Definition

Noun: 1. A title of respect for a Muslim man who has completed the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca: The term "haji" is an honorific used before the name of a Muslim man who has performed the Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, which is a religious duty for Muslims who are physically and financially able.

Usage

• The term is used as a title preceding a person's name.
• It signifies the individual's fulfillment of one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Examples

• After returning from Mecca, Ahmad was respectfully called .
• The community sought advice from , who was known for his piety and experience.

Advanced Usage

• The term can sometimes be used more broadly in certain cultural contexts as a general term of respect for an older Muslim man, even if the Hajj pilgrimage status is not explicitly known or is implied.
• In historical or literary texts, it may be used to denote a pilgrim character.

Variants and Related Words

• Hajji: An alternative transliteration of the same Arabic term.
• Hajjah (fem.): The corresponding title for a Muslim woman who has completed the Hajj pilgrimage.

Synonyms

• Pilgrim: A person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons. (Note: "Pilgrim" is a general term, while "haji" is specific to the Islamic Hajj and carries the connotation of an earned title.)

Notes on Meaning

• The core meaning is specifically tied to the Islamic religious pilgrimage. It is not a general term for any traveler or religious figure.
• The term is deeply respectful within Muslim communities.

Noun

1. an Arabic term of respect for someone who has made the pilgrimage to Mecca