The HAJ - PILGRIMAGE

obmar · The HAJ - PILGRIMAGE

The HAJ - PILGRIMAGE

One of a Muslim's duties, as described in the Five Pillars of Islam, is to go on Hajj at least once during his or her lifetime. This is a pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia.

The Hajj (Arabic: حج, transliteration: Ḥaǧǧ) is the pilgrimage to Mecca (Makkah), the largest annual pilgrimage in the world.[1] It is the fifth pillar of Islam, an obligation that must be carried out by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so, at least once in their lifetime. It is the demonstration of the solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to God.[2]

The Hajj occurs from the 8th to the 12th day of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. This date cannot be aligned directly with Western calendars, but in the early 21st century, it occurs roughly in the November-January timeframe. In 2007, the next month of Dhul Hijjah begins on December 11, with the week of the Hajj beginning on December 18, 2007.

obmar

Many believe that it goes back to the time of Abraham in 2000 BC.

Pilgrims would join processions of tens of thousands of people, who would simultaneously converge on Mecca for the week of the Hajj, and perform a series of rituals.

Each person would walk counter-clockwise seven times about the Kaaba, the cubical building towards which all Muslims pray, kiss the sacred Black Stone on its corner, run back and forth between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah, drink from the Zamzam Well, go to the plains of Mount Arafat to stand in vigil, then proceed to Muzdalifah to gather pebbles, which they would throw at a rock in Mina to perform the ritual of the Stoning of the Devil.

The pilgrims would then shave their heads, perform an animal sacrifice, and celebrate the three day global festival of Eid ul-Adha.[3][4]

obmar

Al-Baqara (The Cow)

2:125 AND LO! We made the Temple a goal to which people might repair again and again, and a sanctuary: [102] take then, the place whereon Abraham once stood as your place of prayer." [103] And thus did We command Abraham and Ishmael: "Purify My Temple for those who will walk around it, [104] and those who will abide near it in meditation, and those who will bow down and prostrate themselves [in prayer]."

obmar

Al-Baqara (The Cow)

2:189 THEY WILL ASK thee about the new moons. Say: "They indicate the periods for [various doings of] mankind, including the pilgrimage." [165] However, piety does not consist in your entering houses from the rear, [as it were,] but truly pious is he who is conscious of God. [166] Hence, enter houses through their doors, and remain conscious of God, so that you might attain to a happy state.

obmar

Al-Baqara (The Cow)

2:196 AND PERFORM the pilgrimage and the pious visit [to Mecca ] [174] in honour of God; and if you are held back, give instead whatever offering you can easily afford. And do not shave your heads until the offering has been sacrificed; [175] but he from among you who is ill or suffers from an ailment of the head shall redeem himself by fasting, or alms, or [any other] act of worship. And if you are hale and secure, [176] then he who takes advantage of a pious visit before the [time of] pilgrimage shall give whatever offering he can easily afford; [177] whereas he who cannot afford it shall fast for three days during the pilgrimage and for seven days after your return: that is, ten full [days]. All this relates to him who does not live near the Inviolable House of Worship. [178] And remain conscious of God, and know that God is severe in retribution.

obmar

Al-Baqara (The Cow)

2:197 The pilgrimage shall take place in the months appointed for it. [180] And whoever undertakes the pilgrimage in those [months] shall, while on pilgrimage, abstain from lewd speech, from all wicked conduct, and from quarrelling; and whatever good you may do, God is aware of it. And make provision for yourselves - but, verily, the best of all provisions is God-consciousness: remain, then, conscious of Me, O you who are endowed with insight!

obmar

Al-Baqara (The Cow)

2:198 [However,] you will be committing no sin if [during the pilgrimage] you seek to obtain any bounty from your Sustainer. [181] And when you surge downward in multitudes from `Arafat, [182] remember God at the holy place, and remember Him as the One who guided you after you had indeed been lost on your way;

obmar

obmar

Al-Baqara (The Cow)

2:199 and surge onward together with the multitude of all the other people who surge onward, [184] and ask God to forgive you your sins: for, verily, God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.

obmar

obmar

Al-Baqara (The Cow)

2:200 And when you have performed your acts of worship, [continue to] bear God in mind as you would bear your own fathers in mind-nay, with a yet keener remembrance! [185] For there are people who [merely] pray, "O our Sustainer! Give us in this world" -and such shall not partake in the blessings of the life to come.

obmar

obmar

Al-Baqara (The Cow)

2:201 But there are among them such as pray, "O our Sustainer! Grant us good in this world and good in the life to come, and keep us safe from suffering through the fire":

obmar

obmar

Hajj- The Return To God

At this time millions of Muslims are gathering in and around the sacred city of Makkah. They are coming from every corner of the globe to perform the sacred rites of Hajj. Many members of our own community are there.

