Overview
This folk group shares many traditions and special customs. The pilgrimage that occurs is because of Muhammad’s pilgrimage, however, once at Mecca the rituals performed are in honor of Abraham who was ordered by God to leave his wife (Hajjar) and child (Ishmael’s) in the desert to find water.
First Day
On the first day of the Hajj, pilgrims perform the Tawaf which is a walk around the Kaaba seven times counter-clockwise, followed by kissing the black stone.
Pilgrims then complete a ritual called the Sa’i. During this ritual, pilgrims either walk or run between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times and drink water from the Zamzam well.
Why?
The Tawaf is a devotional and spiritual act that is meant to bring pilgrims closer to Allah (God).
The movement between the Safa and Marwah hills is symbolic of the run Hajjar made when searching for water for her son Ishmael’s. Drinking from the Zamzam well is a sacred act because the well was revealed to Hajjar by an angel as a reward from Allah for her patience.
Day 2
Pilgrims travel to a neighborhood in Mecca called Mina, Here pilgrims gather on the hill called Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy). Pilgrims spend the day in prayer and reading the Quran (religious text of Islam).
Why?
Muslims believe that this hill is where Allah's spirit is closest to Earth during the Hajj.
Day 3
The pilgrims then travel to Muzdalifah, halfway between Arafat and Mina, where they pray and spend the night gathering small pebbles and stones for a symbolic ritual of "stoning the devil."
Why?
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This reenactment is of Abraham who was tempted by Satan to disobey Allah and Abraham stoned three pillars which represented his temptation. Allah's order was for Abraham to sacrifice his son. Because Satan did not stray Abraham away, Abraham went forward to make the sacrifice. Before it could happen, Allah intervened and put a ram in Abraham's son's place.
Day 4, 5, and 6
Pilgrims return to Mina to perform the stoning ritual which occurs for three days. This is the start of the Eid al-Adha feast. A goat or sheep is slaughtered. This meat is then given to Muslims in need of it. The final sacrifice is for males to shave their heads and for females to trim their hair and then travel back to Mecca and walk seven times around the Kaaba as a farewell.
Why?
The animal is slaughtered to commensurate Abraham's sacrifice to Allah. The meat is distributed to symbolize Abraham's willingness.
