RE Course work,
Hajj
Karla Davies,
Centre number 25210 (JCC)
Candidate number
A01
Hajj means " to set out for a definite purpose" in this case making the journey to Makkah at least once in your life time. The prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the only person that Allah revealed his revelations to in the form of the Qu'ran, making the Qu'ran the Muslim holy book.
During the month a Dhul Hijjah Muslims make a pilgrimage to Makkah, which is situated in Saudi Arabia,, Hajj takes place on the 8TH to the 13TH in the Islamic lunar month, because it is a lunar month Hajj comes 11 days earlier each year. They go to Makkah because not only was Muhammad (pbuh) born there, but the Ka'bah is there in the sacred Mosque, Al-Masjid Al-Haram Sharif. The Ka'bah was built over the ruins of the shrine that Adam built for Allah. There are many legends about the black stone in the eastern corner of the building, some say that the angel Jibril came down from heaven and gave the stone to Isma'il, who then placed it in the corner. Others say it was given to Adam as a white stone, but later turned black due to peoples sins. On the other hand some believe that it is actually the head stone from Adams grave on Mount Abu Qubais and moved of its own accord to the eastern corner of the Ka'bah, however it got there it is revered as a sacred object by Muslims through out the world. The Ka'bah is believed to be situated directly under the throne of Allah and is said to be the point at where he began to create the earth.
The five pillars of Islam (shown in the diagram opposite) show and teach Muslims how to lead the 'straight and good life'. Each pillar has a different meaning and significance to Muslims, both for faith (ibadah) and for worship (iman). Whilst on Hajj there are certain rules which a Pilgrim must follow, these are as follow,
* No perfume, not even soap, nor in food
* No jewellery except a women's wedding ring.
* No gloves are to be worn, though hands may be wrapped in clothes.
* There is no cutting of hair or finger nails so as not to interfere with nature.
* No uprooting of plants, nor the uprooting of trees.
* No hunting nor blood shed, except in dealing with certain things. I.e. Bedbug's, flea's, Snake's, and Scorpion's.
* No weapons are permitted.
* No sexual relations not even kissing nor flirtatious thoughts.
* No engagements or taking part in a weddings.
* Every able bodied man who can afford it must got on Hajj at least once. (" 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" (Arberry) (Qu'ran 3:93))
* Women must be accompanied, (they should have a close male relative as their Wakil or mahram (guardian) to protect them. Sometimes Groups organise so that a women may have the protection of an Iman or other male from their local Muslim community)
* Things at home must be kept clean you must clear your debts, and be sure there is enough money at home for your family to get by whilst you are gone. ( It is not permitted to take out a loan, it should not be gained dishonestly, or by means that are considered unacceptable in Islam, such as gambling.)
If a Muslim is to sick to go on Hajj, they could pay for somebody to go on their behalf, this person must have already completed Hajj at least once for them self. Those who for genuine reasons cannot go, have only to declare it as there Niyyah, there heart felt intention to go on Hajj, and the duty is considered to be fulfilled. Showing that Hajj is not only about the physical journey but the metal journey as well. These Rules are set in place because the pilgrims are Allah's servants, so automatically they put away everything ...
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If a Muslim is to sick to go on Hajj, they could pay for somebody to go on their behalf, this person must have already completed Hajj at least once for them self. Those who for genuine reasons cannot go, have only to declare it as there Niyyah, there heart felt intention to go on Hajj, and the duty is considered to be fulfilled. Showing that Hajj is not only about the physical journey but the metal journey as well. These Rules are set in place because the pilgrims are Allah's servants, so automatically they put away everything that may lead to dishonesty, arrogance and aggression. They take away all distractions so that they can focus on Allah.
During Hajj the pilgrims wear Ihram. Before reaching the sacred city pilgrims must purify their body's, preferably with either a bath or wudu. Before putting on the Ihram males, shaves their head, cut their nails trim their beard. As this is not permitted after the ihram has been put on, and is not permitted while on Hajj. For men the Ihram consists of two pieces of un-sewn pure white cloth, one wrapped around their waist, and sometimes held with an "unsown belt held together with staples with the customary three pockets, one for passport and airline tickets, one for money, and one for medicine's" (Murad Hofmann, 1998) the other cloth is then thrown over the left shoulder, on there feet the males are permitted to wear un-sewn sandals. They wear nothing on there heads so many carry white umbrellas to protect from the sun. There is no such uniform for women, they must however be fully covered up, showing only there hands and face, because of this many wear a simple long sleeved ankle length pure white dress with a pure white head scarf. The ihram is intended to show the equality of all pilgrims in the eyes of Allah, as there is no difference between the rich and poor when everyone is dressed equally. Ihram is an important symbol for Muslims, because it has the following meanings;
* They have entered a state of holiness. It is a reminder that they are performing special, and sacred rituals.
