Hajj
Hajj refers to a Muslim's pilgrimage to Mecca, the sacred city of Islam, and is one of the five pillars of Islam.
The hajj is commanded in the Quran. It is a mandatory religious duty for each adult Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime.
Exceptions are made for those who are physically or financially unable to fulfill this obligation, and one is actually commanded not to make the hajj if to do so would cause hardship for their family. Those unable to go themselves, they may fulfill their obligation by sending someone instead.
While a visit to Mecca is encouraged any time of the year, the pilgrimage must take place during the month of Dhu al-Hijja, the last month of the Islamic year, to fulfill the requirements of the hajj. The pilgrimage occurs from the 8th to 12th or 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah.
The gathering during Hajj is considered the largest annual gathering of people in the world.
Because the Islamic calendar is lunar and about eleven days shorter than the Gregorian year, the Gregorian date of Hajj shifts earlier every year.
The hajj begins with a sermon (khutba) at the mosque on the 7th day of Dhu al-Hijjah.
On the eighth day and night of Dhu al-Hijjah, the pilgrims proceed to and stay at Mina after a morning prayer.
The ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah is known as the Day of Arafah, or the day of Hajj, on which the ritual of wuquf takes place at the small hill of Jabal al-Rahma in Arafat. The pilgrim then returns to Muzdalifa, a small town within the Meccan boundaries, to stay the night.
The tenth day is Eid al-Adha, or The Feast of Sacrifice, a major holiday observed by all Muslims. Pilgrims perform symbolic stoning of the devil, animal scrifice, removal of hair, and re-visiting the Masjid al-Haram mosque in Mecca. Pilgrims then return to Mina for the night.
On the eleventh Dhu al-Hijjah, pilgrims perform a second symbolic stoning of the devil.
On the 12th Dhu al-Hijjah, pilgrims perform a third symbolic stoning of the devil and many retun to Mecca before sunset for the completion of the Hajj.
On the 13th Dhu al-Hijjah, Pilgrims who were unable to leave on the 12th before sunset or opt to stay at free will, must perform the stoning ritual again on the 13th before returning to Mecca for the completion of the Hajj. Before leaving Mecca, pilgrims perform a farewell tawaf called the Tawaf al-Wadaa.