The pilgrim also performs Tawaf which is also significant. The act of circling the Ka’aba is one of devotion to Allah and is a re-enactment of Muhammad, Adam and the angels who preformed the ritual long before man by circling the throne of Allah. The pilgrims circling and praying around the Ka’aba symbolises that Allah is at the centre of their life. The pilgrim also kisses the Black stone at the start and end of every circling around the ka’aba which represents the renewal of allegiance to their Lord. The Ka’aba is very significant as Muslims believe that it lies directly below the throne of Allah and where Allah began creating the Earth. The ka’aba is also the centre of Islam as Muslims pray towards it daily. Furthermore, the Ka’aba is the original place of worship of Allah where a shrine was built by Adam originally as informed by Jibril and ordered by Allah. In addition, the angel Jibril gave Adam a shining white stone, which was the first meteorite that fell on earth, to use as a corner for the Ka’aba. The stone is said to have turned black over time due to the sins of the pilgrims who have kissed it. The Ka’aba was built by Ibrahim and his son Ishma’il as commanded by Allah on the remains of the Shrine built by Adam. The ka’aba was built using stones carried by Isma’il and mortar was not used to construct the cube. It was the first real Baitullah, house of God. However, it has been reconstructed several times since its construction 4,000 years ago. The Great Mosque which surrounds the Ka’aba is also very important to Muslims as it is the greatest mosque and it is said that praying their is 10,000 times more beneficial then praying at home and so gives worshippers a great opportunity to boost their chances of entering Jannah (heaven) and shows the compassion of Allah. After finishing Tawaf the pilgrim performs two Ra’kat of prayer behind Ibrahim’s station so that the pilgrim can thank God. The station is said to be where Ibrahim stood on a stone when building the ka’aba and which shows his footmarks when he could not reach the top of the Ka’aba from the ground.
The pilgrim also then performs Sa’y which has various connotations. The pilgrim runs between Safa and Marwah seven times which symbolises that the pilgrim will never cease to serve and bring gratification to Allah and after completing Sa’y become like soldiers fighting in the cause of Allah (Jihad). The running is also a re-enactment of Hajar (wife of Ibrahim) running seven times between the mountains in search of help and water to quench the thirst of her and her son Isma’il who was dying. This was after Allah had warned Ibrahim that Sarah (wife of Ibrahim) was jealous off Hajar and may harm her and Isma’il. He thus left them in the desert in a place called Bakka as commanded by Allah. However, when Hajar had returned to her son for the final time, Jibril appeared and showed Hajar a spring were Isma’il had scuffed the sand and so Allah saved them. They stayed five nights and on the sixth were found by the Jurhum tribe who were a group of Nomads and welcomed into the tribe. The story reminds Muslims and especially those on pilgrimage that Allah will never abandon them as he didn’t abandon Hajar and Isma’il. The run is also said to signify the soul searching for Allah so that its spiritual thirst can be satisfied. The pilgrims express appreciation for the love shown by mothers and this reminds them to show their appreciation and love for their mothers when they return. The pilgrims also pray to God for the same perseverance and Patience shown by Hajar and the re-enactment reminds them to remain patient and persevere in the face of hardships. The pilgrims often drink from the ZamZam well before performing Sa’y as it is said to be the one shown by Jibril to Hajar in the desert and some say that the water has healing properties. The well is also said to be named after the word ‘stop’ or after the sound of rushing water.
Rummy is also significant and has various effects on a pilgrim. The three pillars mark where the Christian king of Yemen and his army of Abraha had reached in their attempt to destroy the Ka’aba before Allah sent Birds with stones to destroy the Ka’aba and the Army. The throwing of stones at the pillars reminds pilgrims of the destruction of the Abraha army. The stoning is also said to represent the rejection of personal evil and of Iblis (Devil). The stoning of the pillars is also a re-enactment of Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice everything for Allah. Allah tested Ibrahim by telling him to sacrifice his son Isma’il and Ibrahim agreed and told his son who accepted his fate bravely. On the way to the place of sacrifice Shaytan (Devil) appeared in human form and tempted them three times to disobey Allah but Isma’il threw stones at the Devil three times in rejection. However, when Ibrahim was about to kill Isma’il, Allah told him to stop and sacrifice a Ram instead. The pillars thus re-enactment Ishma’il’s rejection of the Devil three times and the three pillars represent the three temptations by Shaytan.
