What is Hajj Essay Example for Free

What is haj EssayHajj is one of the five Muslim pillars. It is where all exposed Muslims must go on a pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime to Makkah in the last month of the Islamic year. These months are Muharram, Safar, Rabi al-Awal, Rabi al-Thani, Jumad al- Ula, Jumad al-Thani, Rajab, Shabaan, Ramadaan (Month for Daily Obligatory Fasts), Shawwaal, Dhul- Qidah and Dhul- Hijjah (the month for Hajj).And Hajj (pilgrimmage to Makkah) to the House (Kaabah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the expenes (for ones conveyance, provision, and residence)Al-QuranSurah 3 (Al-Imran) Verse 97Hajj is the name given to the journey made by Muslims to the Kabba at Makka in Arabia. It is a very extended, spiritual gathering and they arrive in very large numbers, sometimes up to 340 a minute. Women wear a burka (a long cloth covering from the head to the feet) men wear a sort of tunica for hajj. When they arrive at Makka the first thing they do is bathe and put white sheets on to enter purity (Ihram). They then go to a numinous mosque to start prayers they repeat the Talbiya over and over again (translated into English)Here I am O Allah, Here I amHere I am. in that location is no partner with you. Here I am.Verily, Thine is the praise, the blessings and the sovereignty of the UniverseThou has no partnerThey then run between two hills to represent what happened when Hajar did this to detect water for her son Ishmal. They come to the spring (Zam Zam), which Allah found and people desperately try to drink and bathe in the water which comes from it. This is a Muslims search for spiritually. by and by this they walk 7 times around the Kaaba (black stone), this symbolizes when 630 people rode into Makka and destroyed all Idols and Allah forgave the citizens. The first night of the Hajj is washed-out at Mina.The second daytime is spent at Arafat this is where the prophet Muhammad gave his farewell speech, it is desert location approximately 9 mi les from Makka. Muslims say this prayer upon entering Arafat so that Allah forgives their sinsO Allah Forgive my sins, help me regret to you, and grant me all that I beseech of You. Whenever I turn, let me see goodness. Allah be praised All Praise is due to Allah There is no deity buy food Allah And Allah is The Most Great.The Muslims collect small stones for the following day.Day three is spent at Mina this is where the Muslims stone the devils (Jamrahs). 7 stones are thrown at each(prenominal)(prenominal) of the 3 pillars they do this because the devils tempted Ibraham to disobey Allah three times, it shows that they are against anything devilish. Weak and sick people can appoint separates to throw stones at the Jamrahs in Mina on behalf of them.Tawaf al-Wada is the farewell Tawaf that a pilgrim performs just before leaving Makka for other destinations. It is the same as before when they go around the black stone in 7 circuits, starting from the black stone line. After comple ting the Tawaf, it is good but not required to pray too Rakahs behind Maqam Ibrahim.This day is the sacrifice day where they sacrifice an animal (Eid-ul Adha) they are supposed to sacrifice goats, sheep, rams, camels or cows. This act is performed to commemorate seer Abrahams act of sacrificing his oldest son Prophet Ismaeel on the command of Allah. Allah substituted Prophet Ismaeel with a ram. Muslims are required to donate 1/3 rd of the warmheartedness to the poor, distribute 1/3 rd of the meat to friends and relatives, and keep 1/3 rd of the meat for themselves.Men shave their heads and women cut off locks of hair. After this they return to Makka again to do 7 more circuits of the Kaaba.Muslims take part in the Hajj because they look at that it is their duty to go, so that Allah will respect them and they will live in paradise when they die. Even if they cannot go for any reason they believe that having the right posture about going will be accept competent to Allah. It provid es an opportunity for Muslims with diverse racial, ethnic and geographical heritage to exchange views, get acquainted and feel incorporate as one Ummah (community) on a global level. They also go because they enjoy the spiritual gathering, they are happy and they like being around other Muslims who share the same beliefs as they do.Not all Muslims go to Hajj however, as there are certain difficulties effecting whether or not they can go. close to people cannot afford to go but would do if they have the money, if they still have the intention to go (Niyyah) this would still be accept subject to Allah. They can shine one person to represent a whole community, which is also accepted.As Hajj is so popular (over 2 million people go each year) they have to limit the numbers of people who go, this entails that not everyone who complimentss to go can, so this is again another difficulty Muslims have. People also have difficulties go to Hajj because they have disabilities or they are u nable to walk etc. For example and old person who is frail may not be able to cope with the heat and walking/travelling far. People who are ill and have ill health may also not be able to attend Hajj, as they may be bed-ridden etc. If people cannot attend Hajj for various reasons but have intention (Niyyah) to go, it is still acceptable to Allah. act in Hajj affects the life of a believer because they come alive spiritually. It is important for them to go and they feel love from Allah while they are there. They enjoy going, to be around other Muslims. When they return they feel closest to God as they stood on the site where the Prophet delivered his sermon during his first and last pilgrimage. They go substantiate full of joy as they have for filled Allahs wish. They also return with a better understanding of Allah and a born a spirit of compassionate for others and an understanding of their own heritage that will last throughout their lives.A true pilgrimage is really a journey w ithin. It is important to physically go to Makka but if it is not possible to go I believe that you can still participate spiritually. I believe that if it is in your heart to go this should be accepted as you can still enjoy Hajj without going. You can use technology to participate in Hajj, for example you could pray while ceremony the festival on television or look at a video of the gathering on the Internet.You could also have your own party at home with other Muslims who do not go to Makka and celebrate Hajj and the end of Hajj (Eid ulad ha) together. Just because you do not go to Makka does not mean you do not follow Allah, you can still participate in Hajj without physically being there. So people who cannot go for various reasons such(prenominal) as old age etc can still enjoy the celebrations and not be cast out of them for being different.If I were a Muslim I may have a different view on this subject because they believe that if it is physically possible to go, you should go no mater what, as Allah would want you to. They feel that it is a religious duty to go, as it is one of the five pillars. A Muslim would go because they want to please their God, Allah.