The History of Haj

And those who kneel and bow. (Verse 26 of Chapter 22)

Prophet Ibrahim would visit Makkah to perform Haj once a year after constructing the Kaaba, and after his death, his son carried on this tradition. The purpose and structure of the Hajj packages ceremonies were altered over time, but, gradually.

Before Islam, the Kaaba was surrounded by idols, and during the annual pilgrimage season, people from Makkah and other places would go to visit the Kaaba. According to Shibli Nomani, the Arabs of that era neither congregated at Arafat nor strolled between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah. However, they used to spend a day in a rural location outside of Makkah before returning and circling the Kaaba.

In the pre-Islamic era, Haj served as a venue for a number of festivals and events, including poetry contests, the winning verses of which were displayed on the Kaaba walls. There were also more offensive behaviours and acts throughout the Haj.

For about 2,500 years, this depressing situation persisted. But after this lengthy interval, everything changed.

The Prophet Muhammad developed the current Haj procedures and customs (peace be upon him)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Muslims returned to Makkah from Madinah in 630 AD and annexed the city. The Kaaba was purified and all idols were destroyed by the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Muslims.

The Prophet’s companion Abu Bakr led 300 Muslims to perform the Haj in Makkah the year after. In his address to the crowd, Ali ibn Abi Talib described the updated Haj rituals. No unbeliever or naked man, he said, would be permitted to circle the Kaaba beginning the following year.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed his one and only Haj with a big group of Muslims in the tenth year following Hijrah (632 AD), and he instructed them in the Haj procedures and proper conduct.

The Farewell Sermon, also known as the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) famous speech, was delivered to the crowd gathered in the plain of Arafat.

On this day, I have fulfilled My favour with you, polished your faith, and granted you permission to practise Islam. However, if someone is driven by extreme hunger and has no desire to sin, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (Verse 3 of Chapter 5)

In order to go to Makkah, pilgrims used to congregate in caravans in the major cities of Syria, Egypt, and Iraq during the Islamic era and the Middle Ages. Tens of thousands of pilgrims travelled in caravans. For the purpose of protecting, securing, and caring for pilgrims, military units and medical professionals accompanied Haj caravans. All of these measures were made to safeguard the caravan from any natural risks, perils, or criminals and to make sure the pilgrims had access to the services they required.

Muslim explorers like Ibn Jubayr and Ibn Battuta noted that the Hajj caravans travelled over well-known routes known as Darb al-Hajj in Arabic (pilgrimage road).

The Haj scenario has changed in the present. We observe a wide range of resources offered to pilgrims for support and treatment. In Mena and Arafat, hospitals are set up both permanently and temporarily. The pilgrims’ journey from Makkah to Mena is sped up by the train, which is now being extended to Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah. 24/7 service is provided by hotels and eateries to pilgrims. Can you picture what life was like in the past?

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