The Hajj

The belief in Judgment Day is another important part of Hajj that expresses the beliefs of Islam. Mount Arafat is known as the Mount of Mercy to the Muslim community. It is believed to be the place where Muhammad delivered the Farewell Sermon to the Muslims who had accompanied him for the Hajj (Marchant 2009). Mount Arafat is significant during the Hajj because pilgrims have to spend the afternoon of the ninth day (of the Muslim calendar) there and failing to do so invalidates the pilgrimage (Anisa Mehdi, John Bredar 2003).

Islamic belief of Allah as the one and only God is also expressed in the stoning of Satan during Hajj. This is a process where Muslim’s replicate when Abraham resisted the Devil’s advice to not kill his son, but he threw stones at the devil because of his faith in Allah. Modern day Mina (where it occurred) boasts three white Pillars representing the Devil and on the third day of Hajj the Muslim throws several pebbles at the pillars. These pillars show the Muslims dedication to Allah and emphasise not to be influenced by the Devil. (Iraj Bashiri 2004)

A community based ritual of the Hajj is the donning of the Ihram which is obligatory for Hajj. The Ihram is a white dress-like garment and is the only garment allowed to be worn by the pilgrim during Hajj rituals. Because everyone has to wear it the community beliefs of Hajj in general are expressed, as everyone looks alike no one gets judged and the core beliefs of Islam are clearly expressed. The Ihram is taken off in a later stage of Hajj as a symbol of purity. They do this before the Tawaf (circling the ka’ba). (Iraj Bashiri 2004)

On a personal level the Hajj allows a Muslim to ask themselves questions of life, such as: What am I doing with my life? Am I going in the right direction? Etc. Being taken out of normal day-to-day life allows a Muslim to be more focused and increase the possibility that the questions can be answered. (Clark, H 2007) suggests that it is these questions which is the expression of belief for a Muslim.

The Hajj is a significant practise which expresses the various beliefs of Islam for the individual, whether it be questions about life or discovering new ways of life, and also on a community level. This is done with the various rituals undergone by Muslims during the Hajj and all of the rituals express the Islamic beliefs.