What is Hajj?
Saudia
Arabia hosts nearly 2 million Muslims from around the world during the five
days pilgrimage. Every non-disabled Muslim who can afford it is obliged to
undertake Hajj once in their lifetime. The word Hajj is Arabic, meaning 'to
intend a journey'. Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam.
How did Hajj Start?
The
rites performed at Hajj today were established by the Prophet Muhammad
(P.B.U.H.), but, based on the Quran, they can be traced back to the Prophet
Ibrahim (A.S.).
Muslims
believe that Ibrahim (A.S.) was ordered by Allah to leave his wife Hajar and
his son Ismail alone in the desert (Mecca). There was a time came when the
drinking source finished, and it was a tough time for Hajra (R.A.) because a
little child was starting to cry for water.
Therefore,
Hajar (RA.) desperately ran seven times between the two hills of Safa and
Marwah in search of water but found none. After returning in despair to Ismail,
she saw the baby scratching the ground with his leg, and a water fountain
sprang forth at the site.
After
that, it was called with the name of Zamzam water well, which today in Masjid
Al Haram. Pilgrims visit the Zamzam well while performing Hajj or the Umrah
pilgrimage to drink its water.
How
long does Hajj take?
Hajj
usually takes around three to five days.
Hajj
Method Step by Step:
First
day of Hajj: 8th Dhu al-Hijjah
On the 8th day, Pilgrims start
the Hajj rituals along with wearing the Ihrams and performing the Tawaf and
Sa'i. After offering the Morning Prayer, pilgrims move to Mina, and there are
pass the whole day and night in tents by performing compulsory and
non-compulsory (sunnah & nafl) prayers.
Second
day: 9th Dhu al-Hijjah
On the
9th day, they all go to Arafat or Arafah. Arafat is a plain land in the east of
Makkah, where they listen to the sermon from Islamic scholars. Pilgrims offer
noon and afternoon prayers together at this time (noon time).
Same on this day, pilgrims go to
Muzdalifah after sunset. Pilgrims offer Maghrib and Isha prayers jointly on the
Muzdalifah area, which is situated between Mina and Arafah. They spend the
whole night in the open air. It is the right place to collect the stone for the
Rami ritual.
Third
day: 10th Dhu al-Hijjah
On the
3rd day, Pilgrims return to Mina. In the Mina, they perform the symbolic
stoning of the devil. There are three places, but on this day, the stoning act
is only for Jamrat al-Aqabah.
After
stoning, pilgrims perform the animal sacrifice ritual and those Muslims who are
not performing Hajj that they celebrate Eid ul-Adha event.
After
scarification, pilgrims perform another important ritual of this day that is
shaving head or trimming hair. Shaving head act is preferable for men, and
cutting hair act is selected for women. After performing all rituals of
the day, pilgrims go back to al-Haram mosque, and they perform Tawaf al-Ifadah.
They return to Mina for spending
the night.
Fourth
day: 11th Dhu al-Hijjah
On the 11th day, Pilgrims perform
the Rami ritual, but this time they perform this ritual on all three pillars.
Fifth
day: 12th Dhu al-Hijjah
On the
5th day, they repeat the Rami ritual, they leave the Mina for Makkah before
sunset on the 12th, but if they don't leave Mina at any reason before sunset,
then pilgrims can leave the Mina on next day, but they must perform the Rami
ritual again on 6th day.
Types
of Hajj
There
are three different types of Hajj namely:
- Hajj-ul-Ifrad
- Hajj-ul-Qiran
- Hajj-ul-Tamattu
Hajj-ul-Ifrad
It is
the form of Hajj. A pilgrim enters into the state of Ihram intending to perform
Hajj only before passing through the Meeqat (place for assuming Ihram). The
pilgrim does not combine Hajj with Umrah and makes sure not to perform Umrah in
the month of Hajj. The person who performs Hajj-ul-Ifrad is called Mufrid.
Hajj-ul-Qiran
During
this kind of Hajj, a pilgrim who performs Hajj-ul-Qiran combines Hajj and
Umrah. He assumes Ihram intending to accomplish both. The pilgrim who performs
this kind of Hajj is called a Qarin.
Qarin
wears Ihram first for Umrah and then for Hajj making his intentions for Hajj
just before performing Tawaf for Hajj. The obligations on one performing
Hajj-ul-Qiran are the same as the one performing Ifrad, except that the former
must slaughter, whereas the latter is not obligated to do so.
Hajj-ul-Tamattu
In this
type of Hajj, a pilgrim assumes Ihram for only Umrah during the month of Hajj.
After reaching Makkah, he/she performs Tawaf and Saa'ee for Umrah. He/she then
performs Qasr, i.e., shaves or clips his hair. On the day of eighth of
Dhul-Hijjah, he/she puts on his/her Ihram for Hajj and performs the duties of
Hajj. The person who performs this kind of Hajj is called a Mutamatti.
All the
forms of Hajj are rewarded, but the most recommended form of Hajj by Prophet
Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) is Hajj-ul-Tamattu, and he (P.B.U.H.) encouraged his
followers to perform it.
There
is no doubt to perform Hajj is a better way to get rid of all sins which are
committed by human beings. This worship is not only related to body efforts;
instead, it also related to the soul. If anyone performs it with sincere
intentions, then it is essential for him/her that Allah essentially gives him a
great reward in this world and the last Day of Judgment.
Labbaik Hajj Umrah is the most famous travel agency which is providing Cheap Hajj Packages next year as it had been done in the previous Hajj season.
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