ISLAM SPILOA - significant practice for both the individual and muslim community Flashcards
significant of the haji for individuals
The fifth pillar of Islam. Therefore one of the formal acts of worship that strengthens the faith and obedience of believers. Each pillar holds up the structure of a Muslims faith
Rituals associated with the pilgrimage reinforces what a Muslim believes, helps a Muslim to develop an Islamic identity and deepens his or her understanding of what it means to be Muslims
The individual hopes to becomes, by performing Hajj, a better person in this world and increase his prospects of reward in the hereafter
It allows an individual to be rejuvenated and reborn
Rituals of Hajj remind the pilgrim of the day of judgement wearing the same clothes, conducting the same worship whilst all seeking gods mercy
Pilgrim connects to universal monotheism by tracing in the footsteps of Abraham
Pilgrim increases gratitude to god as they see a lot of poorer and less fortunate people at hajj than themselves
It involves a spiritual mental and physical journey from ones normal place of living to Makkah
The hajji process entails a sacrifice of time, money, comfort worldly affairs and many carnal desires and pleasures for the sake of god with no selfish end
Enduring all this with an incessant remembrance of god throughout hajj process leaves a firm longing and love of god inside the pilgrim which lasts for years to come
Process of hajj increases the pilgrims piety, virtuousness, generosity, patience, resilience and sincerity
Increased awareness of the importance of physical well being
significance of the haji on community
Obligation to preserve the Islamic religion is one of the universal principles of Islam. Rituals on the hajj play an important role in preserving the Islamic belief systems because they remind the worldwide community of pilgrims of the core beliefs of Islam. Thy help the community of believers to maintain the unity of essential beliefs
Pilgrimage rituals encourage believers to reflect on the history of islam and their Islamic heritage.
The Ka’bah is a reminder of how Muhammad established islam, while the surrounds are associated with Abraham and his family.
These events are integral to the identity of islam.
When Islamic pilgrims from all parts of the world gather to reflect on their religious history and heritage during the hajj, Islam’s identity as a religious system is strengthened
The gathering of pilgrims from all parts of the world surpasses all differences based on race, colour and gender, uniting the community of all believers around the core beliefs of islam
Creates universal feeling of brotherhood/sisterhood amongst Muslims by gathering together at the same place to do the same thing
Hajj is the greatest social event in the Muslim world; it is where you meet new people, share ideas, see all different types of cultures; and pass on experiences.
Hajj increases a wider god-consciousness amongst the Muslim community
Removes division between different religious interpretations (sunni and shia)
significance to the individual and community
o The evidence suggests that the hajj increases tolerance, which seems to apply not just within the Islamic world but also beyond It.
o Hajj return with more positive views towards people from other countries.
o Hajjis are more likely to state that various Pakistani ethnic and Muslim sectarian groups are equal, and that it is possible for such groups to live in harmony
o These views of equality and harmony extend to non-Muslims as well
o Hajjis are 22% more likely to declare that people of different religions are equal and 11% more likely to state that adherents of different religions can live in harmony
equality
o Hajj enables a muslim to realise the universality of islam as her or she sees muslim from all over the world, from all nationalities and races
o A pilgrim develops an acute sense of equality of human beings in practice rather then just theory
developing mental strength
o Many mental skills such as determination, perseverance, patience and control of human will are exercises and developed in trying conditions of the hajj
o Leaving everything behind for a long period of time provides the effect of true recreation for the mind and the spirt
importance of physical fitness
o Physical benefits are not neglected in pilgrimage. Hajj is very much a physical event
o Going around the ka’bah seven times and fast walk between Safa and Marwah gives muslims ample exercise and reminds them of the need to be physically fit and also the value of good health
haji in islamic sacred writings
o Hajj in the qur’an:
o “behold the first house (of prayer) established for humankind is the one at Bakkah(Makkah), a blessed place and a (centre of) guidance for all peoples (Qur’an, 3:96, trans. Ali Unal)
o Hajj in the hadith (sayings of prophet Muhammad)
o “whoever performs hajj to this house (the Ka’bah) and does not commit any obscenity and wrongdoing, he or she will come out as the day he or she was born- pure and free from sins”
