When does the pilgrimage to Mecca take place?

Answer 1

Hajj comes last among the five pillars of Islam which we shall explain below. In general, a Muslim is accounted for the pillars of Islam and other deeds the moment he becomes adult. Anything he do before this age will be accepted from him but he is not obliged to do so. Hajj too can be peformed at any time of age but there some conditions that he must be physically and financially capable.

FAITH

There is no god worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is His messenger. This declaration of faith is called the Shahada, a simple formula which all the faithful pronounce. In Arabic, the first part is la ilaha illa Allah - 'there is no god except God'; Allah (god) can refer to anything which we may be tempted to put in place of God - wealth, power, and the like. Then comes illa Allah: 'except God', the source of all Creation. The second part of the Shahada is Muhammadun rasulu'llah: 'Muhammad is the messenger of God.' A message of guidance has come through a man like ourselves.

2) To perform PRAYERS (5 daily)

Prayers are said at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and universities. Visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of prayers in daily life.

3) THE 'ZAKAT', to pay Chairity to the poor

One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one's capital.

pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as 'voluntary charity' it has a wider meaning. The Prophet said 'even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity.'

The Prophet said: 'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim. ' He was asked: 'What if a person has nothing?' The Prophet replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.' The Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet said: 'He should help poor and needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What if he cannot do even that?' The Prophet said 'He should urge others to do good.' The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet said 'He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.'

4) To FAST the holy month of Ramadan.

Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from first light until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they are physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer) from puberty, although many start earlier.

Although the fast is most beneficial to the health, it is regarded principally as a method of self purification. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry as well as growth in one's spiritual life.

and lastly

5) PILGRIMAGE (HAJJ)

The one time "obligatory" life trip to Makkah - the Hajj - is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to perform it and only for one time in life. He can perform it as much as he can but voluntarily. Nevertheless, about two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another. Although Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar, so that Hajj and Ramadan fall sometimes in summer, sometimes in winter). Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments which strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God.

Answer 2

A detailed answer:

Hajj is a tradition established by Hazrat Abraham (Ibraheem in Arabic) as per command of Almighty Allah Karim. He built Ka'abah and announced to the people (all humans -born or yet to born). Miraculously, his voice echoed through the universe- even the heavens above. All the Souls, yet to born, who answered to the call saying: Labbaik Allah Humma Labbaik… Here I come, O my Allah, Here I present myself to you… are destined to perform Hajj. It is obligatory on each Muslim once in lifetime. Hajj is performed during the last month of the Islamic calendar. The schedule is as under or this is how Hajj is performed in different stages: All these rituals teach unconditional obedience to Allah Almighty. They teach equality, simplicity, sacrifice, tolerance and charity etc. It was renewed by the last Prophet of Islam Hazrat Muhammad (SAW). Only the Muslim Ummah performs Hajj which is obligatory on each Muslim Day - 1. 8th of Zilhajja: (Day of Tarwiya) Taking bath, putting on Ahraam (two sheets of untailored cloth), going to Haram i Pak, making intention of performing Hajj, offering two Nawafil and reaching the field of Mina (preferably) before Zuhar Prayer and staying there. Day - 2. 9th. (Day of Arfaa) Offering Fajr Prayer and reaching the field of Arafaat (the main ritual of Hajj). Offering Zuhar and Asar prayers (Qasar) behind the Imam in Masjid - Namra - if possible. Staying there till sunset, offering Prayers and praying to Almighty Allah Karim. Leaving the field of Arafaat just at sunset without offering Evening Prayer. Coming to Muzdalfa at night offering Maghrib and Isha Prayers together. Staying there at night. Collecting 49 small pebbles for stoning the Jamraats. Day - 3. 10th (Eid day) Offering Fajar Prayer and leaving Muzdalfa at sunrise. Stoning the Big Jamrah (Shaitan), offering animal sacrifice, coming to Haram i - Pak, going around the Ka'abah, performing Sayee (Walking/running between Safa and Marwa hills), shaving off head (for men- women cut two or three inches of their hair as a token) and putting off Ihram. Going back to Mina and staying there. Day - 4. 11th. Stoning the three Jamraat and staying at Mina. Day- 5. 12th Zila Hajja. Stoning the three Jaraat (Shaitans-Devils) and coming back to Makka Mukarma before sunset. That is the end of Hajj. Day= 6: 13th Zihajja. If someone intentionally or by chance does not leave Mina before sunset of Day-5, he will stay there for the night and on the 6th day he will stone the three Jamraats and return to Makka Mukammah. This ends Hajj the Fifth Pillar of Islam.

Answer 3

In the last month of the Islamic calender, Zil-Hajj

Answer 4

The Muslims perform pilgrimage (Hajj) during the last month of Hijjra calendar. It is performed from 8th to 13th of Zill Hajj.