Hajj Pilgrimage, A religious or Ritual Obligation
Introduction
People following different religions usually have varying beliefs and practices. A pilgrimage is mostly defined as a journey that is carried out for a religious purpose or motive. This journey does not include wandering all over with a specific place to be as pilgrims. Instead, people go to a sanctified place believing this particular to have some religious meaning to them. Through pilgrimage, one seeks to fulfill a religions or ritual obligation, seek forgiveness for their sins, and some other personal and religious reasons. Different religions and people have different pilgrimage traditions. In this paper, I will be discussing the Hajj (pilgrimage) – an Islamic pilgrimage.
Hajj Performed in Mecca
Hajj, also spelt as Haj, is an Islamic pilgrimage which is performed annually to the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Mecca is known as the holiest city in Islam. Islam requires every Muslim to at least perform Hajj once in their lifetime provided one has the financial ability and physical fitness. In addition, for one to undertake this journey to Mecca, they have to be able to support their family in their absence or be able to be accompanied by their family. According to Islam, Hajj is the journey or pilgrimage to Kaaba – ‘the House of God’ in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. During Hajj, the Muslims turn towards the Kaaba when praying considering it to be the only place of worship which both Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael were instructed by God to build. Hajj is one of the five important pillars of the Islam religion and it signifies solidarity and submission to Allah.
Significance of Hajj
This pilgrimage takes place from the 8th to 12th twelfth of the last month of the calendar of Islam. It is associated with Prophet Muhammad and its practice dates back many years ago during the time of Abraham. During this pilgrimage, pilgrims join the procession of millions of people in Mecca. There are a series of rituals which are performed to mark the event. The Haj pilgrimage usually involves a lot of physical challenges. However, this requirement does not deter people and believers from taking part in it as people even rely on clutches or canes while others usually insist on walking. Also, those who cannot afford to get to Saudi Arabia are funded by charities while other people save all their lives to be able to make the journey to Mecca and participate in Hajj. Those who do not get funding even opt to walk thousands of miles to Saudi Arabia by foot which takes them many months to arrive at Mecca. All such factors show the significance of the Hajj to many Muslims.
History
Hajj pilgrimage is usually held to follow the path of Prophet Muhamad. The rites that are performed during this pilgrimage thus seek to trace the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim and his son, Ismail or Ishmael. According to Muslims, when God commanded Ibrahim to sacrifice his only son, his faith was put to test. Ibrahim was prepared to do it but God saved him. In addition to tracing the path of Ibrahim, the Muslims or pilgrims also trace the path of Hagar – the wife of Ibrahim. Muslims believe that Hagar is the one who ran between the two hills for a total of seven times in search or water for her dying son. They also believe that God miraculously brought about a spring that exists till date and is associated with healing. To date, Muslims or pilgrims bring water with them from Haj as gifts.
Rituals
During Hajj, the pilgrims are in a state of ihram to concentrate on their inner self thus shunning all other worldly pleasures. During this state, women are not allowed to put on makeup or perfume and are also expected to cover their heads as well as wear loose fitting clothes. The men, on the other hand, are expected to wear white seamless clothes which are not stitched so as to ensure equality. During Haj, the Muslims are forbidden from engaging in any sexual activity, trimming their nails, or even cutting their hair. They are also not allowed to be tempered or engage in any fights or disagreements. In other words, Haj allows one to be tested on his/her patience and tolerance.
Procedure of the Ritual
On the first day of Haj, the pilgrims gather around the Kaaba in a counter clockwise direction 7 times as they appeal to God. Then, they walk between two hills which are believed to have been travelled by Hagar. The two hills and Kaaba are encompassed in the mosque where they all gather in Mecca. On the following day of Haj, the pilgrims head to Mount Arafat for the pilgrimage’s peak. Here, they climb the Mountain of Mercy where Muhammad is believed to have delivered a sermon on equality and unity in the Muslim community. In the evening, they head to Muzdalifa (5.5 miles from Arafat) with some walking while others use other transportation methods. Here, they spend the night and also pick stones on the way. These stones are used to stone the devil back in Mina as they believe that the devil tried to convince Abraham not to submit to the will of God there. On the last three days of Haj, the pilgrims circle at the Kaaba for the last time, they cast stones three times in Mina, and remove Ihram. At the end of it, all men shave their heads to signify renewal.
Cleansed One’s Past Sins
Being one of the five pillars of Islam, Haj pilgrimage serves the purpose of allowing a chance clean one’s past sins to have a fresh start. This pilgrimage is performed by many men and women as they feel they have wronged and sinned against Allah to ask for his forgiveness. They, therefore, participate in the pilgrimage journey so as to be forgiven for their sins. In this way, they are bestowed another opportunity to make their lives better and pleasing to God. After all the rituals are carried out during Hajj, one is considered to have been forgiven. Additionally, through the Hajj pilgrimage, many people seek to strengthen their faith on the Haj itself. Some people, especially women, end up taking up some practices of the Islam teachings such as covering their heads.
One of the Five Pillars In Islam
Haj pilgrimage is an annual event and is very important to all Muslims. It is one of the five pillars of the Islam religion. Due to its significance, many believers save money all their lives to perform Haj. Financially stable people get to participate in it every year. The performance of Haj is a chance to trace the route of Prophet Muhammad as well as the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismail.
References
Anshel, Amira Hassyesterday, Ariel David2, Yael Hallak8, Anshel, Nir Hassonyesterday, Associated Press, and Haaretz. “What Is the Hajj? Everything You Need to Know about Islam’s Holy Pilgrimage.” Haaretz.com. August 19, 2018. Accessed April 21, 2019. https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/what-is-the-hajj-everything-to-know-about-islam-s-holy-pilgrimage-1.6390065.
Batrawy, Aya. 2019. “What is The Hajj? The Significance of the Islamic Pilgrimage”. The Independent. Retrieved From: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/what-is-the-hajj- islam-muslims-mecca-saudi-arabia-explainer-a7235961.html.
Sharkov, Damien. 2017. “What is Hajj And Why is it Important?”. Newsweek. Retrieved From: https://www.newsweek.com/what-hajj-and-why-it-important-mecca-saudi-arabia-654376.
“7 Things to Know About the Hajj And its Significance in Islam”. 2019. South China Morning Post. Retrieved From: https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/2160376/haj-pilgrimage- saudi-arabia-history-rituals-and-their.
“7 Things to Know About The Hajj and its Significance in Islam”. 2019. South China Morning Post
Anshel et al., “What Is the Hajj? Everything You Need to Know about Islam’s Holy Pilgrimage,” Haaretz.com, August 19, 2018, , accessed April 21, 2019, https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/what-is-the-hajj-everything-to-know-about-islam-s-holy-pilgrimage-1.6390065.
Batrawy, Aya. 2019. “What is The Hajj? The Significance of The Islamic Pilgrimage”. The Independent.
Damien, Sharkov. 2017. “What is Hajj and why is it Important?”. Newsweek.