On pilgrimage. Explain the significance and the symbolic meanings of what you did.

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RS1 – write a diary account regarding your experiences on pilgrimage.  Explain the significance and the symbolic meanings of what you did.

HAJJ DIARY

1st Dhu-el-Hijja

DAY 1: Today I have had a really long day. I went out work and then out with some friends. I got home around 6:45 and found out that I was going on Hajj. Hajj is a very important Muslim pilgrimage and every Muslim must make this journey at least once in a lifetime.  This is necessary because it is one of the five pillars of Islam. I asked my mum why I had to go and she answered that I have to go because of four main reasons:

“I am Muslim (and all Muslims have to go on Hajj), secondly because I am sane (to go on hajj you must be sane and be able to make the journey) thirdly because I have passed the age of puberty and fourthly because it is my duty according this Verse from the holy Quran:

“And Pilgrimage to the house is a duty on mankind to Allah for those who can find a way there”

Quran 3: 196

To be totally honest, I am quite excited about the whole thing, I really want to go on this pilgrimage and deep down I feel privileged and spiritually awakened.  Hajj, for me will develop both the spiritual and moral goals of Islam.

                                                                2nd Dhu-el-Hijja

DAY 2:Today I went shopping AGAIN! But his time I went to buy the special white cloth which I will wear when I go on my pilgrimage.  This white cloth is called “IHRAM”.  I bought my cloth from a fabric shop and I will now get it sewn up, so that I can wear it.  Today I also found out who I will be going on Hajj with.  I am going with my brother, the reason I am going with him is because I have to go with a male relative who I cannot marry. This is known as “MAHRAM”. In Islam it is forbidden for women to make long journeys of more than 24 hours without a male accompaniment, who she cannot marry. If somebody cannot find a Mahram to go on the journey with her then she is not obliged to make the journey. Earlier today when I was out shopping with mum I asked her why I had to make the journey now and not later in my life like my grandparents did (they went on Hajj when they were about 65 years of age) and she explained to me that nowadays people delay Hajj until they are older because they believe that it will automatically wipe out all their sins. She also told me that the Prophet Muhammad was reported to have said:

“Hasten to perform the duty of Hajj, for verily none of what may obstruct him “

This is the reason mum gave to me as to why I had to go on Hajj now and not later in my life.

 

3rd Dhu-el-Hijja

DAY 3:  today I phoned the travel agent to book my aeroplane tickets. When I phoned I discovered that Labbayak tours offered their customers and entire Hajj package. They said that this package would cost me £1800. The travel agent explained to me what the package included and it sounded very reasonable so with the consent of my brother I booked the entire package.  I feel really exhilarated now because it has been finalised that I will be travelling to Saudi Arabia in 2 days time.  As soon as I had booked the tickets my brother went to the Saudi Arabian embassy and go visas for both of us.  I didn’t know this but when my brother came back we were talking and I found out that a pre condition for issuing visa by the Saudi government is that any woman travelling to the country for Hajj must have a Mahram. My brother is my Mahram so it was all ok. The excitement inside me is really building up now and I can’t wait to go.

4th Dhu-el-Hijja

DAY 4: There was nothing much to do today I just lazed around the cleaning and finishing off some paperwork that I had to complete before I left. Some of relatives came around to see us and my aunt and uncle had dinner at my house as well. I went to bed late because I was just reading my magazine and chatting to one of my friends over the phone.

5th Dhu-el-Hijja

Day 5: I spent most of today resting because mum kept telling me that tomorrow was a big day and that I should be prepared for it. I sort of started to pack my suitcase as well.  One of the first things I put in my suitcase was my deodorant because I believe that it is very hot in Saudi Arabia and also because I know that there will be a lot of people there (making it very hot and stuffy) but as soon as mum saw it she took it straight back out, she said that it was not allowed. She gave me this weird look and left the room and came back ten minutes later with a sheet of paper: she told me to copy it into my so that I would observe all the rules with breaking them or forgetting them. So here are the rules:

  • No perfume of any kind should be used because the pilgrim must forget the luxuries of everyday life.
  • No animals or insects should be harmed or killed; this is a reminder that everything belongs to Allah the creator.
  • No plants should be uprooted or damaged this is to foster a love for the world of nature which is Allah’s creation.
  • Nothing dishonest or unkind should be done because you should aim to be a true servant of Allah.
  • No weapon should be carried because this symbolises the giving up of any spirit of aggression.
  • The head must be covered as an expression of humility.
  •  Hair and nails should not be cut whilst in a state of ihram so that you can express non-interference with nature.
  • You should not have any sex so that you forget worldly pleasure and concentrate fully on the spiritual pleasures.

6th Dhu-el-Hijja

DAY 6: I had to wake up really early today because we had to leave home for the airport. I did my morning prayers, Du’a, and then had breakfast with my parents. On the way to the airport I was full of anticipation. Some relatives have told me about their Hajj and from what they were saying it sounds like quite and experience. When we got to the airport I was shocked at what I saw. There were so many pilgrims at Heathrow. I could already feel the unity and peace between everybody. It was obvious that everyone was concentrating on one main thought and that their religion and their faith.  On the plane the feeling was the same, everyone was at peace with one another and the atmosphere was very calm.  I saw some people praying, and I could see that for some people god and Islam was all they were thinking about.  Even I was feeling very religious and spiritual. When we finally got to Saudi Arabia after a 6 hour flight it was very hot and I felt totally exhausted. We arrived at night to Jeddah, so we just had some food and went to sleep.

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7th Dhu-el-Hijja

DAY 7: when I woke up this morning, the sun was shining; it was hot, dry and dusty. I had some breakfast and although it was very different from back home it was tasty all the same. I got dressed into my ihram clothes and performed Wudu. This is to ensure that my body is clean before I pray and perform my Hajj duties.  The hotel was quite near Mecca, so we left to go the great mosque where I will be circling the Kaaba. A main part of performing Hajj is to circle the Kaaba seven times. When ...

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