Significance of Hajj

Interior of Ka'bah

Significance of Hajj : 

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is a visit to the Ka'ba, the house of Allah (SWT). The Ka'ba is a cube-like building that was built by Prophet Adam, the first man and Prophet on earth. During the battles that took place over time, the Ka'ba was damaged. Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail then rebuilt the Ka'ba and restored its dignity. The Ka'ba is the oldest House and was built for the purpose of worshipping Allah (SWT). Today it is known as the holiest place for Muslims and represents the direction that Muslims pray five times a day; from all around the world.

It is compulsory for every Muslim to make at least one journey in their lifetime to Makkah for Hajj if they can afford it. The teachings of Hajj are very significant to a Muslim's daily life. During Hajj, we learn to establish our prayers five times a day and stay clean and pure at all times. Prayer is mandatory during the period of Hajj as well as throughout one's life. Praying near the Ka'ba rewards a Muslim more then 100,000 times the reward of praying anywhere else in the world.

Sacrificing a lamb or goat during Hajj teaches us to share and to give to the poor. It teaches us generosity, kindness, and the ability to share with others less fortunate. In Mina, when we throw pebbles at the three pillars representing shaitaan, we learn that we should be truthful and clean and live a life free of sins. We learn to try to reject and avoid the evil whispers of shaitaan and stand against him. Apart from kindness and generosity, Hajj teaches us that Allah (SWT) has blessed us greatly. The water from Zam Zam is a special gift from Allah (SWT) to Muslims till the Day of Judgement. It is that anyone who drinks the water of Zam Zam will be granted a cure from all the illnesses and diseases. Some of the scholars say that Zam Zam is whatever you make it to be, so for instance, if you drink Zam Zam water and supplicate to Allah (SWT) that He make it a source of healing from a sickness, it will indeed play that role, insha'Allah. Supplicating at Arafaat is also a blessing. All duas are answered and all wishes are made true.

This pilgrimage helps us learn the history of Islam and see how it has been held up over the past centuries. We should remember the work of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (S). We should learn the patience and the sacrifices made by our Prophet at this very time and place many centuries ago. The gathering of Muslims all around the world helps us to remember that we are all Muslims and worshippers of Allah (SWT) and that we are all brothers and sisters in Islam. We learn the different nations and we see that Muslims are not joined together on the basis of color or race. They are joined together on the basis of belief in Allah (SWT) and his messenger (S). The pilgrimage brings Muslims of all countries, colors, and races to one place -- the Ka'ba. This strengthens the spirit of unity, equality and brotherhood. These are the values on which Islam builds the human society and it will continue this way till the Day of Judgment insha'Allah.