Hajj Flashcards
Hajj meaning
‘Set out for definite purpose’
When?
Can only be complete during the 8th and 13th month of the Islamic year
It is an
Obligatory pilgrimage
Ihram
( is a state of holiness Muslims are required to be in before beginning of Hajj )
- must wash their bodies completely or perform wudu before they arrive at Mecca
- simple dress to show modesty before Allah
- cannot have sex during Hajj as it will take away the focus of God
Stages of Hajj
- In Mecca
- Sa’y (the running)
- Arafat
In Mecca
- it is the Holy Mosque that Muslims begin their pilgrimage
- Act drawing closer to Allah pilgrims cirlce the Kaaba 7 times in anti-clockwise direction
Sa’y (the running)
- running between 2 hills known as As-Safa and Al- Marwa
- muslims move 7 times between 2 hills as reenactment of Hajira search for water
Arafat
- after dawn prayer at Mina
Importance?
Everyone taking part in the Hajj pilgrimage is treated as an equal and there is a great sense of unity. The pilgrimage shows self-discipline and fulfils a religious duty, bringing Muslims closer to God. It is believed to have all your sins cleansed by the journey. It is important as it is the most spiritual event that a Muslim experiences, observing rituals in the most sacred places in the Islamic world (pilgrimage to Mecca)
Quote
“He will return as if he were born anew”
Origins of Hajj
God told the prophet Ibrahim to take his wife Hajira and son Isma’il on a journey to Arabia. He then told Ibrahim to leave Hajira and Isma’il with some food and water.
Having run out of water, Hajira ran up and down two hills, Safa and Marwah, in search of more. Unable to find any water, she prayed to God and water then sprang from the ground. This source of water is called the Zamzam well.
When Ibrahim returned, he was commanded to build the Ka’aba as a shrine dedicated to Allah where worship would take place.
