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Hajj: its meaning and rites
The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said:
Whoever performs Hajj for Allah's pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew.

Meaning of Hajj
The word "Hajj" means "visiting of the sacred place". It is the most significant expression of Islamic faith and unity, the peak of Muslims' religious lives. Hajj is one of Islam's 5 pillars and is applicable only to Muslims who are physically and financially able. It begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar year (Zul Hijja). About 3 million people go to Makkah every year for Hajj in response to the call of Allah.
Hajj reminds people of the great assembly of the Day of Judgment when everybody will stand equal. It brings together Muslims of all races and tongues for one of life's most moving spiritual experiences.

History of Hajj
Muslims go every year to Makkah to perform hajj - this yearly pilgrimage goes back to the days of prophet Abraham (pbuh). After the eruption of the well of Zam-Zam, Abraham (pbuh) periodically came to visit the place where the well erupted, and he was later ordained by Allah to build in this site, with the help of his son Ismael (pbuh), the first mosque for the worship of Allah and to call the believers on an annual season of pilgrimage (hajj) to visit it. Hajj therefore started with Abraham and Ismael (peace be upon them both) and has continued unbroken ever since.

What should be worn on Hajj
Men should wear two pieces of white unsewn plain cloth called "ihram", with nothing underneath them. Women wear any ordinary clothes, which cover the whole body except the face and hands.

Performing the Tawaf around the Kaaba

Hajj rituals include:

	Praying 2 rakats behind Maqam Ibrahim in the Holy Mosque
	Circumambulating the Kaaba (tawaf)
	Seven to-and-fro walks between the hills of Safa and Marwat (sa'ee)
	Going to Mina and performing the 5 prayers there
	Going to Mount Arafat and stay there until sunset, praying for Allah's forgiveness
	Going to Muzdalifa and staying there until Fajr prayer
	Stop at the three sites where the devil tried to tempt Abraham (pbuh) against slaying his son and throw pebbles at these sites symbolic of defeating the temptation

The Sacred Site Of Prophet Ibrahim, Makkah

The highlight of Hajj is the united prayer and sermon of the Eid Al Adha followed by slaughter of a sacrifice (e.g. a sheep) either personally or through the appointment of somebody else to do it on behalf of the Haji (person who successfully performed the Hajj) and donate it to the poor, following upon the tradition of Abraham (pbuh). Muslims all over the world also celebrate the Eid by the collective prayer and the sacrificial of a sheep.