Answer
Short Answer:
- Hajj is to go to Makkah at a certain time to do certain rituals and services. It is such an essential part of Islam, that it is described as being the fifth of the pillars of Islam.
- Muslims who are physically and financially capable of doing it should do it once in their lifetimes.
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Salam Dear David,
Thank you for your question and for contacting Ask About Islam.
Actually, you are not the first reader who writes asking us for some clarifications of the rituals of Hajj.
We have already dealt with some of the misconceptions spread about Hajj in previous answers.
Please refer to the links provided, where you will find answers related to all your queries about Hajj and `Eid al-Adha.
Hajj is to go to Makkah at a certain time to do certain rituals and services. It is such an essential part of Islam, that it is described as being the fifth of the pillars of Islam. Muslims who are physically and financially capable of doing it should do it once in their lifetimes.
When we look into hajj, we will discover that it gathers all other meanings inherent in the other acts of worship. The testimonial of faith is an action of the tongue that represents it submitting to Almighty Allah and accepting His Lordship of this universe.
Do Muslims in the world honor the Black Stone of the Ka`bah as an idol? Is it not strange that Hajj, one of the pillars of Islam, rotates around a mere black stone in Makkah? What is the importance of that stone? Professor Shahul Hameed sheds some light on the significance of the Black Stone.
Why do Muslims rejoice while killing a beast and shedding its blood, during their pilgrimage? Is it meat or blood that pleases your God? Sister Dalia Salaheldin sheds some light on the significance of the sacrifice.
As for this feast when you do the pilgrimage, you have too many rituals. This is whether you go for pilgrimage or not. Here is a brief idea about the significance of some of these rituals. Dr. Ebrahim Kazim sheds some light on the significance of `Eid al-Adha.
https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/standing-arafah-longing-forgiveness/
I want to know about the importance and etiquette of standing on `Arafah. Please tell me what supplications do pilgrims say while standing there. Sister Dalia Salaheldin sheds some light on the stand on `Arafat.
How can such a journey be a manner of worship? What makes it a lifetime journey? Why did God order Muslims to perform Hajj? And, how do you know that you have been accepted? Sister Dalia Salaheldin sheds some light on the importance of this journey.
Don’t Muslims claim that they worship no God but One God? Then, why do they glorify the Ka`bah and its Black Stone? Sister Dalia Salaheldin sheds some light on the significance of the Ka`bah and the Black Stone.
We hope these links are satisfactory. Thank you again for contacting us and please keep in touch.
Salam.