hajj

Meanings

1. 1nounsingularreligion

   The pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims who are able should make once in their lives, one of the five pillars of Islam.

   Grammar: Usually used with the: perform the hajj, go on hajj.

   Patterns

   • perform the hajj
   • go on hajj

   Millions of Muslims travel to Mecca each year for the hajj.

   He saved money for decades to perform the hajj.

   The hajj takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar.

2. 2nouncountablereligion

   The journey made by one person on this pilgrimage, or the person's experience of it.

   Grammar: Can be used for an individual trip: her hajj; his first hajj.

   Patterns

   • someone's hajj

   Her hajj changed the way she saw the world.

   After his hajj, he returned to the village as a respected man.

   Their hajj lasted nearly two weeks.

Common combinations

perform the hajj

Each adult who can afford it should perform the hajj.

go on hajj

They plan to go on hajj next year.

complete the hajj

Pilgrims complete the hajj in about five days of rites.

hajj pilgrim

A hajj pilgrim shared his story.

hajj season

Flights are busy during the hajj season.

Synonyms and how they differ

pilgrimage

Pilgrimage is a general word for a sacred journey, while the hajj names one specific Islamic pilgrimage.

umrah

Umrah is a shorter, voluntary visit to Mecca that can be made at any time of year, unlike the hajj.

journey

Journey is a plain word that does not carry any religious meaning.

Word family

hajji noun

a person who has completed the hajj, used as a title of respect

hajja noun

a woman who has completed the hajj

haji noun

another spelling of hajji

Commonly confused: hajj or umrah?

Practice

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