Describe what happens when a Muslim participates on Hajj.

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Edward Gooch

a) Describe what happens when a Muslim participates on Hajj. (24 Marks)

b) Explain the significance of the various stages of Hajj and ways in which the whole experience may affect their lives. (21 Marks)

c) ‘A true pilgrimage is really a journey within’. Do you agree with this statement? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Islam in your answer.

a) Describe what happens when a Muslim participates on Hajj. (24 Marks)

Hajj is the Pilgrimage to Mecca. For Sunni Muslims, it is a journey made at least once in a lifetime. However, for Shi’a Muslims, it is compulsory to go on Hajj every year.  Those excused from participating are single women, those too ill to go, those in debt or if they are they are poor. Allah will understand if they cannot participate. Hajj takes place annually and is one of the Five Pillars of Faith on which Islam rests, so it is very important. The Qur’an mentions that Muslims should “complete the Hajj or ‘Umrah in the service of Allah” (Surah 2:196), thus the compulsiveness. The Qur’an also states :

“Exhort all men to make the pilgrimage” (Surah 22:27)

“Pilgrimage to the house is a duty to Allah for all who can make the journey” (Surah 3:97)

The Journey to Mecca is based on Muhammad’s “Farewell Pilgrimage” he made in 629CE when he led his followers to the holy city.

        

Hajj takes place between 8th and 13th of the Islamic month, Dhu’l Hijjah. Before the pilgrim sets off to Mecca, they must make sure they must perform certain duties. This would include obtaining a Visa, making arrangements for accommodation and for a guide who will show them the way around Mecca (a useful commodity). Spiritual preparation is very important to a Muslim before they set off; learning the various prayers said on Hajj is an important part as prayer is a focus of this pilgrimage. Debts are to be paid; Allah does not want pilgrims to set out with debts still needing to be cleared. He does not want them to become in financial trouble. This is why people who are in debt are excused from taking part. Making peace with others before they set off is important; Hajj is a state of purity for a Muslim. Muslims go on Hajj to praise Allah in the highest and to also make peace with God for all the wrongs they have committed. If they have not made peace with others around them, then they cannot find one of the true meanings of Hajj. This is why it is important to make reconciliation and seek forgiveness before they set off. Hajj is expected to cost a lot of money, therefore making financial provisions for the family and those not going is important. Allah does not want Muslims to go into debt as a result of Hajj. If a Muslim cannot participate on Hajj, then they will make a declaration, Niyyah , that they could not go however it is in their best intentions to do so. As not all Muslims are able to participate in the Hajj, they can make a special contribution by funding another Muslim to go in their place. This can be regarded as ‘bringing credit on oneself’ and is regarded as being the next best thing then actually going on Hajj.

The first rite of the Hajj after arriving is to perform the Niyyah, intention of going on Hajj:

        

“Oh God, I intend to perform the Hajj and I am taking Ihram for it. Make it easy for me and accept it from me”

        

After the Niyyah, they will perform the act of ‘Putting on Ihram’, as theoretically, the pilgrimage has started. The Ihram consists of two pieces of white, unsewn and plain cloth. The Ihram is a symbol of purity between Muslims as all are equal in the eyes of God. This is one of the many teachings of Muhammad when he began preaching. Women have no specific dress for Hajj so they generally wear a white plain dress reaching down to the ankles and one which covers the arms too. Women must not be unveiled. Men’s head must be shaved also. When on pilgrimage, women should have a close male relative as their guardian, Wakil/Mahram to protect them. Ihram is also a way of keeping Muslims to strict rules when they are on Hajj. Prohibitions of Ihram include not being allowed to wear perfume, no jewellery or gloves, however the hands may be wrapped in cloth. Weapons are not to be carried - Hajj is a journey of peace, and no-one should engage in violence. Hunting or even the killing of small animals is forbidden (not even uprooting of plants). The hair or fingernails should not be cut either. Finally no sexual relations, kissing, impure thoughts or participating in wedding or engagements. All of these matters would interfere with a Muslims spiritual journey to inner peace, so Allah would not want them to become distracted from their journey. The ‘Putting on of Ihram’ means that the pilgrim is now in a state of peace both spiritually and physically (the pilgrim would have had a special cleansing/ purifying of the body beforehand also). This spiritual and physical cleaning is a submission to Allah, as the word Islam literally means ‘submission’.

From the moment they change into Ihram the pilgrims will recite the Talbiyah throughout Hajj:

“Labbayka Allahumma Labbayka - Here I am, O Allah, here I am!”

On the next stage of their journey, the Pilgrim will enter the Haram, the sacred area around Mecca. This area was established my Muhammad and Abraham as an area where God can be worshipped. No weapons or anything of this such are allowed in the Haram as it is the peaceful area around Mecca, and all living things are protected from violence (nor must any weapons enter Mecca). The Haram is also forbidden to Non-Muslims, on pain of death. The word Haram literally means ‘sacred area’ or ‘sanctuary’. It is sacred because only Muslims are allowed to enter. On their way to Mecca Pilgrims will say, in Arabic,

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“Here we come in answer to your call O Lord”

When  the pilgrim enters the holy city of Mecca they will probably go directly to the Ka’aba, in the Great Mosque, however they may wish to pray at the Sacred Mosque beforehand. It is said that praying at the Sacred Mosque is ten thousand times more beneficial than praying alone. The Ka’aba is a large stone building in the centre of the Great Mosque. All that is present in the Ka’aba is the Holy Stone. This is a small black stone sitting in a bowl on one of ...

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