The history of Hajj traces back to Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), who, alongside his son Ismail, built the Ka‘ba—the first house of worship dedicated to the One true God. This sacred pilgrimage was practiced by the Arabs even before Islam, although over time, their rituals became mixed with idol worship and other deviations. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) revived and purified the tradition, performing his only Hajj—the Farewell Pilgrimage—restoring the pilgrimage to its pure Abrahamic origins and setting an example for generations of Muslims to come. Keep reading for more historical insights!
What Is the History of Hajj?
The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the oldest acts of worship, deeply rooted in the story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), his wife Hajar, and their son Ismail. It is not a ritual introduced by Prophet Muhammad, but a revival and restoration of the original monotheistic tradition.
Learn more about the Life of Prophet Ibrahim here.
1. Hajj in the Abrahamic Religions
- Shared Origin of hajj: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all trace their roots to Prophet Ibrahim and recognize pilgrimage as a form of worship to the One True God.
Explore the similarities between Islam and Christianity. - Different Practices in today versions: Although the concept of pilgrimage exists in all three, the time, place, and rituals differ significantly today.
- Quranic View on hajj: According to the Quran, true pilgrimage must be directed to Mecca, the Sacred House established by Ibrahim.
- Distortion Over Time in previous religions hajj: Current pilgrimage destinations in other religions are considered deviations from the original command of God.
2. Hajj of Pre-Islamic Pagan Arabs
- Pagan Influence on hajj before Islam: Even the pre-Islamic pagan Arabs performed a form of pilgrimage, though it had been altered and mixed with superstitions and idol worship.
- Loss of Original Purpose: Over generations, the true purpose and rituals of Hajj were lost or corrupted.
Read more: How Tawheed Is Manifested in Hajj Rituals
3. Prophet Muhammad Restores the Original Hajj through Divine Revelation
- Final Revelation role in hajj history: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) receives the last and final divine message, restoring Hajj to its original, pure form.
- Reforming Deviations in hajj: Islam corrected the changes that occurred in the Abrahamic Hajj over time and reestablished it as God intended.
- Universal Message of Islam & relation to Hajj: Since Islam is the final and complete religion from the same God worshipped by all prophets, it confirms earlier messages and preserves valid laws from previous prophets. Thus, any practice legislated by a previous prophet remains valid in Islam—if confirmed by the Quran and Sunnah.
Discover why Islam is the religion of all Prophets.
Who Performed the First Hajj in Islam?
Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was the first to perform Hajj in Islam and the first to call for it.
The place, time, and rituals of Hajj were first revealed to Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail, peace be upon them both. They were the ones who built the Ka‘ba, the first House of God on Earth, as an offering to Allah. Then Ibrahim was instructed in the details of the pilgrimage and was ordered to call the people to it. as Almighty God describes the situation, saying (translated):
“We [Almighty One God; plural form for majesty] showed Abraham the site of the House, saying, ‘Do not assign partners to Me.” [Quran 22:26]
A man standing alone in the middle of the desert—who would hear his call, and who would answer it? Yet, by the grace of Allah, He made the call of Ibrahim echo through space and time. Even after millennia, people—millions of them—continue to answer the call from all corners of the world.
They answer the call of Allah to worship Him alone. Ibrahim’s faith was tested when God commanded him to sacrifice his only son, Ismail. Ibrahim was prepared to submit to the command, but God stayed his hand and spared his son.
Pilgrims also trace the path of Ibrahim’s wife, Hajar, who ran between two hills seven times searching for water for her infant. God then brought forth a spring that runs to this day: the sacred well of Zamzam.
Read more:
Did the Arabs use to go for hajj before Islam?
Yes, the Arabs upheld the Abrahamic tradition of Hajj and continued to answer Prophet Ibrahim’s call.
Most of the early Arab tribes that existed before Ibrahim eventually died out. The Arabian Peninsula was later populated by the descendants of Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail, peace be upon them. This lineage became the majority of the Arabs. It was one of the blessings that Allah granted to Ibrahim—his descendants became many and diverse, including both the Arabs and the Israelites.
Although the Arabs before Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) preserved many elements of the prophetic Hajj and maintained the Ka‘ba, the sacred House of God built by Ibrahim, they eventually deviated from the true path. Over time, they began worshiping idols and introducing polytheistic practices into the rituals of Hajj and Umrah.
In response, Allah sent Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as a mercy to all of humanity. His mission was to correct these deviations and restore the worship of Allah alone.
Prophet Muhammad brought Hajj back to its pure Abrahamic origins, and Allah made it one of the five pillars of Islam for all who are able to perform it.
Read: Types of Hajj.
How Many Times Did Prophet Muhammad Perform Hajj, and When?
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed Hajj only once in his lifetime. This pilgrimage is known as the Farewell Pilgrimage (Ḥijjat al-Wadāʿ) and was one of his last public acts of worship before his passing.
He performed Hajj in the year 10 Hijri. Prior to this, tensions between the Prophet and the idol worshippers in Makkah prevented him from performing the pilgrimage.
After the Opening of Makkah, all idols were removed from the Ka‘ba, restoring it to its original pure form established by Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail, peace be upon them. At this point, the Prophet was able to carry out the Hajj according to its true monotheistic practice, completing the restoration of this sacred ritual.
Read also:
The First Umrah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed his first Umrah (minor pilgrimage) in the year 6 Hijri. However, this pilgrimage was not completed due to ongoing tensions with the people of Makkah at that time.
The following year, in 7 Hijri, he completed the Umrah as part of the agreement established between the Muslims and the Quraysh, fulfilling the ritual fully and peacefully.
Conclusion
To conclude, the history of Hajj is a powerful story of faith passed down from Ibrahim to Muhammad, linking countless believers through time. While the Arabs maintained the pilgrimage before Islam, it was the Prophet Muhammad who reestablished its true meaning and practice through the divine revelation. His singular Hajj marks pivotal moments in Islamic history, inspiring millions today to follow the path laid centuries ago—answering a call that unites hearts and souls in devotion to Allah alone.
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