What is Hajj? Meaning, importance and how it is done

The meaning of Hajj

In Arabic, hajj means to set out with purpose towards something great. In Islam it is the journey to the House of Allah in Makkah, at a fixed time of the year, to perform set acts of worship in Makkah and the places around it.

Allah told Ibrahim (AS) to call people to Hajj, “and they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, from every distant path” (22:27). Every pilgrim today is answering that call.

Why Hajj matters

• It is one of the five pillars on which Islam is built, with the shahadah, prayer, zakat and fasting (Bukhari 8)
• Allah says: “Hajj to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all people who are able to make their way to it” (3:97)
• The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever does Hajj without obscenity or sin returns like the day his mother gave birth to him (Bukhari 1521)
• And the reward of an accepted Hajj (Hajj mabrur) is nothing less than Paradise (Bukhari 1773)

Who must go

Hajj is a duty once in a lifetime (Muslim 1337) on a Muslim who is adult, sane, physically able, and has enough money for the journey after their family’s needs and debts. A woman travels with a mahram, with the rules for older women following the current Saudi and Indian policy.

Someone who cannot go because of lasting illness or old age may, if they can afford it, send another person to perform Hajj for them (Hajj-e-Badal). Ask a scholar about your own case.

The days of Hajj, simply

The three types of Hajj

• Tamattu: Umrah first, then out of ihram until the 8th, then a new ihram for Hajj. A sacrifice (hady) is due. Most pilgrims from India do this type
• Qiran: Umrah and Hajj together in one ihram, without a break in between. A sacrifice is due
• Ifrad: Hajj only, without an Umrah before it. No sacrifice is due

Allah says, “Complete the Hajj and Umrah for Allah” (2:196). Your group will tell you which type its programme follows.

How pilgrims from India go

There are two routes. The Haj Committee of India takes applications once a year and selects pilgrims by draw within each state’s quota. Private Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs), registered with the Ministry of Minority Affairs, run their own packages within the private quota.

Applications for Haj Committee 2027 have already closed, so new pilgrims for 2027 usually look at registered private groups. Compare both routes honestly before deciding.