By the Break of Day; By the Ten Nights; By the Even and Odd (contrasted); And by the Night when it passes away; Is there (not) in these an adjuration (or evidence) for those who understand? (Surah al-Fajr 89:1-5)

"And proclaim the Pilgrimage among people; they will come to thee on foot and (mounted) on every kind of camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways. That they may witness the benefits (provided) for them, and celebrate the name of Allah, through the Days Appointed, over the cattle which He has provided for them (for sacrifice). So eat you thereof and feed the distressed ones in want. Then let them complete the rites prescribed for them, perform their vows, and (again) circumambulate the Ancient House." (Surah al-Hajj 22:27-29)

The first House (of worship) appointed for people, was that at Bakkah; full of blessing and of guidance for all beings. In it are Signs manifest; the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it attains security; pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah, those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures. (Surah Al 'Imran 3:96-97)

We will be entering the month of Dhul Hijjah next week. The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are the most sacred days of the year. They are mentioned as special days in Surah al-Fajr. These are the days of special blessings. Muslims are urged to do more Dhikr, charity and good deeds during this time. Fasting in these days is prescribed as Nafl from first to the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah. The Prophet -peace be upon him- said:

"There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?" He said, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight, giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing." (Reported by Al-Tirmidhi 688)

At this time millions of Muslims are gathering in and around the sacred city of Makkah. They are coming from every corner of the globe to perform the sacred rites of Hajj. Many members of our own community are there. We pray to Allah to bless all Muslims and accept their Hajj and devotions.

Hajj is an important rukn of Islam. It has many benefits. It is a command of Allah. It is obligatory once in life on every adult Muslim male or female who can afford it physically and financially. Muslims perform Hajj every year in millions in number. They go there with great love and devotion.

Hajj has a form and a spirit. Its form is to have Ihram, perform Tawaf and Sa'y, go to Mina, 'Arafat, Muzdalifah, do the ramy at the Jamarat and make sacrifice of a sheep, goat or camel. There are detailed rules that Pilgrims learn. Here at this time, however, I want to discuss few points about the spirit of Hajj for our benefit and let us think about it in these days. This will help us here also.

1. Hajj is a ceremony of love and devotion to Allah. A Muslim's relation with Allah is that of deep love, devotion and obedience. We love Allah, because He loves us. "He loves them and they love Him ..." (al-Ma'idah 5:54). Prophet Ibrahim -peace be upon him- loved Allah and Allah took him as a Friend (Khalil). "Allah took Ibrahim as a friend ." (al-Nisa' 4:125). Hajj is deeply associated with Prophet Ibrahim and his life-story. Hajj gives us a sense of History. Our faith is deep rooted in History. This is the religion of Allah given to us by His many prophets: Adam, Noah, Ibrahim, Ismael and finally Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon them all. These were the people who loved Allah and Allah loved them and made them the guides of humanity.

2. Hajj gives the universal spirit of Islam. People of all races, colors and nationalities go there. They become one people without any class or distinction. They look alike and do the same things. The spirit of Hajj is to foster unity and universal brotherhood and sisterhood among the believers.

3. Hajj gives us a focus, center and orientation. We have one Qiblah and that is our direction for worship. But we should not have only one Qiblah for worship; we should also have unity of purpose and mission in our life. Muslims should be the people of a focus and direction, not a confused people or a people without any orientation and direction. Our focus of life is Allah and House of Allah, the Ka'bah on this earth. We have with us Allah's book that we must hold fast together. "And hold fast all together Allah's rope and be not divided... (Al 'Imran 3:103).

4. Hajj is the ceremony of peace and harmony. The pilgrims come in peace and spend their time together in the most peaceful and respectful manner. They respect every person and every thing. They do not harm any one or anything. This is also the spirit of Islam. Islam is a total commitment to care, compassion and kindness. Hajj is symbol of this commitment and it must manifest in our daily life.

