What is Hajj and Why Should a Muslim perform it?
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which every Muslim should make at least once in their lifetime if they are able to afford it and are physically able.
The Hajj commemorates the trials of Prophet Abraham and his family, and reminds Muslims about the importance of God. It also teaches Muslims about empathy with fellow human beings, especially those who are less fortunate than themselves.
How Often Should a Muslim Perform Hajj?
The Islamic Holy Book, the Quran, mentions that a Muslim should perform Hajj once in their lifetime.
In order to complete the Hajj pilgrimage, Muslims must enter and exit Mecca. This is done by walking around the Kaaba seven times and then going to Mount Arafat. There they should spend the day in prayer. Afterwards they go to Mina where they throw stones at three pillars representing Satan.
The next day Muslims go back to Mina for more stone throwing and on the fourth day they return to Mecca for a final tawaf (circumambulation).
What to Bring and Wear on Hajj
Hajj is a five-day event which begins on the 8th day of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th month of Islamic calendar. Pilgrims wear special clothes for this occasion which are called Ihram. Men should wear two white sheets, one draped over their body from shoulder down and another draped from waist down with head covered by a cap or some other cloth. Women should also wear two white sheets but they should be long enough to cover them from top to bottom with head covered by a scarf or some other cloth.
The pilgrims also have specific rituals that they need to perform during Hajj such as walking around Kaaba seven times, going between Safa and Marwah
What You Need to Know About the Ihram Clothing for Hajj
The wearing of the Ihram clothing has certain rules and guidelines that must be followed.
The Ihram clothing is a state of spiritual purity that is achieved by Muslims through the Hajj pilgrimage. The clothes are worn during the duration of the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage, as well as other Islamic rituals such as Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha, etc.
The traditional Ihram clothing consists of two pieces: a white unsown cloth (kiswa) which is worn around the waist and a white woolen garment (ihram).
Practical Tips and Advice for Your First Hajj
The following tips and advice are for those who are planning to go on their first Hajj journey.
1) Make Dua:
Before you leave, make sure you make dua for yourself and your family. Ask Allah for a safe journey, protection from all types of harm and ease in performing the rituals.
2) Prepare Your Supplies:
Make sure that you have all the necessary supplies with you before traveling to Makkah. You will need a passport, Ihram clothing, prayer mat, water bottle etc.
If you are planning to go to Hajj for the first time then it is better to book one of the top Hajj 2023 packages from Pakistan. In this way you will get complete guidance and support of the Hajj operator. Class A travel agencies have a complete training program for their clients which you can follow during their pilgrimage.
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