What is Hajj, and why do Muslims make the pilgrimage to Makkah?
Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah, including its origins, the main rituals (ihram, tawaf, Arafat, stoning the pillars) and its importance for Muslims.
A focused answer on Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah, for OCR GCSE Religious Studies (J625), covering its origins with Ibrahim, the main rituals (ihram, tawaf, Arafat, stoning the pillars), and why it matters to Muslims, with sources of wisdom and authority.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
Have a quick question? Jump to the Q&A page
Jump to a section
What this dot point is asking
OCR wants you to explain Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah and the fifth pillar: its origins (linked to Ibrahim), its main rituals (ihram, tawaf, standing at Arafat, stoning the pillars), and its importance for Muslims. Hajj is the great gathering of the worldwide community, performed once in a lifetime. The topic feeds the evaluation question on whether Hajj changes a Muslim more than any other act of worship, so you need the content, the range of views, and the sources.
The origins of Hajj
The pilgrimage is commanded in the Qur'an: "pilgrimage to the House is a duty people owe to Allah, those who can afford the journey" (Surah 3:97), and Muhammad performed and modelled it.
The main rituals of Hajj
Why Hajj matters
Hajj is one of the most powerful experiences in a Muslim's life. It expresses submission to Allah; it shows the unity and equality of the ummah, as millions of Muslims of every race and class worship together in identical ihram; it brings the forgiveness of sins, so that a pilgrim returns "as pure as a newborn"; and it deepens the bond with the faith of Ibrahim. Pilgrims often describe it as life-changing. This is exactly what the evaluation question, "does Hajj change a Muslim more than any other act of worship?", invites you to weigh against the continual impact of daily prayer, Ramadan and charity.
Try this
Q1. What is ihram? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. The state of ritual purity pilgrims enter for Hajj, with men wearing two plain white unstitched sheets, so that all pilgrims look the same and are equal before Allah.
Q2. Explain why standing at Mount Arafat is so important during Hajj. [Short explanation]
- Cue. It is the central rite: pilgrims stand and pray on the plain of Arafat from noon to sunset, seeking Allah's forgiveness (recalling Muhammad's final sermon there), and a Hajj is not valid without it.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR J625 20191 marksTo which city do Muslims travel for Hajj?Show worked answer →
This is the 1-mark recall question. The answer is Makkah (Mecca), in Saudi Arabia. One correct answer scores the mark. Hajj is the fifth pillar, the pilgrimage to Makkah that every able Muslim should make once in a lifetime. Precise recall of facts like this is the easiest mark on the paper.
OCR J625 20216 marksExplain what happens during Hajj. Refer to sources of wisdom and authority in your answer.Show worked answer →
This is the 6-mark extended AO1 question. Explain the main rituals: pilgrims enter the state of ihram (purity, men in two white sheets), perform tawaf (circling the Kaaba seven times), walk or run between the hills of Safa and Marwah (sa'y), stand in prayer at Mount Arafat (the key day, wuquf), and throw stones at pillars at Mina (rejecting evil, the Stoning of the Devil). Develop the link to Ibrahim and his family. Anchor in sources: the Qur'an's command that pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah (Surah 3:97) and the example of Muhammad's pilgrimage. The top band rewards developed points with accurate sources.
OCR J625 202215 marks"Going on Hajj changes a Muslim more than any other act of worship." Discuss this statement. In your answer you should: refer to religious teachings and sources of wisdom and authority; give reasoned arguments to support this statement; give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view; reach a justified conclusion.Show worked answer →
This is the 15-mark AO2 evaluation question. Argue both sides. Arguments for the statement: Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime journey that unites millions in equality (all in ihram), re-lives the faith of Ibrahim, brings forgiveness of sins, and is often described as life-changing, so it can transform a Muslim more than anything else. Arguments against: not every Muslim can go (it requires health and money), while daily Salah, Ramadan and Zakah shape life continually; some argue lasting change comes from everyday faith, not a single event. Use specialist terms (Hajj, ihram, tawaf, Arafat). A justified conclusion weighs the unique intensity of Hajj against the continual impact of the other pillars.
Related dot points
- The Five Pillars of Sunni Islam, the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shia Islam, and their importance as the foundation of Muslim practice.
A focused answer on the Five Pillars of Sunni Islam and the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shia Islam for OCR GCSE Religious Studies (J625), covering each pillar, the Shia obligatory acts, and why they are the foundation of Muslim life, with sources of wisdom and authority.
- The Shahadah (declaration of faith) as the first pillar, and Salah (prayer five times a day), including wudu, the rak'ah and Jummah prayer.
A focused answer on the Shahadah and Salah for OCR GCSE Religious Studies (J625), covering the declaration of faith, the five daily prayers, wudu, the rak'ah, prayer in the mosque and at home, and Jummah, with sources of wisdom and authority.
- Sawm (fasting in Ramadan) and its purpose, and Zakah and khums (giving to charity) and their importance in Muslim life.
A focused answer on Sawm (fasting in Ramadan) and Zakah (almsgiving) for OCR GCSE Religious Studies (J625), covering how and why Muslims fast, the Night of Power, Zakah and khums, and the importance of charity, with sources of wisdom and authority.
- The meaning of jihad (greater and lesser), and the celebration and significance of the festivals Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Adha and Ashura.
A focused answer on jihad and Muslim festivals for OCR GCSE Religious Studies (J625), covering greater and lesser jihad, the rules of lesser jihad, and the festivals Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Adha and Ashura, with sources of wisdom and authority.