Customer Reviews

Tell Me About Hajj: What the Hajj is, Why it's So Important and What it Teaches Me

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A guide to understanding the annual pilgrimage and fifth pillar of Islam. Through diagrams, photographs, and color illustrations, the history and practice of Hajj is presented in simple, informative style. Each two-page spread presents a particular topic: ZamZam, Building the Kaaba, On the Way to Mina, etc.

Teachers/Librarians: wonderful for grades 5th to 8th - Social Studies/Humanities.

And like it's companion title, Tell Me About The Prophet Muhammad, I'd order TWO copies, cut them apart and laminate these two-page spreads as "desk placemats" for students to pass around! Glossary included, or course.

For those who want to learn about the Hajj and its historical background without going into the details of the Hajj travel, this is an excellent book. It made planning for my next step towards the journey much more easier.

This short 37-page, English language (with many Arabic words), LARGE-size hardback is very informative for youths and teenagers, and any adult unfamiliar with the Hajj. It is written from a Muslim perspective, so there is no questioning about the `validity' of Islamic theology doctrine. It contends that the Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) was born in Ur (Iraq), who traveled to Jerusalem, then into Egypt, before finally visiting in Mecca, where he built the Kaaba and abandoned his `wife' Hagar and `son' Ishmael (Ismail). [No explanation is given as to why Abraham dumped Hagar and Ismael in the middle of a hostile desert without provisions.] {There is no mention of his `wedded wife' Sara, nor his other son: Issac, and nothing about the entire Jewish/Muslim `Promised Land' dispute pertaining to Israel/Palestine.} Abraham's attempt to sacrifice Ishmael is discussed; instead, they built the Kabah (al-Bayt al-Haram) in Mecca, and how it is covered with the Kiswa cloth. Its `Black Stone' (al-Hajar al-Aswad) is discussed. A sufficient description of the historical origins of the Hajj is detailed, along with the side-trips to Mina for prayer at Mount Arafat, and the stoning of the Devil's pillars. A hajj pilgrim's "Code of Conduct" is provided, including eating, dress and prayer rituals. Various rituals pertaining to the Kabah, Tawaf, Sa'y, Talbiya, Zamzam well, Rami, and the animal-sacrifice festival (Id al-Adha) at Mina are explained. Many nice color photographs and drawings. Much better than most similar, introductory booklets that I have seen.

I ordered this book for my Middle School World Cultures classroom. Both Muslim and non-Muslim students have found this book very helpful!