History of the Hajj

History of the Hajj

The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca, located in modern-day Saudi Arabia. It is the largest annual gathering of people in the world, with millions of Muslims from all over the world traveling to Mecca to perform the rituals of the Hajj.

The history of the Hajj dates back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad, who performed the first Hajj in the year 632 AD. The Prophet Muhammad had received a revelation from God instructing him to call upon people to perform the Hajj pilgrimage to the Kaaba, a sacred site in Mecca.

Before the arrival of Islam, the Kaaba was a site of pilgrimage for the pagan Arabs, who worshiped multiple gods and goddesses. However, after the spread of Islam, the Kaaba became a site of monotheistic worship and the center of the Hajj pilgrimage.

Over the centuries, the Hajj has undergone several changes and modifications. During the early days of Islam, the rituals of the Hajj were relatively simple and consisted of circumambulating the Kaaba, running between two hills, and standing in vigil at Arafat. However, over time, additional rituals were added, such as the stoning of the devil and the sacrifice of an animal.

In the modern era, the Hajj has become a major logistical undertaking, with millions of pilgrims traveling to Mecca from all over the world. The Saudi Arabian government has invested heavily in infrastructure and resources to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims, with new hotels, transportation systems, and other facilities being built to make the pilgrimage easier and safer.

In addition to the religious significance of the Hajj, it also has important social and cultural significance for Muslims. The pilgrimage brings people from all walks of life and from all corners of the globe together, creating a sense of unity and community among Muslims around the world.

Overall, the Hajj is a testament to the enduring power and significance of Islam as a religion and a way of life.

Is'mail struck his foot on the ground and this caused a spring of water to gush forth from the earth. Hajira and Is'mail were saved. Now they had a secure water supply they were able to trade water with passing nomads for food and supplies.

After a while the Prophet Ibrahim returned from Palestine to check on his family and was amazed to see them running a profitable well.

The Prophet Ibrahim was told by Allah to build a shrine dedicated to him. Ibrahim and Is'mail constructed a small stone structure - the Kaaba or Cube - which was to be the gathering place for all who wished to strengthen their faith in Allah.

As the years passed Is'mail was blessed with Prophethood and he gave the nomads of the desert the message of surrender to Allah.

After many centuries, Mecca became a thriving city thanks to its reliable water source, the well of ZamZam.


Gradually, the people began to adopt polytheistic ideas, and worship spirits and many different gods. The shrine of the Prophet Ibrahim was used to store idols.

After many years, Allah told the Prophet Muhammed that he should restore the Kaaba to the worship of Allah only.

In the year 628 the Prophet Muhammed set out on a journey with 1400 of his followers. This was the first pilgrimage in Islam, and would re-establish the religious traditions of the Prophet Ibrahim.