The Hadj: An American Pilgrimage to Mecca

by Michael Wolfe

Book Overview

The Hadj, or sacred journey, is the pilgrimage to the house of God at Mecca that all Muslims are asked to make once in their lifetimes. One of the world's longest-lived religious rites, having continued without break for fourteen hundred years, it is, like all things Islamic, shrouded in mystery for Westerners. In The Hadj , Michael Wolfe, an American who converted to Islam, recounts his own journey a pilgrim, and in doing so brings readers close...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802135862
• ISBN13: 9780802135865
• Release Date: September 1998
• Publisher: Grove Press
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.2" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Refreshing book

If you are slightly curious about the mystical spiritual side of the world-famous pilgrimage you should seriously read this book. It is really interesting and may become one of your favorites.

A MUST READ for all!!!

Michael Wolfe has outdone himself in the writing of "The Hadj". He takes you to the streets of Marrakech, Mecca and Medina. The writing style is exquisite. He really gives you insight on what to expect while on the Hadj. I actually felt like I was there, on his journey; so descriptive and such a detailed accounting of his surroundings. I finsihed the book in less than a week and each time I put it down, I could not wait to pick it up and start reading again. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to everyone!! A real treat!

Enriching book!

In this book Michael Wolfe, an American convert to Islam has described his personal Hadj to Makkah beautifully. The pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, that is a principal religious obligation of adult Muslims. He has described the Hadj in steps, ritual by ritual and by giving their meanings, as well as his own thoughts, ideas, emotions..etc at that point in time.His journey starts from Morocco, where he went before Hadj, to gain some knowledge and to live in the Islamic environment. He has given a lot of information about Moroccon people, their life, culture and relationship with each other. He gives a lot of information about Muslim people and their culture in general, such as Brotherhood in Islam for example. Where ever he went he was accepted as one of the family member - a brother. This he says was one of the beautiful things that Islam has gives to people and which is specific to Muslims only, which Malcolm X has noticed too when he made his own Hadj.I bought this book because I wanted to know, a Westerner's opinion on Islamic topics such as Hadj, from Western perspective.I must say this book was a wonderful read for me, and I am sure it will be the same for you.

Excellent!

Micheal Wolfe is indeed a storyteller. This book is interesting yet educational. This is good for everyone interested in travel and Islam. This is simply excellent!