The ‘largest’ Hajj pilgrimage in history begins: Five things to know

Hajj is one of the “five pillars” of Islam, with every Muslim – physically and financially capable – required to undertake the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. It is meant to wipe away sins and bring pilgrims closer to God.

When does Hajj take place?

The Hajj is performed every year between the 8th and 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Muslim calendar. Since this is a lunar calendar with the year being about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year, the Gregorian date for Hajj changes from year to year.

Every year, Hajj comes about 10 or 11 days earlier than the previous year. In fact, once in about 33 years, the Hajj season falls twice in one Gregorian year. This happened last time in 2006.

This year, the Hajj pilgrimage will take place between June 26 and July 1.

What is the story behind Hajj?

Hajj means literally “to set out for a place”. As per the Holy Quran, the pilgrimage can be traced back to Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham in the Judeo-Christian scriptures), roughly 4000 years ago. After Allah commanded Ibrahim to build the House of God in Mecca (believed to be at the present day location of the Kaaba), Ibrahim began the tradition of undertaking a pilgrimage to this House of God.

This tradition was continued after Ibrahim by his son Ishmael and then by various tribes who settled in the area. However, over the centuries, the pure monotheism of Ibrahim was gradually “diluted and debased”, with pagan beliefs and idolatry finding its way into the Kaaba as well as the pilgrimage associated with it.

By the time of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (roughly 570 AD), the “old religion” was largely forgotten. Thus, in 630 AD, when Muhammad and his followers succeeded in the conquest of Mecca, he destroyed all pagan idols and reconsecrated the holy site.

In 632, the year of his death, Muhammad completed his first and only pilgrimage to Kaaba. Known as Muhammad’s “farewell pilgrimage”, it set the rules and rites for Hajj, as it is known and followed today.

What happens during the Hajj pilgrimage?

Hajj involves a series of rituals that take place in and around Mecca over a period of five to six days.

Upon arriving close to Mecca, pilgrims enter into a state of spiritual purity known as ihram. This marks the beginning of their pilgrimage by shedding material symbols, giving up worldly pleasures, and focusing on the inner self. Every pilgrim shifts to a simple white garment and forgoes cosmetics and perfumes.

The first day of the pilgrimage begins with the ritual of tawaf in which pilgrims circle the Kaaba in Mecca counter-clockwise seven times while reciting prayers. Then they perform sa’i – recreating Hagar’s search for water for her son, Ismail, according to Islamic tradition. These two activities take place inside the Grand Mosque of Mecca – the world’s largest – encompassing the Kaaba and the hills of Safa and Marwa.

On the next day, pilgrims head to Mount Arafat, some 20 km east of Mecca, where the Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon. Thousands scale a hill called Jabal al-Rahma, or Mountain of Mercy, where the sermon was delivered, and ask God for forgiveness for their worldly sins. This is considered to be the spiritual high point of the pilgrimage.

At around sunset, pilgrims head towards Muzdalifa, 9 km to the west. Here they spend the night and pick up pebbles for the next day’s ceremony called Jamarah. This ritual sees pilgrims symbolically stoning the devil in the valley of Mina, where Muslims believe Ibrahim was tempted to ignore God’s command to sacrifice his son.

The pilgrimage ends with a final circling of the Kaaba and further casting of stones at Mina. Men often shave their heads and women clip a lock of hair, signalling renewal. The final days of Hajj also coincide with Eid al-Adha, which commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s test of faith.

What does Hajj look like today?

Undertaken for centuries, the Hajj pilgrimage today sees the largest annual congregation of pilgrims anywhere in the world. This makes it a mammoth logistical operation. Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is in charge of organising facilities for the pilgrimage. Over the years, Saudi authorities have spent billions to improve infrastructure so as to accommodate an ever-increasing number of pilgrims.

However, the number of pilgrims is still regulated. Every year, Saudi Arabia sets country-wise quotas which determine the total number of pilgrims who can make a journey from any country. While this largely is based on the size of the Muslim population in a country, it is also a matter of diplomatic importance.

Countries lobby Saudi Arabia for big allotments and the size of the allotment is often symbolic of the relationship shared between Saudi Arabia and the said country. This year, India has received an allotment of a total of 175,025 pilgrims, the largest in its history.

Pilgrims often save up for years to undertake the journey to Mecca with most making the journey with the help of travel agents who organise the whole trip including travel, lodging and food.

What is the significance of Hajj for Saudi Arabia?

For the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, organising the pilgrimage is a source of both pride and legitimacy.

“Stewardship over the sacred mosques in Mecca and Medina, and thus the control of the Hajj, gives the monarchy in Riyadh a legitimacy no other country that claims to be a leader of the Islamic world has, especially among Sunni Arabs,” Kamran Bokhari, an expert of Middle Eastern geopolitics, wrote in 2017.

Furthermore, the Hajj is also one of Saudi Arabia’s biggest money makers, after oil exports. Given the sheer number of pilgrims who make the trip on a yearly basis, it helps the country earn billions of dollars in revenue.

According to some estimates, in 2022, Hajj-related revenues exceeded $ 150 billion.