Pilgrimage in Islam and Christianity.

Authors Avatar

                                                                                                             Varun Sivabalan

PILGRIMAGE IN ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY

Someone who travels to a holy place for religious devotions is called a pilgrim. For a Muslim, the holiest place on earth is MECCA. Because Muhammad was born here and lived here for most of his life. Mecca was a holy city even before Muhammad won it for Allah. However, the continuation of many old practices ere still encouraged. But he purified them by restoring what he believed to be their true meaning, in the worship of the One God. So theoretically, people going on pilgrimage to Mecca are walking in the footsteps of Muhammad, performing the same rituals that he did all those years ago.

Even more important than following the Prophets example is the fact that pilgrimage is commanded in the Qur’an.

“Perform the pilgrimage and the visit (to

Mecca) for Allah.”

(Qur’an)

“It is the duty of all men towards God to come

 to the House a pilgrim, if he is able to

make his way there”

(Qur’an)

“And proclaim among men the Pilgrimage,

and they shall come unto thee on foot

and upon every lean beast, the shall come

from every deep ravine

(Qur’an)

The 5th Pillar of Islam makes it a duty for everyone to go on pilgrimage (Hajj). I say everyone because in Islam, everyone human is born a Muslim until he/she converts to a different religion. If you fail to go at least once in your lifetime, it is regarded as a grave sin. However, only 1/10 Muslims manages to do it, because you have to meet the following conditions:

- You must be passed puberty therefore be of sound mind, so that you know what you’re doing. Children going accompanied by an adult do not count.

- You must be able to afford it. Therefore, you should have no debts; and you should have gained the money to pay for the pilgrimage through honest means (i.e. Not robbing a bank).

- You should be physically fit. Muslims are advised to go on pilgrimage when they are young enough to withstand the gruelling conditions. But the problem is that many cannot afford until they’re old hence some even die on their pilgrimage.

The Greater Pilgrimage is called the Hajj; people who complete it are honoured with the titles of hajji (for a man) and hajja (for a woman). The words hajj literally means ‘to set out for a definite purpose’.

Hajj: the Greater Pilgrimage

This can only be done on special days during the pilgrimage month, Dhul-Hijjah. It involves:

  • Wearing the ihram.
  • Staying at Mina overnight.
  • ‘Standing’ at ‘Arafat from noon to dusk on 9 Dhul-Hijjah.
  • ‘Stoning the Devil’ and making an animal sacrifice at Mina on 10 Dhul-Hijjah.
  • Cutting or shaving your hair.
  • Making the Tawaf, the ‘Circling’ of the Ka’bah in Mecca.
  • And again ‘Stoning the Devil’ at Mina on 11, 12 and 13 Dhul-Hijjah.

Umrah: the Lesser Pilgrimage

This can be done at any time of the year. Muslims have to perform the ‘Umrah, the Lesser Pilgrimage. It involves:

  • Wearing the ihram.
  • Performing the Tawaf, the ritual ‘Circling’ of the Ka’bah seven times.
  • Performing the Sa’y, the ritual ‘Running’ between Mounts As-Safa and Al-Marwa seven times.

A Farewell Circling of the Ka’bah is performed when a pilgrim leaves Mecca (after ‘Umrah or Hajj.

 But pilgrims must arrive in Mecca a couple of days before 8 Dhul-Hijjah. Because the Hajj takes 5-6 days, and pilgrims will need time to perform the ‘Umrah as well so they’ll have to do 2 rituals.

Many pilgrims extend their trip so that they can visit the second holy city – Madinah.

At Mecca

In the Qur’an, Mecca is stated as the ‘mother town’. Because it is the spiritual centre of Islam. Pilgrims arrive there in their hundreds of thousands every year at Hajj. Only Muslims are allowed into the holy city. The area of the hajj is haram. This word means both ‘forbidden’ and ‘sacred’, i.e. it is so special that it is set apart for a holy purpose, and those who are not Muslims are therefore forbidden. The mosque in which the Ka’bah stands is called the Masjid al-Haram, the Sacred Mosque.

Join now!

Ihram

Pilgrims must purify their bodies (a full bath or by performing wudu) and enter into the state of holiness called ihram before reaching the sacred city. This word literally means ‘consecration’, or dedication to holy things. The special dress worn by pilgrims is also called ihram.

The Ihram is an important symbol for Muslims. It has the following meanings:

  • That you have entered a state of holiness. It is a reminder that you are performing special, sacred rituals.
  • That you have put off all that connects you with your usual lives, in order to concentrate totally on ...

This is a preview of the whole essay