HAJJ - Journey to Allah's House
The month of Dhul Hijjah is here. It’s that time of the year when you hear people say, “We are going for Hajj!”
There is happiness all around. Even those who are not going are excited!
“Don’t forget to pray for us!” they say.
And you wonder, why is everyone so happy? What’s so great about Hajj?
It’s just like any other trip, right?
Well, no! Let’s find out what Hajj really is and what makes it so important.
Hajj - The Major Pilgrimage:
Hajj is a special journey that Muslims make to the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia. It is a way to worship Allah and show our love for Him.
It is performed once a year from the 8th to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. Allah chose these days. This is why they are very important and full of blessings and great rewards.
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) taught us how to perform Hajj the way Allah guided him and the prophets before him.
What makes this journey so special?
Hajj is connected to the story of a family who loved Allah very much. They were Prophet Ibrahim, his wife Hagar and their son, Prophet Ismail (Peace be upon them). When we perform Hajj, we remember and honour them.
A Great Reward:
Think about a test that went really bad. You would give anything to go back and try again, right?
While that may not be possible, Allah has given us a chance like this.
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) has said that if someone goes for Hajj and stays away from all bad actions, Allah will forgive all their mistakes. They will return from Hajj clean and pure, just like a brand new baby!
And if they perform Hajj as best as they can, Allah will bless them with Paradise!
One of the Five Pillars of Islam:
Pillars are strong columns that hold up a building. Without pillars, the building falls down! The pillars of Islam work just like that. They are the strong base that helps us keep our faith in Allah strong.
Hajj is one of these pillars
Can you name the other four pillars of Islam?
But what if someone really wants to go but does not have the money? Or what if they are too sick to travel?
Allah is Kind and Merciful.
He has made Hajj compulsory for only those people who can afford it and are healthy enough to make the journey.
Your Hajj Journey Begins…
Now imagine it’s YOU going for Hajj. That makes you a pilgrim. Get your passport, Close your eyes and let the journey begin….
Let’s Prepare!
First things first — passport? Check! Ticket? Check! Book Hotels? Check! Suitcase packed? Check! Now for the most important part of getting ready… you must prepare your heart.
You are not going on a holiday. You are not going to see famous places or take photos. You are going to the House of Allah. Let that sink in for a moment…this is your chance to get closer to Allah. Think about how you can do that – maybe by making du’as, or making some promise to Allah, or by saying sorry for the wrong things we might have done.
We should also let go of all angry feelings for other people.
And now that you’re prepared…
Let’s Go!
As you travel towards Makkah, you will reach a special boundary called the Meeqat. This is the point where,
- Every pilgrim must make their intention. This means you make a firm decision to complete Hajj for the sake of Allah and to earn His pleasure.
- Once you’ve made the intention, you enter a special state called Ihram. Now you’ll have to follow some special rules till you have completed your Hajj.
- Do not cut your hair or nails
- Do not wear perfume
- Do not argue or use bad language
- Do not fight
Think about going to a special place or to meet someone important. You would wear your best clothes, right?
But for Allah, beauty is in simplicity and modesty. In Ihram men wear two pieces of plain, white cloth that have no stitching. Women wear simple, clean clothes that cover them properly.
And so everyone looks the same on Hajj, whether rich or poor. Because everyone is equal in Allah’s eyes.
- Start reciting a special prayer called the Talbiyah. The more it is recited, the greater the reward!
“Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la sharika laka labbayk. Inna al-hamd wal-ni`mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak.”
“Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily, all praise, grace, and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.”
INTERESTING FACT
Did you know, according to authentic hadith, when you recite the talbiyah the rocks, stones and mud close by recite it with you?
You’re there - at Masjid al Haraam!
You have finally reached the most important place in the whole world – Masjid al Haraam, also known as the Grand Mosque.
It’s a HUGE place packed with thousands of people from all over the world. Some are praying softly. While others stand quietly, staring lovingly at something right ahead.
You see it too, right in the center. It is a beautiful structure in the shape of a cube, covered with a black cloth.
