Definition of "haj" [haj]

• Islam A pilgrimage to Mecca during Dhu'l Hijja, made as an objective of the religious life of a Muslim. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The haj is the pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims are obliged to make at least once in their lives if they are able."
• "While Islam dictates that going on the haj does not mean selling property while you're still wondering how to pay for your child's university fees, try telling that to the millions who continue to do so, either because of their sense of devotion or the prestige associated with the "haj" title."
• "Al haj Murad Ebrahim said the Moro Islamic Liberation Front MILF had asked Malaysia, which has been hosting talks since 2001, to help move the negotiations forward after the rebels rejected Manila's peace proposal last month."