Discovering Sacred Texts

Key Stage: 4

Religions: Islam

Theme: Hajj

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 Contents: • Slide 13: Muzdalifah
• Slide 14: Ramy al-Jamarat
• Slide 3: Hajj • Slide 15: Eid al-Adha
• Slide 4: Roots of the tradition • Slides 16-17: Rituals
• Slide 5: Duty • Slides 18-19: Ka’bah
• Slide 6: Keywords • Slide 20: Pilgrimage article
• Slide 7: Stages of Hajj • Slides 21-22: Diversity
• Slide 8: Ihram • Slide 23: Hajj postcard
• Slide 9: Tawaf • Slide 24: Hajj certificate
• Slide 10: Sa’i • Slide 25: Modern day Hajj
• Slide 11: Mina • Slide 26: Hajj Souvenirs
• Slide 12: Mount Arafat • Slide 27: Manuscript images

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 What is Hajj?

Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca, specifically to

the Ka’bah, which is undertaken during the
month of Dhu’l- Hijja.

It is one of the pillars of Islam, and Muslims

are required to perform it once in their
lifetime.

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 Where does the tradition come from?

The pilgrimage to the Ka’bah is specified in numerous

Qur’anic verses, including this one that reads:

Allah has made the Ka’bah, the sacred house,

a maintenance for the people, and the
sacred month and the offerings and the
sacrificial animals with garlands; this is that
you may know that Allah knows whatever is
in the heavens and whatever is in the earth,
and that Allah is the Knower of all things.
Q. 5:97

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 Another passage from the Qur’an states:
…pilgrimage to the House is incumbent upon men for the sake of
Allah, (upon) every one who is able to undertake the journey to it…
Q. 3:97

Activity: Discuss these questions as a class:

• What is meant by the term ‘duty’?

• Why might it be considered a duty for Muslims to visit Mecca at least once
in their lifetime?
• What is a Muslim called once they have completed Hajj?
• Hajj is an expensive pilgrimage for many Muslims who travel from far and
wide. As Hajj is a ‘duty’, what different measures do you think might be
taken to ensure a Muslim living in poverty is able to visit Hajj in their
lifetime? 
 
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 Activity: Read through the keywords below as a class and then complete the ‘Hajj keywords’
worksheet.

Tawaf Ka’bah Hajj Hajji

Safa and
Jamarat Arafat Ihram
Marwah

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 Activity: Separate into six groups and using the information on Hajj on BBC bitesize, read
about one element of Hajj:

• Ihram
• Ka’bah
• Safa and Marwah
• Mina
• Muzdalifah
• Eid al-Adha

In each group read the information and teach the rest of the class about what you have
learnt. Students need to ensure that they answer the questions below:
• What happens?
• What significance or importance does this hold for Muslims today?
• What challenges might a Muslim face at this pilgrimage stage?

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 The holy journey of Hajj requires pilgrims to perform certain rituals. As you
look through these images, consider what you think the meaning behind the
ritual might be.

Ihram is when the pilgrim recites their

intention to perform Hajj, adheres to a
specific dress code and abstains from
certain things. Men wear a white
unstitched garment, women wear
normal clothes and a headscarf- but not
a burqa or niqab. Certain acts are
prohibited, such as sex and arguing.

The illustration is from a text on Islamic jurisprudence about the restrictions on a pilgrim
when in the state of ihram. Depicted are pilgrims in ihram surrounding the Ka’bah.

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 Tawaf is the circling of the Ka’bah.
Pilgrims circle the Ka’bah seven times
in an anti-clockwise direction, with the
al-Hajar al-Aswad, or the Black Stone at
the eastern corner of the Ka’bah, as
the marking point.

A historical view of Mecca and Medina by HA Mirza & Sons,

c. 1907. This image shows the Ka’bah and Sanctuary at Mecca.

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 Sa‘i is to walk seven times
between the hills of Safa and
Marwah.

Safa and Marwah at Mecca.

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 Mina is the tented city where
pilgrims camp overnight.

