Rabat – Saudi Arabia announced that June 4 will mark the beginning of the Hajj pilgrimage, with over one million pilgrims already having arrived in the country for the rites.
The Saudi Hajj Minister Tawfid al-Rabiah announced the news on Monday in a press conference following the confirmed sighting of the Dhu Al Hijjah moon.
The Saudi Supreme Court announced Wednesday as the first day of Dhu Al Hijjah, which means Eid Al Adha will fall on June 6 in the Gulf country.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. But, it is only an obligation for Muslims who are physically and financially able to perform it.
The Hajj season takes place on the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar, Dhu Al Hijjah, which also marks Eid Al Adha, know as the Sacrifice Feast. The celebration commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God.
The first days of Hajj start with pilgrims entering the state of ihram, a spiritual state of purity, both physically and mentally.
Before this, Muslims must make their niyyah or intention, emphasizing the desire to perform Hajj.
Men enter the state of ihram by wearing two white and unstitched pieces of cloth. One piece covers the upper body, and the other one is wrapped around their waist.
Women don’t have specific clothing requirements. But they must wear attire that adheres to Islamic guidelines, covering their hair.
The first day of Hajj, which is called Tarwiah Day, includes performing tawaf, the ritual of circling the Kaabah seven times.
Sa’i comes second, referring to walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times, a hajj ritual that commemorates when Hajar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, ran between the two hills in search of water for her son Ismail.
Hajj pilgrims will also perform Umrah, one of the first parts of the pilgrimage, and Tamattu rituals.
Following all these rituals, Muslims will head to Mina, which is eight kilometers from Mecca.
Muslims should re-enter the Ihram state, where they will also perform the five obligatory daily prayers.
The second day of Hajj is one of the most important rituals in pilgrimage, Arafah Day.
During this day, pilgrims perform Fajr prayers in Mina and then head for Arafah, reciting “Takbeer Allahu Akbar.”
Muslims have to arrive in Arafah before the Dhuhr prayer.
Pilgrims then perform Duhr and Asr prayers combined as Sunnah practice, according to Greentech Apps Foundation.
According to Islamic teachings, Arafa is a time when Allah forgives sins and grants mercy to those seeking it.
It also commemorates when Prophet Muhammad gave his final sermon in the Farewell Hajj.
The third, fourth, and fifth days involve the stoning of the devil. The fifth day also includes the final tawaf, or circle, in Mecca.
The sixth day also covers the stoning of the devil and the Tawaf al-wadaa in Mecca, marking the end of the pilgrimage.
