Introduction
Hajj refers to a one-time journey among the Muslims, who have the physical strength and financial freedom to reach Mecca. The vacation to this destination is in the 12th dhul-hijah of the Islamic calendar. It involves performing the rituals of the rites of the great prophets and teachers of the faith. It involves the gathering of Muslims regardless of their ethnic, racial, social and cultural backgrounds. It helps to promote the essence of brotherhood and sisterhood among the Muslims where they stand before the Kaaba to worship Allah together. This ritual commences after a few months of Ramadan, on the 8th to 13th of the Dhul-Hijjah.Mecca is a holy place to the extent that there is the restriction of entry of non-Muslims there. The travelers wear special clothes called Hiram, and they perform acts of worship. Male pilgrims have special clothes that show equality of the Muslims. The rituals of Kaaba include encircling the Kaaba around seven times and going seven times between both Safa and Marwa hills. This symbolized the number of Times Hagar went around the same mountains. The people come together in Arafa to seek forgiveness from Allah. At the end of this hajj ritual, the Muslims perform a festival called Eid Al-Fitr, characterized with prayers. Muslims have faith that Allah structured the rights of pilgrimage, and it was the duty of Prophet Mohammed to teach them. The paper will highlight the background of Hajj, the how to perform hajj, the four pillars of hajj, and the significance of hajj in Islam.
Background
The valley of Mecca was dry and scattered place many years ago. Many Muslims believe that Prophet Abraham was told to bring his wife, Hagar and their son Ismail to Arabia to guard them against the possessiveness of Sarah. Abraham agreed to leave the Muslims alone with food and water as instructed by their God, Allah. Hagar and Ismail suffered from hunger and starvation due to the cut in supplies. Due to loss of hopes to get food and water, Hajira climbed two Safa and Marwa hills to seek for assistance. Hagar collapsed beside Ismail and prayed to Allah for liberation. Ismail struck the ground with his foot, and this caused water to come out from the earth. In the end, Ismail and Hagar got enough water that they used to trade it with food and supplies. After sometime prophet, Ibrahim decided to visit his family and found out that they ran a lucrative well.
Prophet Ibrahim was told by Allah to construct him a shrine for people to come and worship him. Abraham and his son constructed a stone structure called the Kaaba.Men and women went to Kaaba naked with the argument that they should present themselves naked because it was the way they came on earth. The blood that was offered as a sacrifice was smeared on the walls of Kaaba and the meat was hung on the pillars of Kaaba as well. The people believed that Allah demanded both blood and meat. The people changed their form of worshipping Allah to clapping and whistling of horns. After building the Kaaba, Abraham often came to Mecca to perform Hajj every year.After sometimes, Ismail was gifted with prophet hood, and he delivered the message to the people around to worship Allah. After passing of many centuriesMecca, became a flourishing city due to a reliable supply of water from Zam Zam Well. The objectives and form of Hajj rituals gradually changed and idolatry cropped Arabia. The walls of Kaaba lost their purity due to erosion from idolatry.
The pilgrimage event comprised of poetry competitions dancing, drinking, adultery and other forms of vices. The sports involved performance by the chiefs of each ethnic group to offer food to the pilgrims to be famous for kindness. People began to worship spirits and gods. The people began to worship idols as well in the shrine built by Abraham. There were more than 160 gods that came to replace the Kaaba.These actions provoked Allah, who ordered Prophet Mohammed to restore Kaaba a central place for worshipping Allah. In the year 628, Prophet Mohammed together with his 1400 disciples set out a journey to Mecca.This is believed to be the first journey in Islam and would restore the religious traditions of Prophet Abraham.
How to perform Hajj
Then people should go to Ihram before the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah.When the pilgrims arrive in Mecca, they perform Tawaf, which involves circling the Kaaba.After some time, they pronounce"Labbayuka Allahuma LABBAYK".Men are supposed to cut their hair. Women should clip them but at a certain point. The Muslims should go to Ihram at the period of Duhaa.They perform Maghrib' Dhuhr,Asr' and ishaa prayers. They should also reduce the time of performing Dhuhr,'Asr and "Ishaa" prayers. This ceremony is used to awaken every Muslim that Allah is the meaning and source of life. Pilgrims also perform sai which involves circling Safa and Marwa hills. On the official day; people walk a few kilometers to the plain of Mina and spent rest there. The Muslims then proceeds to Arafat plain to spend the entire night to devoting to their Allah.
The pilgrims should perform Dhuhr and ‘Asr within the period of two Rak ahs.In the evening, the Muslims proceed to spend some time in Muzdalifa to pray overnight. The pilgrims should pray the Maghrib and "ishaa prayers. Then pilgrims set out their journey back to Mina on the 10th day. They throw shingles at a stone pillar pronouncing "Allahu Akbar" at every throw. That symbolizes a devil. This commemorates the period when Abraham threw shingles at Satan when he tried to discourage Abraham from sacrificing his Ismail. The pilgrims slaughter a sheep that Allah had sacrificed as a substitute. This ritual will passionately terminate Ihraam are not allowed to make love to their wives. The meat from the sheep is supplied to the marginalized people in the communities around.
After the sacrifice, the pilgrims proceed to Mecca to conclude the stages of formal rituals by carrying out a final tawaf and sa'I.After passing this stage, he should go to Minaa' and stay on the nights of 11th and 12th of Dhul-Hijjah.Upon being there he should throw seven stones at all the three stone pillars, shouting "Allahu Akbar" with each stone. They should perform this under the condition it sun starts to falls. He should begin with the smallest followed by the middle and the largest at the end. The person may leave Minaa' if he throws the stone at the period of sunset. If the person wants to go home, he should perform Tawaaf al-Wadaa.This tawaaf is not compulsory for women experiencing pain from bleeding profusely. When the person completes this, the Hajj is achieved.