Historical views of Mecca and Medina by HA Mirza &

Sons, c. 1907. 
Written on the side of the photograph is ‘People come
and pitch tents … It is indeed a sight worth seeing – the
manner in which Muslims, rich and poor, king and
beggar, all wearing the ihram and looking alike,
beseechingly asking for forgiveness of their sins from
the true Creator and the real object of worship. The
sobbing is convulsive and everything other than God is
obliterated from the heart. Everyone is continually
saying, while waving a handkerchief, "O Lord I am
standing at Your service, You who are without equal, I
am standing at Your service." On retiring to sleep, there
is mystical happiness.
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 Mount Arafat is the where pilgrims journey to
the desert planes of Arafat. Muslims spend
the day standing in the vicinity of the Mount,
praying and repenting in an act called wuquf,
until sunset.

The illustration in Futuh al-haramayn shows ‘Arafat on the day of the

wuquf (standing) which takes place from noon until dusk.

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 Muzdalifah is where pilgrims camp
overnight. They also gather forty-nine
pebbles for the next ritual.

The illustration in Futuh al-haramayn shows the tents in the

foreground.

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 Ramy al-Jamarat is when pilgrims
throw stones at three walls, in the city
of Mina. The stoning marks Eid al-
Adha.

The Archangel Jibrail from the first part of al-Qazwini’s Wonders of

the Creation devoted to the cosmography of the heavens.

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 Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is also
celebrated by Muslims who are not on pilgrimage.
Traditionally pilgrims slaughtered an animal
themselves, today many pilgrims buy a sacrifice
voucher and an animal is slaughtered elsewhere
on their behalf.  After the sacrifice, pilgrims shave
or cut their hair.

Ibrahim about to sacrifice Ismail. Jibril (Gabriel) stands nearby holding the ram.
A miniature painting from a manuscript of Hadikat us-suada, a history of the
holy martyrs of the Prophet's family.

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 These rituals all have important meanings.
They also have to be performed in a prescribed order.

Activity: Using the ‘Hajj rituals’ worksheet match the

ritual with the meaning. In some places the images
from the British Library manuscripts and photographs
will have provided you with some clues already.

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 Meanings
• ………………….. expresses the unity and harmony of all Muslims in worshipping one God and is the fulfilment of the
Quranic command to ‘compass round it’ (Q. 22:26).
• …………………… is often referred to as the “most important day of hajj,” – if it is not completed the Hajj is not valid.
According to tradition this is the place where the Prophet delivered his Farewell Sermon. Pilgrims spend this time
making a renewed commitment to dedicate themselves to the principles of Islam, repenting their sins and reflecting on
the day of judgement. In return their sins are forgiven.
• …………………… is symbolic of the stoning of the devil and re-enacts when God commanded Ibrahim to sacrifice his son
and the devil appeared to tempt him against God’s will. The Angel Jibril ordered him to Ibrahim to cast stones at the
devil. The act is symbolic of casting aside temptation.
• …………………….. signifies a ‘change of the state of mind’ for a Muslim, and is part of the preparation of mind, body and
soul for the pilgrimage. It is also intended to show modesty and equality by removing all external signs of wealth.
• At …………………… pilgrims converge for prayer and remembrance of God, and they are required to stay until the sunrise.
• ……………………….. commemorates the journey made by Ibrahim’s wife Hagar to find water for her child Ismail, after they
were left in the desert as a test of faith. She ran between the mountains searching for help, when she returned she
found a miraculous spring known as the ‘Well of Zamzam’. The well is a testament of the miraculous will of God, and
the strenuous exercise is a demonstration the commitment of the believer.
• At…………………….. after a day of reverence pilgrims rest or spend the night in worship, preparing for the next ritual.
• During …………………………….. pilgrims slaughter animals to mark Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail. The act
of cutting hair symbolises the shedding of worldly attachments and marks the end of the consecrated state (ihram).

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 The Ka’bah

Muslims believe that Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son,

Ismail (Ishmael) built the Ka’bah as the first house of
worship. As the Qur’an states:

And who has a better religion than he who submits himself

entirely to Allah? And he is the doer of good (to others)
and follows the faith of Ibrahim, the upright one, and Allah
took Ibrahim as a friend.
Q. 4:125.

