ISLAM SPILOA - haji expressing the beliefs of islam

Question 1

what are the beliefs of islam

Answer 1

o	Belief in one god 
o	Belief in the Qur’an 
o	Belief in angels 
o	Belied in prophets 
o	Belief in the afterlife

Question 2

how does the haji expresses the beliefs

Answer 2

Belief in one god, The hajj is a symbol of submission to Allah, Muslims feel a close connection to Allah, able to express their belief in one god

Belief in the Qur’an, the hajj is commanded in the Qur’an “and pilgrimage to the house is a duty unto god for mankind, for him who can find the way thither” sura 3:97

Belief in angels and the ‘house of god’ (mecca/ ka’ba) heavenly thrown, angel Gabriel

Belief in prophets, follow in Muhammad’s footsteps, the hajj was one of the last acts of worship performed by Muhammad before his death

Belief in afterlife, participating in the hajj will lead to a greater reward in the afterlife

Question 3

submission to the will of god - tawhid

Answer 3

represents the largest of the concentric circle around which the Muslim institution of prayer is built

Represents the universe

Adherents are untied, representing the oneness of god

Hajj captures the desire and commitment to surrender fully to Allah

Muhammad regarded the pilgrimage as the greater Jihad.

When pilgrims enter into the state of ritual purity required during hajj, they commit themselves to overcoming the internal struggle against temptation

One of the core beliefs of Islam is that people have to submit themselves to the will of god in order to attain life in heaven

The pilgrimage is a physical expression of the believers willingness to submit to the will of god.

Question 4

worship through haji

Answer 4

Hajj is a form of individual and collective worship

establishes a connection with the monotheism and its human legacy symbolised by Abraham and first human adam.

Muslims obey the call of god by turning up in millions at the time of the pilgrimage

The central aims of worship – exalting, glorifying and praising god – occur individually and collectively

Muhammad taught his followers about the importance of prayer

Pilgrimage to mecca is filled with times of prayer

Hajj reminds them of the importance of prayer

Question 5

connections with messengers of god

Answer 5

The rituals relate to a number of important encounters between Allah and humankind in ancient times.

In undertaking hajj pilgrims are seeking to emulate the extent of submission displayed by their ancestors in these ancient times

Adam and eve
o Mount Arafat meeting up point
o First building of ka’bah

Abraham 
o	Leaving Hagar and Ishmael in valley 
o	Emergence of Zamzam well 
o	Sa’y ritual 
o	Sacrifice Ishmael 
o	Satan tries to persuade him out of it 
o	Qurban and Jamarat rituals 
o	Rebuilding of ka’bah as centre of monotheism on earth 

Muhammad
o Muhammad is regarded as the last of the prophets and the messenger of god. This belief is also affirmed in the prayers recited during the ritual

Question 6

‘wuquf’ - the stand before allah and the atonement of sin

Answer 6

The stand before Allah that is a central moment for the hajj. This takes place at the mount of mercy on the plain or Arafat near mina on 9th Dhul Hijjah from midday until sunset

Pilgrims meditate, pray and concentrate their thoughts on Allah during the stand

a reminder of the day of judgement when all people will stand before god

Pilgrims are joyful because they have been cleansed by god forgiveness and they are as sinless as the day they were born

Pilgrims seek forgiveness of their sins and experience beginning of new life

Hajj wipe out whatever sins came before it (hadith)

The pilgrimage to mecca is a from of atonement for sin.

When believers repent of their sins they are granted gods mercy. Thus, a validly performed hajj is a means of entering heaven

Question 7

haji in the contexts of the pillars

Answer 7

1. Shahadah – testifying to creed, detaches one from false masters
2. Salat – offering daily prayer, detaches one from the worldly affairs
3. Zakat – paying charity, detaches the worshipper from the pangs of material wealth
4. Sawm – fasting in Ramadan, detaches the worshipper from the physical desires and emotional impulses
5. Hajj – making pilgrimage, detachment from the load of sins and racism