They then run between two hills to represent what happened when Hajar did this to find water for her son Ishmal. They come to the spring (Zam Zam), which Allah found and people desperately try to drink and bathe in the water which comes from it. This is a Muslim’s search for spiritually. After this they walk 7 times around the Ka`aba (black stone), this symbolizes when 630 people rode into Makka and destroyed all Idols and Allah forgave the citizens. The first night of the Hajj is spent at Mina.
The second day is spent at Arafat; this is where the prophet Muhammad gave his farewell speech, it is desert location approximately 9 miles from Makka. Muslims say this prayer upon entering Arafat so that Allah forgives their sins:
O Allah! Forgive my sins, help me repent to you, and grant me all that I beseech of You. Whenever I turn, let me see goodness. Allah be praised! All Praise is due to Allah! There is no deity except Allah! And Allah is The Most Great.
The Muslims collect small stones for the following day.
Day three is spent at Mina; this is where the Muslims ‘stone the devils’ (Jamrahs). 7 stones are thrown at each of the 3 pillars; they do this because the devils tempted Ibraham to disobey Allah three times, it shows that they are against anything devilish. Weak and sick people can appoint others to throw stones at the s in Mina on behalf of them.
Tawaf al-Wada is the farewell Tawaf that a pilgrim performs just before leaving Makka for other destinations. It is the same as before when they go around the black stone in 7 circuits, starting from the black stone line. After completing the Tawaf, it is good but not required to pray too Rak'ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim.
This day is the sacrifice day where they sacrifice an animal (Eid-ul Adha); they are supposed to sacrifice goats, sheep, rams, camels or cows. This act is performed to commemorate Prophet Abraham's act of sacrificing his oldest son Prophet Isma'eel on the command of Allah. Allah substituted Prophet Isma'eel with a ram. Muslims are required to donate 1/3 rd of the meat to the poor, distribute 1/3 rd of the meat to friends and relatives, and keep 1/3 rd of the meat for themselves.
Men shave their heads and women cut off locks of hair. After this they return to Makka again to do 7 more circuits of the Ka`aba.
Muslims take part in the Hajj because they believe that it is their duty to go, so that Allah will respect them and they will live in paradise when they die. Even if they cannot go for any reason they believe that having the right attitude about going will be acceptable to Allah. It provides an opportunity for Muslims with diverse racial, ethnic and geographical heritage to exchange views, get acquainted and feel unified as one "Ummah" (community) on a global level. They also go because they enjoy the spiritual gathering, they are happy and they like being around other Muslims who share the same beliefs as they do.
Not all Muslims go to Hajj however, as there are certain difficulties effecting whether or not they can go. Some people cannot afford to go but would do if they have the money, if they still have the intention to go (Niyyah) this would still be acceptable to Allah. They can send one person to represent a whole community, which is also accepted. As Hajj is so popular (over 2 million people go each year) they have to limit the numbers of people who go, this means that not everyone who wants to go can, so this is again another difficulty Muslims have. People also have difficulties attending Hajj because they have disabilities or they are unable to walk etc. For example and old person who is frail may not be able to cope with the heat and walking/travelling far. People who are ill and have ill health may also not be able to attend Hajj, as they may be bed-ridden etc. If people cannot attend Hajj for various reasons but have intention (Niyyah) to go, it is still acceptable to Allah.
Participating in Hajj affects the life of a believer because they come alive spiritually. It is important for them to go and they feel love from Allah while they are there. They enjoy going, to be around other Muslims. When they return they feel closest to God as they stood on the site where the Prophet delivered his sermon during his first and last pilgrimage. They go back full of joy as they have for filled Allah’s wish. They also return with a better understanding of Allah and a born a spirit of caring for others and an understanding of their own heritage that will last throughout their lives.
‘A true pilgrimage is really a journey within.’ It is important to physically go to Makka but if it is not possible to go I believe that you can still participate spiritually. I believe that if it is in your heart to go this should be accepted as you can still enjoy Hajj without going. You can use technology to participate in Hajj, for example you could pray while watching the festival on television or look at a video of the gathering on the Internet. You could also have your own party at home with other Muslims who do not go to Makka and celebrate Hajj and the end of Hajj (Eid ulad ha) together. Just because you do not go to Makka does not mean you do not follow Allah, you can still participate in Hajj without physically being there. So people who cannot go for various reasons such as old age etc can still enjoy the celebrations and not be cast out of them for being different.
If I were a Muslim I may have a different view on this subject because they believe that if it is physically possible to go, you should go no mater what, as Allah would want you to. They feel that it is a religious duty to go, as it is one of the five pillars. A Muslim would go because they want to please their God, Allah.
