Hajj 2025 Dates, Rituals & Significance in Islam
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and an obligation for every muslim who is financially and physically well off, to perform it once in life. Millions of Muslims across the world leave for Makkah to perform this sacred duty, also called Hajj Akbar. Hajj 2025 is expected to start on the 4th of June 2025 and to the 9th of June 2025 with Eid al Adha 2025 to occur on the 6th of June 2025 on Friday, depending upon sighting the crescent moon.
Hajj 2025 and Eid Al Adha dates
The possible date of Hajj 2025, according to the islamic calendar is 4th June 2025. However, it will be confirmed when the moon of Zilhajj is sighted and the Hilal Committee of the Suadi Government announces the date. According to this reckoning, Hajj Akbar 2025 will fall on Wednesday,8th zilhajj, and Eid al Adha will be on Friday, 6th June 2025, on the 10th zilhajj. Start the sacred journey of Hajj by reciting surah yaseen.
Importance of Hajj in Islam
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam which must be performed at least once in life when you have the required capacity. This is a sacred duty and a spiritual obligation for all Muslims who have financial resources along with good health. Hajj, when performed with due veneration and sincerity, brings the mercy of Allah and forgiveness of all sins.
In The Holy Quran Allah SWT says:
[You will enter the Sacred Masjid, God willing, perfectly secure, and you will cut your hair or shorten it (as you fulfil the pilgrimage rituals) there. You will not have any fear. Since He knew what you did not know, He has coupled this with an immediate victory.]
” Qur’an | Surah Al-Fath | 48:27 ”
Eligibilty or conditions for Hajj
Performing Hajj is a religious obligation which requires good finances and good health. This spiritual duty can only be performed when both the requirements can be fulfilled. Therefore some of the cases when Hajj is not implemented upon a Muslim are as follows.
Brief History Of The Hajj
Hajj in Islam started in 628 CE when Hazrat Mohammad SAW and His followers went for their first Hajj to maintain the tradition of Hazrat Ibrahim AS, a thousand years ago. Hazrat Ibrahim AS got the order from Allah SWT to travel to the desert of Makkah and left His wife Hazrat Hajrah and son Hazrat Ismail AS, who was an infant then. Hazrat Ibrahim AS followed the order of His Lord and started the journey.
After the departure of Hazrat Ibrahim AS, his wife Bibi Hajara and son Ismail AS faced a severe shortage of drinking water. Hajrah ran between the hills of Safa and Marwah to find water. She ran 7 times between those hills. Hazrat Ismail cried because of thirst and painfully stroked the ground with his leg. Upon striking the ground a fountain broke from the ground miraculously, which continues till today called Zam Zam.
After Hazrat Ibrahim AS came back, He saw His family still thriving miraculously. The area flourished as Makkah. Then, Allah SWT ordered Hazrat Ibrahim AS to build Kaaba, with His Son Ibrahim AS. It was the spot where He had placed a stone. Since then the Holy Kaaba has been the centre of worship for the Muslim Ummah. The believers from around the world go for Umrah and Hajj and perform Tawaf around it.
when Hazrat Mohammad SAW came to this world got prophethood. Allah SAW gave Him the message to continue the Hajj as a sacred mission and maintain the tradition of Hazrat Ibrahim AS. Holy prophet SAW performed the first Hajj upon the order of Allah SAW which is still followed by the Muslims across the world.
What Is Hajj In Islam?
Hajj is a complex worship that includes various rites and rituals while observing strict Shariah rules that are to be performed in proper order. For instance, a pilgrim may have to cover long distances during Hajj which can be upto 7 or 8 miles. These steps are also called manasik e hajj(mandatory steps in Hajj). The details of Hajj rites during the 6-day schedule are as follows.
Ihram
The pilgrimage of Hajj starts with making strong Niyyah which includes entering the pious state of Ihram. It is a sacred condition which begins with crossing the outer boundaries of Makkah also termed as Miqat. It requires wearing a white plain dress( two unstitched pieces of cloth for men, or loose-fitting clothing for women), both in Umrah & Hajj. Ihram requires pilgrims to abstain from feelings of anger and sexual indulgence.
Tawaf
Tawaf is the next step after Ihram. It means to circle around the Holy Kaaba in an anticlockwise direction seven times. Muslims in millions are annually engaged in doing Tawaf of Holy Al Kaaba. A large number of Pilgrims, from all parts of the world, engage in tawaf in Masjid Al-Haram during the Pilgrimage, which is an essential part of Hajj and Umrah.
