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Islam: The Five Pillars Of Islam

Decent Essays

On Hajj

The religion of Islam is held up by five pillars, known as the five pillars of Islam. These are five ritual duties that Muslims view as central to their faith. These are: (1) pronouncing the confession of faith (shahada); (2) performing the five daily prayers (salat); (3) fasting during the month of Ramadan (saum); (4) paying the alms tax (zakat) and (5) performing at least once in their life, the major pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj).

Hajj is a pilgrimage carried out by people who follow the Islamic religion. Most of the world religions have a pilgrimage that its followers make. In some religions pilgrimage is not an important commitment for all believers but in Islam it is essential. …show more content…

Sick people may give the money to a charity or pay for someone to represent them as long as that person has been on their own behalf. Those who cannot go have only to declare it as their niyyah, their sincere intention to go on Hajj, and the duty is considered to have been fulfilled.

Before going on Hajj Muslims must settle their financial affairs, by paying off all debts and make amends for anything they have done wrong. They may also require a visa from the Saudi Arabian Embassy. Women going on Hajj should have a male as their wakil or mahram (guardian). The most important preparations are those that help the Muslim spiritually for the pilgrimage. Many Muslims attend special classes to learn about Hajj.

Why Hajj is performed?

The main reason is because it is one of the pillars of Arkan therefore it is obligatory. It is also an act of Ibadah.

The first rite of the pilgrimage is when a Muslim expresses the niyyah, intention, of going on Hajj by saying: 'Oh God, I intend to perform the Hajj and I am taking Ihram for it. Make it easy for me and accept it from me'. The Ihram is a white garment similar to the clothes worn by Muhammad and the prophets before him. Putting on these white garments symbolises entering a state of ritual purity. The simplicity of the clothes is to show that all pilgrims are

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