2013م - 1444هـ
Book AlHajj The Fifth Pillar Of Islam author : S. Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi









There are five pillars of Islam, namely Shahadah, Salat, Sawm, Zakat and Hajj. However, the term pillar is more of an analogy used to describe the five components on which the very core of the Islamic faith is based on. These are the five key elements that define a person as a Muslim; five tasks that (Allah SWT) has made compulsory on all able Muslims.



Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is a pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim must take at least once during their life. It occurs during the month of Dhul Hijja, the last month of the Islamic calendar and concludes with Eid-ul-Adha prayers.



The Hajj pilgrimage includes the following:



Wearing the Ehram - the standard clothing for pilgrims upon arriving in Mecca

Performing Tawaf and Sa'ee in Masjid Al-Haram

Staying and praying in Mina

Spending the night at Mount Arafat in prayer

Staying in Muzdalfah

Revisiting Mina and stoning the Jamaraat (3 three devils)

Performing Eid-ul-Adha prayers

Performing Qurbani / Udhiya, the Sunna of Ibrahim

Shaving his head. Women simply clip a piece of their hair.

Performing Tawaf-ul-wida



Hajj is by no accounts an easy journey; however it is not painstakingly difficult either. There is a fair amount of struggle involved which is needed and in some cases required, to gain the spiritual blessings from this sacred pilgrimage. Performing prayer in the scorching deserts of the Arabia can be a daunting task yet millions of Muslims perform Hajj every year in order to renew their faith, their Taqwaa and become better human beings.



Over three million pilgrims are expected to perform Hajj this year. We, at Muslim Aid would like to wish them a safe journey, and may the spiritual benefits of their voyage last them a lifetime. May Allah watch over them and may He accept their Hajj. Ameen.