Hajj is a pillar of Islaam in which Allaah has combined all types of ‘Ibaadah (worship). It comprises the testimony that there is no God but Allaah and that Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam is His Messenger, as well as prayer, spending in the way of Allaah, fasting (for those who cannot afford to pay for the sacrificial animal), enjoining good and forbidding evil, patience, perseverance, mercy and abstention from forbidden things.

Hajj is one of the greatest signs of Allaah that what Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam has come with, is in reality the religion of truth, for no human power can gather pilgrims every year from all parts of the world; (pilgrims) with hearts full of yearning and love, who experience difficulties yet rejoice at leaving their homes and families, feeling that the hours of performing Hajj are the greatest of one’s life and spending generously for this purpose. Indeed, it is only Allaah who can bring about such a situation. He says which means, “And proclaim to the people the Hajj (pilgrimage); they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass – That they may witness (i.e., attend) benefits for themselves and mention the Name of Allaah on known (i.e., specific) days over what He has provided for them of (sacrificial) animals. So eat of them and feed the miserable and poor.” (Al-Hajj: 27-28)

The interpreter Ibn Jareer and others reported that Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, said, “When Allaah commanded Prophet Ibraaheem to proclaim Hajj among people, he said: ‘My Lord, how can I convey the message to the people as my voice cannot reach them?’ Allaah said, ‘You call; it is Our duty to make it reach (everyone)!’ So, he stood in his position and said, ‘O you people! Your Lord has chosen a House, so perform pilgrimage to it.’ It was said that the mountains became leveled and his voice reached all parts of the earth and all that are in the wombs and loins of men were made to hear the call and everything that heard it, responded. So those for whom Allaah has decreed to perform Hajj till the Day of Judgment responded with the saying, ‘Labbayka Allaahumma Labbayk (Here I am at your service, O Allaah, here I am).’ ”

Dear Muslims! Purify your intention for Allah in your Hajj and emulate the Messenger of Allaah in all Hajj rites, for he has said, “Take your Hajj rites from me.” (Muslim) If you do so, your Hajj will be accepted; the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, “Whoever performs Hajj and does not engage in sexual relations nor acts sinfully, he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) like (he was) the day his mother gave birth to him.” (Bukhaari & Muslim) He also said, “Performing ‘Umrah after ‘Umrah will erase the sins committed between them and the well-performed Hajj has no reward but Paradise.” (Bukhaari & Muslim) The good Hajj is the one done with sincerity, according to the Prophet’s guidance and in which one abstains from sins and harming other Muslims.

It is obligatory for the pilgrims to be aware of the rituals of Hajj and to perform its pillars accordingly. The pillars of Hajj are: Ihraam (the state of a pilgrim in which he performs Hajj and ‘Umrah, and during which he is prohibited from certain acts that are lawful otherwise), staying at ‘Arafah, the Tawaaf Al-Ifaadhah (circumambulation of the Ka’bah on the tenth day of Thul-Hijjah) and the pacing between Safa and Marwah. He should also perform the obligatory acts of Hajj which are: Ihraam from the Meeqaat (the place from where people must get into the state of Ihraam), standing at ‘Arafah till sunset, passing the night at Muzdalifah, pelting the stones, shaving or cutting of the hair, spending the nights at Mina, sacrificing an animal if necessary (according to the type of Hajj one is performing) and doing the farewell Tawaaf (circumambulation).