Hajj is the most prominent event in the Islamic world. It is one of the five elements of Islam. Despite being purely a religious activity, it has become so prominent, as it is performed by millions of Muslims, collectively at a specific location and on fixed dates, once a year.
Every year, around two million Muslims from all over the world congregate at Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in the Islamic month of Dhul Hajjah for the pilgrimage of Ka’aba. Hajj is a unique type of worship in the sense that, unlike any other worship in Islam, one has to travel to Ka’aba, situated in Mecca in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and that too on fixed dates: the 8th to 12th/13th of Dhul Hajjah. As such, the performance of Hajj involves a lot of physical exertion, as well as financial means, for traveling to Mecca. More importantly, the performance of Hajj, as part of the five pillars of Islam, is mandatory only for those adult Muslim men and women who are capable of doing it, physically as well as financially, and that too, only once in a lifetime.
Significance of Hajj in Islam
Hajj bears huge spiritual significance in Islamic worship. It symbolizes the extreme devotion and hardships faced by the Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ and his son, Prophet Ismail عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ. On the Divine Command, the Prophet Ibrahim and his son Prophet Ismail عَلَيْهِمَا ٱلسَّلَامُ built the Ka’aba in present day’s Mecca. Once, the structure of Ka’aba was completed, the Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was Commanded by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى to call everyone to come here and perform pilgrimage. Since then, people from all over the world used to travel to this place, even before the inception of Islam.
The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, performed Hajj, only once in his lifetime, in 632 CE, corresponding to 10 AH. This was his first and the last Hajj, where he practically exhibited the entire process of Hajj rites and rituals. All the Muslims, perform Hajj, exactly the same way, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, performed it, practically.
So, the Hajj is an occasion, when a person can get forgiveness of all his previous sins, strengthening their faith. The essence of the performance of Hajj is that its impact should be reflected in his personal life, hence, transforming the entire community into a true Muslim way of life.
Summary of Hajj Rites and Rituals
The process of Hajj starts on the 8th day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hajjah and continues in a sequence till the 12th of the month.
A summary of the entire process of Hajj is as under:
1. Entering the State of Ihram
The intending Pilgrim is required to enter into the state of Ihram, which consists of two unstitched pieces of white cloth for men and modest clothing for women, which should cover their entire body. They are required to do so before entering the geographical limits of Mecca, which are specified in the Islamic teachings.
2. Tawaf – Circumambulating the Ka’aba
Once in the Majid Al-Haram, the pilgrims are required to perform the most important part of Hajj, known as Tawaf. It is a process of circumambulating Ka’aba seven times consecutively.
3. Sa’i – Running or Walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah
Sa’i is the process of walking or running between the hills of Safa and Marwah for even times. It is performed in commemoration of the desperate action of Hazrat Hajra in search of water for his infant son, Hazrat Ismail عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ. This is also an important and compulsory part of Hajj.
4. Day of Arafat
Pilgrims gather at the plains of Arafat, where they spend the day in prayers and supplication. The Day of Arafat is considered the most important part of Hajj. It is also referred to as Rukn-e-Azam of Hajj.
5. Muzdalifah and Stoning of the Jamarat
After the sunset on the Day of Arafat, pilgrims are required to travel to Muzdalifah, where they spend the night in the open sky. During this time, they are also required to collect pebbles for the next ritual, known as Stoning of the Satan. On the next day, pilgrims perform the ritual of stoning the Jamarat, the pillars erected in Mina, symbolizing Satan.
6. Slaughtering the Sacrificial Animals
On the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims would perform the slaughtering of the sacrificial animals. It is done in commemoration of the historic act of sacrifice and submission to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَى by the Prophet Ibrahim and his son Prophet Ismail عَلَيْهِمَا ٱلسَّلَامُ. In response to a Divine dream, the Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ prepared to slaughter his beloved son Ismail عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ. This act of both of them was so liked by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى that He sent a lamb from the Heavens and Commanded the Prophet Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ to slaughter it, in place of his beloved son.