The pillars of hajj
The blessed expedition comprises of four pillars. In every Hajj group, the presence of a teacher is mandatory because he is expected to explain to them about the pillars. The four pillars of Hajj include Ihram, Tawwaf, Say’ee, and Arafar.Ihram
It is the 1st pillar. In most instances, the term is popularly used to refer to the two bits of white clothes worn by the pilgrims while carrying out the Hajj and Umrah. Ihram refers to the state an individual undergoes while performing the Hajj and Umrah. Inhar dress symbolizes the two unstitched clothes for men and the loose clothing for the females. Nonetheless, the significance of Ihram is the permit it gives to the pilgrims regarding the opportunity to bathe and use the bathroom in which they remove the Ihram and put it back. The significant feature of the Ihram is that it promotes the objective of Ihram marked by taking the shower and praying the two prayers. The pilgrims must narrate the Talbiyyah.
"Here I am O Allah! Here I am! Here I am, there is no significant other than you, and here I am! Surely, all admiration, blessings, and power are for you. There is no significant other than you!"
The pilgrims avoid slandering, arguing or conflicting during Ihram. They act with humility and decency and avoid any actions that can harm others. Allah, the Almighty says, "For Hajj are the months well-known. If anyone undertakes that duty therein, let there be no atrocity, nor evil, nor backbiting in the Hajj and whatever good you do, (be sure) Allah sees it." (2:198).
The objectives of Ihram are very important as the Prophet said, “actions are based upon on intentions.”
Ifadah Tawaaf
As the 2nd pillar, it refers to the actions of the pilgrims circulate and circumambulate seven times in an anti-clockwise trend around the ka’bah. The Almighty Allah says, “Then let them complete the rites prescribed for them, perform their vows, and (again) circumambulate the Ancient house.” (22:29). During Tawaaf, the pilgrims are expected to ensure that all of their actions reflects the obedience to Allah alone, Wudu is conducted as a cleanliness prayer, and men and women must cover their private parts. The pilgrims say the following prayer, "Our Lord! Give us good in this world and good in the future, and protect us from the bane of the Fire!" (2:201).
Say’ee
It is the third pillar, and it refers to the act of walking from the between as-safaa and Al-marwa hills, to and fro, with the purpose of bestowing the act of respect to Allah. Allah, Subhanhu Wa-taliaa states, “Behold! As-Safaa and al-Marwa are among the Symbols of Allah. So if those who visit the House in the Season or at other times should compass them round, it is no sin in them. And if anyone submits his instinct to good, be sure that Allah is He who distinguishes and knows.” (2:158).
Arafar
It takes place at the 9th day of dhul hijja and recognized as the biggest day of Hajj. The prophet asserted, “Hajj is Arafah.” All pilgrims are expected to attend the arafar. If one fails too, his, or her, Hajj is nullified. The prophet emphasizes the importance of participating in the Hajj by saying, “Hajj is only valid by attending the Arafah.”The significance of Hajj
In Islamic worship, Hajj is a very important element according the prophet. It is considered a basis of Islam. Every Muslim believer agrees with the notion that there is no any other god except Allah, and Muhammad is Allah messenger. A Muslim says a prayer, pay Zakah, subscribe to Ramadan and take participates at least once in his life in Hajj is he/she can afford to pay for the journey. Allah pronounces, “All men must attend the Pilgrimage to the House if they can afford to participate in the journey. And as for the detractor, God is All-sufficient, wanting nothing from all the realms” (Al-Imran 3: 97).
According to Islamic doctrines, every Muslim must visit Makkah once in their lifetime if they have the capacity to sort the expenses involved. It is during Hajj when Muslims are taught to say five prayers on a daily occasion. The Quran also expects them to uphold high levels of cleanliness and remain pure throughout their life here on earth. When a Muslim prays near the ka’ba, he is rewarded 100,000 more times than praying elsewhere in the universe.
The act of sacrificing a lamb instills the capacity to share and provide to the deprived. Muslims are taught to be generous, kind, and share with the less privileged in the society. The pilgrims are also taught to ensure that they are honest, truthful and clean and live a life without sins. The participants understand better how to reject any attempts of the devil and always stand against him. The water from Zam Zam is an exceptional gift from Allah to all muslims and anyone who gets the chance to quench thirst with the water, he/she is cured of all ailments and abnormality.
Nonetheless, the pilgrimage is important since it helps the pilgrims to study the Islam history and their beliefs. They understand the sacrifices made by Prophet Muhammad, and this instills a sense of patience and sacrifice. Hajj helps Muslims to remember to live in harmony and accordance with the expectations of Allah. Since Muslims across the world meets at the pilgrimage, their bond is strengthened, and they start to live in in harmony, equality, and brotherhood. These values help Muslims to build a strong society who believes in God. The pilgrimage has numerous benefits to the Islamic society because of the values it impacts in their lives. The poor and the less privileged are assisted to live a happy life and improve their status.
Conclusion
As illustrated in the context above, Hajj refers to a one-time journey among the Muslims, who have the physical strength and financial freedom to reach Mecca. It helps to encourage the essence of brotherhood and sisterhood among the Muslims where they stand before the Kaaba to worship Allah together. During the pilgrimage, the attendants are expected to perform Hajj in the appropriate manner and accordance to the pearls of wisdom of their Prophet Muhammad. It is also important to understand the four pillars of Hajj and perform the doctrines associated with the process. The four pillars of Hajj include Ihram, Tawwaf, Say’ee, and Arafar. Hajj introduces positive effects in the society and helps Muslims to live according to the laws. The teachings of Allah also expects them to uphold high levels of cleanliness and remain pure throughout their life here on earth.
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