With Eid al-Adha just around the corner, many Muslims all over the world are preparing to undertake the important pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.
The pilgrimage, known as Hajj, is an extremely vital journey for many Muslims which sees them travel to Mecca, the holiest city in Islam, to visit the Kaaba - the House of God. The pilgrimage is considered so important that it makes up one of the five pillars of Islam and obliges every adult Muslim to make the journey at least once throughout their lifetime so long as they have the means to do so.
However, Muslims cannot perform the Hajj whenever they want. The pilgrimage may only be performed over a five to six-day period on the 8th, 12th, or 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah - the 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
While the official date for the start of Hajj is subject to official moon sightings, it is estimated among the majority of scholars that the pilgrimage will open on Thursday, July 7 and end on Tuesday, July 12.
What do you have to do during Hajj?
Due to its importance in the Islamic faith, there are some strict rules Muslims must follow when undergoing the Hajj. Before entering the Miqat -the physical space in which the Hajj begins- practitioners must be in a state of Ihram.
The sacred state of Ihram requires all practitioners to wear plain white clothing, the simplicity of which symbolises the equality of all Muslims in the eyes of God. Muslims must also not cut their hair, clip their nails, wear perfume or engage in sexual activity while on the pilgrimage.
While in Ihram, Muslims will visit the Masjid al-Haram, the mosque surrounding the Kaaba. They will then ritualistically walk around the Kaaba seven times counterclockwise.
Following this, they must travel between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times. This is to honour the story of prophet Ibrahim's wife, Hagar, doing the same while she searched for water for her infant son, prophet Ishmael.
Other rituals performed throughout Hajj include listening to prayers and sermons from the Mount of Mercy where the prophet Muhammad is believed to have delivered his final sermon. People will also collect pebbles before camping out for the night to prepare for a symbolic stoning of the devil at Jamarat Bridge.
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