Hajj & Umrah

The following is Malcolm X’s (al-Hajj, Malik al-Shabazz) letter to his assistants in Harlem during his pilgrimage to Makkah in April of 1964: Never have I witnessed such sincere hospitality and overwhelming spirit of true brotherhood as is practiced by people of all colors and races here in this ancient …

A’ishah (ra) narrated that the Prophet (saw) said: “There is no day in which Allah sets free more souls from the fire of hell than on the day of Arafat. And on that day Allah draws near to the earth and by way of exhibiting His Pride remarks to the …

People from different nationalities all in one place… performing the same things that God asked us to do… all together.. in unity. They travel in the same direction, come across similar experiences and feel the same way. This journey binds them in unity and brotherhood which are the cornerstones of …

While Makkah is cardinally about the Kaaba, its pre-Islamic story, and early Islamic history; the Prophet’s (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) Madinah is where the religion took its final shape, where the Islamic state was formed, where Islamic law took a more dominant role, and where numerous battles were planned and …

The first vision of the Kaaba and the Sacred Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) is an unforgettable moment indeed. The Kaaba is a magnificent structure; it stands serene and immovable as thousands circumambulate it on three levels and playful birds chirp as they maneuver with wondrous swiftness above, occasionally mirroring the clockwise …

…Everybody performs the tawaf, moving in one circular motion around one pivotal point, synonymous with the regulation and orderliness of the universe… The deen of Islam is great which is apparent as it comes from the One who is Great; and it is from His attribute of Greatness that He …

Allah says: It was said to Ibrahim: “And proclaim to mankind the Hajj. They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant mountain highway (to perform Hajj)” [Surah Al Hajj 22:27] This verse above is brought to life by …

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is reported to have said that the one who performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity and wrongdoing will come out as the day he or she was born – pure and free from sins. The Hajj season is upon us …

Moving images, striking panoramas, majestic mosques and minarets, special aerial images, intimate scenes of rapturous pilgrims – these are just a few rare close up moments of one of the Most important cities in the world, Makkah and Madinah. These pictures are recent (most from 1431 Hijri [2010]) and I believe …

The first thing that strikes you upon entering the holy city from Jeddah is the number of mighty yellow-and red-colored cranes on the skyline from all the ongoing construction projects in Makkah. Where once stood old buildings, multistory hotels and even hills, there is now leveled land fenced off by …