If a Muslim has a christian friend, and that friend asks to join the muslim on the journey to Mecca would that be allowed?

Clough

I don't have a direct answer to your question. But, I care that you get an answer to your question by someone who can answer it to your satisfaction. By my posting a reply now, your question will be more towards the top of the list of questions that need to be answered. Hopefully, someone will come along who knows the answer.

shygrneyzs

Did you spell this right? A Haji is one who has made the pilgrimage to Mecca but I have also seen Hadji and Hajji used to mean the same. The word Hajj is used to describe the rituals of the ceremonies which can last anywhere from three to sic days.

I have asked one of my neighbors about this and in response to your question, he states,"no". a non believer would not be allowed. In his words, "Hajj is one of the oldest true and pure religious rituals." But somone else may have another opinion for you.

firmbeliever

Thanks Shygrenzs,
you are right in that Hajj is a ritual for muslims only.

It is one of the five basic pillars in Islam.It is to be undertaken by every able bodied(financially too) muslim once in his lifetime

I am not sure about getting a visa to be in the Saudi Arabia, but Hajj is allowed only for muslims whether they are born muslims or converts.

It is a spiritual journey and it is one of the desires of each muslim to fulfill Hajj at least once in his/her lifetime.This journey not only involves the rites practised in the lands of Mecca and Medina,but it begins from home.

Muslims from all walks of life,every race, from every corner of the globe assemble in Mecca in response to the call of Allah. There is no royalty or subject, only loyalty of each person to Allah.
It is to commemorate the Divine rituals observed by the Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael, who were the first pilgrims to the house of Allah on earth: the Ka'bah. It is also to remember the great assembly of the Day of Judgement when people must stand equal before Allah.



Heres what Wiki says
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Hajj - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hajj
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the Islamic tradition. For other uses, see Hajj (disambiguation).

A supplicating pilgrim at Masjid Al Haram

The Hajj (Arabic: حج, transliteration: Ḥaǧǧ) is the Pilgrimage to Mecca in Islam. Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so is obliged to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his or her lifetime, additional trips being recommended.


Significance

The significance of Hajj is the demonstration of the Muslim submission to God. The purpose of the pilgrimage is to increase one's faith in Islam.

History

Incidents during the Hajj
Main article: Incidents during the Hajj

There have been many incidents during the Hajj that have led to the loss of hundreds of lives. The worst of these incidents have usually occurred during the stoning of the jamarat. During the 2006 Hajj on January 12, 362 pilgrims died. Tramplings have also occurred at the stage known as the sa'i, when pilgrims walk between two hills. Most recently, in 2006, some 600 pilgrims died while performing the hajj.

The Saudi Government is often criticised for not being proactive in providing facilities and infrastructure for the annual pilgrimage, and many measures are put in place in response to annual catastrophes.

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Preparations
See also: Ihram

Traditionally, pilgrims travel to Hajj in groups with their friends or family, or people from their local mosque as an expression of unity. Some airlines have special package holidays for Muslims going to Mecca.

During the Hajj, male pilgrims are required to dress only in a garment consisting of two sheets of white unhemmed cloth, with the top draped over the torso and the bottom secured by a white sash; plus a pair of sandals. Women are simply required to maintain their hijab with no other specific requirements.

The clothing is intended to show the equality of all pilgrims in the eyes of Allah, symbolizing the idea that there is no difference between a prince and a pauper when everyone is dressed equally. The Ihram also symbolizes purity and absolution of sins. This also portrays simplicity. A place designated for changing into Ihram is called a miqat. While the pilgrim is wearing the Ihram, they cannot shave, cut their nails, wear deodorant or perfume. An invocation, known as the talbiyah, is to be chanted after the pilgrim makes his or her intention for the Hajj.

There are many prohibitions which must be observed while in a state of Ihram. For example, a pilgrim should not swear or quarrel, kill any living thing or engage in sexual intercourse.



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also from the same article

Non-Muslims

The second caliph, Umar, is believed by many Sunni Muslims to have expelled non-Muslims from the Hejaz (Western part of Arabia). Non-Muslims were not to visit nor to live in the holy land. There is much evidence against this claim, at least so far as it relates to the early centuries of the Islamic empire, but it is well documented that by the 18th and 19th centuries, there were small colonies of merchants in various port and trading cities as well as communities of Yemeni Jews. The prohibition was not so much imposed by the authorities as enforced by rioting crowds and was most strictly enforced with regard to the Hejaz, and the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

As one might expect, the existence of "forbidden cities" and the mystery of the Hajj aroused curiosity in European travellers. A number of them pretended to be Muslims and entered the city of Mecca and then the Kaaba to experience the Hajj for themselves. The most famous account of a foreigner's journey to Mecca is A Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Mecca and Al-Madina, written by Sir Richard Francis Burton.
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Hope this is helpful Lucas (btw is this part of your book?)