Hajj: Repackaged Paganism in Islamic Ritual

Thesis: Rituals like tawaf, stoning the devil, and kissing the Black Stone are not innovations brought by Islam, but rather preserved pre-Islamic pagan practices that were rebranded in Islamic terms.

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🌙 The Pre-Islamic Roots of Hajj Rituals

When Muslims embark on the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj), they participate in several rituals that are deeply ingrained in Islamic tradition. However, a closer examination of these practices reveals that many elements of the Hajj are not original to Islam, but are instead repackaged versions of ancient pagan rites practiced by the pre-Islamic Arabs. Far from abolishing these rituals, Islam incorporated them, reinterpreting them to align with the new monotheistic framework established by the Prophet Muhammad.

1. Tawaf: The Circumambulation of the Kaaba

The most iconic ritual of Hajj is the tawaf, where pilgrims walk seven times around the Kaaba in a counterclockwise direction. This act is done in reverence and worship, symbolizing the unity of believers in the worship of the One God.

However, historical records show that the Kaaba itself was originally a pagan sanctuary long before Islam. The pre-Islamic Arabs, including the Quraysh tribe (the tribe of Prophet Muhammad), worshiped a variety of gods and idols, many of which were housed in the Kaaba. The act of circumambulating a sacred object was a common pagan practice in the ancient world, and the Kaaba was no exception. Pilgrims from different parts of the Arabian Peninsula would circle the Kaaba as part of their polytheistic rituals, honoring the various deities they believed resided there.

The tawaf was not a novel practice introduced by Muhammad, but rather a pagan tradition that was adapted into the Islamic context. Islam reinterpreted this act as a symbol of unity and submission to Allah, but the core act of circling the sacred site remains a continuation of pre-Islamic rituals.

2. The Black Stone: A Pagan Relic Rebranded

Another central element of the Hajj pilgrimage is the act of kissing the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), which is embedded in the corner of the Kaaba. According to Islamic tradition, the stone was given to Adam by the archangel Gabriel and was initially white, but turned black due to the sins of humanity. Pilgrims kiss or touch the stone as part of their pilgrimage, believing it will absolve them of sin and bring them closer to Allah.

However, before Islam, the Black Stone was already a revered object in Meccan paganism. It was an ancient stone idol, likely associated with the worship of the moon god Hubal, one of the chief deities of the Kaaba in the pre-Islamic era. The act of kissing or touching a sacred stone was a widespread pagan practice in the ancient Near East. In fact, it mirrors similar practices from other cultures, where idols or stones were worshiped as manifestations of divine presence or power.

When Muhammad restructured the pilgrimage, he did not eliminate the Black Stone or the act of venerating it. Instead, Islam reinterpreted the Black Stone as a symbol of unity in worshiping Allah, even though the stone’s original pagan origins were preserved.

3. The Stoning of the Devil: A Pre-Islamic Rite

Perhaps one of the most famous rituals performed during the Hajj is the Ramy al-Jamarat — the stoning of the devil. Pilgrims throw pebbles at three stone pillars in Mina, symbolizing the rejection of Satan’s temptations. The ritual commemorates the time when the devil, in the form of a figure, tried to tempt the Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) from his obedience to God.

However, this ritual is deeply rooted in pre-Islamic pagan customs. In ancient times, it was common in the region for people to cast stones at symbolic representations of evil or spirits as a form of ritual purification or expulsion. Some historians suggest that the stoning of the devil during Hajj is a continuation of this practice. Before Islam, the stoning ritual was associated with the worship of deities and the expulsion of evil forces, as evidenced by archaeological findings of similar practices in other parts of the ancient Arabian Peninsula.

Islam transformed this act, embedding it with a new theological significance, but the core ritual remains remarkably similar to pre-Islamic customs. Rather than purging these pagan practices, Muhammad reinterpreted them to fit the monotheistic framework of Islam.

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🕌 The Pagan Kaaba: A Continuation of Pre-Islamic Tradition

The Kaaba itself, the most sacred site in Islam, has a deeply pagan history. Long before Islam, it was a shrine for multiple deities, including Hubal, the moon god, and a host of other idols. Pilgrims from across the Arabian Peninsula would come to Mecca to worship their gods and perform rituals such as circumambulating the Kaaba. The Hajj pilgrimage, as it is known today, was originally a pagan festival celebrating various deities and nature spirits.

Islam did not abolish the Kaaba as a religious center but instead redefined its significance. The Kaaba was rebranded as a house of worship dedicated to the One God, Allah. While the ritual practices surrounding the Kaaba were preserved, the belief system associated with them was transformed to align with the new monotheistic creed of Islam.

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🕋 Conclusion: Repackaging Paganism or Purging It?

While Islam claims to have purified the Arab people from their polytheistic practices, the evidence suggests that many of the rituals associated with Hajj are repackaged remnants of pre-Islamic paganism. The act of tawaf (circumambulating the Kaaba), kissing the Black Stone, and stoning the devil are all practices deeply rooted in pre-Islamic traditions that were not purged but rather reinterpreted within an Islamic framework.

Far from purging these practices, Muhammad’s reforms retained many elements of pagan ritual, offering new meanings while preserving old customs. The fact that these rites continue to be practiced in modern Islam suggests that they were not innovations but continuations of older traditions, rebranded for a new religious context.

In essence, the Hajj rituals demonstrate how Islam absorbed and redefined the religious customs of its pre-Islamic ancestors, rather than eliminating them. While the monotheistic framework of Islam reinterprets these rituals, their pagan origins remain undeniable.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------About the Author

Mauao Man is a blog created by a New Zealand writer who believes in following the evidence wherever it leads. From history and religion to culture and society, Mauao Man takes a clear, critical, and honest approach — challenging ideas without attacking people. Whether exploring the history of Islam in New Zealand, the complexities of faith, or the contradictions in belief systems, this blog is about asking the hard questions and uncovering the truth.