From a Muslim point of view—
1. Pilgrimage to Mecca, or the Hajj is an annual 6-day festival, and a one-time obligation for all Muslims who have enough health and wealth to perform it.
2. In some Muslim countries, pilgrims make arrangements through the government program implemented on a local level by selected banks. Special Hajj accounts are set up so that pilgrims can deposit the necessary funds ensuring a seat for themselves. The government makes all arrangements for travel, accomodation, etc., a great convenience for travellers.
3. During the Hajj, many Muslims hope to be able to kiss the Black Stone of the Ka’bah. It is said that it was white in the beginning and grew black through human contact, either because of dirt or sin or both.
4. Although condemned by Saudi Muslims, most Muslims also visit the Prophet’s Tomb in Medina to do prayers for special blessing.
5. Afterward, pilgrims are entitled to dye their hair with henna and go by the title “Al-Hajj”.
From a Biblical point of view—
1. The Old Testament annual festivals play a part in the origin of Hajj:
a. The word for festival below, hag, is close to the Arabic haj.
“Three times a year you are to celebrate a festival to me. (Ex 23:14)
b. Attending the festivals meant a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
So Solomon observed the festival at that time, and all Israel with him–a vast assembly, people from Lebo Hamath to the Wadi of Egypt. (1 Ki. 8:65; also Ps. 42:4; 118:27; and many others)
c. The Feast of Tabernacles has particular similarities to the Hajj:
Lev.23:34,36,42 — multiday festival, many sacrifices offered, people live in tents
2. The patriarchs viewed the world as the land of their pilgrimage and themselves as aliens in it:
Gen. 47:9 — life is a pilgrimage
Ex. 6:4 — Isaac and Jacob born in Canaan, yet aliens
Ps. 119:19 “stranger on earth”
Heb. 11:13-16–result, sign of faith; looking to heaven
3. Likewise, Christians are strangers in the world on a pilgrimage which will end when they get to their eternal home. How are we to live in light of this truth?
1 Pet. 1:1 — the readers were born there but are called “strangers”
1 Pet. 1:17 — God is judge; live in reverent fear toward Him
1 Pet. 2:11-15 — don’t live like the “locals”; abstain from evil desires, live exemplary lives.
George King
