History Of Hajj And Umrah

What Is Hajj And Umrah In Islam or The history of Hajj and Umrah in Islam, Hajj is the most significant prayer, and the fifth pillar of Islam –Hajj is the divine ritual every adult and able Muslim has to perform once in his lifetime.

Every year in the Islamic month of Zil Hajj, Muslims from all around the world flee towards the Mecca –the holiest city situated in Saudi Arabia, to perform hajj. A hajj performed with all sincerity can help attain forgiveness from all the sins of the pilgrim’s lifetime. And he returns to his home with high spirituality and religious status.

History Of Hajj

The term ‘Hajj’ means to ‘seek an expedition’, generally. According to the Holy Qura’an and long before Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born.

Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) had been summoned by Allah to lead his Ummah towards righteousness.

The Quest Of Water In Safa And Marwah

Shortly after his arrival in Makkah, Prophet Ibrahim had to leave his second wife, Hajra, and their son Ishmael stranded with scanty dates and water in a valley between the hills of Safa and Marwah as ordered by Allah. From the history of Hajj and Umrah in Islam. What Is Hajj and Umrah In Islam?

Soon, the lack of water resulted in Ishmael’s thirsty cries. Leading Hajra to run to the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times in the search of water. Gathering this aspect and with Allah’s orders, fresh spring water – known as Zamzam to date – from the earth below soon started to fill the valley and quenched the thirsts of both child and mother.

The House Of Allah – The Holy Kaaba In Makkah

The Prophet Ibrahim was commanded by Allah to construct the Holy Kaaba in order to advocate his love and submission towards His holy commands. The Kaaba successfully stands tall today, as built by Prophet Ibrahim and his son, Ishmael, and later on, remodeled with formidable roofing for protection against harsh weather conditions by Qusay bin Kilaab of the Quraysh tribe in 400CE.

Gabriel, the Archangel responsible to bring commands from Allah to His prophets had delivered the Al-Hajar Aswad from Jannah to Prophet Ibrahim who placed it into a corner of the Holy Kaaba and subsequently performed Hajj for the first time.

Idolatry And Paganism

Over the subsequent centuries and before the arrival of Muhammad, the concept of monotheism slowly began to vanish from the holy city of Makkah, resulting in the practice of paganism and idolatry, and the obliteration of Hajj rites.

Rebuilding And Cleansing The Kaaba

In 600CE, the Quraysh tribe once again helped to rebuild the Kaaba with wood and stone alternately to withstand the harsh weather and the wrath of other stimulatingly dangerous conditions.

With the arrival of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the Al-Hajar Aswad was positioned into a corner of the Holy Kaaba by him in its proper place as of date.

The pagans had placed several idols and paintings for worship inside the Kaaba, which were destroyed by the Holy Prophet.

Ultimately leading to the restoration of the grandeur and holiness of the House of Allah once again. It’s all about the history of Hajj in Islam.

History Of Umrah In Islam

The word Umrah generally means to visit, but in Islamic terminologies, it typically means to perform a minor pilgrimage towards the Bait ul Haram.

Unlike Hajj which is mandatory for each Muslim to perform once in their lifetime.

Umrah holds the honor and prestige of being introduced by the Holy Prophet as Sunnat-e-Moaqqida and can be performed as many a time as warranted by a Muslim in his lifetime.

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