 These are titles used for Muslims who have made the pilgrimage to
Mecca.
In Gambia some men are actually named Alhajie even though
they may never have left the country and the same applies to
women called
A "haji" is an honorific title given to a Muslim person who has
successfully completed the Hajj to Mecca. "Al-" is Arabic for "the".
So, "Al-Hajji" is simply a title applied to a haji. Performing these
rituals, known as the Haj, is the fifth pillar of Islam and the most
significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity. Undertaking the
Haj at least once is a duty for Muslims who are physically and
financially able to make the journey to Mecca. The emphasis on
financial ability is meant to ensure that a Muslim takes care of his
family first. The requirement that a Muslim be healthy and physically
capable of undertaking the pilgrimage is intended to exempt those who
cannot endure the rigors of extended travel.
It is a journey
toward Almighty Allah, where Muslims leave behind everything related
to worldly life, which was their companion since birth. Muslims then
change the habits that they have become accustomed to, such as cutting
hair, spraying on perfume, clipping nails, etc.
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The terms usually refers to an older person as it can often
take time for one to accumulate sufficient funds to finance
their travels.
Pilgrims also leave behind their families and wealth and go out
to Allah oblivious to all these and focusing only on the one
single aim of returning to Allah. This is done with appropriate
dhikr (Arabic for: remembrance of Allah), du`aa' (Arabic for:
supplication), and qunout (Arabic for: heartfelt pleading to
Allah). All of these have an effect on improving the spiritual
aspects.
In addition to this, hajj is the season when
Muslims meet with their fellow Muslims to celebrate the sense of
belonging to one nation
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