THE IMPORTANCE OF HAJJ

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is incumbent only upon those Muslims who have the ability to undertake it. It has to be performed only once in a lifetime. However, one who has the ability to perform it more than once may perform it as many times as he likes. These additional performances will be counted as voluntary ones.

Why does hajj have such a great reward? The reason is that hajj, in fact, is symbolic of total submission and humbleness before the Almighty God. Leaving all his relatives, a pilgrim is drawn towards the House of God (Kabah), aroused by sentiments of pure love of the Almighty God. These sentiments of love and submission are demonstrated in various forms: in the form of circumambulation (tawaf), brisk walking (sái), kissing the black stone, offering prayers at different places and occasions, throwing pebbles at Jamarahs (ramy), the shaving of heads and the slaughtering of an animal, etc. All these rites show a pilgrim’s total submission and utter humility.