After the pilgrims have done the Wuzu they change into their Ihram. Men wear exactly the same clothes, 2 seamless white clothes; it is worn to show holiness and blessing or loyalty to holy things and matters. Women wear plain white clothes, which are very simple and a sign of modesty. It also makes people concentrate more towards Allah and show total loyalty. Ihram is also the state of holiness a pilgrim is in. Everyone then should be barefoot or either wears sandals. The pilgrims must be particularly mindful of Allah’s laws, and must there fore avoid violence and sexual intercourse.
Muslims then concentrate on their Niyyah (intentions). Muslims then get ready to go to the Masjid Al Haram where the Kaba is. The Kaba is a cubed shaped beautifully built building so the holy mosque Masjid Al Haram. It is believed that Adam was sent from Heaven and travelled the earth until he reached the country of Arabia. Then he wanted to build a house of prayer like the one in heaven. Later, Ibrahim is said to have rebuilt the Kaba, the assistance of his son Ismail. The quote from the Quran tells us that, “We made the house (at Mecca) a resort of mankind and a sanctuary…” 2:125
Pilgrims then move around the Kaba (Tawaf) in an anti-clockwise direction seven times. Muslims start counting and finishing their Tawaf at the corner of the Kaba, where the Blackstone is. Muslims should try to kiss it or touch
the Blackstone. The circling demonstrates the unity of the believers in the worship of the one God, as they move in harmony together around their
central shrine, each reciting an individual verse of the Quran. At the end of the circling, the pilgrims go to the station of Ibrahim to pray 2 rak’ahs.
They go round it seven times anti-clockwise because the prophet did this when he first entered Mecca.
The pilgrims then get to the Safa Marwa. This is between two hills. “Safa and Marwa are beacons of Allah, it shall be no offence for the pilgrim or the visitor to the sacred house to walk around them”. 2:158 pilgrims must hurry along this passage, seven times, beginning at As-Safa, which is nearest to the holy Mosque, and finishing at Al-Marwa. There is a corridor down the middle for those who cannot move so fast and who are disabled in wheel chairs. Other pilgrims pass either side, in one direction only. This is done because it was Hagar’s frantic search for water, when left in the desert with her son Ismail.
After all this the first night of the Hajj is complete, Muslims then spend the night camping at Mina. On the second day the pilgrims travel to the plain of Arafat. Arafat is a very hot dessert with a mountain in the centre called the mount of Mercy. Pilgrims must be there for the period from Noon to dusk on 9 Dhul Hijjah. Some gather there the previous evening, but most arrive on from Mina after the dawn prayer.
The most important part of the Hajj is the “Standing before Allah” at Arafat, where pilgrims beg forgiveness of their sins. It is performed to remind Muslims the Day of Judgement will perhaps will be like but 100 times more terrifying. Pilgrims then perform the noon and afternoon prayers together at Arafat. During their time at Arafat Muslims beg for forgiveness and pay full attention to Allah. They should make Dua’s for themselves, their parents and family, also all the believers of Islam. Being present at Arafat is the most important part of the pilgrimage without it the Hajj is not complete, “When at Arafat we know they should concentrate on Allah”. 2:197After the pilgrims have travelled to Muzdalifah in time for the evening prayers, they camp at Muzdalifah overnight. When the pilgrims are at Muzdalifah they collect 49 stones.
On the 10th of Dhul Hijjah the pilgrims travel from Muzdalifah to Mina. At Mina there are 3 stone pillars these represent the Devil. Also on that day the pilgrims throw 7 stones at one of the pillars. They continue this ritual on the 11th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah. On the 11th they throw 7 stones at each of the 3
pillars and on the 12th they again throw 7 stones at each of the 3 pillars. The reason for this practice is because it reminds the pilgrims of Ibrahim and his
son Ismail. Ibrahim and his son withstood the temptation by throwing stones at the devil.
The purpose and meaning of this ritual is a much more personal one. As the pilgrims Stone the Devil, they are expressing their own rejection of evil and
their own resolve to withstand any temptations, which may appear their way. While Muslims are not stoning the devil they recite the Talbiyah.
After the ritual stoning the Devil has been done many pilgrims sacrifice an animal, usually a sheep, goat or even a camel. “… And the camels we have made a part of Allah’s rites. Pronounce over them the name of Allah as they have fallen down on their sides eat their flesh and feed it to the poor and the beggar”. 2:235
Before the sacrifice the pilgrims take off their Ihram and put on their normal clothes. The sacrifice should be after the stoning of the Devil on the 10th, 11th or 12thof Dhul Hijjah. The sacrifice is done at Mina, and at least 1/3 of the meat goes towards the poor, as meat is expensive it shows Muslims are ready to give money towards Allah. The sacrifice is part of Id-Ul-Adha, which is celebrated by Muslims all over the world. The festival is celebrated at Mina.
At Id-Ul-Adha male pilgrims shave or cut their hair as a small sacrifice. Women do not shave their heads but cut off only a bit of hair. Pilgrims do this because this is what Mohammed did for the whole of the pilgrimage. Pilgrims are following the footsteps of Mohammed.
