Subject: [Masjid Tucson] Submission weekly reminder In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Peace be upon you, Hajj and 'Umrah Pilgrimage* [Quran 2:196] You shall observe the complete rites of Hajj and 'Umrah for GOD. ... [Quran 2:197] Hajj shall be observed in the specified months.* Whoever sets out to observe Hajj shall refrain from sexual intercourse, misconduct, and arguments throughout Hajj. Whatever good you do, GOD is fully aware thereof. As you prepare your provisions for the journey, the best provision is righteousness. You shall observe Me, O you who possess intelligence. About 2 million people were estimated to have performed Hajj this year. What does the Quran tell us about Hajj? Once in a lifetime, Hajj and ‘Umrah are decreed for those who can afford it. Pilgrimage commemorates Abraham's exemplary submission to God (Appendix 9: https://masjidtucson.org/quran/appendices/appendix9.html), and must be observed during the four Sacred Months—Zul-Hijjah, Muharram, Safar, & Rabi’ I (12th, 1st, 2nd, 3rd months) (2:197; 9:2, 36). ‘Umrah can be observed any time. Like all other duties in Islam, Hajj has been distorted. Most Muslims observe Hajj only during a few days in Zul-Hijjah, and they consider Rajab, Zul-Qi’dah, Zul-Hijjah, and Muharram (7th, 11th, 12th, 1st months) to be the Sacred Months. This is a distortion that is strongly condemned (Quran 9:37). May God help us so we may observe Hajj some time in our lives, and keep us devoted to Him alone during this important practice. References: Religious Duties: A Gift From God [Pilgrimage], https://masjidtucson.org/quran/appendices/appendix15.html#pilgrimage Abraham: Original Messenger of Islam, https://www.masjidtucson.org/quran/appendices/appendix9.html Wasting their money and effort: Muslim pilgrims by the thousands nullify their pilgrimage, https://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/1987/aug/page2.html Eid-ul-Adha festivity is not a religious requirement, https://masjidtucson.org/submission/questions/questions.html#oct2012_hajj Peace.