Is the Hajj Obligatory?
The pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the five pillars of Islam. Since the Hajj duty is performed during a specific period of the year, millions of people wish to be at the Kaaba during this time. Therefore, a lottery is held among Muslims who wish to perform Hajj, and these individuals are placed in a queue. Those who postponed their Hajj pilgrimage to a later date due to the measures taken and health concerns during the pandemic are counting down the days to perform tawaf and stone the devil at the Kaaba, which has reopened for worship. The general conditions for Hajj differ for men and women, and specifically for women. If a Muslim is free, sane, adult, in good health, and has sufficient means to go on Hajj, then this act of worship becomes obligatory for that person. Those wishing to go on Hajj can carry out their arrangements with Hajj organization agencies, such as the relevant online companies found on internet pages.
Is Hajj Obligatory for Non-Muslims?
The Hajj pilgrimage is not obligatory for non-Muslims. At the same time, non-Muslims are prohibited from entering Mecca and Medina. A person who performs the Hajj pilgrimage, which holds great significance among Muslims, is called a pilgrim. During the Hajj pilgrimage, which includes the obligatory acts of circumambulating the Kaaba and the standing at Arafat, pilgrims wear their ihram garments in an area called the meeqat. Muslims who wear their ihram after making their intention at the meeqat then perform tawaf of the Kaaba. After performing sa'i between Safa and Marwa, believers go to Arafat on the Day of Arafah to stand there. In the evening, they stay in Muzdalifah and collect stones for stoning the devil. During Eid al-Adha, Muslims who stone the devil, sacrifice an animal, shave their heads, and exit their ihram state. Afterward, they go to the Kaaba to perform tawaf.
