The month of Hajj: a Muslim pilgrimage and the first 10 days

Holy month of Dhu Al Hijja starts amid strict Covid-19 measures

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  Pilgrims offer prayer.

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  The Kaaba in 1975.

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  Pilgrims rest during Haj 1975.

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  Mecca was a different place then, more mountainous, no skyscrapers, strewn with traditional homes along its terrain. Besides the actual risks from illnesses, fires, and stampedes, the trip to the holy city was riddled with difficulties and danger, including highwaymen and scam artists.

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  Haj pilgrim's tent city around Mecca in 1975.

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  In 1975 the weather was cool during Haj with a million and a half pilgrims, compared to today’s three million plus worshippers.

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  Every year Saudi Arabia spends millions on expansions to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims.

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  The five star hotels around the Grand Mosque, the shops and commercialisation of Mecca has transformed a once simple town into a bustling and expensive modern city.

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  A haj pilgrim estimates it cost him about Dh1000 per person to do Haj in1975. Costs have gone up at least twenty five times since then.

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  Pilgrims who have gone back to Mecca after many years say they barely recognise it from these photographs of nearly 40 years ago.

For the second year in a row, the annual pilgrimage of Hajj is being transformed by the coronavirus.

Before the pandemic, vast crowds dressed in white, unstitched robes circled the black Kaaba, chanting in unison for hours on end: “Allah, here I am. You have no equal, here I am. Verily, all praise and blessings are Yours and all sovereignty. You have no equal.”

With internal restrictions and measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus in place, a decision was made to allow only Saudi Arabian citizens and residents of the kingdom to perform the pilgrimage this year under a strict set of regulations and permits.

When does Hajj begin?

Hajj starts on the ninth day of Dhu Al Hijja (That of Hajj) under the Islamic lunar calendar, corresponding this year with July 11 on the Gregorian calendar.

The first 10 days leading to the pilgrimage carry significant and meaningful milestones for Muslims in the 12th and final month of their lunar year.

In Dhu Al Hijja, and the three other sacred months of the year, Muslims are banned from going to war except as an act of self-defence, and are encouraged to engage in more forms of worship than usual.

After Islam was established and the people of Makkah entered the faith, Prophet Mohammed and his companions performed Hajj on this month.

During that pilgrimage, Muslims witnessed the ideal application of the rituals of Hajj and attempt to mimic Prophet Mohammed's enactment to this day.

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  Muslim pilgrims touch the rock atop of Mount Arafat, near the holy city of Mecca, as they pray ahead of the haj main ritual, on October 14, 2013. AFP Photo/Fayez Nureldine

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  Muslim pilgrims gather atop Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat during the peak of the annual haj pilgrimage, near the holy city of Mecca. Reuters /Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

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  Pilgrims in their hundreds of thousands thronged Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia from early morning for the climax of the annual hajj pilgrimage, arriving on foot, by train or in vehicles. AFP Photo /Fayez Nureldine

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  A Muslim pilgrim touches a marker at the top of a rocky hill called the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat. AP Photo/Amr Nabil

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  Muslim pilgrims pray on a rocky hill called the Mountain of Mercy, some touching a marker at its peak, on the Plain of Arafat, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo/Amr Nabil

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  A Muslim pilgrim prays atop Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat during the peak of the annual haj pilgrimage, near the holy city of Mecca. Reuters /Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

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  Muslim pilgrims rest as others climb Mount Arafat, near the holy city of Mecca, ahead of the haj main ritual. AFP Photo/Fayez Nureldine

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  A Muslim pilgrim prays atop Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat during the peak of the annual haj pilgrimage. Reuters/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

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  A Muslim pilgrim helps another climb Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat during the peak of the annual haj pilgrimage. Reuters / Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

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  Muslim pilgrims climb Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat during the peak of the annual haj pilgrimage, near the holy city of Mecca. Reuters/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

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  Muslim pilgrims gather atop Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat during the peak of the annual haj pilgrimage. Reuters/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

The first 10 days

Mentioned in the Quran for their importance, Muslim scholars have placed a tremendous weight on good deeds performed during the first 10 days of the month.

Fasting from dawn until dusk is one of the most beloved acts of worship in that period. In contrast to the month of Ramadan, this fast is not mandatory but is 'mustahab', or recommended.

The majority of practicing Muslims fast on the day that pilgrims ascend the mount of Arafat – which will fall on Monday, July 19 this year.

This marks the start of the journey of Hajj, where pilgrims head to the mount where they remain until sunset.

Prayers are believed to be answered on this day, which is considered one of the holiest days of the Islamic year.

During the first third of the month, Muslims recite the Quran, and dhikr [praising Allah]. Giving alms, and for Makkah's residents, providing supplies for the pilgrims are among the most virtuous deeds.

During Hajj, pilgrims are not encouraged to fast because of the difficulty some might find in performing all of the tenets of the pilgrimage.

Eid Al Adha

Day 10 of Dhu Al Hijjah marks the first day of Eid Al Adha.

The name Eid Al Adha is derived from the Arabic word Al Udhiya, which means animal sacrifice.

Each year during these days, Muslims who have the financial means sacrifice their best halal domestic animals – usually a cow, camel, goat, sheep or ram depending on the region – as a symbol of the Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his only son, Ismail.

The meat is typically divided among the executor and their family, and those in need. A person can also arrange for the sacrifice to be held in another region or country where meat is less abundant or cheaper.

Unlike Eid Al Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, Eid Al Adha is four days long. On the first day, Eid prayers are usually performed in the morning before the sacrifice is carried out.

But this year as countries impose different measures regarding congregational prayers, it is unclear whether socially distanced Eid prayers will be permitted.