Hajj - Significant Practice in Islam

Hajj – Significant Practice in IslamHAJJ – Significant Practice in Islam Objectives • • • • Briefly describe the rituals of Hajj Describe the meaning of Pilgrimage and its aspects of worship Demonstrate how this practice expresses the beliefs of Islam Analyse the significance of this practice for both the individual and the Muslim community The Quran and Hadith on Hajj ْ ‫حجﱡ‬ ً ‫سبِي‬ َ َ‫ست‬ َ ُ‫خلَه‬ َ ‫د‬ ْ َ‫ع إِل‬ ْ ‫نا‬ ْ َ‫الب‬ ْ ِ‫م إ‬ َ ‫طا‬ َ ِ ِّ‫و‬ َ ‫من‬ َ ‫ه‬ َ‫ب‬ ِ‫ي‬ ِ ‫ي‬ ِ ‫اس‬ ِ ‫كانَ آ‬ ِ ‫را‬ ‫ﱠ‬ ُ ‫مقَا‬ َ ‫منًا‬ َ ‫م‬ َ ‫ت‬ َ‫و‬ َ ‫ھي‬ ِ ‫م‬ ِ ‫علَى النﱠ‬ “[It is] the place whereon Abraham once stood; and whoever enters it finds inner peace. Hence, pilgrimage unto the Temple is a duty owed to God by all people who are able to undertake it.” The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 3, Verse 97 ْ ِ‫اس ب‬ ‫وأَ ﱢ‬ ُ ‫من‬ ُ ‫علَى‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ل فَ ﱟ‬ ‫ك ﱢ‬ ‫ك ﱢ‬ ‫ح ﱢ‬ َ ‫ج‬ َ ‫و‬ َ ‫ج يَأْتُو‬ َ ‫ل‬ َ ‫ر‬ َ ‫ال‬ ِ‫ع‬ ِ َ‫ر يَأْتِين‬ ِ ‫ضا‬ َ ً ‫جا‬ َ ٍ ‫مي‬ ٍ ‫م‬ ِ ‫ذن فِي النﱠ‬ ِ ‫ك‬ "And proclaim to mankind Al-Hajj (Pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep valley and distant place to perform Hajj” The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 22, Verse 27 ْ ‫كر‬ ْ َ‫ت ف‬ ْ ‫و‬ ْ ‫ر‬ ْ ‫د‬ ْ ‫غ‬ ّ ‫ُوا‬ ْ ‫م‬ ُ ‫اذ‬ ُ ‫وإِن‬ ُ ‫ما ھَدَا‬ ُ ‫اذ‬ ُ ‫ربﱢ‬ ُ‫ي‬ َ ِ ‫م فَإ‬ ُ َ‫بت‬ ْ‫م‬ َ ُ ‫كرُوه‬ ْ َ‫ح أَن ت‬ ْ َ‫عل‬ ‫من ﱠ‬ ٌ ‫جنَا‬ ‫من‬ ُ ‫م‬ َ ‫ن‬ َ ‫عن‬ َ ‫ْس‬ ٍ ‫رفَا‬ َ‫ع‬ ْ‫ك‬ َ‫ح‬ َ ‫ال‬ َ‫ش‬ ْ‫ك‬ ْ‫ك‬ َ ‫◌َ ي‬ ِ َ‫ﷲ‬ ‫كنتُم ﱢ‬ ‫ذا أَفَضْ تُم ﱢ‬ ‫وا فَضْ ً ﱢ‬ َ ‫م‬ َ ‫ام‬ ِ ‫ر‬ َ‫ك‬ َ ‫ال‬ ِ ‫ع‬ َ َ ْ ‫ل‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ق‬ َ‫منَ الضﱠآلﱢين‬ ِ ِِ [However,] you will be committing no sin if [during the pilgrimage] you seek to obtain any bounty from your Sustainer. And when you surge downward in multitudes from `Arafat, remember God at the holy place, and remember Him as the One who guided you after you had indeed been lost on your way. The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 2, Verse 128 Prophet Muhammad said: “Whoever performs Hajj to this house — Ka’bah — and does not commit any obscenity and wrongdoing, he, or she, will come out as the day he, or she, was born — pure and free from sins.” Prophet Muhammad © Affinity Intercultural Foundation Prepared by Mehmet Ozalp Page 1 His faith and submission to One God was equal to the faith of a whole nation as described in the Holy Qur’an. The Story of Abraham Abraham had two wives. and a way of establishing a connection with the monotheism and its human legacy symbolised by Abrahampbuh and the first human Adampbuh respectively. she walked and ran scanning the whole area searching for water. hajj refers to the annual pilgrimage that Muslims embark onto Maccah with the intention of visiting holy places and performing certain religious rites in accordance with the way prescribed by the Prophet Muhammadpbuh. Sacrifice of an animal which is distributed to the poor. Hajj. Sarah. © Affinity Intercultural Foundation Prepared by Mehmet Ozalp Page 2 . Safa and Marwa. Ka’bah signifies oneness of God. at the time Mecca as a city did not exist. Abraham was an exemplar model for monotheism and a mentor for all believers in One God. This pilgrimage is done once in a lifetime by those Muslims rich enough to make the journey. A fast walk between Safa and Marwah near Ka’bah. Visiting and staying at Mina. This water sprang forth miraculously under Ishmael's tiny feet. Hajj is Abrahamic Hajj is more than just a matter of connecting with the historical legacy of Islam.Hajj – Significant Practice in Islam Description of Pilgrimage – Hajj The Arabic word hajj literally means “to embark out for a place”. It was part of a valley called Bekka. 4. Hence. the two pieced cloth. consists of visiting a number of sacred places such as Ka’bah. Initially. 2. 3. 