​In the beginning....

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The Hajj has been performed by Muslims for centuries and although associated with the life of Prophet Muhammad it dates back to pre-Islamic period as far back as the time of Abraham (Ibrahim). 

It is believed that Abraham was instructed by God to take Hagar and Ishmael to Arabia in other to protect them from the jealousy of his wife

Sarah. There he left them with some supplies which quickly ran out. Out of desperation Hagar ran to and fro the two hills As-Safa and Al-Marwah in search of water and help. “Then she heard the sounds of beasts in the valley where she had left Ishmael. She ran to him and found him scraping the water from a spring which had burst forth from beneath his hand. Then she drew water from it into her water skin to keep it for Ishmael.” (Tabari, 1987, p. 73). This spring is known as the Zamzam well

After a period of time Ibrahim returned and was instructed by God to build the Kabba with Ismail, as a gathering place for pilgrims to strengthen their faith in God. Angel Gabriel showed Ibrahim the ritual of the pilgrimage and climb unto the highest mountain and call the people to pilgrimage. It is said that all who go on the Hajj are answering the call of Ibrahim. The position of the Kabba served as a place of pilgrimage for pagan rituals and other religions, the ritualistic practices of the Hajj bear similarities to those pagan rituals. Centuries later, Muhammad with his followers made a pilgrimage to Mecca from Medina and restored the practices of the Kabba to Islam. The Islamic pilgrimage is meant to promote brotherhood amongst Muslims as everyone one despite colour, sex or social status stands together to perform this ritual to honour Allah.