{"product_id":"the-meaning-of-mecca-the-politics-of-pilgrimage-in-early-islam-9780863564376","title":"The Meaning of Mecca: The Politics of Pilgrimage in Early Islam","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ci\u003ehajj\u003c\/i\u003e, the fifth pillar of Islam, is a religious duty to be performed once in a lifetime by all Muslims who are able. The Prophet Muhammad set out the rituals of \u003ci\u003ehajj\u003c\/i\u003e when he led what became known as the Farewell \u003ci\u003eHajj\u003c\/i\u003e in 10 AH (632 AD). This set the seal on Muhammad's career as the founder of a religion and the leader of a political entity based on that religion.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe convergence of the Prophet with the politician infuses the \u003ci\u003ehajj\u003c\/i\u003e with political, as well as religious, significance. For the caliphs who led the Islamic community after Muhammad's death, leadership of the \u003ci\u003ehajj\u003c\/i\u003e became a position of enormous political relevance as it presented them with an unrivaled opportunity to proclaim their pious credentials and reinforce their political legitimacy. This unique study analyzes information provided by contemporary sources about the leadership of the Hajj in Islam's formative period, between the seventh and tenth centuries, and assesses the pilgrimage from a political perspective.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA unique study because it collects and analyzes information provided by contemporary sources about the leadership of the \u003ci\u003eHajj\u003c\/i\u003e in Islam's formative period, between the seventh and tenth centuries, and uses it to assess the pilgrimage from a political perspective.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePublished in advance of a major British Museum exhibition, \u003ci\u003eThe Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam\u003c\/i\u003e, opening in London in January 2012.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eM.E. McMillan\u003c\/b\u003e earned a PhD in Islamic history at the University of St Andrews, and has worked for the UN Security Council as a translator. The author lives in Belfast, Northern Ireland.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eM.E. McMillan: M.E. McMillan earned a PhD in Islamic History at the University of St Andrews, and has worked for the UN Security Council as a translator.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Saqi Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50414029865234,"sku":"9780863564376","price":27.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_9ec102be-5cf8-40d6-9b60-7eb65d1654b5.jpg?v=1729359047","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-meaning-of-mecca-the-politics-of-pilgrimage-in-early-islam-9780863564376","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}