From June 4–9th, around 2 million Muslims will travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj. So, what is Hajj, and how can Christians pray for Muslims during these five days?
What is Hajj?
Hajj is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world and one of the five pillars of Islam—the essential acts of worship and faith that Muslims are required to follow. Hajj is a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Mecca is symbolic in Islam because it is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhhamad, where the Quran was revealed, and the location of the Kaaba—the holiest structure in Islam, and the focal point used to determine the direction Muslims across the world face as they pray.
Hajj is required of every Muslim once in their lifetime if they are financially and physically able to do so. This five-day pilgrimage involves more than just extensive travel. Hajj consists of various rituals and rites like prayers, animal sacrifices, and men shaving their heads.
Ultimately, Hajj is considered one of the highest acts of devotion and submission to Allah for Muslims seeking his favor. There is a saying within Islam that is attributed to the Prophet Muhhamad: “Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or wrongdoing, returns as sinless as a newborn.” For Muslims, the Hajj is a means to salvation.
How Can Christians Pray for Muslims During Hajj?
1. Pray for their safety.
For many Muslims, Hajj requires extensive travel. Additionally, the high volume of people in an area and the extreme heat has led to injuries and casualties in prior years. Last year, an estimated 1,300 people died due to the extreme heat and difficulties with crowd control. Pray that the Lord would protect those participating on this five-day pilgrimage.
2. Pray for a Christian witness in Saudi Arabia and for gospel conversation opportunities.
There are an estimated 2 million Christians living in Saudi Arabia. Pray that they may be bold in their witness and have opportunities to share the gospel with those traveling to their country. Also, pray for Muslims in Saudi Arabia and other Muslim majority countries to be introduced to believers, the Bible, Christian ministries, and other gospel-based resources.
3. Pray that the Lord will reveal himself to Muslims.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam that is essential to salvation and showing submission to Allah. However, Christians know that the only means to salvation is through Christ alone. Pray for the Lord to draw near to Muslims and to reveal the truth of the gospel to them.
4. Pray for the protection of Muslims who become followers of Christ in Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries.
Oftentimes, following Jesus in the Muslim world is costly. Many Islamic countries, like Iran, have laws inhibiting Muslims from converting to Christianity, for Christians to meet together as the Church, and even prohibiting Christians from praying in public. Being a Christian can lead to being ostracised, imprisoned, tortured, and even killed. Christians in these countries not only face persecution from their governments, but they can also face persecution from their own families, communities, and friends. Pray for their safety and for God to fill them with peace.
5. Pray for Muslims in the midst of suffering and oppression.
There will be many Muslims unable to participate in the Hajj because of their current physical needs. Currently, Yemen—a country with a 99% Islamic population—suffers from a famine. Pray for God to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of Muslims in countries facing poverty, war, and persecution.
As around 2 million Muslims travel to Mecca, we pray that they may know “the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). This week, remember that our prayers have power, and we have the power to intercede for Muslims, so that they may know salvation and life found in Christ alone.
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