As most of us know, the origin of the Hajj, the Fifth Pillar of Islam, dates back to the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and brings together Muslims of all races and tongues to don two simple white cloths in an impressive display of Islam's disregard for racial or national divisions. Each year millions of people make the pilgrimage, making it the largest temporary gathering on the globe. It is an act of recollection and worship, but also a symbolic act representing the spirit's return to its homeland-one of the central elements of the Muslim life. Hajj is an imperative duty (fard) for all Muslims physically and financially able to perform it.

In it are Signs Manifest; (for example), the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains security; Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah,- those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures <Qur'an Al-Imran 3:97>

Many people go to Hajj every year without even knowing the restrictions, duties, and virtues of many actions we perform in the Hajj season. It is extremely critical and important that the person who intends to perform Hajj should learn the basics of this act of worship including the obligatory actions and what makes Hajj null and what should be done in case there is a chance to compensate for mistakes. There are many people who perform Hajj and it will be accepted from them by Allah (swt), but there are others who do not just perform Hajj as a duty and leave, but they also cease this great opportunity to get a lot of reward from Allah (swt). And the best way to get reward is by following the best pilgrim and the best worshipper of Allah, Muhammad (S). Hajjplans.com invites you to navigate through the appropriate links in order to better prepare for the Journey of a Lifetime.

Next Section: The Virtues of Hajj...