Sai
Sai is to run between the hills of Safaa and Marwaa. This is also one of the hard physical steps which reflects the desperate struggle of Hazrat Hajra to find drinking water for his son Ismail AS. It is mandatory for every pilgrim to run 7 times between those hills. If someone is old or sick, he/she can avail a wheelchair, or find a valid alternative.
Visiting Mina
Mina is a tent city outside of Makkah for which you will have to walk on foot for more than 6 miles. Usually, this journey is done on foot though it is also possible to travel by bus for an 8-kilometer journey to the tent city. The time spent in Mina usually includes prayers and supplications and glorifying Allah SWT.
The Glory Of Arafah
The day at Arafah is the most important event in Hajj because of its importance in the islamic calendar and History. It is a journey of 9 miles from Mina where the pilgrims engage in prayers and glorifying Allah. The standing of pilgrims on the plains of Arafat is termed Waqoof. The Mount of Arafat is particularly visited, and revered as the place where the Prophet Muhammad delivered his last sermon.
Sermon Of Imamam Kaaba
On the Day of Arafah, Imam e Kaaba delivers the annual Hajj sermon. This speech is regarded as an important message for the entire muslim ummah. The Sermon holds immense significance because it sheds light on addressing the contemporary issues and challenges posed to Islam in the current era. Most of the pilgrims usually fast in Arafah.
Waqoof e Muzdalifah
After Arafah, the journey starts for Muzdalfah in the evening which is to cover a 7-mile distance. The night is spent under the stars until dawn which is called waqoof e Muzdalfa. Many pilgrims try to gather the 49 pebbles and get ready for the upcoming rite called Rami, which is to stone the devil in Mina.
The 3rd day of Hajj and the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah is Eid al-Adha. On this blessed day, Muslims sacrifice animals in Allah’s way to follow the sunnah of Hazrat Ibrahim AS. It is a day of great happiness and celebration for the Muslim Ummah.
The pilgrims move from Muzdalifah to Mina again to perform Rami. It is to throw 7 pebbles at Jamrat al Aqabah the largest of the pillars. The stoning is significant because the devil appeared to Hazrat Ibrahim AS when was offering the sacrifice of His son Hazrat Ismail. Hazrat Ibrahim AS threw stones at the devil to deviate the satan. Therefore Hajj pilgrims perform Rami to follow Hazrat Ibrahim AS.
Nahr
Nahr means to sacrifice an animal for the sake of Allah(Qurbani). It is the 10th of zilhajj called Eid ul Adha celebrated by the entire muslim community as one of the 02 Eid festivals. Muslims sacrifice camel, goat or lamb which is then distributed among the poor on the occasion of Eid ul Adha.
Qurbani can bought or outsourced by paying the money and it is done on behalf of the Pilgrim. It is also a symbolic act to maintain the sacrificing act of Hazrat Ibrahim AS when he was ordered by Allah to sacrifice his son Hazrat Ismail AS.
Stonning At The Three pillars
During the 4th and 5th day of Hajj Rami is continued by throwing 7 pebbles at the three pillars each. It is the mandatory part of the Hajj pilgrimage to recall and follow what Hazrat Ibrahim As had performed. The order of throwing the stones/pebbles is as follows.
Halq & Taqsir
When the Rami is done, on the 12th Zil Hajj it is mandatory to shave heads or trim the hair. The act of shaving or trimming hair is called Halq & Taqsir. For men, it is to cut all the hair while for women, it is to trim their hair equal to the size of one fingertip.
Farewell Tawaf
The farewell Tawaf or the Final Tawaf is done after the end of Hajj. After performing this Tawaf the Hajj pilgrims can remove their Ihram while some continue their Sai and Tawaf in Makkah. This is followed by returning to Mina Camp upon the completion of Hajj.
Visit To Madina City
It is customary to visit the Holy City of Madia after performing Hajj. Visiting Madina is not mandatory or Obligatory during Hajj. The pilgrims offer their salutation and darood at the Holy Shrine of Hazrat Mohammad SAW and pay reverence. Hujjaaj(Pilgrims) also visit the graves of Sahaba RA.
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Conclusion
Hajj is a mega event and one of the pillars of Islam to be performed at least once in life. Being one of the most important pillars of Islam, it brings millions of Muslims together, enhancing unity, faith and brotherhood in muslim Ummah. The steps of Hajj from Ihram to final are of very special eternal reward, reflecting the greatness of islamic history, with submission to only one Allah. May the almighty bestow us to join Hajj 2025.