Does Allah really live inside the Ka’bah?
No! Allah does not live inside any building. Allah is greater than everything! The Ka’bah is one of Allah’s signs and gifts for us. It brings Muslims together from all over the world so they can worship Allah. It is also the direction which all Muslims face when they pray.
JUST IMAGINE
Someone, right now, across the world is facing in the direction of the Ka’bah and praying. Just like you!
The Quran tells us that Ka’bah is the very first place built for Allah’s worship. Allah instructed Prophet Ibrahim (as) and his son Prophet Ismail (as)) to build it. They built the Ka’bah with great love and dedication. And when they were done, Prophet Ibrahim (as) prayed to Allah to accept their efforts.
Let’s Do Umrah!
Before the main days of Hajj begin, pilgrims first perform Umrah — a shorter, simpler pilgrimage. Think of it like a warm-up before the big event!
FUN FACT
Umrah can actually be done any time of the year, not just during Hajj! But today, we’re doing it as the first step of our Hajj journey
The First Step - Tawaf:
First you reach the special stone set into the corner of the Ka’bah, called the Hajr al Aswad — the Black Stone. Then you start walking around the Ka’bah in an anti-clockwise direction. You walk around it seven times, starting and ending at the black stone. This is called tawaf.
Subhan Allah! You’re walking around ALLAH’s house! Walk with respect. Be kind to those around you. This is the time to praise Allah, ask Him for forgiveness, and makes lots and lots of heartfelt du’as.
Can you think of a du'a you would really like to make?
INTERESTING FACT
Many great people including Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) have also walked around the Ka’bah, many years ago. Just like you’re doing right now!
The Second Step - Sa’ee:
The second step of Umrah is to perform Sa’ee.
Sa’ee means ‘to walk’ or ‘to try really hard for something’. Sa’ee is done by walking back and forth seven times between two small hills located within Masjid al Haram. These hills are the Safa and Marwah.
To perform Sa’ee, you must start from the hill of Safa. You can make this special du’a taught to us by Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).
“Lā ilāha illallāh waḥdahu lā sharīka lah(u), lahu l-mulku wa lahu l-ḥamdu yuḥyī wa yumīt(u), wa huwa ‘alā kulli shay’in qadīr.
Lā ilāha illallāhu waḥdah(u), anjaza wa’dahu wa naṣara ‘abdahu wa hazama l-aḥzāba waḥdah.”
“There is no god except Allah, alone without a partner. To Him belongs the Dominion, and to Him belongs all praise. He gives life and death and He has power over everything. There is no god except Allah alone. He fulfilled His promise, supported His slave and defeated the confederates alone.”
Tired and sleepy, as you drag your legs in Sa’ee, you imagine going back in time. To these same hills…long, long ago.
The smooth white marble floor has vanished, replaced by rocks and stone. The ceiling disappears with a poof! Replaced by a vast blue sky with the sun scorching bright. There’s desert all around for miles and miles. No one is around except for a little baby and his mother. And they have no food or water. The baby is lying below, crying because he is so hungry. The mother is worried. She is running all the way from Safa to Marwah, just like you are right now. But she couldn’t see anyone on Marwah either, so she’s running back, checking on little Ismail on her way. She does this seven times, never giving up, until finally Allah sent His help.
Water burst from the sandy ground near Prophet Ismail’s feet! It was Allah’s miracle!
Can you guess what this special water is called?
It is called Zamzam. And it flows even today!
ISN’T IT AMAZING?
Every year, millions of Muslims walk between Safa and Marwah, just like Hagar did so many years ago. They remember her courage, patience and trust in Allah.
The next time you feel something is difficult, remember her story. Remember to keep trying and never give up!
After Sa’ee, men shave or cut their hair short, and women trim a small amount — about a fingertip’s length. This means the state of Ihram is over for now (with all its rules) and the Umrah is complete. Alhumdulillah!
Now, you can change into everyday clothes and rest. You can keep coming back to the Ka’bah for tawaf and prayers too. Enjoy these peaceful moments because the busiest days of Hajj are about to begin!
