Hujj:- The Great Pilgrimage in the World

Muslims from whole of the World are gathering in Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the Annual Huj Pilgrimage to take part in the following rituals:-

Ihram (white garment/shroud)

Pilgrims wear special outfits, which for men is a two-piece white seamless garment. Women wear loose dress, generally white, with only the face and hands exposed. During this period, pilgrims must abstain from sex and quarrelling, not use perfume and not cut their hair or nails.

Tawaf (circumambulation)

Once in Mecca, pilgrims perform Tawaf, or circumambulation, seven times counter-clockwise, around the Ka'aba, a black masonry cube in the centre of the Masjid-al-Haram

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Sa'y (commemoration of search for water)

Pilgrims then walk seven times between two stone spots at the Grand mosque, emulating a search for water by Ibrahim's wife Hajara in a ritual known as Sa'y. These rituals are considered the lesser pilgrimage, and come ahead of the Haj's main rites when pilgrims head to Mina, around five kilometres (three miles) east of the Grand Mosque.

Jamraat (Collecting and throwing pebbles)

The next day, pilgrims gather on the hill known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy) and the surrounding Mount Arafa plain, 10 kilometres southeast of Mina, where they remain until evening for prayer and to read the Holy Qur'an. After sunset, pilgrims leave for Muzdalifah, half-way between Arafa and Mina, where they stay at least until midnight. They gather pebbles to perform the symbolic "stoning of the devil". At the start of the Eid al-Adha feast, pilgrims return to Mina for the first of three daily stoning rites. Traditionally, seven pebbles are thrown at a post representing the devil, emulating the actions of Prophet Ibrahim. Since 2004, it has been replaced by walls to accommodate the rising numbers of pilgrims and to try to avoid a repeat of deadly crushes at the site.

Qurbani (Sacrifice)

After the first stoning, sheep are slaughtered and the meat distributed to needy Muslims, symbolising Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail on the order of God, who provided a lamb in the boy's place at the last moment.

Islah (Ablution)

Men then shave their heads or trim their hair while women cut a fingertip-length of their locks. After that they can end their Ehram and change back into normal clothing. They then return to the Grand Mosque in Mecca, circumambulating seven times around the Ka'aba, and again performing Sa'i. The pilgrims then return to Mina to continue the stoning ritual for two or three more days. Finally, they return to the Grand Mosque, circumambulating the Ka'aba seven times.