Hajj Al-Akbar means the greater pilgrimage. It is specifically termed as the Day of Arafat which is one the most blessed days during the Hajj. Hajj Al-Akbar is performed on the blessed day of the week, Friday, which makes it significant as compared to Hajj. Islam is developed on five pillars out of which Hajj is one. The key rituals or acts that are performed during Hajj are Tawaf, Ihram, Sa’i, Waqfa or wuquf, Sacrifice, attempting stoning, and others. This highly religious practice in Islam allows pilgrims to reflect upon the themes of life including the day of judgement. Hajj is an act of obedience towards the Creator, where everyone gets united and follows the practice with the concept of submission to Allah.
The Day of Arafat
The day of Arafat is mainly considered as the climax of the Hajj practice. Without attempting this core ritual the Hajj is not statused as completed.
الْحَجُّ عَرَفَاتٌ الْحَجُّ عَرَفَاتٌ الْحَجُّ عَرَف
The Holy prophet PBUH said that “The Hajj is Arafat”, which symbolises the greatness and significance of the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah. This Islamic reference proves that the day of Arafat is the most important religious event that pilgrims must not miss during their Hajj performance. This holiest day on the Islamic calendar bestows many advantages for the Muslims who are practicing Hajj, such as it is said to fast on this day which results in the cleansing of the sins. You can consider this day as the soul of Hajj itself. Wuquf by pilgrims are performed at the state of Arafat from the time of Zawal till Maghrib. It is important otherwise Hajj won’t lead to the completion or validity.
The Significance of Hajj
Hajj breaks many barriers such as wealth, color, caste, and status, as every single human being in the state of Mataf is dressed similarly to perform the same obligations and rituals in front of Allah which promotes equality. Prophet PBUH offered this beautiful obligatory ritual and also encouraged people to perform it. This is also called Hajj-a-tul Wida, as it was the last Hajj performed by PBUH. Hajj Al-Akbar is more significant than normal Hajj because it is performed on the blessed day of Friday which uplifts the blessing and importance of the obligation.
“Whoever performs Hajj for the sake of Allah and does not commit any obscenity…return as sinless as the day he was born.” (Sahih Bukhari)
Hajj must be performed following the sunnah, that was performed by Muhammad (PBUH) during his farewell pilgrimage. During the last pilgrimage of the Holy Prophet he taught several concepts to the Ummah to follow. Hajj was the sacred moment when our Last Prophet delivered some valuable lessons to avail such as equality among Muslims, forbidding Riba, rights of women, and others. It is a must to keep these lessons in mind while performing the religious practice and implement these after the completion also.
Did you know: Hajj is termed as the largest annual gathering, where muslims from all around the world despite sectors, languages, and nationality unite together to offer this obligation.
Rituals and Guidance during Hajj Al-Akbar
Believers must immerse emotionally and physically into the experience of Hajj. It contains a sequence that must be obeyed without rearranging or missing any of the steps. In Islamic context, worship is not just about offering prayer or making Dua but also about reflecting over the history, hardships, and sacrifices that are attempted by our Prophet and his companions. Each ritual allows pilgrims to understand the truth about the day of judgement and the return to Allah. All these rituals offer deep historical and moral significance ingrained in the life of Prophet Ibrahim and his family, also considering the sunnah of the Prophet.
Ihram
Entering Ihram is an essential ritual for pilgrims to follow before they step towards the Meqat point. In this ritual Muslims dress themselves in white clothes.
Tawaf
It is the obligatory performance which every pilgrim is ordered to perform around the Holy Kaaba. The complete seven rounds around that starts from the position of The Black Stone.
Sa’i
After the completion of Tawaf pilgrims get involved in Sa’i. This ritual demands walking between the two pious hills. It is an important part of the Hajj practice which assists pilgrims to learn about the hardship that was faced by Hajra (RA) with patience.
Standing at the Account of Arafat
It involves standing at the state of Arafat from the time of Zawaal till Maghrib (sunset). It is said that every Dua gets accepted here and pilgrims are rewarded with great forgiveness and guidance.
Muzdalifah
Pilgrims at this state are told to collect stones for the upcoming rituals. They offer combined prayer of Maghrib and the last prayer of the day with spending a night under the open sky.
Ramy al-Jammarat: The Stoning State
Here in the state if Jamarat pilgrims are asked to throw pebbles at Jamarat al-aqabah and on the others also. This state symbolises the act of resilience and rejection of Ibrahim (AS) towards the misleading of Satan.
The Holy Practice of Sacrifice (Qurbani)
The Islamic significance of this act reflects upon the time when Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was willingly sacrificing his son, following the order of Almighty. At this moment Satan was the one to discourage him but his trust in Allah was greater than anything else. The Qurbani of animals in this state promotes charity and following the command of the Creator.
It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; rather, it is your piety that reaches Him. (Surah Al-Hajj 22:37)
Halq or Taqsir
During this ritual believers cut their hair or shave them and mark the completion of the holy ritual.
Final Words
Hajj Al-Akbar is the significant Islamic worship that is performed to experience the beauty and dignity of the Holy land and the rituals it offers. Performance of rituals at this sacred practice symbolises unity, faith, and trust upon Allah. If a person performs Hajj for once in his life, he/she will return to his last resting place sinless as he achieved a spiritual rebirth.
Learn More: How to Perform Hajj 2026 | A Step-by-Step Guide for UK Muslims
FAQs
Why is Hajj al-Akbar called “The Greater Pilgrimage” when it occurs only once a year?
It is called the greater pilgrim to distinguish it from Umrah practice. Hajj differentiates from Umrah in the terms of rituals, as it includes more than Umrah.
Can someone perform Hajj al-Akbar more than once, and is there extra reward for doing so?
It is said that performing Umrah or Hajj repeatedly removes your sins and holds great rewards. If you are capable of offering these Islamic practices then you can offer them as many times you want.
How does Hajj al-Akbar serve as a reminder of the Day of Judgment?
Hajj mainly portrays the rehearsal of the afterlife, pilgrims are covered in White clothes, there is no status and everyone is equally performing the rituals. It reminds pilgrims to focus towards their holy goals to be prepared for life afterwards.
