What are the origins of the Hajj?

Answer 1

Present day Hajj was originated by Hazrat Ibraheem (AS).

When prophet Abraham (or Ibrahim); peace be upon him; finished the rising up of Ka'bah, he prayed Allah (or God in English and same God worshiped in Christianity and Judaism) to bless Makkah (or Mecca) and its vicinity and to make people come visit it until the Day of Judgement though it was remote and in the desert. Qur'an says (meaning English translation):

"Remember Abraham said: "O my Lord! Make this city one of peace and security: and preserve me and my sons from worshipping idols. "O my Lord! They have indeed led astray many among mankind; he then who follows my (way) is of me, and he that disobeys me, but You are indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. "O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley without cultivation, by Your Sacred House; in order, O our Lord, that they may establish regular Prayer: so fill the hearts of some among people with love towards them, and feed them with Fruits: so that they may give thanks." (14:35-7)

Answer 2

There is no perfect date when the first hajj was ever made. Because, even before birth of Mohammad, there used to be pilgrimages to the Kaaba, though the rituals were obviously different. And Mohammad himself used to join in his own way, even before he got revelations.

Islamic traditions support this notion, and suggests that the tradition was introduced by Abraham AS himself. After he left his wife Hagar, and son Ishmael AS in the Arabian desert, as Islam tells, Hagar became worried to find out a way to quench her son's thirst. So she ran between mountains, became frustrated, until when a well was formed miraculously. When Abraham returned and heard about it, he became thankful to God, rebuilt the Kaaba, and soon his family established the oldest community of Mecca. As a way to please God, Islam says, Abraham introduced the annual ritual of pilgrimage here. To be mentioned, the miracle well is still there, popularly known as the Zamzam well.

But the modern ritual which we see today is completely done according to the Islamic way, as taught by Mohammad SAW. And the very first one was done in 632 AD, the year when Mohammad conquered Mecca. It was his only Hajj, and the very first pilgrimage done only by Muslims.

Answer 3

Hajj is a tradition established by Hazrat Abraham (Ibraheem in Arabic) as per command of Almighty Allah Karim. He built Ka'abah and announced to the people (all humans -born or yet to born). Miraculously, his voice echoed through the universe- even the heavens above. All the Souls, yet to born, who answered to the call saying: Labbaik Allah Humma Labbaik… Here I come, O my Allah, Here I present myself to you… are destined to perform Hajj. It is obligatory on each Muslim once in lifetime.

Hajj is performed during the last month of the Islamic calendar. The schedule is as under or this is how Hajj is performed in different stages: All these rituals teach unconditional obedience to Allah Almighty. They teach equality, simplicity, sacrifice, tolerance and charity etc. It was renewed by the last Prophet of Islam Hazrat Muhammad (SAW). Only the Muslim Ummah performs Hajj which is obligatory on each Muslim

Answer 4

When prophet Abraham (or Ibrahim); peace be upon him; finished the rising up of Ka'bah, he prayed Allah (or God in English and same God worshiped in Christianity and Judaism) to bless Makkah (or Mecca) and its vicinity and to make people come visit it until the Day of Judgement though it was remote and in the desert. Qur'an says (meaning English translation):

"Remember Abraham said: "O my Lord! Make this city one of peace and security: and preserve me and my sons from worshipping idols. "O my Lord! They have indeed led astray many among mankind; he then who follows my (way) is of me, and he that disobeys me, but You are indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. "O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley without cultivation, by Your Sacred House; in order, O our Lord, that they may establish regular Prayer: so fill the hearts of some among people with love towards them, and feed them with Fruits: so that they may give thanks." (14:35-7)

Answer 5

It started by the prophet Ibrahim (as) who built the holy Ka'abah himself and his son.