What is Hajj?

Hajj is a Arabic word which means “submission” and “obedience”. Hajj is a special worship that lasts for several days. It was made obligatory in the 9th year of Hijra. Muslims journey to the holy city of Mecca to make the spiritual pilgrimage. Hajj is an act of worship just like Salat (five daily prayers) and Sawm (fasting in the month of Ramadan). All Muslims who are physically and financially able are expected to perform the Hajj at least once..

Describe and explain the meaning and significance of the events of Hajj for a Muslim

Muslims go on Hajj to cleanse and purify themselves; not just physically but mentally. Another reason is because it's a test Allah has set to show their devotion to Him. Hajj helps bring Muslims closer to Allah and also each other. Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam; God 'ordered' it to be done in the Qur'an. The male pilgrim must wear upon the two unsown white clothes after entering the sacralized state of pilgrimage. It symbolizes the bare defect, faith, which strips away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God. The Ka’ba symbolizes God’s House and his nearness. The Black stone embedded in one of its four corners symbolizes God’s right hand, the kissing of which symbolizes one’s pledge of faith to one’s King and to his Law on earth. The sevenfold anti-clockwise circumambulation of the Ka`ba represents the human hearts to be in motion and close of their spiritual center. Drinking the unforgettable, delicious spring water from the well of Zamzam gives a foretaste of the pure waters of Paradise. The ensuing coursing back and forth between the hillocks of Safa and Marwa retrace the frantic steps of our Mother Hagar, looking for water in the desert to save the life of her infant son, Isma`il. The day-station of supplicating Muslims on the plain of Arafa symbolizes the station of mankind awaiting judgment on the Day of Resurrection, "when there shall be no shade other than that of Allah's Throne." The lapidation of the three stone pillars at the nearby Mina site renews the believers' to declare of war against the enemy of mankind, Satan.

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What difficulties might there be for a Muslim performing Hajj?

There might difficulties be a Muslim performing Hajj because discomfort and sickness, swindlers, road bandits (in the past), unexpected material straits, fatigue, and other tests. It is because there have a lot of pilgrimage crowded, not convenient to travel up there. "Travel is tribulation," "In travel character is revealed" (Arabic proverbs). It is said that pilgrimage conditions as a whole give clues as to one's spiritual standing, within the ranges of extreme difficulty indicating divine displeasure, to uncommon ease indicating divine acceptance. Spiritually dormant travel companions are one of ...

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