Hajj at an Early Age: A Sociological Review of Muslim Identity, Family Practice, and Modern Pilgrimage Culture

Abstract

The phenomenon of early-age Hajj participation has significantly increased in recent years, driven by global mobility, socio-cultural motivations, and shifting Islamic identity formation practices. While classical Islamic jurisprudence affirms the ritual validity of Hajj performed by children, the socio-religious meaning, long-term behavioral impact, and cultural motivations behind this trend remain understudied. This conceptual article examines Hajj participation among children and adolescents through a sociological lens, incorporating symbolic interactionism, family religious socialization theory, and contemporary Muslim identity frameworks. The study demonstrates that early participation is shaped not merely by religious obligation but also by parental aspirations, social prestige, community expectations, and digital-era religiosity. Findings show that Hajj becomes a marker of piety, status, and belonging, with narratives shaped by Instagrammable spirituality, family memory-making, and the globalization of pilgrimage. While some children develop strengthened religious identity post-Hajj, others treat the ritual as a symbolic milestone rather than formative spiritual transformation. The study contributes to emerging discussions on youth religiosity, Islamic ritual practices, and family-based religious socialization and proposes further empirical research across diverse sociocultural contexts.