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While the Sunnah was the life of the Prophet, the Hadith were narratives about the things he approved of and were used to determine the Muslim way of life. In a broader sense Hadith also covered narrations about Muhammad's Companions and Successors. Hadith were considered important sources of reference by all of the traditional schools of jurisprudence.
The Hajji (pilgrim)
performs a series of ritual acts which symbolize the life of Prophet Muhammad.
Before they make the journey to Makkah, pilgrims strip away class and cultural
distinctions by wearing the ihram, a simple garment comprised of two sheets of
white unhemmed cloth draped over the body along with a pair of sandals. Of Abrahamic (Ibrahim) origin, the rites of the Hajj, include a tawaf where pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven times in a counterclockwise direction. Ibrahim was in the habit of standing at Maqam Ibrahim which was opposite the only door of the Kaaba called the Multazam. Then the pilgrims walk seven times back and forth between the hills of Safa and Marwa reenacting the search of Hagar for water and the revelation of the Zamzam spring by Allah. This completes the umrah or lesser Hajj. Afterwards the pilgrims may remove the ihram and put on regular clothing. Most of them also drink from the Well of Zamzam. Many pilgrims then travel to Madinah to visit the Mosque of the Prophet before returning to Makkah. The pilgrims then put on the ihram once more and begin Al Hajjul Akbar or the greater Hajj. Pilgrims undertake a three to five day journey to the Hill of Arafat and spend an afternoon there. On the wide plain of Arafat, the pilgrims stand together from afternoon until sunset. Although no specific prayers are required, many pilgrims pray for God's forgiveness, talk to Allah, and think about the course of their lives.
Next they travel to the city of Mina which is just outside of Makkah where they throw
around fifty to seventy pebbles at the three pillars of Mina which symbolize the
devil. Then, they perform a second tawaf around the Kaaba. After this is done,
the pilgrims have completed the requirements of Hajj, and, they have been
cleansed of their sins...
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