Hajj – One of the Five Pillars of Islam

Marine Corps Base Quantico -- Hajj or Pilgrimage is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It is obligatory for every Muslim of age at least once in his/her lifetime to make Hajj. One must be financially solvent, physically able and mentally sane to make this lifetime journey. Hajj means, “to intend a journey” or “to set out for a place.” It is an annual pilgrimage Muslims make to Ka’ba in Makkah (Mecca) both physically and spiritually with the intention of performing a set of religious rites according to the tradition or Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). During Hajj, all hajjis or pilgrims obediently stand united in a single act of worship, equally before their Creator with equal access to His infinite mercy and say, “here I am at Your service, O Lord, here I am”.

Muslims believe that Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) first built the Ka’ba in Makkah (Mecca), a cube-like building. Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) along with his eldest son Prophet Ishmael (peace be upon him) later rebuilt the Ka’ba and restored its sanctity. The Ka’ba is considered to be the House of God and was built for the purpose of worshipping Almighty God, the Creator of everything that is between heaven and earth. Today it stands as the sacred place for Muslims and symbolizes the direction that Muslims pray five times a day.

The Hajj exposes Muslim to a new environment and unifies them with different cultures and customs; it also gives them a different spiritual dimension, crowned by both soothing and physically demanding rituals. It allows Muslims to go on a spiritual journey like no other. In journeying to this epicenter, pilgrims get an opportunity to examine into their inner selves and strive for mutual quest.

During Hajj Muslims commemorate the rituals and trials of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) put through by God. Among many rituals — stoning of the devil and sacrificing animals signifies the tradition of Abraham and as proof of one’s faith.

The Hajj takes place on the 9th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, last month of Islamic calendar in Saudi Arabia followed by 3 days of festivities — Eid al-Adha or Festivities of Sacrifice by Muslims all over the world. This year the Hajj is expected to take place on Wednesday, 23rd of October 2015. Approximately three million Muslims from diverse backgrounds will gather together for a religious celebration in Makkah.

American Muslims and Muslim military personnel will also be celebrating the annual holiday of Eid al-Adha (the festival of Sacrifice). The date of Eid al-Adha is Thursday, 24th of October, 2015. Accommodations (special liberty and liberal leave policy) may be needed to allow Muslim to observe this religious celebration with families, relatives, friends and neighbors.