Arafat

The Five Pillars of Islam: Al-Hajj

Al-Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia that every Muslim must take at least once in their lifetime if they are able to do so. The Hajj occurs during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah and involves a number of different rituals. These include the ihram (entering into a state of consecration), Tawaf (circumambulating the Kaaba seven times), Saii (walking between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah), Mina (throwing seven pebbles at each of three pillars known as Jamarat), Arafat (spending a day in Arafat praying and repenting for sins), Muzdalifah (spending a night in Muzdalifah praying and collecting pebbles), and Eid al-Adha (the final stage where pilgrims sacrifice an animal).