What is a pilgrimage to mecca that Muslims must do at least once in their lifetime?

The pilgrimage to Mecca, known as the Hajj, is an obligatory religious duty for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake it at least once in their lifetime. The Hajj is considered one of the five pillars of Islam, along with the declaration of faith, prayer, fasting during Ramadan, and giving to charity.

The Hajj takes place in the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Millions of Muslims from around the world gather in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to perform the rituals of the Hajj.

The Hajj begins with the assumption of ihram, a special state of purity and devotion, which involves wearing simple white garments and refraining from certain actions such as shaving, cutting nails, and sexual relations.

The pilgrims then proceed to the Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure located in the center of the Grand Mosque in Mecca. They perform tawaf, which involves circumambulating the Kaaba seven times counterclockwise.

Next, the pilgrims move to the Safa and Marwa hills, located near the Kaaba, and perform sa'i, which involves walking or running between the two hills seven times.

On the eighth day of Dhul-Hijjah, the pilgrims gather on the plains of Arafat for the wuquf, the central ritual of the Hajj. They spend the day in prayer and supplication, seeking forgiveness and blessings from God.

After sunset, the pilgrims move to Muzdalifah, where they collect pebbles to use in the stoning of the devil, called rammy al-jumarat, which takes place in Mina on the following days.

The pilgrims then return to Mecca to perform the final tawaf, known as the tawaf al-ifadah, and sacrifice an animal, usually a sheep or a cow.

The Hajj concludes with the pilgrims celebrating the Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, and shaving their heads or trimming their hair.