Among the most beloved traditions and rituals of the Islamic faith is a pilgrimage that unites Muslims around the world. It is known as Hajj, an Arabic word meaning “to set out to a place” (“Brief History of Hajj”). It is one of the five pillars that define the Islamic faith. The Hajj itself is a five-day journey to Mecca, the Islamic holy city, and its surrounding areas. It is a journey that thousands of Muslims undertake every year. It is an essential part of the Islamic faith, as well as a spiritual and emotional journey that brings Muslims closer to God. The history of Hajj dates back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim. According to Islamic belief, the Prophet Ibrahim, also known as Abraham, was ordered by Allah "to bring his wife, Hajira (Hagar) and their child Is'mail to Arabia from Palestine" ( “Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca”) due to the jealousy of Sarah, Ibrahim's other wife. When Hajira's supplies ran out, the situation became dire; Hajira and Is'mail began to "[suffer] from hunger and dehydration" ("Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca"). Hajira frantically began running between two hills, Safa and Marwa, looking for signs that other people traveling or living in the desert might be helpful ("Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca"). After running between the hills seven times, Hajira heard a voice and called for help (“Run”). The voice belonged to the Angel Jibril, “who struck the ground with his wing until… water came out” (“The Story of the Water of Zamzam”), saving Hajira and Is'mail. The water source was transformed into a well called the Well of Zamzam, and would continue to flow as the city of Mecca grew around it ("Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca"). Ibrahim and Is'mail would continue to build the Kaaba in praise of Allah; the Kaaba is...... middle of paper ...... the devil” (Jamarat). This step is followed by the sacrifice of an animal on the occasion of Eid al-Adha (“Hajj (pilgrimage)”). This is to remind pilgrims of Ibrahim's impending sacrifice of Is'mail to Allah, before Allah spares Is'mail and a sheep is sacrificed in his place. After another Tawaf around the Kaaba, the pilgrims are free to leave (“Notes on the different types of Tawaf”). It is common for pilgrims to visit the city of Medina after the completion of the Hajj, where the Prophet Muhammad is buried (Marican). The Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and is required of every Muslim who has the means to go (Ahmed and Balaban). It is a pilgrimage to the Islamic holy land, an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the prophets Ibrahim and Mohammed. It is a declaration of faith and dedication to Islam that thousands of Muslims experience each year and which strengthens their bond with Allah..