For Hajj are the months well known. If any one undertakes that duty therein, Let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj. And whatever good you do, (be sure) Allah knows it. And take a provision (With you) for the journey, but the best of provisions is right conduct. So fear Me, o ye that are wise. (The Quran: 2: 197)

In less than a month, more than three million Muslims will gather in Makkah to perform one of the most important events of their lifetime. The Hajj, one of the pillars of Islam brings together the greatest gathering of mankind. This pilgrimage to the House of Allah brings every human soul to the apogee of faith. In this event, pilgrims are able to demonstrate their unquestionable loyalty and unconditional surrender to the Creator. This personal yet collective experience is an ultimate illustration of creation, history, unity, and Islamic ideology.

This once-in-a-lifetime journey is an overwhelming experience because of the relationship between the guest and the Host. The Host is the Creator and the guests are His servants, beginning from Prophet Adam, Ibrahim, Hagar & Muhammad (peace be upon all of them), to those of us who will be blessed to visit Makkah next month.  He invites us to the historical city of Makkah around the Masjid al-Haram that surrounds the Kaba, the hills of Safa and Marwa, Mina, Muzdalifah and the Mount of Arafat. He treats us with His simple but powerful signs of the day, the night, the sunshine and the sunset.  Although these signs do prevail everywhere but the setting that they are experienced in, is an experience in itself and beyond words.  

Ali Shariati writes in his book the Hajj: Reflections on its Rituals: "regardless of whether you are a man or a woman, young or old, black or white, you are the main feature of the performance. You play the role of Adam, Ibrahim and Hagar in the confrontation between Allah and Satan. As a result, you, individually, are the hero of the show. Annually, Muslims from all over the world are encouraged to participate in this great show (Hajj). Everyone is considered equal. No discrimination on the basis of race, sex, or social status is made. In accordance to the teachings of Islam, all are one and one is all." 

IslamiCity is honored to web cast (live and on demand) this journey of piety and devotion to God. Please visit our Hajj Information Center to learn, access resources, watch visual guides and request reservations online to perform Hajj. May Allah make this Hajj season a blessed event for the pilgrims and may He accept their endeavor, InshaAllah.