WHAT IS HAJJ?

Hajj means “to intend, head for, and to visit.” It is a worship that is performed by fulfilling certain obligations at Ka’bah, Safa-Marwa, Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina within a limited period.

As it is clearly understood from the definition, hajj is performed within a limited period. Allah (swt) assigned a certain time for hajj with the following verses: Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of ihram], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj. And whatever good you do - Allah knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah. And fear Me, O you of understanding.”  (Baqarah, 2/197) 

This period covers the months of Shawwal and Dhu al Qa'dah, and the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah. As the “numbered days” (Baqarah, 2/203) comprise the days of eve/Arafat and Eid al-Adha, it is understood that the hajj would take place in those days; and therefore, one can only perform hajj once a year. 

Hajj comprises worships performed at specific locations such as tawaf at Ka’bah, sa’i between the hills of Safa and Marwa, waqfat at Arafat and Muzdalifah, stoning of the devil at Mina. In this way, the worship of hajj surrounds Muslims with the consciousness of time and location. It conveys people to establish a connection with the place and to comprehend the meaning of time.