Hajj The Pilgrimage to Makkah - Essay Example

Hajj The Pilgrimage to Makkah HAJJ: Hajj also known as the pilgrimage to Makkah constitutes the fifth and the last act of worship prescribed by Islam. Literal meaning of Hajj is the will and desire to visit, but in the terminology of Islamic law or Shariah, it means to visit the Holy Kaabah which was built by Prophet Adam for the worship of God (Allah). Pilgrimage to the house of God is an obligation for those who:can afford the journeyhave the provisions of travelingis an adultis not hampered by any disease or other disabilities.

is not under a tyrannical rulerHajj constitutes a form of worship for a Muslim's entire body and soul, time and money sacrificed of all comforts of life to assume for few days condition of a pilgrim totally at God's disposal. Hajj is the only fundamental pillar of Islam which requires both physical and financial sacrifices. Pilgrims come for Hajj from all around the world representing various nationalities. It is an exhibition of brotherhood, unity, equality, punctuality and discipline. When people from all around the world stand in silence and in a row while praying in the mosque, it shows the exhibition of equality and discipline among the Muslims.

Hajj is an annual congregation of worship.2. Lesser pilgrimage is known as the Umra and is commonly referred to as Haj-e-Asghar. Although many acts of worship performed in Umra are those performed in of Hajj, there are certain fundamental differences as Hajj is obligatory, Umra is not. Hajj can only be performed on prescribed dates, but there isn't any time and date fixed for performing Umra. It is undesirable to perform Umra between 9th and 13th of ZilHajj of the Islamic calendar. Umra can be performed individually (while Hajj is performed in groups) and is a shorter course of pilgrimage. 3. Ihram: Pilgrims put on Ihram during the Hajj ritual.

They are 2 white sheets of unsown cloth. One sheet is used for covering the lower portion of the body (from the navel downwards) and the other is used for covering the upper portions of the body. Head while remaining uncovered. Ihram for women is their everyday clothes. It is compulsory for women to cover their heads, but no cloth should touch their faces. Before putting on the Ihram the pilgrim should first take a full bath and clean his body thoroughly. He may then put on Ihram and cover his head with some unsown piece of cloth and offer prayers.

Then facing the Holy Kaabah should set his intentions in front of God of performing the Hajj pilgrimage. Ihram is the first and foremost obligation of Hajj. It is a declaration of ones intention to perform Hajj or Umra. Ihram is the visible indication renouncing all the vanities of the world devoting the pilgrim to the worship of God.4. Talbiyah means to say loudly intentions of the pilgrim the uniqueness and sovereignty of God and to seek his blessings and to say the pilgrim is at his service.

Pilgrim after saying this formally enters the prohibitions and restrictions of Ihram.5. MIQAT: 6A. Tawaf: Pilgrim enters the Great Mosque and walks seven times around the Holy Kaabah (most revered site to Muslims) this is called Tawaf. Each of the seven circles is called Shaut. Tawaf is actually begun by kissing the Black Stone called Hajr-e-Aswad. There are five types of Tawaf:1. Tawaf-e-Ziyrat2. Tawaf-e-Qudum3. Tawaf-e-Sadr4. Tawaf-e-Umra5. Tawaf-e-NafalThere are no restrictions on to time or the number of Tawaf but must be performed after clarifying true intention of performing Hajj and ablution. 6B. Muqam-e-Ibraheem: It is the place of Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham).

It is the stone where Prophet Ibraheem stood while constructing the Holy Kaabah.ZamZam and its story: This well is in the south eastern side of Masjid-e-Haram Mosque. The spring that feeds this well sprang up from under the feet of Prophet Ismael, when his mother was searching for water for her infant son between Safa and Marwa Hills. From that time till present, billions of people have drunk water from this well.6D. The pilgrim then performs Sayi which is running seven times between Safa and Marwa Hills.

These two hills are close to the wells of ZamZam. Safa is to the south-east, from which Sayi is commenced and Marwa is to the north-east where it ends. It was between these two hills that Hajra, wife of Prophet Ibraheem, ran several times in search of water for her infant son. It is in her memory this ritual is performed. It expresses maternal love and gratitude to God. 6E. Stay in Mina: After sayi on the morning of 8th Zil-Hajj in the Islamic calendar pilgrim journeys to Mina a plain which lies between Arafat and Makkah, about 4 miles east of Makkah.

