Hajj 101 - Into the Islam Tradition

Significance & Concluding Statements

Hajj is an extremely important element and tradition of the Islam religion. It is considered the "fifth pillar of Islam", and along with how many people go to Saudi Arabia to partake in Hajj (at least 2.5 million!), it goes to show just how significant Hajj is to the Islam people. However, there is more to significance than words and stats; the lessons and history behind Hajj are considered to be more Important.

The history behind Hajj is one of the many reasons why Hajj is so prominent today. Beginning from the time of Abraham to the time of Prophet Mohammed and his achievements, their actions have drawn followers to follow them and unite them under one common element: Prophet Mohammed himself. It is through him that Islam can be celebrated not by distinction of race, ethnicity, culture or class, but by a single bond that unites everyone like a family.

The sacrifices taken during Hajj is also why Hajj is so important. Hajj can hold very deep moral lessons to those who can see it. For example, the sacrificing of lamb is a lesson of generosity and kindness. With that in mind, the stoning of the walls represent cleansing and a willingness to live a good and truthful life.

These are just one of the many reasons why Hajj is an extremely important part of the Islam religion: it means so much to many.

A tradition. A history. A bond.

Day 4/5/6 - Prayer, Tribute, and Closing Ceremonies

The 4th day of Hajj primarily consists of constant prayer, with all of the daily prayers being recited while the pilgrims stay at Minah.

Over the course of the next two days, another stoning ceremony would take place[1], this time in a set particular order:

The First (smallest) Jamarat
The Middle Jamarat
The Largest Jamarat

It is important to note that pilgrims have to stone these walls in a particular order. The luxury of a predetermined schedule helps accommodate these needs.

On the last day of the pilgrimage, the pilgrims return to Mecca, where they partake in a farewell ceremony surrounding the Ka'ba (the tawaf). After this ceremony is over, the pilgrimage is officially over and the pilgrims a free to go wherever they wish. [2]

[1] "Hajj Day By Day - Hajj." Hajj - Ministry of Hajj Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2013. <http://www.hajinformation.com/flashdaybyday

[2] "PILGRIMAGE." IslamAhmadiyya - Ahmadiyya Muslim Community - Al Islam Online - Official Website. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2013.< http://www.alislam.org/pillars/hajj.html>.

Day 3 - Minah

Once at Minah, pilgrims will partake in the stoning ceremony (ramy).[1] This ceremony is performed as homage to Abraham; the walls that the pilgrims stone is representative of the wall Satan had used to tempt Abraham.

More often than not, pilgrims get hurt by the constant pushing, shoving, and projectiles that are rampant throughout this ceremony.

A sacrifice is normally required after the stoning ceremony.[2] The most common sacrifice in these ceremonies is the sacrificing of animals such as sheep and lamb. Pilgrims would also have their heads shaved or their hair clipped as part of their sacrifice. Once this is done, they are able to wear everyday clothes.

The day is not yet over, though, as pilgrims perform another Tawaf-lfadha in Makkah. They also perform another Sa'y between Safa and Marwa.[3] Once this is over, the pilgrims travel back to Minah.

[1] "Hajj Day By Day - Hajj." Hajj - Ministry of Hajj Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2013. http://www.hajinformation.com/flashdaybyday.html

[2] PILGRIMAGE." IslamAhmadiyya - Ahmadiyya Muslim Community - Al Islam Online - Official Website. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2013.< http://www.alislam.org/pillars/hajj.html>.

[3] ibid

Day 2 - The Journey

On the second day of Hajj, pilgrims travel to Arafat, which provides itself as the location for the Mountain of Rahmah or also known as the Mountain of Mercy.[1] Here, pilgrims devote their time to prayer. The following excerpt below is one of the prayers recited upon entering Arafat:

"O Allah! Forgive my sins, help me repent to you, and grant me all that I beseech of You. Whenever I turn, let me see goodness. Allah be praised! All Praise is due to Allah! There is no deity except Allah! And Allah is The Most Great."[2]

Following this, the pilgrims continue to pray until the sun is set. When the sun eventually sets, the pilgrims pack up and head towards Muzdalifah.

While in Muzdalifah, the pilgrims offer their evening prayer (Mahgrib), as well as collecting stones for the stoning ceremony that will take place the next day. Once all of this is done and before the sun has begun to rise, the pilgrims will then move onwards to Mina.

[1] "Hajj Day By Day - Hajj." Hajj - Ministry of Hajj Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2013. <http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/hajj/stepbystep/_anyday.asp?StartWithLeft=_anyleft.asp?LeftReference=2_1b.jpg&StartWithRight=2_1_right.htm&IndexBottom=indexBottom_day2.htm&IndexScrollingBottom=indexScrollingBottom_day2.htm

[2] "The Hajj: a Muslim's pilgrimage to Mecca." All about religious tolerance: the ReligiousTolerance.org web site. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2013. <http://www.religioustolerance.org/isla1.htm>.

Day 1 - Prelude to Hajj

Prior to the pilgrimage, pilgrims must enter the Ihram, a state in which the pilgrim must not commit heinous acts, such as fighting, violence, and any sexual activity.[1] They must also wear signify this by wearing specific types of clothing:

The men are to wear two pieces of white, unsewn cloth, such as the one below:

Women usually wear a simple white dress, covering their heads, such as:

Pilgrims taking part in this journey also participate in performing the Sa'y. The Sa'y involves pilgrims making repeated passes between the hills of Safa and Marwah (reminiscent to that of the journey Abraham's wife had to go through in order to find water for her son.) [2]

The Minah is a ceremony that also takes place during the first day of Hajj. This begins the start of a long worship process - starting with the noon prayer (Zuhr) and ending with the morning prayer (Fahr) on the day of Arafat. [3]

[1] "The Hajj: a Muslim's pilgrimage to Mecca." All about religious tolerance: the ReligiousTolerance.org web site. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2013. http://www.religioustolerance.org/isla1.htm.

[2] ibid

[3] "Hajj Day By Day - Hajj." Hajj - Ministry of Hajj Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2013. <http://www.hajinformation.com/flashdaybyday

Prelude

Hajj: The Islam Pilgrimage

Introduction

Hajj is a pilgrimage performed by Muslims at least once in his or her lifetime. It is during this pilgrimage that Muslims travel to a place known as "Mecca", the sacred of city of Islam, where they perform sacred religious rituals. Over 2.5 million people make pilgrimage at least once in their lifetimes, making this one of the world's most prominent religious celebrations.

Origin

The rituals that are performed during Hajj, as well as the tradition itself, can be traced back to the biblical time of Abraham, at around 2,000 BC.[1] It is during this period that the angel Gabriel set down on earth and provided a well known today as the Well of Zemzem, to prevent Abraham's infant son, Ishmael, from dying of thirst.

Abraham then constructed a monument at the place known today as Kaaba, under orders from God. The Prophet Mohammed then led his followers and reclaimed the monument, rededicating it to Allah.[2]

Part of the rituals taken during Hajj includes retracing the steps Mohammed and followers took, such as:

making Hager's walk between Safa & Marwa
stoning the wall of Satan
ritualistic slaughter of lamb
climbing Mt. Arafat

The following blog will go through every steps taken during the ritual.

[1] "A Brief History Of the Hajj - TIME." Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews - TIME.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2013. <http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599