Uzma Khatoon

Every year, millions of Muslims from across the globe travel to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. This sacred pilgrimage is not only a religious duty for Muslims but also a powerful reminder of one of Islam’s core principles—equality among all human beings. 

During Hajj, all outward distinctions such as race, nationality, social class, and wealth vanish. Everyone wears the same simple clothes, performs the same rituals, and stands shoulder to shoulder in prayer, symbolizing that in the eyes of God, all are equal.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Every adult Muslim is required to perform it at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially capable. It takes place each year during a fixed period in the Islamic lunar calendar, from the8th to the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah, the twelfth month.

The rituals of Hajj date back thousands of years to the time of Prophet Abraham, who, along with his son Ishmael, rebuilt the Kaaba—the cube-shaped structure that stands at the center of the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Muslims believe that Abraham and Ishmael were following God's command and that these events were later revived and completed by the Prophet Muhammad.

One of the most striking aspects of Hajj is the state of Ihram. Before beginning the pilgrimage, men wear two unstitched white clothes while women wear simple, modest clothing, usually in white or light colours. This removes all indicators of social status or wealth. Whether one is a king or a labourer, rich or poor, everyone looks the same. This visual uniformity represents the spiritual truth that all people are equal before God. It reminds pilgrims to leave behind their ego and pride and enter into a state of humility and surrender.

As pilgrims reach Mecca and chant “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” (“Here I am, O Allah, here I am”), they declare their presence before God. This chant is repeated over and over throughout the pilgrimage, creating a spiritual atmosphere filled with unity and devotion. It is a way for Muslims to say that they have responded to God’s call and are ready to follow His guidance.

Women Hajj pilgrims

he pilgrimage includes a series of rituals that have deep symbolic meaning. One of the first acts is Tawaf, where pilgrims walk around the Kaaba seven times in a counter-clockwise direction. This act shows that God is at the center of the believer’s life. Then comes the Sa’i, where pilgrims walk back and forth seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah. This re-enacts the story of Hajara, the wife of Abraham, who ran in search of water for her infant son Ishmael in the desert. This story, shared in Abrahamic traditions, highlights a mother’s courage, hope, and trust in God.

One of the most important moments of Hajj is the gathering at the plain of Arafat on the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah. Here, pilgrims stand from noon to sunset, praying, reflecting, and asking for forgiveness. This gathering is considered the spiritual heart of the pilgrimage. It was at this place that Prophet Muhammad delivered his famous farewell sermon, in which he emphasized human equality, justice, and the importance of treating others with respect. In that sermon, he declared that no Arab is superior to a non-Arab, no white person is superior to a black person, and that the only true measure of a person is their character and piety.

After Arafat, pilgrims spend the night in Muzdalifah and then move to Mina, where they perform the symbolic act of throwing small stones at three pillars. This act represents rejecting evil, inspired by Abraham's refusal to give in to Satan’s temptations. Then, an animal is sacrificed—usually a goat or sheep—in memory of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son for God. The meat is distributed to the poor and needy, reinforcing the values of charity and community.

Following the sacrifice, men shave their heads or cut a portion of their hair, and women trim a small part of theirs. This act symbolizes spiritual renewal and the completion of the Hajj. A final ritual, another Tawaf around the Kaaba, marks the formal end of the pilgrimage. However, the deeper purpose of Hajj is not just to complete these actions, but to return home transformed - humble, kind, and more committed to justice and equality.

The message of equality that echoes throughout the Hajj is not a new idea in Islam—it is central to its foundation. Prophet Muhammad’s farewell sermon is one of the earliest and strongest declarations of human equality in history. In today’s world, where racism, casteism, and inequality continue to harm societies, the values promoted during Hajj offer a powerful reminder that all humans are one family, created by one God.

Hajj pilgrimage

Hajj is a deeply unifying experience. People from every continent—of different colours, languages, and economic backgrounds—come together and share the same space, food, prayers, and hardships. A wealthy businessman from Malaysia might find himself sleeping beside a simple farmer from India. A professor from Canada may find herself walking next to a housemaid from Indonesia. They are all equal, sharing the same rituals and the same faith.

This intense experience often changes people’s hearts. One of the most famous examples is Malcolm X, the African-American civil rights leader. In 1964, after performing Hajj, Malcolm wrote that he had never seen such sincere brotherhood between people of all colours. He was amazed to see white-skinned Muslims treating black Muslims with warmth and respect, eating and sleeping together like equals. This experience helped him see that racism was not part of Islam, and it shaped his later activism for justice and peace.

He had this message to share with America: “America needs to understand Islam because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem. Throughout my travels in the Muslim world, I have met, talked to, and even eaten with people who in America would have been considered white, but the white attitude was removed from their minds by the religion of Islam. I have never before seen sincere and true brotherhood practiced by all colours together, irrespective of their colour.”

Hajj is not just a personal journey—it is also a reminder of our responsibilities towards others. It teaches us patience, humility, and empathy. These values are essential for building peaceful societies. In a time when people are increasingly divided by politics, religion, and social status, Hajj reminds us that unity is possible when we focus on our shared humanity.

Muslims who return from Hajj are expected to live differently—to be more honest, more generous, and more compassionate. The experience of equality during Hajj should inspire Muslims to challenge inequality in their communities, whether based on caste, class, race, or gender. In countries like India, where deep social divisions persist, the teachings of Hajj can provide powerful guidance for building a more just and caring society.

Ultimately, Hajj is not just about traveling to a holy city. It is about traveling inward. It strips away the masks people wear in daily life and brings out the essence of being human. It connects individuals to God and each other. It teaches that no one is better than another because of their skin, language, or status. All are equal before their Creator, and all deserve dignity and respect.

ALSO READ: Civil servant couple Anjum Ara, Yunus Khan show the way to honour fallen soldiers

Hajj is a timeless symbol of unity in diversity. While it is a deeply spiritual obligation for Muslims, it also carries a universal message for all of humanity. In a world where we often focus on what divides us, Hajj calls us to remember what unites us. It invites us to imagine a world where people stand together not because of what they own, but because of who they are—equal, humble, and connected in the eyes of the Divine.

Dr.Uzma Khatoon has taught in the Department of Islamic Studies at Aligarh Muslim University