* They have put all that connects them with their usual lives away, in order to concentrate totally on Allah.
* Dressed so simply, it is a sigh oh humility before Allah.
* The ihram clothes are similar to those n whish a new born child is wrapped in. They can therefore remind a Muslim of the day he or she first came in to his world as a helpless baby. Also the ihram wraps will be kept for the pilgrims burial as they have been dipped in the ZamZam well. So wearing them now reminds the pilgrim that he comes before Allah stripped of all material good's and status, just as he/she will be at death.
* White is a symbol of purity. It is a reminder that they must try not to sin
* Muslims are all dressed the same because in the eyes of Allah they are all equal.
Once in a state of Ihram, pilgrims must not worry about there personal appearance, so will not wear perfume or jewellery, except a women's wedding ring. They must be mindful of Allah's laws an so avoid all violence, even to animals, plants, and insects. They must treat the pilgrimage as a sacrifice to Allah, and must not take part in sexual relationship's during that time. So many married couples will travel together, but stay in separate accommodation. From the moment they change into Ihram the pilgrims Recite, at every opportunity they get , the Talbiyah. The word they will recite throughout Hajj go as follows;
'Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik. Labbaik, La Shareek Laka, Labbaik. Innal Hamdah, Wan Nematah, Laka wal Mulk, La Shareek Laka.'
Translated this means;
"Here I am at Thy service O Lord, here I am. Here I am at Thy service and Thou hast no partners. Thine alone is All Praise and All Bounty, and Thine alone is The Sovereignty. Thou hast no partners."
A02
Muslims arrive at Makkah (after normally flying there unless they live in Saudi Arabia near Makkah), by busses, by foot, by taxi, any way possible, the pilgrims recite the Talbiyah, men shout the words and women recite them quietly. They speak the Talbiyah in Arabic, enforcing the feeling of unity among the pilgrims. Pilgrims feel excited, and unified as they arrive at Makkah. The origins of Hajj date back to the times of Adam an Hawwa' (Eve) after being separated for two hundred years due to there disobedience in Al-jannah (paradise) they prayed in genuine repentance and were reunited on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah on the mount of mercy. Adam then built a holy building in, which is now believed to be the ruins on which the Ka'bah stands, after there forgiveness and being reunited, the angel jibril guided them in performing the first Hajj. Many years later Ibrahim (Abraham) was born, he was also known as Khalil Allah, or friend of God. He was married to Sarah. He and his wife left Babylon and first went to Palestine and then on to Egypt. It was in Egypt that Hajar was presented to Ibrahim as a slave, he later took Hajar as his second wife, who had his first son, Isma'il, Sarah was growing old yet miraculously had a soon of her own, Ishaq (Isaac) who later became the founder of the Jews. Sarah became jealous of Hajar. She may have harmed them so Ibrahim was told by Allah to Hajar and her son from Canaan, where they lived, to a place then called Bakka. Under a tree he placed a tent, and nearby was a mound of earth, infact the remains of the shrine built by Adam, it had been destroyed in the great flood during the time of the prophet Nuh (Noah). Eventually Ibrahim left Hajar and the baby Isma'il leaving them with a bag of dates, and a leather flask of water. Hajar was dismayed but accepted Ibrahim was leaving them in the care of Allah. So she waited, she prayed but nothing happened, her baby was dying of thirst, and although Hajar to was thirsty and exhausted she ran frantically between two hills, Safa and Marwah looking for water and to see if help was coming. Still she did not give up hope in Allah. The angel Jibril then appeared and showed Hajar a spring, now know as the ZamZam well, where the feet of the dying baby had scuffed the sand.
