The Hajj defined visually

From June 4-8, tens of millions of Muslims will probably be performing the annual Hajj, a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage for all grownup Muslims who’re bodily and financially capable of undertake the journey.

However have you ever ever puzzled what this journey seems to be like on the bottom?

The animated video beneath illustrates the five-day course of. Choose an in depth view? Preserve scrolling for a day-by-day breakdown.

Arriving for the Hajj

Earlier than the Hajj commences, pilgrims should enter a bodily and religious situation generally known as ihram. This begins with the niyah, or intention to carry out Hajj, and consists of carrying particular clothes of two easy white cloths for males and modest apparel for girls. These similar white clothes strip away seen markers of sophistication, wealth or nationality, symbolising that every one pilgrims stand equal earlier than God.

Day 1 – Arrival tawaf

After coming into Mecca in ihram, many pilgrims carry out an preliminary tawaf by circling the Kaaba, a black stone construction on the coronary heart of the Nice Mosque in Mecca (Masjid al-Haram), seven occasions in a counterclockwise path. This symbolises unity within the worship of the one God. Pilgrims can then carry out the sa’i, a ritual of strolling seven occasions between the hills of Safa and Marwa, positioned inside the mosque.

The Kaaba, which means dice in Arabic, is Islam’s holiest web site and serves because the qibla, the path that Muslims face throughout prayer. Muslims consider Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) and his son Ishmael (Ismaeel) constructed the Kaaba by God’s command, symbolising the return to pure monotheism.

The Kaaba measures 13.1 metres (43 ft) excessive, 12.8m (42ft) in size, and 11.03m (36ft) in width. The Kaaba is roofed in a black material generally known as the kiswah and is adorned with gold Arabic textual content that includes Quranic verses.

Day 1 – Mina

Pilgrims then proceed to Mina, positioned about 8km (5 miles) east of the Kaaba, the place they are going to spend the evening in prayer and reflection. Mina is famously generally known as the “metropolis of tents” as a result of huge expanse of 100,000 white tents to deal with the tens of millions of pilgrims.