The pilgrims celebrate Id-ul-adha by sacrificing an animal. The sacrifice commemorates Allah testing Ibrahim’s faith. It reminds pilgrims and Muslims around the world that they must be prepared to do anything for the sake of Allah. The sacrifice and celebration also unites Muslims around the world as the whole Ummah (Muslim brotherhood) are celebrating the festival and sacrificing animals if possible at the same time. Performing the hajj with other Muslim will also develop a pilgrim’s tolerance of others as they will spend a large amount of time with others but arguments and other negative acts in human nature are prohibited. The festival also reminds followers of their duty to the poor as part of the Qurbani is given to the underprivileged. The reminder should help pilgrims to empathise with the poor and so strengthen their faith.
The pilgrims then go to Arafat and perform Wuquf which perhaps is the most significant rite in Hajj. Muhammad (From Sahih Bukhari) said the successful completion of Wuquf will mean the pilgrim will ’[return] to [their] home just as the day their ‘mother gave birth to [them]’ and this means all their sins which have burdened them including major sin such as Shirk will be forgiven. The event focuses them on taking advantage of this second chance and to avoid the mistakes of the past. The Standing at Arafat is also a sign of solidarity as all the pilgrims are in the same location, same time and the same actions. The Day of Arafat is also similar to and a reminder of the Day of Judgment as everyone stands in front of Allah without the cover of shade from the sun. The reminder of Death helps to focus the pilgrims mind on worship and their aim to reach Paradise. Arafat is also significant because it is where Muhammad gave his farewell sermon on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah and which outlines the main pillars of faith and reminds Muslims of the pillars of Islam. Furthermore, Adam and Hawwa were reunited at the Mount of mercy after two hundred years, after being banished from heaven for disobeying the will of Allah.
The Hajj also has various significances and benefits as a whole. Firstly, after completing Hajj a Muslim will be known as a Hajji and will have shown their commitment and devotion to Allah and will be rewarded generously as Muhammad said it was the third greatest deed after Jihad and the belief in Allah and himself when questioned according to Sahih Bukhari. Secondly, performing Hajj and emulating Muhammad will mean pilgrims get an understanding of how life was like during the time of Muhammad and the origins of Islam. Muhammad was a trader for a large part of his life spending a large length of time traveling like the pilgrims on hajj. The pilgrims will also learn about following established routes, and avoiding the midday sun so that pit falls of traveling can be avoided. Although, the pilgrim will learn about traveling, it will also develop their insight of the Qur’an as it promises ‘the straight way’ and the significance of the star and crescent moon which is the symbol of Islam may become more apparent as they may understand that travelers such as Muhammad used these to direct them as the doctrines in the Qur’an guide Muslims.
Furthermore, many pilgrims who have returned from hajj will have changed significantly. Firstly, Hajj may act as catalyst for making life changes as they as long as they are good Muslims in the future than they will go to paradise. Thus pilgrims will return spiritually rejuvenated and with a sense of optimism as Muslims will have completed all five pillars and feel a sense of spiritual fulfillment. The pilgrim may return refreshed after a break from the stresses of life and with a greater perception of Life after experiences during Hajj associated with death which may cause a sense of urgency in making changes such as attending the mosque more often as the theme of death is at the forefront of their mind. In addition, Muslims will be able to advise and pass their new knowledge obtained from hajj to others. Moreover, Hajjis will have developed various positive habits such as avoiding confrontation and encourage them to expand their knowledge base having realised the benefits of learning about the background of hajj in improving their experience of pilgrimage. Finally, Muslims will learn about some of their fellow brothers and sisters across the world and the problems they face, encouraging them to donate to charities such as Muslim aid to help their fellow brothers and sisters in Islam.
