Editing Five Pillars of Islam (section)

=== Fifth Pillar: Hajj (Pilgrimage) ===
{{main|Hajj}}

The final Pillar of Islam is the Hajj, or pilgrimage. During one's life, a Muslim is required to make the pilgrimage to Mecca during the 12th month of the [[lunar calendar]]. This ritual consists of making journey to Mecca wearing only 2 white sheets so all of the pilgrims are identical and there is no class distinction among them.<ref name="Crotty, Robert 2016"/> Amid the hajj, every single Muslim man dresses alike in a straightforward fabric, again to emphasize their uniformity. Ladies wear a less complex type of their ordinary dress.<ref name="Kamal-ud Din 2010"/> Pilgrims put the white sheets on when they enter the sanctuary area of Mecca and enter a state of "[[ihram]]" or purity. After a Muslim makes the trip to Mecca, they are known as a [[Hajji|hajj/hajja]] (one who made the pilgrimage to Mecca).<ref name="Britannica_India">Hoiberg (2000), p.237–238</ref> The main rituals of the Hajj include walking seven times around the Kaaba termed ''[[Tawaf]]'', touching the [[Black Stone]] termed Istilam, traveling seven times between [[Al-Safa and Al-Marwah|Mount Safa and Mount Marwah]] termed ''[[Sa'yee]]'', and symbolically [[Stoning of the Devil|stoning the Devil]] in [[Mina, Saudi Arabia|Mina]] termed Ramee.<ref name="Britannica_India"/> When at Mecca, the pilgrims go to the Ka’aba in the mosque and walk around it in a circle. They then pray together in official ceremonies, and then they go out to perform the "standing ceremony" to remember the [[Farewell Sermon]] of Muhammad on the Arafat. On the return trip, pilgrims stop in Mina, where they throw 7 stones at stone pillars that represent Satan as to express their hatred for Shaitan (Satan). They then return to Mecca for final ceremonies by circumambulating the Ka’aba seven times and then leave Mecca to journey back home. Inability to make the Hajj, whether because of physical strength, economic conditions, or other reasons, excuses the duty of Hajj. The Quran specifically says that only those capable of making the pilgrimage are required to do so. The reason for this journey is to follow in the footsteps of Muhammad, hoping to gain enlightenment as Muhammad did when he was in the presence of God. The pilgrimage of the Hajj is in the Quran.<ref name="Crotty, Robert 2016"/>

The [[pilgrim]], or the ''haji'', is honoured in the Muslim community. Islamic teachers say that the Hajj should be an expression of devotion to God, not a means to gain social standing. The believer should be self-aware and examine their intentions in performing the pilgrimage. This should lead to constant striving for self-improvement.<ref>Goldschmidt (2005), p.48</ref> A pilgrimage made at any time other than the Hajj season is called an ''[[Umrah]]'', and while not mandatory is strongly recommended.