The Rituals of Hajj

The many rituals of Hajj include Tawaf, where the pilgrims visit the Kaaba and walk around it seven times counter-clockwise uttering a prayer in each circuit, ending the ritual by praying and running or walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah. The next day the pilgrims leave for Mount Arafat, where they stand in contemplative vigil and pray and recite the Qur'an. The night is spent sleeping on the ground of Muzdalifah. The day after, the pilgrims throw stones to signify their defiance of the Devil at the largest pillar known as Jamrat'al'Aqabah. When the seven stones have been thrown, the pilgrims slaughter animals to commemorate the story of Abraham and Ishmael. The pilgrimage is almost over, but some tasks still remain.