Hajj

Hajj History

Hajj (Arabic: حج‎ ) is a holy pilgrimage to Mecca that is obligatory for all Muslims who can afford to go. In the 3rd chapter of the Quran, Surah Ale-Imran makes Hajj mandatory. During this pilgrimage, Muslims try to get closer to God. The Hajj is performed in the last month of the Islamic calendar, Dhul-Hijjah. All Muslims who can afford to go on the Hajj are required to do so at least once in their life. The purpose includes worshiping God and interact with Muslims who congregate for the Hajj from all around the world (Quran, 2:26-27).

Muslims believe that the Prophet Abraham built the Ka'aba with his son Ismael. Ka'aba is a sacred cube-shaped shrine at the center of Al-Masjid al-Haram mosque, in Mecca (Saudi Arabia). Muslims walk around the Ka'bah seven times as part of the Hajj. During prayer, Muslims are to face the direction of the Ka'bah no matter where they are in the world. To be completed, the Hajj requires a minimum of five days, during which pilgrims travel across Arabia to complete various rituals, some of which are optional, but considered highly beneficial.

Top 10 Facts for Hajj (Begins) in 2026

• Saudi Arabia is implementing a comprehensive digital transformation for the upcoming pilgrimage through the Nusuk platform, which serves as the exclusive portal for international pilgrims to manage visas, flights, and accommodations.
• This year's observance will feature the mandatory use of the Nusuk Smart Card, a digital and physical identification tool designed to streamline crowd control and verify the credentials of millions of worshippers.
• Due to rising regional temperatures, authorities are deploying a massive heat-mitigation network that includes mist-cooling pathways, smart shading structures, and the planting of thousands of trees to create "green corridors" for those traveling on foot.
• The spiritual pinnacle of the event remains the standing at Arafat, where nearly two million people gather simultaneously on a desert plain to pray for mercy and reflection.
• Innovations in wearable faith technology are expected to trend, particularly the use of smart bands that monitor a pilgrim’s vital signs and provide GPS navigation to help locate specific tents in the vast valley of Mina.
• Significant interest surrounds the kingdom's sustainability initiative, known as the Green Hajj, which aims to reduce the environmental footprint through solar-powered camps and electric transport systems.
• Many participants prepare for the physical and spiritual rigors by viewing the documentary One Day in the Haram, which provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at the intricate logistics and daily maintenance of the Grand Mosque.
• For those unable to attend, the practice of Qurbani remains a global focal point as families distribute meat to the vulnerable, echoing the historical narrative found in the creative work One Thousand Roads to Mecca.
• The pilgrimage is increasingly being studied as a feat of modern engineering, as the Jamarat Bridge utilizes multi-level pedestrian paths to safely manage the ritual stoning of the pillars.
• The 2026 event will likely be influenced by the findings of the EGU General Assembly 2026, where scientists are presenting new data on maintaining safety during mass gatherings in extreme desert climates.

In the News and Trending in the US for Hajj

Top things to do in the US for Hajj

• If you are Muslim, go on a Hajj pilgrimage or attend the smaller Umrah.
• Visit the mountains of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah in Mecca. Pilgrims walk between two hills, Safa and Marwa, seven times during the Hajj because they believe that Hagar, the wife of Abraham, did the same when looking for water for her thirsty baby Ismael. As soon as she finished her seventh run, the Zamzam well sprung out from under baby Ismael's foot. To this day, pilgrims on the Hajj drink the Zamzam's water, and often take it home with them in large canisters.
• Visit the tower at Jamrat-al-Aqabah (Saudi Arabia). After sunset on the day of Arafah, as part of the Hajj, pilgrims throw small pebbles at Jamrat-al-Aqabah. This is the place where it is believed the Devil stood as he tried to tempt Abraham from carrying out orders from God. This is act commemorates and symbolizes Abraham's rejecting of the devil.