"Stop! Stop!" said hajar, "Zam! Zam!" and the well received its name. Hajar and her son spent five says there, and on the sixth the Jurhum tribe who were a nomadic tribe of that region saw the birds that came to drink from the well. Seeing this as a sign of water they went to the birds and found Hajar and her son there alive and well. Many years later Irbrahim visited the area again, sadly Hajar had died by then, but he was reunited with his son Isma'il. Ibrahim had been commanded to build a house and asked his son to help him. They found under the mounds they had chosen the remains of Adams shrine, so they began to build the house putting stones on top of each other with no mortar. Isma'il went in search of a special rock for the eastern corner. Together Ibrahim and Isma'il built the first real Beitullah, house of God. In the 4,000 years since then the Ka'bah has had to be reconstructed many times. Allah told Ibrahim to call all the people together to perform hajj and said
"...They will come to thee on foot and (mounted) on every kind of camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways" (Surah 22:27)
To this Ibrahim replied;
"O my lord! Make this city one of peace and security: and preserve me my sons from worshipping idols" (Surah 14:35)
Bedouin settlements grew around the Ka'bah and a water supply, then it grew to a town, and eventually to the city of Makkah.
In 630CE, when Muhammad (pbuh) destroyed the idols that were inside of the Ka'bah he was mearly restoring a tradition that went back to Irbrahim and Isma'il, even to Adam, the first human being and the very first prophet.
The circling of the Ka'bah or Tawaf is performed seven times, preferably running the first three and walking the final four, anti-clock wise. The circling demonstrates the unity of the pilgrim's in the worshipping of the one God, as they move around the Ka'bah each reciting a verse of the Qu'ran. After this the pilgrims perform the Sa'y/Saiy the running between the two hills of Safa and Marwah as Hajar had done many many years ago in search of water, they re-enact this by running as she did between the two hills seven times. It also represents the spiritual thirst for Allah that has to be quenched. Many pilgrims then go to the ZamZam well which is under the Sacred Mosque, some Muslims bathe the edges of there ihram in the water, and take bottles of it home with them.
Pilgrims On mount Safa, which is now enclosed in a dome, as is Mount Marwah
Picture: Pilgrims on Mount Arafat, Performing the Wuquf
On the second day of Hajj, the pilgrims travel to Arafat, which is about 24 km east of Makkah, in hilly terrain, and mount mercy standing in the middle. The Standing at Arafat is the most important part of Hajj. Here they perform the Wuquf (the standing before God) they pray, meditate and concentrate on Allah from noon, until sun set. If the Wuquf is missed the Hajj is not valid. The pilgrims pray for forgiveness among other thing, as Adam and Hawwa did. On this day they also think about the day of judgement, but are happy, and joyful because they believe that their repentance will have been accepted by Allah, that they have been cleansed by Allah's forgiveness and are as sinless as the day when they were born. At sunset the pilgrims begin there journey to muzdilafah, where they will collect pebbles which will later be used "in the stoning of the devil". A Muslim story states hat Allah tested Ibrahim's and Isma'il's faith by asking Ibrahim to sacrifice Isma'il to him. And three times the devil (Jamarat) appeared and tempted Isma'il to run away, but both father and son withstood the devils temptations and drove the devil away by throwing stones at him. At the last minute Allah intervened in the sacrifice, and provided a ram for the sacrifice. The pilgrims also throw the stones at the "jamarat" they are showing there own rejection of the devil. Hajj officially ends here and the festival of Id-ul-Adha also known as "the day of sacrifice" takes place. At this festival animals are sacrificed to Allah, Muslims who did not go on the Hajj can also join in with this sacrifice at there own homes. A third of the meat is eaten by the family that bought it, a third is given to friends and relatives, and a third to the poor. The sacrifice represents the temptations of Ibrahim and Isma'il.
If Muslims which to they may circle the Ka'bah a further eight times before leaving Makkah, and visit the tomb of the prophet Muhammad, which is situated in medina, the second holiest city in Saudi Arabia, as this is the place where he had his first vision at the age of 40, and was later buried.
Some then go to other places important to the Islamic faith, however this is not an extension of the Hajj.
On completion of the Hajj the male pilgrims are Hajji, and the females, Hajja. This shows the pilgrims have fulfilled there promise and completed there once in a life time journey. Some pilgrims repeat the Hajj, until there very old, it is considered a blessing to die on Hajj, so there is no fear of dieing on Hajj. On returning home the Hajji's or Hajja's may have a deeper religious commitment and there behaviours towards people may change and be more considerate.
Bibiliography.
Websites used;
http://wv.essortment.com/blackstonebab_rlmq.htm
http://media.maps.com/magellen/images/SAUDIA-W1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wikki/ihram
http://en.wikipedia.org/wikki/Talbiyah
www.channel4.com/life/microsites/h/hajj
Books used:
Janet Green, Islam (2005, Bristol)
Jan Tomas, Islam an approach for GCSE (1990, London)