5. Hajj is also a movement, action and sacrifice. The pilgrim keeps on moving all the time, with Tawaf, Sa'y, going to Mina, 'Arafat, Muzdalifah, Mina again, around the Jamarat and other places. It is a dynamic ceremony and this is the way a Muslim's life should be. Motion, action, and sacrifice -these things bring success in this life and salvation in the Hereafter.

I hope those who have gone to Hajj, will learn good lessons from this journey and we here also should keep these lessons in our minds and lives.

obmar

Celebrating the first Ten days and nights of Dhul-Hijjah (Hajj Season)
Published by Visions December 9th, 2007 in Hajj
celebrating-the-first-ten-days-and-nights-of-dhul-hijjah-hajj-season

=== Depending on where you live, December 10th or 11th, 2007 could be the first day of Dhul-Hijjah.

Most Muslims very well know the blessings of the nights of Ramadan, especially the last ten nights. However, not everyone knows that the first ten days of the last month of the Islamic month, Dhul Hijjah, are equally packed with blessings.

Allah has provided Muslims numerous opportunities throughout the year to renew their faith and to encourage them towards acts of goodness by specifying such special days. So, we have another such opportunity that we shouldn’t let pass by just like any other period in time.

Allah says in the Quran in Surah Al-Fajr (interpretation of the meaning):

“By the dawn; By the 10 nights” [al-Fajr 89:1-2].

Most scholars agree that these ten nights refer to the first ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah. Ibn Katheer also had validated that opinion by stating: “This is the correct opinion.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 8/413]

Ibn ‘Abbas reports that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said,

“No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these days [meaning the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah].”

Among the deeds recommended during those ten days are observing voluntary fasting, offering animal sacrifices (lamb, goat, etc.), sincere repentance, recitation of the Quran, staying up the night and finally praying the Eid prayers on the tenth day of Dhul Hijjah.

Hafsah reported, “There are five things that the Messenger (saws) never abandoned: fasting the day of ‘Ashurah, fasting the [first] 10 [days of Dhul-Hijjah], fasting 3 days of every month and praying two rak’aah before the dawn prayer.” [Related by Ahmad and an-Nasa’i]

Abu Hurairah relates that the Messenger of Allaah (saws) said, “There are no days more loved to Allaah for you to worship Him therein than the ten days of Dhul Hijja. Fasting any day during it is equivalent to fasting one year and to offer salatul tahajjud (late-night prayer) during one of its nights is like performing the late night prayer on the night of power. [i.e., Lailatul Qadr].” [Related by at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and al-Baihaqi]

So, as Muslims you should welcome the ten days of Dhul Hijjah with the same fervor and enthusiasm as you welcome the last ten days of Ramadan or any other blessed days in Islam.

The Inquisitor

bridge,

Those photos are stunning. The amount of people huddled together is overwhelming.

Do you plan on returning again this year?

obmar

No.

The waiting list is probably four or five years for us here.

You cant just jump onto the next plane and off you go.

At the moment all that are performing had by now converge in Makkah.

and in about 9 days they will be at the compulsory location, the valley of the camps.

obmar

http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=21....&z=18&l=0&m=a&v=2

obmar

Al-Safa and Al-Marwah (الصفا والمروة)

Al-Safa and Al-Marwah are two small hills now located in the Masjid al Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia between which Muslims travel back and forth seven times during the ritual pilgrimages of Hajj and Umrah. In Islamic tradition, Ibrahim (Abraham) was commanded by Allah to leave his wife Hajarah (Hagar) in the desert along with her infant son Ishmael and some provisions as a test of his faith. When the provisions were exhausted, Hagar searched for water. Due to the blistering heat, mirages of water began to appear near the two hills. Believing that she has found water, she runs back and forth between the hills, thinking that there will be some nourishment. After her apparently fruitless search, she returned to Ishmael and found that a spring had sprouted forth from the crying baby's feet. Muslims believe that God provided her with the miraculous surge of water from the well, known as Zamzam. Many people can be killed during this walk. The Masjid al Haram houses the holy Kaaba, the focal point of prayer for all Muslims. Safa — from which the ritual walking (sa`i) begins — is located approximately half a mile from the Kaaba. Marwah is located about 100 yards from the Kaaba. The distance between Safa and Marwah is approximately 450 meters, so that seven trips amount to roughly 3.15 kilometers. The two points and the path between them are now inside a long gallery that forms part of the Masjid. Performing the sa'i serves to commemorate Hajar's search for water and God's mercy in answering prayers.
tags: safa merve say
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Safa_and_Al-Marwah
Wikimapia: http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=21....&z=17&l=0&m=a&v=2

Radiate_Truth

obmar

Just happen that the shot was not angled to them.

