the Marwah to the Safa. A total of seven rounds are required to perform the Sa'i. After Sa'i, the Muslim ends his 'Umrah rites by shaving his head or trimming his hair (women should cut a finger tip's length from their hair). At this stage, the prohibitions pertaining to the state of Ihram are lifted and one can resume his normal life. The lesser pilgrimage is now over and the Muslim can return home. A building with clearly marked post where you should increase the speed of their walk or jog maybe now covers the route. Because a lot of Muslims who are not fully able make the journey a walkway has been made directly through the route meaning that the people in wheel chairs and the people pushing the wheel chairs can easily make the Sa’i without struggling through the crowds of people, Allah would probably see upon this very well as even the Muslims that are disabled are committed to Allah and his religion. While making the run some Muslims may try to drink some water out of the Zam Zam well, this is the spring of water which incredibly appeared out of no where from the heal of Ishmael.
For those Muslims performing the full Hajj and not just the Umrah the pilgrim must put the Ihram clothes on again, consciously get in the right frame of mind and perform a sequence of prayers. They travel a short distance to Mina and camp overnight before travelling to Arafat on the next day, health and safety regulations have had to be put into place because of the fast number of Muslims in Mina at the same time, they maybe want to cook but cannot now as if one tent was to set fire then all the tents would probably set on fire, so instead there are little shops dotted around where the pilgrims can buy food for the night, some Muslims may go to sleep on the night but many choose to stay up and pray all night, this can be because their sleep pattern has been broken or because they are so committed to Allah and their duties that they wish to make it clear by praying.
On the next day the pilgrims have to carry out the most important and probably hardest part of the pilgrimage, the stand of Arafat! During the second day, the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, pilgrims leave Mina for the plain of 'Arafat for the wuquf, "the standing," the central rite of the hajj. They are required to stand from midday to sunset in the blistering heat meditating on Allah, on their sins and on being re-united to Allah and one another. As they congregate there, the pilgrims' position on the mountain reminds them of the Day of Judgement, when Allah will judge all according to how they have lived their lives. Some of them gather at the Mount of Mercy, where the Prophet delivered his unforgettable Farewell Sermon. These are emotionally charged hours, which the pilgrims spend in worship and supplication. Many shed tears as they ask God to forgive them. On this sacred spot, they reach the culmination of their religious lives as they feel the presence and closeness of a merciful God.
After the stand on Mount Arafat, Muslims travel to Muzdalifah to camp overnight on their way back to Mina. They perform their Salat prayers at the correct time and then collect 49 small stones; these will be used on the next day at Mina. There is some debate about why they collect 49 stones. Perhaps it is because 7 is a complete number for Muslims, so 7 X 7 is a complete act. Again the health and safety regulations are very strict because the vast number of people in a small area at the same time.
Before daybreak on the third day, pilgrims move en masse from Muzdalifah to Mina. The next ritual re-enacts an important story about Abraham and his son Isma'il. Abraham only had one son and to test his faith Allah told him to sacrifice Isma'il. Abraham took him up to a high mountain. As he was about to sacrifice his son, a man appeared and attempted to get Abraham to change his mind, offering a number of excuses such as 'surely Allah wouldn't ask you to kill your only son, he wouldn't be that cruel'. Abraham picked up some stones and threw them at the 'man' who finally disappeared, he was the devil.
In Mina at the pillars of Jamra, which represent evil and the devil, they throw the pebbles they have previously collected. According to some traditions, this practice is associated with the Prophet Abraham. As pilgrims throw seven pebbles at each of these pillars, they remember the story of Satan's attempt to persuade Abraham to disregard God's command to sacrifice his son. Throwing the pebbles is symbolic of humans' attempt to cast away evil and vice, not once but seven times - the number seven symbolising infinity.
Following the casting of the pebbles, most pilgrims sacrifice a goat, sheep or some other animal. They give the meat to the poor after, in some cases, keeping a small portion for themselves. This rite is associated with Abraham's readiness to sacrifice his son in accordance with God's wish. It symbolises the Muslim's willingness to part with what is precious to him, and reminds us of the spirit of Islam, in which submission to God's will plays a leading role. This act also reminds the pilgrim to share worldly goods with those who are less fortunate, and serves as an offer of thanksgiving to God.
As the pilgrims have, at this stage, finished a major part of the Hajj, they are now allowed to shed their Ihram and put on everyday clothes. On this day Muslims around the world share the happiness the pilgrims feel and join them by performing identical, individual sacrifices in a world-wide celebration of 'Id al-Adha, "the Festival of Sacrifice." Men either shave their heads or clip their hair, and women cut off a symbolic lock, to mark their partial deconsecration. This is done as a symbol of humility. All Muslims, on finishing the Hajj must perform Tawaf (circling the Kab'ah) a last time. This must be the last thing that is done in Mecca.
Although this is the end of the hajj some Muslims may choose to stay a little longer and perform some of the rituals again if they feel the need to, the majority of Muslims will return to there respective homes and feel spiritually refreshed, for many Muslims the experience will change their whole life’s, they may change there whole lifestyle as they now know that their slate is clean and they want to live the best life possible to prepare themselves for paradise.