ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam

Hajj is a very special trip that Muslims make to the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It's a journey to the heart of Islam because it's the most important pilgrimage for Muslims all around the world.

People who want to go on Hajj have to save up for a long time because it can cost a lot of money. They have to be healthy enough to travel and do a lot of walking. It's like going on a really long vacation, but with a very important purpose.

When Muslims reach Mecca, they wear special clothes that are very simple and show that they are all equal in the eyes of God. They go to a big building called the Kaaba, which is the holiest place in Islam. They walk around it seven times in a ritual called the Tawaf.

During Hajj, Muslims also go to a place called Arafat, where they pray and ask for forgiveness for all their sins. They spend the night in the desert and then head to another city called Mina, where they throw rocks at a place that represents the devil. This symbolizes their commitment to rejecting evil in their lives.

Hajj is like a big family reunion for Muslims, where people from all over the world come together in one place to worship and make friends. It's a very special time where Muslims feel close to God and appreciate the blessings they have.