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All About Hajj 2017

Before we continue to talk about Hajj this year, we need to know what it actually is and why does it own a lot of importance for us Muslims.

Hajj is an annual pilgrimage for the Muslims which is one of the fundamental duties of Muslims to complete once in their life. It is a pilgrimage to Mecca which is regarded as the most Holy Place of the Muslims. It is a duty which is compulsory to be performed by all the adult Muslims who are physically fit and can manage their finances. It is one the five pillars of Islam. The Muslims who is successful in fulfilling this duty is called a Mustati.

Hajj Occurrence 2017

Hajj occurs every year and is performed by millions of Muslims. Millions of Muslims gather every year to perform this Holy duty together as stated by the Holy Quran. It occurs every year from 8th to 12th or even 13th of Dhu al Hijjah, which is the last month of the Islamic calendar. The dates are not fixed as the Islamic Calendar is lunar and about eleven days short of the Gregorian year.

Hajj 2017 will be performed on the following dates

• Hajj 2017 will begin in the evening of Wednesday, 30 August

and ends in the evening of

• Monday, 4 September Dates may vary

History of Hajj

The pattern and rituals of Hajj were established by The Holy Prophet peace by upon him. However, the Quran states that elements of Hajj can be traced back to the time of Abraham. According to Islam, Abrahan was ordered by Allah to abandon his wife Hagar and his son Ismael alone in the desert in Mecca. Hagar was so thirsty that she ran seven times between Safah and Marwa in search of water due to the scorching heat. When she returned to his son with no water, she found his son scratching the ground with his leg from where a fountain sprang. It was Abraham who build the Kaaba, as asked by Allah.

Later in the time of Jahillya, the Kabah becomes equipped with stone ideas. This was during the time when people had forgotten about Islam and its teachings. It was this time, when Allah sent the last messenger to guide the people to the right place.

Holy Prophet peace be upon him, brought people back to Islam after bearing many hardships. Kaba was cleaned from all those ideals and the performance of Hajj continued.

Importance of Hajj

Hajj is not only a duty of Muslims but, it is performed due to its importance and significance in many ways. Hajj reminds people of their duties and their religious responsibilities. They are able to ask for forgiveness. The Muslims are able to ask Allah anything they want during Hajj. Muslims after performing Hajj are held with respect in Muslim society. A study on the impact of participating in the Islamic pilgrimage found that Muslim communities become more positive and tolerant after Hajj experience.