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Hajj.
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The fifth Pillar of Islām is to perform Hajj
(Pilgrimage) to the Holy City of Makkah. It is compulsory on
Muslims who can afford the expenses and the physically able to
undertake the journey. It is obligatory only once in a Muslim's
life.
Hajj was performed for the first time by the Prophet
Ibrāhīm Alahi Wa Salam and his son Ismā'īl Alahi Wa Salam.
Ibrāhīm Alahi Wa Salam was ordered by Allāh Subhanahu Wa
Ta'ala to call people for pilgrimage. It is in response to his
call that Muslims rush to Makkah every year. They carry out the acts
of Hajj with devotion and sincerity. They confirm their
readiness to forsake worldly enjoyment and comfort for the sake of
Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala.
Hajj is the largest annual gathering of
Muslims. They come from all over the world to assemble in Makkah.
They meet one another and exchange good wishes.
Hajj is a true demonstration of the fact that
Islām is an universal religion and all Muslims are brothers and
sisters and equal to one another.
Pilgrims wear the same clothing and gather on the
plain of Arafāt. This is a reminder that all mankind will one day
gather on the Day of Judgement when they will be presented to Allāh
Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. They will stand equal before Allāh
Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala except in the degree of piety and
righteousness. Hajj symbolises devotion to Allāh Subhanahu Wa
Ta'ala and obedience of His Commands.
Sūrah
Âl-'Imrān
(The Family of Imrān)
III, Ayāt 97:
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فِيهِ آيَاتٌ بَيِّنَاتٌ مَقَامُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمَنْ دَخَلَهُ كَانَ آمِنًا وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلا وَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ |
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In it are manifest signs (for example), the Maqām
(place) of Ibrāhīm Alahi Wa Salam (Abraham);
whoever enters it, he attains security. And Hajj
(pilgrimage to Makkah) to House (Kab āh) is a duty
that all mankind owes to Allāh Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala,
those who can afford the expenses (for one's conveyance,
provision and residence): and whoever disbelieves
[i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a
disbeliever of Allāh], then Allāh stands not in need of
any of the 'Âlamīn (mankind, jinn and all that
exists). (TMQ* 3:97 ) |
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On Dhu al-Hijrah 7th:
This day is spent with performing Salāt in the Al Masjid Al Harām
in Makkah. This act is preparing the hajj's for the holy ceremonies.
On Dhu al-Hijrah 8th:
The hajj's now leave Makkah. Following the two caskets that are
being brought every year to the hajj from Damascus and from Cairo,
the hajj's reach the plain of Arafāt, after passing through Mina and
Muzdalifah. Many ascend the mountain Jabal ur-Rahma, but these days,
only a small percentage has the chance of actually doing this. Up on
the mountain the one small phrase, "Labbaika", is sung
out over and over again.
On Dhu al-Hijrah 9th:
This is really the day which is meant to be spent out here, and the
action during this day is simply called Wuquuf, 'standing'. Two
Khutbah's fill the day entirely. When the sun sets behind the
Western hills, the Idafa starts. The Idafa is the running to
Muzdalifah. The two last Salāt's are performed here, and the night
is spent.
On Dhu al-Hijrah 10th:
This morning starts with a Khutbah in Muzdalifah, before the hajj's
goes to Mina. In Mina different duties awaits the hajj. 7 little
stones, that have been gathered in Muzdalifah the day before, are
thrown by each hajj at the 3 Jamrah, pillars that shall represent
the powers of Shaitān. This place, Shaitān appeared in front of
Ibrāhīm Alahi Wa Salam. When the 7 little stones have been
thrown off, the hajj is more or less to an end, yet there are other
ceremonies yet to be performed. The crying of "Labbaika"
comes to an end, around this time.
At this time a sheep or a goat is sacrificed, but while this ends
the hajj, it is another ceremony, called Id ul-Kabir. Many of the
hajj's do not kill the animal themselves, but get professional
butchers to do it. Parts of the meat are these days eaten, but most
is taken care of by Saudi Arabian authorities, that make sure that
nothing is lost, but distributed partly to the needing.
Many have their heads shaven at this moment. The shaving is done
while turning towards the Qiblah. When this is done, the Ihram is
left, and the hajj is no longer a Mihram, the one that had the holy
purity of the ihram. It is now custom to return to Makkah, and
perform the Tawāf, the circumambulation of the Ka'bah. Washing and
bathing is done this same day, as this was prohibited during the
Ihram.
On Dhu al-Hijrah 11th till Dhu al-Hijrah 13th:
These last days of the extended hajj are spent in Mina, and are
filled with eating, drinking and for those together with their
spouse, sensual pleasure. Every day seven stones are thrown on each
of the 3 Jamrah. While the most correct is to stay at Mina until the
13., a large number of the hajj's return to Makkah on the 12th. Some
days later, people set out for what has become an intrinsic part of
the hajj, a visit to Madīnah and the tomb of Prophet Muhammad
Sala-llahu Alahi Wa Salam.
Article by Abū Redwan.
* =
Translation of the Meaning
of the
Qur'ān Al Kareem. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of
the stated (Sūrah : Ayāt)
of the Qur'ān Al Kareem. Reading the translated meaning of the
Qur'ān Al Kareem can never
replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.
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