5. Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca)

The fifth pillar of Islam is to visit the Holy city of Mecca, once in a lifetime, subject to certain conditions to perform hajj. Every adult Muslim physically and financially able is expected to perform the pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. The focus of the pilgrimage is the Kaba, the cube-shaped House of God, in which the sacred black stone is embedded. Muslim tradition teaches that the Kaba was originally built by the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail. The black stone was given to Abraham by the angel Gabriel and thus is a symbol of God's covenant with Ismail and by extension, the Muslim community. The Kaba was the object of pilgrimage during pre-Islamic times. Tradition tells us thee one of thee first things Muhammad (pbuh), did when he marched triumphantly into Mecca was to cleanse the Kaba of the tribal idols that it housed, thus restoring it to the worship of the one true God.
This last pillar was not instituted in its final form until the Farewell Pilgrimage of 632. While directly connecting thee new community with the traditions of Arabian paganism, it also reinforced Islamic cohesion by making the Umma aware of itself as a physical entity.

The pilgrimage proper takes place during the 8th-12th of the Twelfth month, Dhu al-Hijja, of the Muslim lunar calendar. As with prayer, the pilgrimage requires ritual purification, men wear two white sheets on their body, and women may wear simple dress. During the five days of Hajj, a variety of ritual actions take place by which Muslims experience the underlying unity and equality of a worldwide Muslim community that transcends national, racial, economic and gender differences.

The pilgrimage ends with the feast of sacrifice (Id al-Adha), simultaneously observed by all Muslims all over the world. It is a very important pillar of Islam and serves many purposes:

• It is the largest annual convention of faith, the greatest regular conference of peace known in the history of mankind
• It is a demonstration of the universality of Islam and the brotherhood and equality of the Muslims.
• It strengthens individual faith and identity with universal community.
• It is a reminder of the "Grand Assembly" on the day of Judgement when people will stand equal before God.

These five pillars were prescribed over a period of twenty three years. By observing them, Muslims believe that they discipline their minds and bodies so that their lives are in accordance with the will of Allah. In Shahadah they declare their faith and by constantly remembering Allah in Salah, by helping others in Zakat, by self-denial in Sawm and by the discipline and sacrifice involved in Hajj, they submit to Gods will.

Click here for a Guide to Hajj

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