7. Putting on ihram. Mt Arafat and performing specific rites during the period from the 8th to 13th Dhu’l Hijjah. Throwing pebbles at three fixed places in Mina. 5. His wife Hagar fully submitted to God’s command due to her strong faith and agreed to migrate to Mecca and live there alone with her son. or the Pilgrimage. it is not a surprise that most of the Hajj rites are Abrahamic. Arafat and Muzdalifah. Circumambulating the Ka’bah seven times. Hagar kept searching until she found the sacred water known as zamzam. When Hagar ran out of water and her son cried because of thirst. Hagar ran back and forth seven times between two rocky hillocks. In Islamic terminology. 6. but is rather a form of collective worship. the twelfth month of the Islamic Calendar. This was a command from God for which he acted without hesitation because he had trust in his Lord. Shaving or trimming hair. the creator of the universe and every living creature. including: 1. it was very difficult for Hagar in Mecca. Hajj has a number of important rituals associated with it. the mother of Isaac and Hagar the mother of Ishmael. Abraham took his wife Hagar with Ishmael to Mecca at a time when it was an arid place. When Ishmael was a baby. The meat is usually canned and donated to poor people in other countries as humanitarian aid. hence. The act symbolises a Muslims willingness to give up things that are of benefit to them or close to their hearts.'" (Qur'an 2:130-131) Thus.Hajj – Significant Practice in Islam Sacrificing of Animal Pilgrims provide a qurban (sacrifice) on Eid (Festival) day by organising the slaughtering of a sheep and having its meat distributed to needy people.a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the Straight Path. In many countries. - “[But bear in mind:] never does their (sacrificed animals) flesh reach God. worship God in a language of their natural disposition. When his Lord said to him. 'I submit myself to the Lord of the Worlds. the Wise. Wisdom and Glory of God. praise and. The symbolism is in the attitude . and in the next he will most surely be among the righteous. it has © Affinity Intercultural Foundation Prepared by Mehmet Ozalp Page 3 . and he was not of the polytheists." (Qur'an 16:120-121) And "We made him (Abraham) pure in this world and in the hereafter. in order to follow God's commands. 'Submit. Abraham is referred to as the first Muslim for this reason.” (Qur’an. The slaughtering of the sheep is symbolic of the sacrifices one makes in devoting ones life to God. in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. We chose him and guided him unto a right path. For example. When a seed lifts a tall tree or a bud on a branch opens up into a beautiful flower.' he said. We gave him good in this world. The sacrifice is representative of one’s God-consciousness. slaughtering of sheep is significant in many ways. this is the only time that the people get the chance to eat meat. A Muslim is someone who submits or surrenders to God. In the Qur’an. they also worship God collectively by obeying to the call of God in large numbers. It ended the sacrificing of human beings which was a common practice during Prophet Abraham’s time. He was grateful for Our bounties. (Qur’an 22:37) The spiritual meaning of Hajj and its aspects of worship The Qur’anic verse. and neither their blood: it is only your God-consciousness that reaches Him”. for He is the Tremendous. all reflect the Power. he is most surely among the righteous. All great animal migrations numbering in millions and synchronised blossoming of all plants in springtime are examples of collective acts of worship seen in nature. “All that is in the heavens and on the earth extols and glorifies God. Just as this occurs individually when creatures display the wonders of the Creator and live in accordance with the purposes of their creation. 