Pillar 5: What is Hajj (Pilgrimage)?

Hajj (pilgrimage) means intention - specifically, an intention to travel to the Ka'bah, seeking the pleasure of God. Sh. Abdullah Oduro explains how this definition combines two pillars of our faith: prayer and pilgrimage. In each, we find great blessings, igniting renewal and redemption in our worship.

- The Ka'bah, which metaphorically represents the 'house of Allah', was rebuilt by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and Prophet Ismail (AS) to serve as a central point for Muslims to direct their prayer. This direction of prayer is called the Qibla.

- The Qibla can be identified in every mosque by an indentation in the wall or by the position that the Imam, or leader of the congregation, leads the congregational prayer.

- This shows the importance of the mosque which is also referred to as a 'house of Allah' by the Prophet ﷺ and by Allah SWT, as it is where the name of Allah is exalted.

- However the Ka'bah which is located in the Holy Mosque, Masjid al-Haram, is the most holy mosque in the world. It is where one prayer is equivalent to 100,000 prayers, if one is sincere.

- This is why Muslims travel thousands of miles to visit the Ka'bah, to show respect to it, to circle around it, to pray to Allah SWT and to perform the rituals and rites that are unique to Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam.