What is Hajj? Describe and Explain why a Muslim would take part in the Hajj and what this Involves.

Authors Avatar

Joseph Taylor                   RE GCSE: Islam Coursework                   22/10/01

Question One: What is Hajj? Describe and Explain why a Muslim would take part in the Hajj and what this Involves.

        The five pillars of Islam are the foundation of the Islamic faith. Hajj is the fifth pillar. Hajj is the pilgrimage to Makka. For all Muslims with aspirations to go to heaven it is essential for them to practice the five pillars. So for every “good” Muslim making the pilgrimage to Makka, once in their life, is very important. (However not all Muslims are   able to go on Hajj. If they are unable to go because they are ill, they don’t have enough money, or other unavoidable circumstances: being held hostage they are exempt from Allah’s judgement as long as they have niyyah (intent)). There are many reasons for a Muslim to go on Hajj. Hajj gives Muslims the opportunity to visit holy places walking the same streets as prophets have before them. It allows Muslims to be amongst two million people sharing their faith and beliefs, which can only strengthen their feeling of ‘ummah’. However there can be no doubt of the true purpose of Hajj: “The main purpose of Hajj is to get Allah’s forgiveness, to become once again as pure and innocent as a new born child” 

         The Hajj takes place in the twelfth month of the Islamic (Hjiri) calendar, Dhu-l-Hijjah, specifically from the eighth to the twelfth. (The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, as opposed to the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the solar cycle, so it is eleven days shorter.) This year, 2001, Hajj took place from fourth to the eighth of March. However preparations for Hajj must be undertaken before. Muslims must make sure their affairs are in order and that they have fulfilled all their obligations. An example of this is getting a friend to look after your hamster. When this is complete a Muslim is ready to embark on Hajj, however they are not ready to enter Makka. Before a pilgrim passes a maqit (a point marking Makka’s city limits) they must have entered into the state of Ihram. Physically this consists of changing into two white sheets if you’re a man, and a plain dress and head scarf if your woman, also you are not permitted to wear perfume, wear make up, make love etc. More important though is the mental change, you must devote your thoughts completely to a God. Once you have achieved this you are ready to embark on Hajj.

        There is an itinerary of events that must be completed for the Hajj to be valid. The events of Hajj are usually completed in the following order:

The first day of Hajj is called ‘Day of Deliberation’ (Yawm at-Tarwiyah). Firstly the pilgrims circle the Ka’bah seven times (this is known as ‘Tawaf’) after they have repeated the ritual preparation for prayer (Wudu). Once they have left the Ka’bah they make personal prayer (Du’a) at the station of Abraham. Then they perform s’ay; this is the walking between the two hills the Safa and Marwah in Makka seven times. The final thing they do that day is drink from the Zamzam well. Some pilgrims take the water home as a memento; others use the water to wash their clothes. The pilgrims then spend the night at Mina. The second day is known as ‘The Day of Arafat’ (Yawm ‘Arafat). Pilgrims devote the entire day, from sunrise to sunset, is spent taking the stand before Allah on Mount Arafat.  Whilst “taking the stand (wuquf)” they constantly recite the talbiyah:

Join now!

      “Here am I, God! Here am I

       Here am I, God! Here am I

       And associate none with Thee, here am I,        God!

       Here am I”.

After sunset there is a rush (nafrah) to Muzdalifah. In Muzdalifah they perform combined night (isha) and delayed sunset (maghrib) prayers at al-Mash’ar al Haram. The worshippers then spend the night as Muzdalifah. The third day named ‘Day of Sacrifice’ (Yawm an Nuhr) starts with another trip to the al-Mash’ar al Haram to perform dawn (Sawm) prayers. Then the pilgrims gather forty-nine pebbles ...

This is a preview of the whole essay