Hajj

/hædʒ/ noun

Definition

The annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, required of all Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake it.

Etymology

From Arabic 'hajj' meaning 'pilgrimage,' derived from the root h-j-j meaning 'to go' or 'to repair to.' The pilgrimage follows rituals established by the Prophet Muhammad and traces back to Abraham.

Kelly Says

The medieval hajj was an incredible logistical feat—imagine coordinating caravans of thousands of pilgrims across deserts without modern transportation, creating temporary cities that appeared and disappeared annually along the pilgrimage routes!

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