What is Hajj and how do Muslims perform it

Every year, millions of Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca to perform Hajj. It's journey tracing the footsteps of Prophet Abraham, man who symbolized faith and sacrifice. Here's why the pilgrimage is so significant. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, must that every physically and financially able Muslim is required to perform at least once in their lifetime. The spiritual journey of faith, unity, and devotion takes place annually from the 8th to 13th of Dulhijah, the final month of the Islamic Luna calendar at designated sites in and around Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Over 5 days, rituals are performed in Mina, Adaf, Muzalifa, and Mecca. During Hajj, pilgrims must adhere to strict set of rules which were practiced and taught by Prophet Muhammad. Rituals also have windows during which they must be completed. On the eighth day of Dulhijah or the first day of Hajj, pilgrims enter into what is calledam or state of purity. Men wear one or two white seamless pieces of cloth to modestly cover their bodies while women wear modest clothing. This will be the only kind of clothing they will be allowed to wear for the next 3 days. Rules during the state of EAM include no perfume, no cutting hair and nails, and no arguments. All under strict spiritual discipline. Symbolizes equality in the eyes of God. With everyone dressed the same, there's no way of evaluating one another's wealth or status in this world. All are united for one purpose, to worship God. During these days, pilgrims will chant in unison, which means here am, God, as declaration of their devotion. It is on the first day that pilgrims go to Mina on the outskirts of Mecca, where they spend the night in prayer. Mina is known as the tent city and is the place where Prophet Muhammad erected his tent during his pilgrimage. Nulha or the second day of Hajj is the most important day of the pilgrimage. From morning to sunset, pilgrims spend their day in prayer near or on Mount Adaf which is 20 km from Mecca. The day of Adaf is considered to be the greatest day on the Islamic calendar marked by God's immense forgiveness. It's day when God in chapter 5:3 of the Quran proclaimed that Islam is the final and most perfect religion for all of humankind. It's also the day when God made every soul promise to follow him before being born. It reminds believers of the day of judgment and the afterlife. After sunset, pilgrims move to the empty plains of Mustifa. Disconnected from the distractions and comforts of worldly life. Pilgrims sleep on rocky plains under the open sky. It's here where they will gather pebbles for the following days pelting ritual. was Delifa is mentioned by God in the Quran as sacred site and it's where Prophet Muhammad had rested and gathered pebbles before leaving Fina the following morning. The third day is Adela or the day of sacrifice. At dawn, pilgrims return to Mina where they pelt one of three jamats. The jamats are three differentized pillars large, medium, and small that are pelted as symbolic stoning of the devil. This ritual is only symbolic commemoration of what prophet Abraham did when he was going to sacrifice his son Ishmael following God's command. On the way to perform the task, the devil tried three times to stop him. But each time Abraham threw pebbles at him to chase him away. Pilgrims either themselves or through third party will sacrifice an animal in observance of prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael. God replaced Ishmael with ram to test the patience and faith of prophet Abraham. Once the sacrifice is complete, pilgrims must perform fath circling the cabba, the black silkclad stone structure at the heart of Mecca's grand mosque seven times. According to Islamic tradition, the cabba was built by prophet Abraham during biblical times. Pilgrims can then shave or trim their hair, bathe, and wear normal clothing. This marks the end of being in the state ofam. Pilgrims will spend days four and five in Mina where they will pray and stone all three jammed. The final ritual of Hajj is the farewell which is generally done day or two before pilgrims return home. Hajj is the only gathering in the world where millions stand shouldertosh shoulder with no hierarchy and no ego. Just humans seeking forgiveness and connection. Many return from Hajj softer, calmer and more reflective. Hajj is not just trip. It's transformation of one's spiritual, emotional, and mental state.