Every year, approximately two million Muslims converge on a single city in the Arabian desert. They come from every country on earth, speaking every language, of every race and background. They all wear the same simple white garments. They all perform the same rituals, in the same order, facing the same point.
This is Hajj — the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, and the Fifth Pillar of Islam.
What Is Hajj?
Hajj (Arabic: حج) is the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the most profound religious gatherings in the world — and for many Muslims, the journey of a lifetime.
As the Fifth Pillar of Islam, it is obligatory: every adult Muslim who is physically capable and financially able must perform Hajj at least once in their life. For those who cannot — due to illness, poverty, or other genuine hardship — the obligation is lifted.
The pilgrimage takes place during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The season culminates in Eid al-Adha — the Festival of Sacrifice — celebrated by Muslims around the world, including those who did not travel to Mecca.
The Spiritual Meaning of Hajj
Hajj is, at its heart, a re-enactment of the journey of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his family — considered one of the greatest tests of faith in all of monotheistic tradition.
The rituals of Hajj trace the footsteps of Ibrahim, his wife Hajar, and their son Ismail (Ishmael):
- The running between the hills of Safa and Marwa recalls Hajar's desperate search for water for her infant son in the desert, before the well of Zamzam miraculously appeared
- The sacrifice at Mina recalls Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God — and God's provision of a ram in the son's place
- The stoning of the Jamarat (three pillars) recalls Ibrahim's rejection of Shaytan (the devil), who appeared three times to tempt him away from God's command
For Muslims, Hajj is both a physical journey and a spiritual one — an opportunity to stand before God, seek forgiveness, renew faith, and experience the unity of the global Muslim community (the Ummah) in its most visible form.
Who Must Perform Hajj?
Hajj is obligatory for a Muslim who meets all of the following conditions:
- Adult and sane — children and those who are not mentally capable are exempt
- Muslim — Hajj is not performed by non-Muslims
- Physically able — someone too ill or frail to make the journey is exempt
- Financially able — the person can afford the journey without going into debt, and has provided for their family in their absence
For someone who becomes financially able but delays Hajj without reason, Islamic scholars consider the obligation overdue and sinful. For those who are permanently unable, it is permissible in some schools of thought to appoint a proxy (Hajj badal) to perform Hajj on their behalf.
The Rituals of Hajj
Hajj follows a precise sequence of rituals spread over five days (the 8th to 12th of Dhul Hijjah):
Day 1 (8th Dhul Hijjah) — Ihram and arrival at Mina
Pilgrims enter the state of ihram — a state of spiritual purity — before crossing designated boundary points called miqat. Men wear two plain white unsewn cloths; women wear modest, loose-fitting clothing (not white specifically). In the state of ihram, pilgrims are prohibited from cutting hair or nails, using perfume, or sexual relations.
Pilgrims proceed to Mina, a valley near Mecca, where they spend the day and night in prayer and reflection.
Day 2 (9th Dhul Hijjah) — Arafat: the core of Hajj
The day of Arafat is the spiritual heart of the entire pilgrimage. Pilgrims travel to the plain of Arafat and stand in supplication from midday until sunset — praying, reciting, and seeking forgiveness. This standing (Wuquf) is the essential act of Hajj: the Prophet Muhammad said, "Hajj is Arafat."
After sunset, pilgrims move to Muzdalifah, where they spend the night under the open sky and collect pebbles for the following day's ritual.
Day 3 (10th Dhul Hijjah) — Sacrifice, stoning, and Eid al-Adha
Pilgrims return to Mina before dawn. The first ritual of the day is stoning the largest of three Jamarat pillars — symbolically rejecting Shaytan — using seven pebbles.
An animal is then sacrificed (or payment made for sacrifice through official channels). The meat is distributed to the poor.
Men shave their heads; women cut a small amount of hair. This marks the partial exit from ihram.
This is the day of Eid al-Adha — celebrated simultaneously by Muslims worldwide who are not on Hajj. Read our full guide to Eid al-Adha →
Days 4–5 (11th–12th Dhul Hijjah) — Tashreeq: remaining in Mina
Pilgrims return to Mina and stone all three Jamarat pillars on each day — 21 pebbles per day. This period is spent in worship and reflection.
Pilgrims who wish may leave after the 12th; those who stay complete the 13th day of Dhul Hijjah.
The Tawaf and Sa'i
During Hajj, pilgrims also perform:
Tawaf al-Qudum (Arrival Tawaf): Upon arriving in Mecca, pilgrims circle the Kaaba — the cubic structure at the centre of Masjid al-Haram — seven times in a counterclockwise direction.
Sa'i: Walking between the two hills of Safa and Marwa seven times, recalling Hajar's search for water.
Tawaf al-Ifadah: A tawaf performed on or after the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, after the sacrifice — one of the obligatory acts of Hajj.
Tawaf al-Wada (Farewell Tawaf): The final act before leaving Mecca.
Hajj and Umrah: What Is the Difference?
Hajj is the major pilgrimage:
- Obligatory once in a lifetime (if able)
- Performed only during specific days of Dhul Hijjah
- Involves the full sequence of rituals including Arafat
Umrah is the minor pilgrimage:
- Not obligatory, but highly recommended
- Can be performed at any time of year
- Involves tawaf and sa'i, but not the Day of Arafat or the sacrifice
- Takes approximately 2–3 hours for the rituals themselves
Many Muslims perform Umrah before or after Hajj, or as a separate journey during Ramadan — when the reward of Umrah is said to equal that of Hajj.
Hajj and Eid al-Adha at Warragul Mosque
Most Muslims in Gippsland will not be on Hajj each year — but the spirit of the pilgrimage is present here all the same.
On Eid al-Adha, Warragul Mosque holds a morning Eid prayer open to all — Muslims and non-Muslim visitors alike. The sacrifice (Qurbani) is facilitated through vetted organisations, with meat distributed to those in need in Australia and overseas.
If you would like to know the Eid al-Adha prayer time or find out about Qurbani arrangements, email hello@binai.org.au or follow @binai.charity on Instagram.
Related guides: What is Eid al-Adha? · Five Pillars of Islam · What is Zakat? · What is Eid? · What is Ramadan?
Warragul Mosque, 72 Victoria Street, Warragul VIC 3820. Operated by BINAI, ABN: 16 723 284 175.