history of hajj

History of Hajj – 2023 Full Guide

Hajj is a sacred pilgrimage to Mecca for Muslims. In this article, we will explore the history, significance,

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city for Muslims. in this article, we will highlight the story of hajj history and illustrate its roots in Arabs and humanity in general.

For many Muslims, one of the most meaningful aspects of the pilgrimage is the unifying effect of bringing together believers from all over the world to meet and worship together.

What is hajj?

The word Hajj means “to intend a journey”, which connotes both the outward act of a journey and the inward act of intentions. 

Hajj is a mandatory on Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable and can support their family during their absence. 

Hajj is the largest annual gathering of people in the world. Hajj is a demonstration of the solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to Allah (God).

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. 

That place, time, and rituals were first reviled with prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismaiel, peace be upon both of them. They were the ones who built the (Ka’ba), the first house of God on earth, as an offering to Allah.

Then Ibrahim has been instructed on the details of the pilgrimage and was ordered to call for it. 

A Man standing in the middle of the desert, who would his calling reach, and who would answer it? 

Yet, by the grace of Allah on him, he made the calling of Ibrahim echo through space and time, and now even after millennia, people, millions come from all over the world answer the calling. 

Answering the calling 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 then God stayed his hand, sparing his son.

Pilgrims also trace the path of Ibrahim’s wife, Hagar, 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.

What is the history of hajj?

It is very interesting to know that Hajj history is mainly based on events related to Ibrahim (Abraham) The Messenger of God and his family (Hajar and Ismail); this actually proves that Muhammad did not innovate Hajj.  

It is even more interesting to know that all three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) have this act of worship; Hajj (pilgrimage) in them for “The same One and Only God” Creator of all the worlds. However, they perform it now in different forms, times and places (it’s important to mention that based on Quran, they should all perform Hajj as Muslims do to Mecca and their current Pilgrimage destination is a falsification).


Did the Arabs use to go for hajj before Islam? 

Yes, Arabs held up the Ibrahamic tradition of Hajj and kept answering his calling. 

Most of the Arabs that existed before Ibrahim died out, while Ibrahim’s and Ismail’s lineage populated the Arabian Peninsula, and became the majority of Arabs. That was one of the blessings that God gave Ibrahim: his lineage has been wide and diverse be it through the Arabs or the Israelites.

Although Arabs before prophet Muhammed held the tradition of the prophets in doing the rites of Hajj, and preserving the Ka’ba (The house of God that Ibrahim built), they deviated as time went on and started worshiping idols and introducing its worship into their rituals of Hajj and Umrah

Allah (God) then sent Prophet Muahmed peace be upon him, as a mercy for all of humanity, to correct their deviation and turn them back to the worship of God Alone. 

Prophet Muhammed turned Hajj back to its Ibrahamic origins and Allah has made it a pillar of Islam for those who can afford it.

Read: Types of Hajj.

How many hajj did prophet muhammad perform?

Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him performed Hajj only one time, by the end of his life. It is known as the (Farewell pilgrimage). Hajj was one of the last public acts of worship performed by Muhammad before his death.

The first Umrah of prophet Muhammed was on year 6 Hijri, but it wasn’t completed due to the tension with people of Makkah at the time; He made up for it the next year according to the agreement that was made.

In which Hijri year was hajj first performed? The prophet performed hajj by year 9 Hijri.

The reason for that is the tension that was between the prophet and the Idol worshipers in Makkah until the divine triumph by the end of his life. 

The prophet performed hajj after removing all idols from Makkah and has restored it to its original form from the times of the prophets Ibrahim and Ismail, peace be upon them all.

Hajj in the Quran

In the Quran Hajj has is primarily mentioned in two chapters: The 2nd chapter (verses 196 to 203) and The 22nd chapter named (Al-Hajj). Allah Almighty says: 

وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلْبَيْتِ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًۭا 

And pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto God for mankind, for him who can find the way thither”

(3:97

It is mentioned in other places and is clarified through the prophetic tradition, by tracing the footsteps of the prophet in the farewell pilgrimage. 

 Conclusion 

To conclude,  Hajj is about leaving worldly life behind and journeying towards the Creator in utter submission and humbleness to Him.  During Hajj, the sight of millions of people from the East and the West, dressed in simple pure white garments, standing together, bowing together, and prostrating together before their Creator reflects a truly deep and rich spiritual experience and the essence of Islam. Want to know more about Islam? Subscribe to our newsletter so that you are updated with the new articles!

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