That is because it was a foto of the Friday prayer, I think.
and friday prayer, is not required for women.

this one only shows women.

All women going for haj requires a "Muhrim"
male accompanying them (husband, relative, son etc) though.
A group of women can have one Muhrim,
required when they request the visa.

Radiate_Truth

obmar

He was trapped in the ocean of the praying mortals.

That he had no where to go.

He must be...

Laughing

Radiate_Truth

The guys on the huge tractor trailer truck...

American people see way to many images of
large crowds of Muslims with articles making it
sound as this is the army that is out to destroy
western civilization. Force us to submit to their
way, become slaves or die.

Will post this on Liberty Forum tonight reminder...

obmar

If one were there in Makka performing the ritual in that sanctuary and
if the world decided to go nuts and start nuking each other, the pilgrims
will just continue with their haj.

Nothing can distract them from what they intend in the first place.

Haj quota for each country is about 0.1 percent.

Malaysia had a population of 26 million.
about 26 thousand is allowed to go foir haj,

Just imagine there is no quota, the number going will be unimaginable.

obmar

TODAY, 9 th Zulhijjah
some three million pilgrims will converge in Arafah, the valley of Tents.

This is the meeting point where Adam finally end this 40 year search for Eve,
and met at Jabal Rahmah.

So significant and one wonder if Adam finally gave up looking for her, but the met at this hill, Jabal Rahmah.

obmar

That stone epitomise the meeting of the grandfather of man with his loved one.

obmar

On the second day of the pilgrimage, the pilgrims leave Mina just after dawn to travel to the Plain of Arafat for the culminating experience of the Hajj. On what is known as the "Day of Arafat,” the pilgrims spend the entire day standing (or sitting) near the Mount of Mercy, asking Allah for forgiveness and making supplications. Muslims around the world who are not at the pilgrimage join them in spirit by fasting for the day.
After sunset on the Day of Arafat, the pilgrims leave and travel to a nearby open plain called Muzdalifah, roughly halfway between Arafat and Mina. There they spend the night praying, and collecting small stone pebbles to be used the following day.

Radiate_Truth

This is so amazing and beautiful...

If the weathers bad, does it still go on...
What's the weather like while all this is going on or does that even matter???

obmar

currently it is winter.

and since the islamic calendar is based on moon rotation, there is a slight shift every year.

so twenty years or so it will be like in the middle of summer.

then it will be burning hot.

but what is the heat as compared to the real assembly when all will be assrmbled again on ressurrection at mahshar.

Radiate_Truth

Where is the bathroom...

How does one eat food at something like this...
Where is the food?

obmar

Basic necessities like bathroom are there, provided by the keepars of the Holy city.

Food too are abundant.

even ice creams and fruits.

But pilgrims rarely complain.

They are guest of Allah

And guests dont complain.

Radiate_Truth

I'm astounded and flattered...
Amazed!!!

obmar

Our camp housed some three hundred pilgrims
there was about 20 toilets.

Donrt eat too much

Wait for turns.

http://obmarspilgrimage.blogspot.com/

Radiate_Truth

obmar

we were at the valley of the camps only for five hours.

that was not too bad/

Radiate_Truth

How did you get their, by car, bus, plane???

obmar

Radiate_Truth

Sounds like, at my stock car race. Five hours to drive by car. Parked on grassy area. The race started at 12 00 PM in the afternoon, over by 5 30 PM. It took use two hours from where we were parked in the grass to drive to the street. Where I could have walked it in less than 15 minutes.

Martinsville Speedway

obmar

Just to put things in pespective.

The whole hajj trip can be as long as 45 days or even more.

Most of the time we slept in Hotels in Madinah or Makkah.

It was the end of haj that we go out to camp at arafah and mina
to complete some rituals.

Radiate_Truth

How far in advice do you make reservations for all of this to get a place to stay, travel arrangements and such to beat the crowd???

obmar

Pilgrims board in the country manages all that.

They guide you to everything.

Just prepare the cash, During my trip is was about 5000USD per person
for a 45 day trip. Pakaged deal, they call it.

Inclusive of flight, food and lodging.

Still need to carry some cash for personal expenses though. The pilgrims board of malaysia also have special counters there to make money withdrawals.

easily one have to wait at least two years to go. from malaysia.
as the saudi government restrict the number of visas issued each year.