The pathway into this plain passes through a hill called Aqaba. Pilgrims must reach this place before noon so that prayers may be offered. On way to Mina and in Mina pilgrims should continue to recite religious prayers like Durud, Kalma and Talbiah.6F. Journey to Arafat: On the next day, that is, on the 9th of Zil-Hajj which is called Yaum-e-Arafat, the pilgrim should leave Mina after the Fajr prayers and move on to the plain of Arafat. This plain is situated at a distance of nine miles from Makkah and about six miles from Mina.

According to traditions, it was in this plain that Adam and his wife were re-united after years of wanderings. It was in this plain that the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) delivered his Khutba Hajjat-ul-Wida (last sermon) and where he received the final revelation about the completion of Islam.6G. Immediately after sunset, without offering Maghrib prayers, the pilgrim should leave Arafat for Muzdalifah, a plain between Mina and Arafat about six miles from Makkah and three miles from Mina.6H.

After saying the Fajr prayer on the 10th of Zil-Haj before sunrise, the pilgrim should leave for Mina.6I. The pilgrim now precedes to Mina just before daybreak. Here he spends three nights stoning the three stone pillars called Jamarat. The story narrates that Satan tried to deceive and mislead Hazrat Ibraheem at these three places and Hazrat Ibraheem stoned the devil. It is in the memory of this, that Rami the symbolic ceremony of stoning the devil is held at Mina. It is to show that we reject the devil and obey no one but Allah!6J. 6K and 6L: Returning from the site of Jamarat-Al-Uqba, the pilgrim offers sacrifice in memory of Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham) who was willing to sacrifice his son at the command of God.

This sacrifice is also part of worldwide celebrations which unites Muslims known as EidUlAzha festival. After sacrifice which showcases spirit of piety and submission to God the male pilgrim should shave his head; female clipping their hair as the pilgrim can be no longer in an Ihram. 7. At the conclusion stage three portions of pillars of devil are stoned There are prescribed timings for throwing of the stones.Pilgrim after performing Hajj comes out as a truly new person free from all his sins and negative deeds and he on coming out from Hajj ritual is like a new born baby now as when the baby is born he/she has no negative deeds or sins commited and is totally new to this world.

So the Haji as they are called are compared to a new born baby as all their sins are washed away in this Hajj-Pilgrimage.9 and 10: Yes! A pilgrim goes to Madina before or after Hajj with the intention of visiting the Prophet's mosque and praying in it. Prayer there is better than a thousand prayers elsewhere except in the Holy Mosque in Makkah. Upon reaching the mosque he prays two Rakaas of salutation or performs any obligatory prayer that is due. He goes to the grave of the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and he stands before it.

He greets him saying the " May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you, oh Prophet. May Allah grant you a good reward on behalf of your people. " He takes a step or two to his right to position himself before Abu-Bakr and greets him saying : "May the peace, mercy, and blessing of Allah be upon you. oh Abu-Bakr, Caliph of the Messenger of Allah. May Allah be pleased with you and grant you a good reward on behalf of Muhammad's people." Then he takes a step or two to his right to position himself before Umar and greets him saying: " May the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you, oh Umar, Prince of the believers.

May Allah be pleased with you and grant you a good reward on behalf of Muhammad's people." In a state of purity, he goes to pray in Qubaa Mosque. He goes to Al-Baqee to visit Uthman's grave (may Allah be pleased with him). He stands before it and greets him saying: "May the peace, mercy and blessing of Allah be upon you, oh Uthman Prince of the believers. May Allah be pleased with you and grant you a good reward on behalf of Muhammad's people." He greets any other Muslims in Al-Baqee. He goes to Uhud and visits the grave of Hamza (may Allah be pleased with him) and the other martyrs there with him.

He greets them and preys to Allah to grant them forgiveness, mercy, and pleasure. : Compiled from:Islamiat For Students by Farkhanda Noor Muhammad (Feroz Sons Publishers Pakistan - Revised edition 2002)