Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Islam is the only religion that stipulates pilgrimage: 'Pilgrimage to the House is a duty to God for all
those who can make the journey' (sura 3:98).
Muslims believe that many prophets were sent through the ages to reveal the will of Al-
lah but it was in AD 570, with the birth of a Meccan called Mohammed ibn Abdullah, that
Ismail's prayer was most significantly answered. For 23 years, Prophet Mohammed
spread a message of obedience to Allah and a law of peace and order in Arabia - a mes-
sage that was to form the foundation of Islam, one of the most significant moments in
world history.
Initially, the Meccans (many of them powerful merchants) objected to the rise of Islam,
as the new religion jeopardised profits and revenues collected from visiting pagans. In
622, they forced Mohammed into exile in the town of Medina where he established a
model Islamic community. Six years later, Mohammed returned to Mecca with thousands
of followers. Destroying idols, he purified the Kaaba and rededicated the House for the
worship of Allah alone.
Thousands of followers travelled from miles around to hear his sermon, expounding the
concept of a united Muslim community. Hajj, focused on pilgrimage to a re-sanctified
Kaaba and a celebration of the unshakeable faith shown by Ibrahim, became a cornerstone
of the religion of Islam.
A DEFINITION OF HAJJ
Comprising one of the Five Pillars of Islam, 'hajj' describes the pilgrimage to Mecca that every able-bodied
Muslim must perform at least once in their lives, finance and health allowing.
For the individual, hajj is a profoundly spiritual experience, cleansing of sin and reaffirming of faith. Pilgrims
who complete hajj return to respect in their home countries, in recognition of the rite of passage that it represents.
Hajj is key to the cohesion of Islam as a global religion, drawing together Muslims from around the world in a
single expression of faith.
A Millennium of Pilgrimage
A Once-in-a-lifetime Journey
For most of the history of hajj, pilgrimage to Mecca was considered a journey made only
once in a lifetime. This was largely due to the expense involved in undertaking the jour-
ney. Early pilgrims had novel ways of funding their pilgrimage. Some brought goods to
sell from their countries of origin; some brought slaves, selling one or two along the way
