New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

Hajj and Shi'a shrines

I can explain how and why Hajj is performed by Muslims and why some Muslims visit the shrines of the Imams.

New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

Hajj and Shi'a shrines

I can explain how and why Hajj is performed by Muslims and why some Muslims visit the shrines of the Imams.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Hajj is part of the Five Pillars and Ten Obligatory Acts.
  2. Hajj is a pilgrimage taken to Makkah where different sites are visited and rituals taken part in.
  3. Many of the parts of Hajj follow the actions of important prophets in Islam.
  4. Many Shi'a Muslims also take pilgrimages to shrines of the Imams.

Keywords

  • Arba'een - pilgrimage to the shrine of Imam Hussain in Karbala

  • Ka'aba - also known as the Ka'ba; a sacred cube-shaped building in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

  • Makkah - city in Saudi Arabia where the Prophet Muhammad was born and received the first revelations of the Qur'an

  • Pilgrimage - a religious journey to a holy site/sacred place; an act of worship and devotion

  • Shrine - a special site related to someone important in a religion (e.g., the Imams in Shi'a Islam)

Common misconception

When pilgrims stop to kiss or point to the 'Black Stone' as part of the Hajj ritual, they are worshipping that stone as an idol.

Muslims do not worship idols or anything other than Allah. The Black Stone is touched or kissed as that is what the Prophet Muhammad did upon his return to Makkah and the Ka'aba.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Hajj and Shi'a shrines, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Students can see footage and photos of the different rituals and steps that form part of the Hajj pilgrimage online to better understand its importance and significance. Students could interview or speak with Muslims who have undertaken pilgrimage(s) to better understand its/their importance.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Id ul-Fitr marks the of the month of Ramadan.
Correct Answer: end, End
Q2.
How do many Muslims in the UK celebrate Id ul-Fitr?
by fasting all day
Correct answer: by gathering for prayer, food, and charity
by lighting fireworks
Q3.
Muslims believe that the Qur’an was first revealed on the of Power.
Correct Answer: Night, night
Q4.
Who received the first verses of the Qur’an on the Night of Power?
the Prophet Adam
the Prophet Isa
Correct answer: the Prophet Muhammad
Q5.
When is the Night of Power observed?
on the last day of Hajj
Correct answer: in the last ten nights of Ramadan
during the first week of Ramadan

Assessment exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Who must perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime?
only male Muslims
Correct answer: Muslims who are physically and financially able
only Shi'a Imams
Q2.
Match each key term to its definition.
Correct Answer:Arba’een,the pilgrimage to the shrine of Imam Hussain

the pilgrimage to the shrine of Imam Hussain

Correct Answer:Ka'aba,a sacred cube-shaped building in Makkah

a sacred cube-shaped building in Makkah

Correct Answer:Makkah,a city in Saudi Arabia where the Prophet Muhammad was born

a city in Saudi Arabia where the Prophet Muhammad was born

Q3.
What happens during the Tawaf ritual?
pilgrims 'stone the devil'
Correct answer: pilgrims walk around the Ka’aba
pilgrims pray at the Prophet’s tomb
Q4.
What additional pilgrimages might Shi’a Muslims take part in?
Correct answer: visiting the shrines of Imams
going on cruise retreats to reflect
going to the Vatican to learn about their faith
Q5.
Why do Muslims kiss the Black Stone if they do not worship it?
it’s a local tradition
Correct answer: it’s a symbolic act following the Prophet's example
it tastes sweet

Additional material

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