The pilgrims stay at Mina for 3 days to celebrate Id-Ul-Adha. After the pilgrims have camped out at Mina for 3 days and celebrated they return to Mecca. Before leaving pilgrims do the farewell Tawaf around the Kaba seven times, they do this because to say they’re goodbye and farewell to Allah. Many Muslims decide to stay and go to Mohammed’s grave in Medina, and also visit the holy mosque there.
There at the mosque Muslims perform 2 rakah’s and also say their farewells before they head back home.
The Hajj is very important and worthwhile for all Muslims. All Muslims who complete Hajj will be rewarded on Judgement Day because they have
fulfilled their duties towards Allah and completed the final 5th pillar of Islam.
What Difficulties might there be for a Muslim performing hajj?
Muslims take part in the Hajj because it is one of the Fifth pillars of Islam also because they do it for Allah’s sake and command. Participating in Hajj prepares and affects a Muslims life in many ways. A major affect it has on Muslims is that it brings all brothers and sisters of Islam closer together and closer to Allah.
Before going to Hajj you must be in good health and you must not be in debt or leave your family in debt. You must not leave your neighbours hungry in order to go on Hajj. You have to solve all your petty arguments and make peace with everyone and go on good will.
The difficulties that Muslims meet during Hajj are things such as the hot and furious heat in the Arafat plain. Stoning the Devil is one of the hardest parts of the Hajj ritual. The person’s age can mean if they are too old they will have huge difficulties.
When a Muslim returns from Hajj the difficulties they face are such, as they have to continue with their commitment’s which they set out to do on the holy pilgrimage. Muslims have to keep their promises and set a good example. Muslims have to void all temptations and go on their own ways.
The whole point of these difficulties is showing your submission towards Allah, test on belief, showing total commitment and loyalty towards Islam. It also prepares you mentally and physically for the future to come and how to deal with it correctly.
How might participating in hajj affect the life of the believer?
Going on the pilgrimage to Mecca will obviously change a person’s life have a big affect on the way they live their lives in the future.
Hajj can change you in many ways, which you can benefit from; it can change you religiously, and change your attitude and acceptance of your religion. Mostly going on Hajj prepares you for life after death when you are at the hot blazing heat at the plain of Arafat.
It can change a person by making they feel good about them by completing the Hajj ritual and give a person satisfaction and peace of mind within themselves. They meet Muslims from all over the world and it increases their faith. They also are following the footsteps of the prophet. Hajj can teach a person how to handle hardship and how to overcome obstacles in life because Hajj has made a big impact in a Muslims life. This can make a Muslim into someone more caring and kind. Muslims can then start thinking more positively towards their lives.
Hajj can give an opportunity to reject evil and withdraw all evilness from the body. After completing the Hajj the pilgrims may feel or lookout at things differently and change the ways of life to fit in to be a good and steadfast and lawful Muslim.
After Muslims have completed the Hajj and Returned home they be given a name, Hajji for a man and Hajja for a women. More respect is shown towards them. Hajj can make you feel better about yourself and life.
I believe that attending the pilgrimage can give people hope that their lives will be better in the future. With this hope comes, confidence that they can change their lives and earn rewards in paradise after they die.
“A true Pilgrimage Is Really A Journey Within.”
I believe this statement is saying that a true pilgrimage is a journey within the heart and mind, that the pilgrimage is only true when you are true to Islam and you honestly without a shadow of doubt believe in Allah. I also agree with the statement because I honestly think that to go on Hajj you have to be able to have the right intention from your heart. This shows that Allah knows that you are willing to go on Hajj with the right intentions and not because you have to as it says in the Quaran, for example if a child is taken with their parents and have no idea or know why they are performing the pilgrimage it is not counted for, It is not a true journey within. You have to have a right frame of mind and be fully focused on your task.
You really have to mean it be committed to it fully as possible and show total loyalty towards Allah and keep your self clean and have a stable mind of frame.
However some may disagree with this statement. They may say that even if the pilgrim has not the right frame of mind, they still performed it like it says in the Quaran to do the fifth pillar of Islam means you’re a true Muslim. I believe that a Muslim should act upon as a good Muslim and be committed to their faith and truly to their pilgrimage.
Also a real pilgrimage is when you mean it from the bottom of your heart. Also when someone goes to pilgrimage because there family forces them to go and the person is not ready to go but has to then this means that the person will not be truly committed to the task ahead.
However I conclude from all this a true pilgrimage is definitely from some sort of way, not matter where you are or even if you don’t get to perform the rituals your true pilgrimage is accepted or within when you are so dedicated in going on Hajj for the right reasons, right intention and right frame of mind and if you take a true understanding of what is right from wrong.
You have to perform the physical activities to show your devotion to Allah, but it must be done with the right niyyah (intension).
Bibliography
Title: Author:
Islamic Studies part 2 Syed Sharif Ahmad
Islam believe and teachings Ghulam Sarwar
