After Tawaf Muslims go to two small hills called Safa and Marawah, which are enclosed under two domes, joined by a walkway. They walk seven times between the hills. This commemorates the time when Hajar and Isma’il were lost in the desert. Hajar climbed the two hills repeatedly in search of water. Despite the thirst she still kept her faith and believed. Then an Angel appeared and showed her a spring of water. This spring of water is called Zamzam. Pilgrims drink water from Zamzam. It is considered to be sacred. Some Muslims take water home for those who couldn’t make it on Hajj. This is called Sa’y. Muslims perform this in memory of Hajars search and the faith in Allah she had and the hope that they can maintain this level of faith.
The Pilgrims then stay at Mina for the night. The next day they go to the plain of Arafat. Here they spend the day standing in the sun from noon till sun fall praying to Allah for the forgiveness of their sins. Some of them stand on the Mount Of Mercy where Muhammad is believed to have delivered his last sermon. Also this is where Allah forgave and reunited Adam and Eve. This is the most important part of Hajj to Muslims. If they are not there on time Hajj is invalid. These are emotionally charged hours. They spend the day meditating. Muslims feel closest the most to Allah in the whole world. Many tears are shed as they ask for forgiveness. They stand on sacred ground and can feel the closeness of Allah.
That night they camp at Muzdalifah. The next day they go to Mina. They come here to Stone the Devil. Here are 3 pillars, jamaras, which represent the devil. Muslims throw seven stones, seven representing infinity, at the pillars. This is to remember when Ibrahim and his family drove away the devil that was tempting them. When Muslims throw the stones they do it to take their temptations away. It is an attempt of human’s way of casting away evil.
Following the casting of pebbles Muslims sacrifice an animal themselves. This is part of the festival, which ends Hajj. It is called Eid-ul-Adha, the festival of sacrifice. This rite is commemorates Ibrahim’s readiness to sacrifice his son in accordance to Allah’s wishes. Ibrahim had complete submission to Allah. Each year Muslims sacrifice an animal. This symbolizes a Muslims willingness to part with what is precious and reminds them of the spirit of Islam, where submission to Allah’s will plays the leading role. They share the meat three ways, family, friends and the poor. The sharing symbolizes brotherhood and serves as an offer of thanksgiving to Allah.
Most people might regard the Hajj as a complicated and demanding religious obligation. In fact the Hajj is a happy affair. Essentially it is a gathering of over 2 million people who have achieved a ‘mission of a lifetime’. Pilgrims are happy to have reached Mecca. Hajj is designed to develop a sense of spiritual development. It is also believed to be an opportunity to seek forgiveness, to follow in the footsteps of Muhammad and it is all in submission to Allah. Muhammad said that a Muslim who performs Hajj would return as a newly born baby free of sins. The pilgrimage also enables Muslims from all around the world to join together in Sister and Brotherhood to worship Allah, the one God, together. Hajj is a time of emotional power. Muslims must have full concentration on Allah. Hajj is performed in mind. Muslims must be in the right frame of mind for their sins to be forgiven. Muslims won’t have any thoughts or feelings on discomforts that Hajj may cause. There are a vast amount of greater points about Hajj that over rule the bad discomforts it may bring. That they are completing the fifth and final pillar of Islam and that they feel honoured that they are able to do so.
