Pillar 5: Hajj (Pilgrimage)
What is the Hajj?
Every Muslim, anywhere in the world, is obliged to perform, at least once in a lifetime, the Hajj. The Hajj is the Muslim ritual pilgrimage to Mecca. Mecca (Saudi Arabia) is the holiest city in Islam. Every Muslim that is physically and financially able is expected to make the trip to Mecca. This pilgrimage occurs during a fixed time on an annual basis. Every year during the 12th month of the Islamic calendar (Dhul Hijjah) Muslims from all over the world assemble in Mecca to worship Allah. This gathering of Muslims is very diverse and signifies the global influence of Islam around the world.
An estimated 3 million Muslims perform the Hajj on an annual basis. Over 60% of the visitors to Mecca during this time come from outside of the country. While on Hajj, Muslims focus on ritual cleansing and purification. Pilgrims will wear white Ihram clothing that typically consists of two white un-hemmed sheets (like towels) that are intended to make every pilgrim look and appear the same. It is important that the cloths do not have any stitching or color. The top sheet is draped over the chest and torso while the bottom sheet covers the hips and the legs. Muslims celebrate the sense of unity that is created when everyone is dressed in the same Ihram clothing.
Once in Mecca for the Hajj, Muslims will enter the Grand Mosque and perform a series of rituals over a four to five day period. Each person will walk counter-clockwise seven times around the Ka’ba. The Ka’ba is a small square building in the middle of the Grand Mosque that Muslims consider to be the original House of God built by Abraham. During the Hajj, Muslims will also run back and forth seven times between the mountains/hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah. Muslims will also drink water from the Zamzam well. According to Muslims, the Zamzam well is a miraculous source of water that is often associated with Abraham’s son, Ishmael. Perhaps the most interesting ritual during the Hajj is the stoning of the Devil. Muslims will throw seven stones at one of three walls in the city of Mina, which is nearby Mecca.
!["Ka'ba"]()
- “Ka’ba”
What is the significance of Hajj for Muslims in Turkey?
While many Muslims in Turkey desire to go on the Hajj, the reality is that very few have made the pilgrimage to Mecca. The cost and the ability to get from Turkey to Mecca is a barrier to many Muslims in Turkey. In fact, the Pew Research Center on religion estimates that only 9-10% of Muslims around the world have actually made the pilgrimage to Mecca.[1] When Muslims in Turkey are able to go on Hajj it is a special event. In smaller towns, it is common to have a celebration, send people off, and then welcome them back. If you are in a Turkish airport around the time of the Hajj, you will likely see some Muslim pilgrims dressed in Ihram clothing and sandals. In the end, the Hajj is a once in a lifetime event for Muslims and exposes them to both the diversity and global influence of Islam as they gather with Muslims from all over the world in the birthplace of Islam to worship Allah and perform sacred Islamic rituals.
This is part 5 of a 5 part series on the 5 Pillars of Islam. Be sure to check out part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 4.
Learn more about Secret Church 14 and its prayer focus, the Peoples of Turkey, on the Secret Church blog and at HopeForTurkey.org.
