The Hajj
The Hajj is the Holy Pilgrimage of Muslims to Mecca. Hajj or "The Greater Pilgrimage' can only be done on special days during the pilgrimage month of Dhul Hijjah. The Hajj takes about six days to complete, but Muslims need to perform 'Umrah' before hand so most go for a week or two. Hajj is also the fifth pillar of Islam.
Muslims are expected to take part in Hajj at least once in they're lives, to not take part in Hajj when they are fit and able is a sin. To complete Hajj properly and be able to achieve the titles Hajji or Hajja they must complete three requirements. The pilgrims must have reached an age where they are responsible for themselves and they must have a sound mind. It is allowed for parents to take they're children on Hajj with them but this cannot count as the child's completing of Hajj. Pilgrims must also be able to afford to go on Hajj, incurring no debts whilst doing so and have got their money through fair means. Finally the Muslims should also be physically fit enough to perform the pilgrimage. Muslims believe that they should go on Hajj because of two important phrases in the Qur'an these are 'Perform the pilgrimage and the visit (to Mecca) for Allah' (Qur'an 2:196) and ' 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 3:93). These two quotes show evidence of Allah's commandment for Muslims to go on pilgrimage. Hajj, means 'to set out for a definite purpose' this is telling Muslims that going on Hajj would be showing their loyalty and devotion to Allah.
Before going into the Holy City of Mecca Muslims must be ihram, that is a state of holiness. To enter this state Muslims must preferably have a full bath or if that is not possible perform Wudu. They must then dress accordingly which for men is two simple pieces of unsewn white cloth, one round the waist one over the left shoulder, and the women must cover all of their bodies except their hands and their faces. Entering a state of Ihram reminds Muslims of several things, firstly that they have entered a state of holiness and that ...
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Before going into the Holy City of Mecca Muslims must be ihram, that is a state of holiness. To enter this state Muslims must preferably have a full bath or if that is not possible perform Wudu. They must then dress accordingly which for men is two simple pieces of unsewn white cloth, one round the waist one over the left shoulder, and the women must cover all of their bodies except their hands and their faces. Entering a state of Ihram reminds Muslims of several things, firstly that they have entered a state of holiness and that they are performing sacred rituals, it also reminds them that they have forgotten about their usual lives and are now unconcerned with it. Furthermore it shows humility before Allah. All Muslims are dressed the same because they are equal before Allah.
When on Pilgrimage Muslims visit many places; they visit these places in a particular order. The first thing any Muslim visits is the Ka'ba. The Ka'ba is said to be the first prayer house on earth. It fell from the heavens to the first man on earth, Adam. Unfortunately the Ka'ba that fell from the heavens was destroyed, but Irahim rebuilt it with the help of his son Isma'il. The Ka'ba is the place of the first ritual of Hajj, the Tawaf. The Tawaf is 'the circling'. Pilgrims run round the Ka'ba three times starting from the Black stone, and then walk around the Ka'ba four times. They do this because Muhammad also did this and they feel that they are following in the steps of Muhammad, this gives them and a sense of belonging and unity in worshipping one God. After the circling they all pray two rak'ahs.
The pilgrims then perform Saiy, the running. Saiy is when the pilgrims run between the mountains of As-Safa and Al-Marwa seven times, beginning at As-Safa and finishing at Al-Marwa. Saiy is copying Hagar's frantic search for water. Hagar left her son Isma'il in the desert and went looking for water to save them from dying of thirst. When she returned Isma'il dug his heels in the ground and water gushed up and they were saved. Many pilgrims still visit this spring and take water from it.
On 9 Dhul Hijja the pilgrims gather on the Mount of Mercy on the 'Arafat plains. They stay there and perform their prayers there from noon until dusk. In the relentless heat this is a gruelling task and reminds Muslims of the day of judgement and, if Allah so wishes performing this ritual shall remove them of their sins.
Then on the 10 Dhul Hijja the pilgrims engage in stoning the devil. They each throw seven stones at a pillar in Mina they then perform this ritual for the next two days. There are two main reasons for this ritual firstly it reminds them of the story of Isma'il, where Allah tested their devotion to him by asking his parents to sacrifice their son. Three times the devil tempted the father not to do it, but Ibrahim resisted the temptation. Allah stopped Ibrahim at the last moment and gave him a ram for sacrifice. The father and son the chased the devil away by throwing stones at him, and the pilgrims are re-enacting this. The second reason is that they believe they are chasing the devils away and rejecting evil and increasing their resistance to it.
The final ritual is The Animal Sacrifice, this is were everyone who can afford it buys an animal and slaughters it, they then roast the meat and eat it, they always give at least 1/3 of the meat to the poor. This sacrifice reminds the pilgrims again of the story of Isma'il because Allah gave them a Ram to sacrifice.
There are a few difficulties facing Muslims going on Pilgrimage, biggest first they are:
* Debt is often the biggest problem because Muslims are not permitted to go on Hajj till all debt is paid off.
* Difficulties may occur if a Muslim is old, weak or even claustrophobic because they can't deal with crowds. This may also be a problem if they are to busy worrying about themselves to think about God, which is what they're there for.
* It could be difficult to get time off work or school. Also, it may be hard to deal with family responsibilities especially if a Muslim is the mother or father of a family. They would probably need someone to take while they're away.
* Some Muslims may just find the whole event too overwhelming.
These problems are all part of Hajj and Hajj is a test and to pass the test the Muslims have to overcome these difficulties. It is all part of their pilgrimage.
Pilgrimage effects the life of Muslims in many ways, I have an exert from a conversation with a Muslim below:
<Jiggerman> Do you know anyone who has gone on Hajj, and did you notice any difference in them.
< Bullet Dodger> My dad has been I think, I know for sure that he would of come back very happy and fresh!, it is a special thing going to Hajj. It's a must for all Muslims to go at least once in their lifetime, if you're quite wealthy then more trips are necessary.
From this conversation and other sources I can draw that going on Hajj is normally a once in a lifetime experience, it is a refreshing and joyous experience and may convince Muslims to lead better lives.
A pilgrimage is both a mental and physical journey. It is a journey from the heart and soul showing a true and deep felt love for God. It is about enduring a hardship to prove this to him. Although many people believe God to be omnipresent Muslims still believe that by travelling to Mecca they are getting closer to him, or better still, closer to his heart. This, however can also be interpreted that going on Hajj is not needed because as Allah is Omnipresent he is as close to them at home as he is in Mecca, and therefore on a mental pilgrimage is required, where they just need to feel they're love for Allah. Many Muslims dispute this fact because Pilgrimage and the rituals involved are the fifth pillar of Islam and are therefor a direct commandment from Allah and should be done as he says. I believe that a true pilgrimage is only valid when, the pilgrim changes inside and becomes cleansed and joyous, they have completed all the physical hardships, once they have completed those requirements then they have been on a true pilgrimage.
Hajj Coursework
