Some rituals of Hajj have extreme significant spiritual value to the pilgrim when completed. The rituals begin as soon as the pilgrim enters Mecca. When a Muslim makes his trip to Mecca to complete Hajj he devotes his whole time, mind, soul and living to God. At the time of Hajj pilgrims must wear Ihram. Ihram is two sheets of unsewn white cloth for men and for a woman her usual clothes. A very simple dress but it must be worn in place of the male's normal clothes. This is very significant as it shows a pilgrim of his relation to Allah. It shows all Muslims are equal whether wealthy or poor as they all wear the same. They are always equal in the eye of God.
The first ritual is the circling of the Ka'bah seven times. This symbolises love for God. The black stone the pilgrims are circling is said to be the oldest shrine to God and so pilgrims try if they can to kiss or even touch the stone, an extremely symbolic moment. Marwah and Safa are the two hills between which Hajar frantically ran to try to find water for her son who was dying. Her actions symbolise the souls desperate search for that which gives true life. A pilgrim will join a procession and run if possible between the two hills seven times just like Hajar to show they respect what she did and are prepared to do the same.
During their stay at Mecca, Muslims will spend one night at Muzdalifah. Here they will hurl pebbles at the pillars of Mina. The pillar represents Iblis – the devil. So this brings them closer to God as God can see they hate the devil and want to be pure to God and show their hate and want to resist the devil's temptations just like he did.
The most important ritual of Hajj though and the one with most spiritual value is the visit to Mount Arafat. This is where pilgrims stand before God. The stand is from noon to sunset in the blistering heat. Here they meditate and pray, concentrating souly on God. It is said to be a time of 'great mystical and emotional power.' This is the ritual that brings the pilgrim most close to God. The nothingness and total concentration on God makes the pilgrim feel like God is really there by them more so than in prayer. A woman once commented on the ritual
''To have stood before God at Arafat is like having a baby. You have either had the experience or you have not. No one can truly explain how it feels – but those who know it know. Perhaps only those whose hearts God has seized can understand.'
Hajj is the most important part of a Muslims life and the rituals completed show just how dedicated to the religion and God that particular pilgrim is.
