hajji

Hajji is derived from the Arabic {{Transliteration|ar|ALA|ḥājj}} ({{lang|ar|حجّ}}), which is the active participle of the verb {{Transliteration|ar|ALA|ḥajja}} ('to make the pilgrimage'; {{lang|ar|حَجَّ}}). The alternative form {{Transliteration|ar|ALA|ḥajjī}} is derived from the name of the Hajj with the adjectival suffix -ī ({{lang|ar|ـی}}), and this was the form adopted by non-Arabic languages.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Hajji and its variant spellings are used as honorific titles for Muslims who have successfully completed the Hajj to Mecca.{{cite book|title=Islam: A very short introduction|publisher=Oxford University Press|author=Malise Ruthven|year=1997|isbn=978-0-19-285389-9|page=147}}

In Arab countries, {{Transliteration|ar|ALA|ḥājj}} and {{Transliteration|ar|ALA|ḥājjah}} (pronunciation varies by Arabic dialect) is a commonly used manner of addressing any older person respectfully if they have performed the pilgrimage. It is often used to refer to an elder, since it can take years to accumulate the wealth to fund the travel (particularly before commercial air travel), and in many Muslim societies to a respected man as an honorific title. The title is prefixed to a person's name; for example, Saif Gani becomes "Hajji Saif Gani".{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

In Malay-speaking countries, {{Lang|ms|Haji}} and {{Lang|ms|Hajah}} are titles given to Muslim males and females respectively who have performed the pilgrimage. These are abbreviated as Hj. and Hjh. (in Indonesian, it is H. and Hj.){{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

In Iran, the honorific title Hāj ({{lang|fa|حاج}}) is sometimes used for IRGC commanders, instead of the title Sardar ('General'), such as for Qasem Soleimani.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

The term was borrowed in Balkan Christian countries formerly under Ottoman rule (Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Romania), and are used for Christians who have travelled to Jerusalem and the Holy Lands.{{cite web|url=http://www.apologitis.com/gr/ancient/Ierosolyma.htm|title=Jerusalem and Ancient Temples|language=el|publisher=apologitis.com|access-date=May 4, 2010}} In some areas the title has been fossilised as a family name, for example in the surnames common among Bosniaks such as Hadžić, Hadžiosmanović ('son of Hajji Osman') etc.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

In Cyprus, the title is so prevalent that it has also been permanently integrated into some Greek Christian surnames, such as {{translit|el|Hajiioannou}}. This is due to Cyprus's long history of Christian and Muslim influence.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

The title has also been used in some Jewish communities to honor those who made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem or other holy sites in Israel.{{cite web|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/israel-ii-jewish-persian-community|title=ISRAEL ii. JEWISH PERSIAN COMMUNITY – Encyclopaedia Iranica|website=iranicaonline.org}}{{failed verification|date=August 2018}}

In the 21st century, American soldiers began using the term Haji as slang for Iraqis, Afghans, or Arab people in general. It is used in the way "gook" or "Charlie" was used by U.S military personnel during the Vietnam War.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mca-marines.org/gazette/article/put-%E2%80%98haji%E2%80%99-rest |title=Put 'Haji' to Rest | Marine Corps Gazette |access-date=2011-04-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216220339/http://www.mca-marines.org/gazette/article/put-%E2%80%98haji%E2%80%99-rest |archive-date=2011-02-16 |url-status=dead }}[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jan-28-op-bay28-story.html Learning to 'embrace the suck' in Iraq] Los Angeles Times, 28 January 2007[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/iraq-slang.htm Slang from Operation Iraqi Freedom] globalsecurity.org{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/02/opinion/02herbert.html | work=The New York Times | first=Bob | last=Herbert | title=From 'Gook' to 'Raghead' | date=May 2, 2005}}

• Hatzi, a Greek surname prefix, stemming from the same origin
• Islam
• Pilgrimage

{{Reflist}}

Category:Islamic honorifics

Category:Titles of national or ethnic leadership