|
Introduction
THE HAJJ, or pilgrimage, is the fifth of the
five
pillars (duties)
of Islam. Every able-bodied Muslim should make the pilgrimage at least once in his or
her lifetime, finances permitting. The Hajj takes place annually during the first 10 days
of the Dhu
al-Hijja, the twelfth month of the Islamic year. The
Islamic
calendar is based on lunar months, so the
actual date moves forward about 11 days each year in relation
to the western solar calendar.
During the Hajj, pilgrims must be in a state of ihram
(consecration). Men wear two pieces of white unstitched
cloth - covering the waist and legs, the other around the
shoulders covering the upper body. While in ihram, pilgrims
must not cut hair or nails, wear perfumes, kill animals or
insects, or engage in any kind of sexual relations
(including proposals of marriage).
Rituals of the Hajj
THE
RITUALS of the Hajj are complex and vary slightly
according to different Islamic traditions. The
following summary of the basic points is
adapted from the The Oxford History of Islam:
1. Circumambulation of the Ka'aba
Pilgrims walk seven times round the Ka'aba
at the Great Mosque in Mecca,
in an anti-clockwise direction (see plan). Many also attempt to touch
the Black
Stone - a meteorite believed to have been
sent from heaven - in the Ka'aba's wall, and run seven times
along a passageway in the Great Mosque, commemorating a
search for water by Hajar, wife of the Prophet Ibrahim/Abraham.
2. Standing at Arafat
On the ninth day of the month, pilgrims go to Arafat, a
plain about nine miles southeast of Mecca. They may listen
to a sermon delivered from Mount Arafat, where the Prophet
Muhammad gave his final sermon. (See map.)
3. Night at Muzdalifah
Pilgrims spend a night in the open at Muzdalifah, near
Mecca.
4. Throwing stones ("stoning the Devil")
Pilgrims throw pebbles - usually about 70 - at three spots
where Satan is believed to have tempted the Prophet Ismail.
5. Sacrifice at Minah
Pilgrims sacrifice an animal (usually a sheep or goat). This
commemorates the incident related in the Old Testament when
the Prophet Ibrahim/Abraham was about to sacrifice his son
and God accepted a sheep instead. Nowadays many pilgrims pay
someone to slaughter the animal on their behalf and obtain a
certificate to say that the sacrifice has been carried out.
The meat is not wasted: much of it is frozen and distributed
to poor countries. (See map
of Mina area.)
6. Repeat circumambulation of the Ka'aba
7. Drinking Zamzam water
Pilgrims drink water from the Zamzam well,
which is inside
the Great Mosque. Muslims believe this is where God
provided water from Hajar and her son, Ismail, when they
were wandering in the desert.
8. Prayers at the Station of Abraham
Pilgrims pray at the Station of Abraham (Maqam Ibrahim),
where Ibrahim and Ismail are believed to have prayed after
building the Kaaba.
The minimum rituals that must be performed by all pilgrims are
wearing ihram, standing at Arafat, and the second
circumambulation of the Kaaba. Others may be omitted on
payment of kaffarah (expiation).
The Hajj emphasises the brotherhood of Muslims and their equality in
the eyes of God, regardless of wealth, class or power. It is also an
opportunity for Muslims from all parts of the world to meet
and discuss topics of common interest. This helps to
maintain the overall unity of Islam.
Further information: Hajj
diary
A personal account by Rafaqat Ali
(BBC website)
Hajj:
the journey of a lifetime
by Ni'mah
Isma'il Nawwab, Aramco World, July-August 1992 (islamicity.com)
How to
perform the rituals of Hajj and Umrah
by Shaikh Muhammad as-Salih al-Uthaimeen (islamzine.com)
Hajj:
step by step guide
The rituals, artistically
designed and presented, but a bit slow to download (islamicity.com)
Hajj:
a personal experience
by Mir Mohammed Assadullah
The
Hajj at a glance
Quick overview of the rites (ummah.net)
The
Hajj in pictures (ummah.net)
Maps
and plans of areas around the Ka'aba, Arafat and
Mina.
'Eid al-Adha
THE HAJJ
culminates, on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijja, in the start of
a three-day festival known as 'Eid al-Adha (Feast of the
Sacrifice), which is celebrated by Muslims around the world with prayer,
the exchange of gifts and the sacrifice of animals. Surplus meat is donated to the poor.
Hazards of the Hajj
BEFORE the age of mass air transport, making the pilgrimage involved a
long, arduous and often dangerous journey, and numbers attending were
smaller. Today, more than two million Muslims from all over the world make the
pilgrimage.
This creates a huge organisational burden for
the Saudi authorities - not to mention the expense. There is a quota
system which is intended to prevent overcrowding while ensuring that all
regions of the Muslim world are fairly represented.
A further difficulty is that many of the pilgrims can be
quite elderly and are possibly venturing for the first time
outside the familiar surroundings of their birthplace.
Considering the vast numbers of people involved, the Hajj
today is probably much safer than it was in the past. Nevertheless, accidents do occur. People are sometimes
crushed to death in the crowds and diseases can spread
easily - though the authorities do their best to provide
hygienic conditions. Occasionally, religious or political extemists
also cause trouble.
Recent disasters
-
2006: At least 362 pilgrims died
in a stampede during the
"stoning of the devil" ritual; a hostel collapsed in
Mecca, killing at least 76 people.
-
2004: Some 250 pilgrims died
in a stampede during the
"stoning of the devil" ritual.
-
2001: 35 pilgrims crushed to death at Arafat.
-
1998: 180 pilgrims crushed to death.
-
1997: 350 pilgrims killed when in a fire started by a gas cooker swept through the tents at
Mina.
-
1994: 270 pilgrims crushed to death.
-
1990: 1,400 pilgrims killed during a stampede in
a pedestrian tunnel linking Mecca with Mount Arafat. The
stampede is thought to have been caused by the great
heat when a ventilation system in the tunnel broke down.
-
1987: More than 400 pilgrims died as a result
of demonstrations.
Further information:
Hajj
perils, ancient and modern
BBC, 5 March, 2001
Hajj
pilgrims barred in Ebola scare
BBC, 23 January, 2001
Imams
call for trouble-free Hajj
BBC, 15 February, 2002 |
){kind=link}