Yes, Shia Muslims perform Hajj.
Hajj and Shia Islam
The pilgrimage to Mecca, Hajj, is a fundamental pillar of Islam, obligatory for all able-bodied Muslims, including Shia Muslims. While Sunni and Shia Muslims share the core ritual practices of Hajj, Shia also undertake other significant pilgrimages (ziyarat) to sites they consider holy. These include important cities and shrines in Iraq (Najaf and Karbala), Iran (Qom and Mashhad), and the Al-Baqi Cemetery near Medina. These additional pilgrimages do not replace the Hajj but supplement it within their religious practice.
- Shared Hajj Practices: Both Sunni and Shia Muslims follow the same fundamental rituals during Hajj, such as circumambulating the Kaaba, performing the Sa'i between Safa and Marwa, and standing on the Plain of Arafat.
- Unique Shia Pilgrimages: The ziyarat undertaken by Shia Muslims hold significant religious importance and are often linked to the lives and martyrdom of important figures in Shia history. These pilgrimages are distinct from Hajj but represent a crucial aspect of their devotion.
The fact that Shia Muslims have additional pilgrimage sites does not negate their participation in and obligation to perform Hajj. The Hajj remains a crucial component of their faith.
