Hajj and Shi'a shrines
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how and why Hajj is performed by Muslims and why some Muslims visit the shrines of the Imams.
Key learning points
- Hajj is part of the Five Pillars and Ten Obligatory Acts.
- Hajj is a pilgrimage taken to Makkah where different sites are visited and rituals taken part in.
- Many of the parts of Hajj follow the actions of important prophets in Islam.
- 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.
Teacher tip
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.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Id ul-Fitr marks the of the month of Ramadan.
Q2.How do many Muslims in the UK celebrate Id ul-Fitr?
Q3.Muslims believe that the Qur’an was first revealed on the of Power.
Q4.Who received the first verses of the Qur’an on the Night of Power?
Q5.When is the Night of Power observed?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Who must perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime?
Q2.Match each key term to its definition.
the pilgrimage to the shrine of Imam Hussain
a sacred cube-shaped building in Makkah
a city in Saudi Arabia where the Prophet Muhammad was born
Q3.What happens during the Tawaf ritual?
Q4.What additional pilgrimages might Shi’a Muslims take part in?
Q5.Why do Muslims kiss the Black Stone if they do not worship it?
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Hajj and Shi'a shrines, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Hajj and Shi'a shrines, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 religious education lessons from the Islam: Practices unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.