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 Activity: Look at the three following images and discuss the questions
below:
 
The Haram at Mecca with the Ka’bah in the centre
Depiction of the Ka’bah
17th century depiction of the Holy Shrine of Mecca
 
• Who built the Ka’bah?
• Why is the Ka’bah in the images depicted in the centre and what might
this show about its significance to Muslims today?
• Why do you think the Ka’bah might be considered by Muslims as the
most sacred and holiest place in Islam?
• As well as having built the Ka’bah, how else is Hajj linked to the figure of
Ibrahim?

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 Activity: Read the article Islamic pilgrimages and sacred spaces, then answer the
questions below on your ‘Pilgrimage article’ worksheet:
 
1. Who should go on Hajj?
2. What are some barriers to people performing Hajj?
3. What are some of the rituals of Hajj?
4. Is Hajj mentioned in the Qur’an?
5. Are there any other sources of wisdom and authority that command Muslims to
perform Hajj?
6. How has technology changed the way Hajj is undertaken?
7. What is the special significance of Mecca to Muslims?
8. What role does Mecca have in the everyday lives of Muslims?

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 Activity: Look at the
image of pilgrims from the Miscellany of Iskandar Sultan.

As a class discuss what you can see.

Whilst you’re looking at the image, consider the verse:

And proclaim among men the Pilgrimage: they will come to

you on foot and on every lean camel, coming from every
remote path
Q. 22:27

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 Did you notice the ethnic diversity of the pilgrims?
Even in the 15th century Islam was a religion that had a large
reach. Hajj allows believers to worship with Muslims from all
over the world and unites the Ummah.

What do you notice about their clothes? Discuss as a class the

significance of ihram, which is not just about purity but also
conveys the message of equality.

Activity: Discuss as a class, if you were performing this

pilgrimage, who would be standing alongside you? Where
might they be from? Would their experience of Islam be vastly
different from yours?

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 Activity: Imagine that you’ve just
completed Hajj and, using the ‘Hajj
postcard’ worksheet provided, write a
postcard to a friend or family member
about your experience. Consider
reflecting upon what you experienced
and saw, how this experience made
you feel, and why you felt it was
important to go on Hajj.

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 Activity: In groups of four, analyse the Hajj Pilgrimage
certificate, using the information in the label to help you.

Discuss these points:

• What was the purpose of the Hajj Pilgrimage certificate?
• Who do you think Maymunah was?
• What significance do you think this certificate held for her?
• What the images might show or represent?
• What does this historic document tell Muslims today?

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 Modernising Hajj

Compare the photographs of Hajj taken in 1913 with

modern images and accounts here:
National Geographic or here: Guardian.

If you were a pilgrim from the 15th century, what would

you think of Hajj today?

Is the spiritual significance of Hajj getting lost in its

commercial aspects and the modernisation of facilities?

Or have the hardships that the pilgrims encountered in

the past just been replaced with 21st century challenges
and distractions?

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 Homework Activity:

Research ‘Hajj souvenirs’ on the internet. Print

out an image or write a short paragraph on
what you’ve found.
How do modern Hajj souvenirs differ from the
Hajj certificate we’ve already seen? How do
they compare?

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 Or 11533, f.18v
Or 1009
Add MS 27261

British Library manuscript images

Slide 1: 17th-century depiction of the Holy Shrine of Mecca, Or 11533, f.18v

Slide 3: A Malay pilgrimage guide, 14620.g.28
Slide 4: 14th-century Mamluk Qur’an, Or 1009
Slide 8: Miscellany of Iskander Sultan, Add MS 27261
Slide 9: Picture of the Sanctuary of Mecca the Great
Slide 10: A guide book for pilgrims, including a 17th-century depiction of the Holy Shrine of Mecca, Or. 343, f.19v
Slide 11: Picture of Mount 'Arafat
Slide 12: 17th-century depiction of the Holy Shrine of Mecca, Or 11533
Slide 13: 17th-century depiction of the Holy Shrine of Mecca, Or 11533
Slide 14: Al-Qazwini’s Wonders of Creation, Or 4701
Slide 15: Or 12009
Slide 24: Hajj pilgrimage certificate, Add MS 27566
Slide 25: Picture of the Sanctuary of Mecca the Great

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