WHAT IS HAJJ ?
Millions of Muslims this week flock to Islam’s holiest city of Makkah to perform the annual hajj pilgrimage.
Makkah: The Saudi Arabian city is considered Islam’s holiest site, as it holds al-Masjid al-Haram or the Grand Mosque that surrounds the Kaaba, a cuboid shaped building which Muslims believe has been put up together by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail almost 4, 000 years ago.
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, hajj or the act of making a pilgrimage is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims. Adult Muslims are required to perform hajjat least once in lifetime if they have the physical and financial ability.
For Muslims , hajj is perceived to be a journey of the body and the soul at the same time.
HAJJ CONSIST OF TEN FOLLOWING RITUALS
1. IHRAM
State of Ihram: Ihram means discarding your dress and have simple two peaces cotton , just as in India is white dress of a Muni or Bhikku.
All king and beggar , African and European, have the same dress. All classes, Nationalities and races melt down in a white Sea of human eqality before God
This is considered the first step for any pilgrim wishing to perform hajj.
To enter the state of Ihram, a pilgrim has to recite an intention to perform hajj called the Talabiya. This is when a pilgrim prepares one’s soul, mind and body for journey to the Almighty God. Entering the stage begins from the Miqat, or a place that is outside the pilgrimage area.
Then discard their dress and wear two peaces. Men don unstitched white garments, while women wear normal stitched clothes and a headscarf.
This state of Ihram continues during main Hajj. During this period many things are forbidden.
In fact, the word Ihram originates from the Arabic term Tahreem, which means prohibited. Because the state is believed to have a special essence of spiritual purity, there are certain acts that are not allowed for pilgrims. Among them are using perfumes, cutting hair or nails, and slaughtering animals. Even an ant can not be willfully killed. Practice of Muslims during Ihram corresponds to ahimsa principle of Jainism. This again show same essence of all religi
2- TAWAF
This is second ritual of Hajj.
Upon arrival to Makkah, Pilgrims should make Tawaf or circumambulation. It is considered an integral part of the pilgrimage, and refers to the seven times pilgrims circle around the Kaaba at the beginning, during and at the end of hajj.
The circuits are done in a counter-clockwise direction and are thought to express the unity between Muslims in worshipping one God. The rotations are marked by al-Hajar al-Aswad, or the Black Stone at the eastern corner of the Kabaa.
3- SA’EY
This is third ritual of Hajj. To traverse the distance between the hills of Safa and Marwah for seven times, this is what is called Sa’ey. The term in Arabic means to walk or move quickly.
After Tawaf, pilgrims perform Sa’ey, in what commemorates the journey by Prophet Ibrahim’s wife to find water for her infant prophet Ismail, after they were left in the desert of Makkah at God’s command. The hills are now enclosed by the Grand Mosque.
To be Continued…. Hajj
