Islam has five pillars. Each of them has its importance and history which made them obligatory for the followers of Islam. These pillars are Shahadah, Salah, Fasting, Zakat and, Hajj. Here we will discuss the fifth pillar hajj.
The importance of hajj is unmatchable. It is an emotional and spiritual pilgrimage, yet exhausting. That is why it is obligatory on certain people. People who are physically and financially stable perform this obligation. This sacred pillar has to be performed once in a lifetime by every Muslim of sound means. Hajj is performed in the month of Zil-hajj. That’s how it differs from umrah. Because umrah can be performed at any time of the year.
Performing hajj, in the deserts of Mecca and scorching heat, is difficult. But millions of Muslims struggle to perform this pilgrimage wholeheartedly to get spiritual blessings. Moreover, to get taqwa and as it helps in renewing their faith. Quran also teaches Muslims to perform hajj in the way many prophets had performed. One can learn Quran online to get more knowledge about Islam.
History and Importance of Hajj
The History of the hajj dates back 4000 years ago when Mecca was a desert and practically inhabitable. Prophet Ibrahim A.s, his wife, and his infant son were there when he was ordered by Allah to leave his family on their own. Which lead to his wife Hajra and infant son Ismail A.s suffering from a lack of food and water. She ran between the two mountains of Safa and Marwa in search of water. Whilst little Ismail struck his root on the stone and water starts gushing from that place. Till today, running between the two mountains is one of the rituals performed in honor and remembrance of the struggle of Hazrat Hajra.
Moreover, Hazrat Ibrahim was ordered to sacrifice his son. For the sake of Allah, he took his son far from his home to sacrifice him. But, upon seeing that Ibrahim passed the test Allah replaced Hazrat Ismail A.s with sheep and this is another ritual of hajj. Following this, they were commanded to build Holy Kaaba which is 20 ft in height and since then every year hajj is performed by Muslims from all over the world each year.
The Ka’ba, a cubical structure covered in black embroidered hangings, is at the middle of the Haram Mosque in Mecca. Muslims believe that it’s the house Abraham (Ibrahim in Arabic) built for God and face in its direction (qibla) while they pray. Since the time of the Prophet Muhammad, believers from everywhere on the planet have gathered around the Ka’ba in Mecca on the eighth and twelfth days of the ultimate month of the Islamic calendar. One can get to learn more about Hajj in Quran as there are Quran tutors online available. They also help to memorize Quran
According to the teachings of Islam, the method of equality and gratitude is highly important as there’s no one better but people who have the most positive attitude towards the creatures of Allah. This can be depicted when Muslims from all over the world, whether white or black gather together and perform Hajj. This can be the equality that is represented by all the Muslims around the world who gather to perform Hajj.