57:1) tells us that all creatures of God glorify. by nature upright. The Qur'an describes Abraham as follows: Surely Abraham was an example. obedient to God. It also symbolises a Muslims willingness to give up some of their own bounties. glorifying and praising God. we only obey you the Absolute One worthy of worship. If three million people walked to the palace of a president and asked for something. Psalm 84:4–6 says. Muslims believe that the Ka’bah was the first place of worship built by the first human and the first prophet. the Hebrew Bible confirmed the existence of this pilgrimage to Mecca (or Beca). Muslims join in this cosmic mode of worship and synchronise with the universe and all existence by circling the Ka’bah. to repent for their sins and ask forgiveness. the oldest place of worship on earth. According to Prophet Muhammadpbuh. While electrons orbit the nucleus in an atom. As they pass through the Valley of Beca. that is exalting. this is the place where the first man. As people from all races and nations gather at the spiritual epicenter of the world. All pilgrims have to be present in this location at the same time simulating the day of resurrection. about twenty kilometres outside of Mecca. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house. they are ever praising You. God will not return a sincere pilgrim asking forgiveness empty handed. certainly he would not reject them. Since human rights cannot be forgiven by God. Similarly. the autumn rains also cover it with pools. germinate at the same time in a year across a thousand miles of the reef. when Muslims circle the Ka’bah and collectively pray in the plains of Mt Arafat. The central aims of worship. occur individually and collectively.” The climax of Pilgrimage occurs at the plains of Mount Arafat. who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. Solar system orbits the centre of the Milky Way and so on. Blessed are those whose strength is in You. Adampbuh and his partner Eve sincerely repented and received forgiveness for their mistake committed in Paradise. According to Islam. as though saying ‘just as we are circling the one and only Ka’bah. The wilder-beasts in Africa migrate in tens and thousands to greener pastures in the steps of Africa all at the same time. they are affirming their commitment to God and to monotheism. Abrahampbuh called on people to make pilgrimage to the site.Hajj – Significant Practice in Islam only been discovered that corals on the Great Barrier Reef on the east coast of Australia. here we are ready to worship you in mass. status or wealth. as though saying ‘You are greater than my self and above the whole of humanity.’ They praise God through the collective supplication (du’a) and remembrance of God in the plains of Mt Arafat. His or her sins will be wiped off and attain the sinless state of a newborn. Muslims also obey to the call of God by turning up in millions at the time of pilgrimage. Muslims exalt God by showing up in mass. “O Lord Almighty. my King and my God. as Adampbuh and Eve did. Muslims turn up in millions at the same place and time. Another common act of worship observed in the universe is that all entities orbit around a central point. they make it a place of springs. Thus. Everybody wears the same simple garment and supplicates to God with no distinction of race. Mt Arafat has a very significant place in the history of humanity. It was later rebuilt on the same foundations by Abrahampbuh and his son Ishmailpbuh and declared as a shrine dedicated to monotheism. Adampbuh. The plea and petition of millions of people at the same time is a compelling spiritual force that begs forgiveness. the earth and planets orbit the sun. the Ka’bah. they are affirming their common paternal ancestry with Adampbuh and their spiritual ancestry with Abrahampbuh. pilgrims usually see their family and friends and settle any unsettled issues and ask for forgiveness for mistakes and sins done to them. © Affinity Intercultural Foundation Prepared by Mehmet Ozalp Page 4 .’ They glorify God by going around the Ka’bah. Before the days of Islam. It simulates the Day of Judgment when masses gather in one place wearing only a two-pieced white garment without any stiches. Hajj is very much a physical event. Many mental skills such as determination. pilgrimage is a detachment from the load of sins and racism. Physical benefits are not neglected in pilgrimage. patience and control of human will are exercised and developed in trying conditions of the hajj. Seeing the places where human history was shaped demonstrates the Divine Plan and Determination. By leaving everything behind for a long period of time provides the effect of true recreation for the mind and the spirit. pilgrimage has other spiritual benefits. this uniform dressing is an expression of the absolute equality of human beings. If we do not clear the sins of the past it leads one to despair of getting close to God. This is because racism leads to superiority complex over other races or it justifies transgression of the rights of other people. Inner spiritual peace and contentment reach their peak removing stress and any sign of depression. salat detaches one from the worldly affairs. and fasting detaches the worshipper from the physical desires and emotional impulses. The removal comes in settling any human rights before the pilgrimage and sincere repentance and plea at Arafat. In addition to the above fundamental spiritual benefit. perseverance. We would even be ashamed to enter into the presence of God in prayer. Masses moving in unison and with a common dress stripped of all worldly possessions enact the Day of Judgment. Seeing millions of people worship one God is an immense witness that He exists.Hajj – Significant Practice in Islam The fundamental spiritual benefit of Hajj While shahadah detaches one from finite and false masters. pilgrimage is the greatest social event in the world. There needs to be a display of such magnitude that would make one realise that feelings of race superiority is harmful. After witnessing the equal and peaceful stance of all races and all nationalities before God. There is the possibility that despair in time can lead to loosing motivation and enthusiasm for spiritual closeness to God. This is the reason why the prophet has said “Hajj is Arafat. Muslims also realise the universality of Islam when they witness Muslims from all races and nationalities worshipping the One God. Pilgrimage enables a Muslim to realise the universality of Islam as he sees Muslims from all over the world from all nationalities and races. The extra self-control and exercise of human will reminds them of their accountability in having the freedom of choice. Going around the Ka’bah seven times and fast walk between Safa and Marwah gives Muslims ample exercise and © Affinity Intercultural Foundation Prepared by Mehmet Ozalp Page 5 . he denounced his extreme racist beliefs towards ‘white man’ in response to racism towards African Americans. zakat detaches the worshipper from the pangs of material wealth.” One final potential human problem is the issue of racism that prevents us to develop spiritually. It was this experience that led to the transformation of Malcolm X. passed on experience and books when they met for pilgrimage. In addition. The certainty of the faith of a Muslim increases through pilgrimage. Other benefits of Hajj for human development Pilgrimage is a total human experience and has great benefits for a Muslim. Therefore they must be removed. In addition to removing racism. A pilgrim develops an acute sense of equality of human beings in practice rather than just theory. For centuries Muslims shared ideas. Pilgrimage also has great mental benefits. Visiting Ka’bah where a number of prophets are reported to be buried and Mt Hira where Qur’an first started to be revealed increases his or her attachment to the Qur’an and the Holy Prophet Muhammadpbuh. Hajj – Significant Practice in Islam remind them the need to be physically fit and also the value of good health especially when they see older pilgrims struggling in doing the rites. © Affinity Intercultural Foundation Prepared by Mehmet Ozalp Page 6 .