Hajj - the Physical and Spritual Journey

Hajj is a reminder of death. We are clothed in the same simple white cloth that will cover us on our final journey to the grave.

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In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the most Merciful

Why do Hajj? 5 questions answered

About 3 million Muslims from more than 100 countries will pack the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, next month for Hajj, the biggest pilgrimage on the planet.

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What's it all about? We turned to Brown University Muslim chaplain and CNN iReporter Robert David Coolidge and Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, for a primer:

Haj: Who gets to go?

The man at the desk in the eyeglasses store was an Asian in his sixties. His smile was bright and hearty. After the usual welcoming words, he asked me if I was going for Haj this year. I told him, I could, but I was still hesitant.

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His eyes opened wide. “Why would you hesitate?” he wondered. “Is there anything wrong with you? You look in good shape to me, doctor.”

Millions Of Muslims Start Annual Hajj Near Mecca

MOUNT ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia — Libyans long denied the opportunity to make the hajj usually reserved for Moammar Gadhafi's cronies were among the millions of Muslims ascending a holy mountain Saturday to begin the annual weeklong pilgrimage.

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A red carpet has replaced the Gadhafi green at the Libyan tent camp and those given preference this year to fill the North African nation's quota were relatives of fighters killed trying to oust the longtime dictator. 

Deeds for Hajj journey

There are several deeds which Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam has equated to the reward of Haj. Those who are not undertaking the Haj journey, may reap the reward of Haj by virtue of the following deeds:

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1. Wudhu at home before attending Congregational Salaah: Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam has stated: “One who purifies himself (makes Wudhu) and leaves his home to attend the Fardh Salaah in congregation, receives the reward of a Haji in the state of Ihram, and if he leaves for the Salaatud-Dhuhaa (Chaast), he gets the reward of Umrah.” (Abu Dawud)

World's biggest hotel to open in Mecca

Four helipads will cluster around one of the largest domes in the world, like sideplates awaiting the unveiling of a momentous main course, which will be jacked up 45 storeys into the sky above the deserts of Mecca. It is the crowning feature of the holy city’s crowning glory, the superlative summit of what will be the world’s largest hotel when it opens in 2017. 

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With 10,000 bedrooms and 70 restaurants, plus five floors for the sole use of the Saudi royal family, the £2.3bn Abraj Kudai is an entire city of five-star luxury, catering to the increasingly high expectations of well-heeled pilgrims from the Gulf. 

Hajj Through the Wings of Reflection

I start this week's HuffJumuah by saying Eid Mubarak! We thank God Almighty for blessing us with, yet another joyful Eid al-Adha celebrations today. Millions of Muslims are joyfully celebrating their successful completion of their pilgrimage in the Holy sites of Islam as they earned the honorific title of Hajjah (for women) and Hajji (for men). More than billion and a half others all around the world cheerfully glorifying God's names through their Eid celebrations.

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Indeed Eids are times for joyous and well deserved celebrations. They are holy times when we get together with our loved ones, check the well being of every member of our community and try to make every one happy. However, it is equally important that Eids are also times for reflection and spiritual growth. They are invitations for us to ponder over the heart and spirit of that particular Eid. What are we celebrating here? How can we make these celebrations more meaningful, more relevant and more rewarding for us and for our loved ones?