Hajj is a yearly pilgrimage by Muslims to the Kaaba in Mecca and stands as one of Islam’s five pillars. The major event occurs in Dhul Hijjah which is the twelfth month within the Islamic lunar calendar system. It goes on for almost one week after which Eid ul- Adha is then celebrated.

Millions of Muslims gather to carry out worship that replicate the actions of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his family.

Those acts include walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah, standing in prayer at Arafat, and throwing stones at pillars that represent the devil.

Hajj is a way of Muslims to cleanse their soul off worldly sins. It’s a spiritual journey that shows submission and obedience to Allah as Muslims are required to repent, self-reflect and strive for a closer relationship with God throughout this period.

During Hajj, male pilgrims drape simple white garments around their bodies called Ihrams and female pilgrims wear ordinary dresses that fulfill the Islamic conditions of public dressing both representing purity.

This uniform style of dressing is also to reinforce that all Muslims are equal in the eyes of God regardless of their status, ethnicity or background. it also acts as a reminder to Muslims of the Day of Judgement where we all will stand equal before God.

Requirements for visiting Mecca

However, some requirements must be met before Muslims decide to embark on this spiritual journey. Firstly, they must have intention which is ‘Niyyah’, this means that they must only want to perform Hajj for the pure sake of Allah and not for any hidden selfish motives like showing off.

The pilgrim must also be financially capable, this includes having money for travel expenses and the maintenance of their family during their absence. Hajj should not be performed by a person if it would cause financial hardship or require them to go into debt.

Also, one must have reached puberty. Children may accompany adults, but they will be required to perform Hajj again once they reach adulthood.

The person must also be physically able and of sound mind. Hajj is not obligatory for those who are mentally incapable or disabled. However, if the disabled person can be assisted, they can also perform the act.

For women, they are required to travel with a male guardian called a ‘Mahram’ like their husband or relative for safety. However, recent changes in some jurisdictions allow women to travel in trusted groups amongst themselves.

Hajj is performed by Muslims as it said to leave a lasting impact on your heart, mind and soul as one feels free and closer to Allah.

Each year, millions of Muslims from all across the world travel by land, sea and air to Makkah, Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. Approximately 2-3 million people attend Hajj each year.

Here is how many people have attended Hajj in previous years:

1999: Over 1.8 Million

2009: Over 2.3 Million

2012: Over 3.1 Million