One of the Five Pillars of Islam, Hajj is a religious duty that every Muslim who is physically and financially able is required to perform at least once in their lifetime.
Taking the form of an annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Hajj is recognized as one of the most significant spiritual journeys a Muslim can undertake.
Unlike some religious traditions that change locations based on the calendar or other factors, Hajj is always held in Mecca (and its surrounding holy sites).
Mecca is the birthplace of the Muslim Prophet Muhammad and the site of the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest structure, which is located inside the Masjid al-Haram (the Grand Mosque).
When is Hajj 2025?
Hajj 2025 will take place from June 4th to June 9th this year. Following the Islamic lunar calendar, these dates actually indicate that the pilgrimage shifts earlier each year than on the Gregorian calendar.
The Islamic calendar is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, which is solar-based. For this reason, Hajj does not always fall in the same season.
Interestingly, over time, the pilgrimage occurs with different weather conditions. This means that some years are more physically challenging than others to trek to Mecca.
Why is Hajj celebrated?
The tradition of Hajj is to commemorate the trials and faith of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his family. There are key elements to the practice of the Hajj, including:
- Tawaf, in which pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven time to symbolize the unity of Musilims across the globe
- Sa’i is the practice of walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah to retrace the steps taken by Hajar who searched for water for her son, the Prophet Ismail
- The most important day of Hajj is the Day of Arafat, during which pilgrims head to Mount Arafat pray for forgiveness and reflect on their faith
- During the Stoning of the Devil, Pilgrims throw stones at symbolic pillars in Mina to reenact the Prophet Ibrahim’s defiance of Satan
- The pilgrimage of Hajj concludes with Eid al-Adha, which is a major Islamic festival to mark the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim and is observed by Muslims across the world
Interesting facts about Hajj
Millions of Muslims gather in Mecca every year to perform Hajj. It’s one of the largest annual gatherings in the world. In fact, in 2023, over 1.8 million pilgrims participated. Numbers in 2025 are expected to meet or exceed this record.
Saudi Arabia carefully regulates the number of attendees by using a quota system. This system is designed to help ensure that different countries receive a fair number of pilgrimage slots.
The Saudi Arabia government invests billions of dollars in infrastructure to support and accommodate the Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca. This includes the development of high speed trains and advanced crowd management systems.
With so many individuals circling the structure, throughout history, the Kaaba has needed to be rebuilt several times. This is not surprising for a structure that dates back to 1629.
As they participate, pilgrims wear only simple white garments. This promotes equality, symbolizing that all are equal before God, regardless of wealth or status.
Stay connected during Hajj 2025
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