HAJJ, THE. The name of a pilgrimage made by the Muhammedans to the holy house at Mecca, the Kaha (q.v.). It 4s the fifth of the foundations of Islam. Every Muslim, male or female, is commanded to make the pil grimage at least once in his life (Qur'an, xxii. 2S; ii. 153, 192; iii. 90: v. 2). The black stone, " built up in one of the corners of this temple forms an object of special veneration to the pilgrim." To make the pilgrimage the Muslim must be a free man of full age, of sound reason, and in good health. He must also have the necessary means to provide for himself and for his family at home. " A woman must be accompanied by her hus band or some near relation." Before setting out the pilgrim is required to repent of his sins, pay his debts. give alms, etc., say a prayer and read certain verses of the Qur'an. He must take with him a pious and charit able man as his companion. The journey must be made for the most part by night, and the pilgrim must not dis mount till the day has become hot. On the road to Mecca there are a number of stages called starting places. The pilgrims are assigned different starting places according to the places from which they have come. On reaching his starting-place, the pilgrim has to observe five customs. " (1) He bathes and cleans his whole body, proposing to himself to do it for the sake of the pilgrimage, he pares his nails, combs his beard: and (2) he divests himself of his clothes and assumes the pilgrim's sacred robe, consisting of two seamless wrappers, one being wrapped round the waist and the other thrown loosely over the shoulder, the head being uncovered." As long as he wears the pilgrim's garb, he must not pare his nails, nor shave his body, nor indulge in any kind of sexual intercourse. Before he enters Mecca, be has to bathe nine times. Having entered the holy mosque, he approaches the Ka`ba and says: " Praise be to God, peace on his servants." " After this he
approaches the Black Stone and touches it with his right hand and kisses it saying : ' My pledge I have delivered, my vow I have fulfilled, bear thou witness that I have done it."' If it is not possible to touch the stone with his hand, he is allowed to touch it with a stick. He then performs the ceremony of going round the Kate, the Taival or circumambulation (cp. CIRCUMAMBULA TION). He goes round the Ka`ba seven times. " The first three processions he performs at a quick step; the last four times at the usual walking pace. It is desir able that every time he passes before the Black Stone, he should touch it either with his hand or with a stick and kiss -it." The next ceremony is " the walking between Safi and Marwa," two hills beyond the temple gate. After this, preparation must be made for the Feast of the Sacrifice. On the Oth of Zu'l-Hijja the pilgrim proceeds to mount 'Arafat. Here near the mosque he spends part of the day and the night. Thence he proceeds to Muzdalikfa, where he spends another night. Before continuing his journey, he has to provide himself with a number of little stones or pebbles. His next destination is a place called Nlinti, where there are three heaps or pillars of pebbles. On reaching one of these heaps called Jumratu'l-`Aqaba he throws the seven stones of the 'Aqaba, thus performing the ceremony of " the throwing of stones." At Mina the pilgrim then observes the Feast of the Sacrifice. After this he is allowed to shave h:s head, and to return to Mecca, where he again goes round the Ka`ba seven times. Before returning home he goes to Mina and repeats the ceremony of stone throwing, and before leaving Mecca finally he performs a farewell circumambulation (seven times). See F. A. Klein.