Dhu-al-Hijjah is the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar. During this month, millions of Muslims worldwide make pilgrimage to Makkah. The rites of pilgrimage, the significance and the historical events of Prophet Ibrahim are the focus of this unit study on Hajj. Books and projects make up this unit, but a curriculum that is Waldorf inspired and similar to a unit study is also available now.

I introduced the Hajj Unit Study I am developing and the resources that inspired it. This unit is designed for all audiences and will eventually be available as a complete curriculum, created in collaboration with other homeschoolers and curriculum writers. I explained that the materials I’m using are primarily Muslim-authored resources, as I have found that many secular options lack the depth, cultural understanding, or quality that I prefer for teaching topics related to Islam. My goal was to share the books and materials that form the foundation of this unit, discuss their strengths and weaknesses, and explain how non-Muslim educators could adapt them for their own use.

I began by highlighting a few books that have been part of our homeschool library for many years. The first was Tell Me About Hajj by Saniyasnain Khan, published by Goodword Books. This title is part of a larger “Tell Me About” series that includes stories of other prophets and important figures. I love these books because they blend narrative storytelling with nonfiction information, supported by beautiful illustrations and occasional photographs that show what modern locations look like today. Along the margins, there are captions that give additional facts about geography, history, or context. I prefer to read the story straight through and then return to those side notes for deeper study. Although the book could be used with lesson plans or written activities, I mostly use it as a read-aloud selection, followed by oral narration and illustration rather than worksheets or quizzes.

Next, I discussed a book that I have mixed feelings about. It was published in 2002 and was one of the few Islamic resources available when I began homeschooling. While it includes Waldorf-inspired activities and seasonal celebrations, some content does not align fully with Islamic principles, and readers should approach it with care. I mentioned that understanding Islam is diverse, and scholars may hold differing interpretations, so it is important to cross-check any questionable information. Even with its flaws, this book helped me visualize how to integrate Islamic stories and celebrations into a creative, hands-on educational approach, especially in my early homeschooling years when there were limited resources available.

I also talked about The Prophets of Allah series by Iqra International Education Foundation, which consists of five volumes. These books focus on the lives of earlier prophets, such as Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismail, who are central to understanding Hajj. While the stories occasionally include interpretations or embellishments that go beyond what is found in the Qur’an, I still find them valuable. I explained that I make small edits when wording feels too humanized or imprecise, and I appreciate how the illustrations are respectful of Islamic traditions by avoiding detailed depictions of human faces. These books provide a strong historical and religious foundation, and they help children connect the lineage of prophets to the events of Hajj.

After reviewing long-time favorites, I moved on to newer books recommended by my co-author for this curriculum. These included The Sacrifice of Ismail, I Am Hajj, Tales of the Prophets: Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Yusuf, Young Explorers: Adventures in Mecca, and Going to Mecca. Each book varies in style, age level, and presentation. The Sacrifice of Ismail and I Am Hajj are beautifully illustrated picture books ideal for younger children, while Young Explorers: Adventures in Mecca reads more like an academic text with photographs, lessons, and questions that could suit older students. Tales of the Prophets and Going to Mecca both provide engaging stories, though I prefer illustrations that are symbolic rather than lifelike. These books demonstrate the growing diversity in Islamic educational publishing and allow homeschoolers to tailor lessons to the needs of mixed-age families.

Finally, I shared several hands-on projects that accompany our Hajj unit. One of the most exciting is a miniature model of the Kaaba and surrounding sites, created with oven-bake polymer clay. I also showed peg dolls representing pilgrims, which we made years ago, and discussed ways to ensure the project remains respectful of Islamic teachings. The children will use these models to learn about the stages of Hajj through tactile, play-based exploration. I closed by reminding viewers that the full list of books, projects, and tutorials is available in the accompanying blog post and playlist. My hope is that families can use these resources to create a meaningful, multi-year exploration of Hajj, combining faith, art, storytelling, and hands-on learning in a way that honors both tradition and creativity.

I’m preparing this curriculum with baobab homeschool chronicles.

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Affiliate links used on this page

• The Sacrifice of Ismael: An Eid Al Adha Story

• Young Explorers’ Adventures in Makkah

• Tales Of the Prophets: Prophet Ibrahim & Prophet Yusuf (pbuh)

• The Islamic Year: Surahs, Stories and Celebrations (Festivals and The Seasons)

• Going to Mecca

• I Am Hajj

• Tell Me About Hajj: What the Hajj is, Why it’s So Important and What it Teaches Me