Since then, it has become a compulsory part of the Hajj, where the pilgrims slaughter sacrificial animals. The meat of the sacrificial animals can be consumed by the pilgrims and the rest has to be distributed among the poor and needy.
7. Farewell Tawaf (Tawaf e Wida)
The farewell Tawaf, also known as Tawaf al-Wida, is performed by the pilgrims before leaving Mecca. It marks the completion of the Hajj rituals.
8. Drinking Zamzam Water and Cutting Hairs
Pilgrims are also required to drink Zamzam Water. They are also required to shave off the head (men) and cut a small part of the hair (women).
Preparation for Hajj 2025
Before proceeding to Hajj, the intending pilgrims need to get themselves prepared for this holy journey, which might be one in their lifetime. It may involve three types of preparations, as under:
· Spiritual Preparation
This may include seeking forgiveness, repenting sins, getting knowledge about various steps to be performed during Hajj, and learning different supplications and Duas for reciting during the Hajj
· Physical Preparation
Hajj involves a lot of walking and physical exertion. So, prepare yourself to face it by developing stamina. Take care of your food and exercise, and try to start this sacred traveling in the best of your health.
· Logistical Arrangements
Obtaining a Hajj visa, booking travel and accommodation, and following guidelines set by Saudi authorities.
When is Hajj in 2025?
The rituals of Hajj start on the 8th day of Dhul Hajjah. Since the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, every Islamic month starts with the appearance of the first day of the moon. Hence, Islamic events typically fall on different dates as per Gregorian Calendar. An Islamic year consists of approximately 355 days, contrary to the Gregorian Calendar, which comprises 365 days. Hence, each year, the event of Hajj would fall on a different date per the Gregorian Calendar.
The Government of Saudi Arabia makes special arrangements for the sighting of the moon and officially announces the start of an Islamic month. Accordingly, the dates of Hajj are specifically announced by them, after sighting of the moon of Dhul Hajjah.
The Process of Sighting of the Moon in Saudi Arabia
The Government of Saudi Arabia, after the sighting of the Dhul Hajjah moon, announces the exact dates of the Hajj. The intending pilgrims should plan their traveling accordingly.
The moon sighting process in Saudi Arabia for Hajj typically follows a set procedure, as under:
· Formation of Moon Sighting Committee
- The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia appoints a special “Moon Sighting Committee” consisting of scholars, astronomers, and other officials.
- The committee seeks information from both visual moon sightings and scientific calculations to confirm the birth of the new moon.
· Official Announcement
The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia makes an official announcement after the Maghrib prayer (sunset) confirming the sighting of the moon or otherwise on the 29th of the Islamic month of Dhul Qa’adah. Accordingly, they specifically announce the first day of the Dhul Hajja. Simultaneously, the dates of Hajj are also specifically announced for the knowledge of the entire Muslim World.
Expected Dates of Hajj 2025
The exact dates of Hajj would depend on the sighting of the moon of Dhul Hajjah, which will be announced by the Saudi Government, as per the process, mentioned above.
The tentative date of the start of the month of Duhl Hajjah and Hajj dates are summarized below:
- If the moon is sighted on May 27, 2025:
- 1st of Dhul-Hijjah would fall on May 28, 2025
- The day of Arafat would fall on June 5, 2025
- If the moon is not sighted on May 27, 2025, all the dates would shift to the next
- Since we are in the month of Ramadan at the moment, the 1st day of Shawwal and Dhul Qa’adah are yet to be confirmed. Hence, the 29th day of Dhul Qa’adah may also change accordingly, which will affect the above-mentioned timeline.
Important
- All these are tentative dates as per the current Hijri date in Saudi Arabia. For exact dates, you need to follow the official announcements by the Saudi Government.
- Most of the Countries follow their own Hijri Calendar for the purpose of important Islamic events, such as Ramadan and the two Eids. However, the Hajj date is announced by the Saudi Government, which needs to be observed by the entire Muslim World, as the Hajj is performed in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
