Islamic Pilgrimage

Question 0

At least once in his or her lifetime, every adult Muslim who is ____ ___ ____ able is required to make this pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia

Answer 0

physically and financially

Question 1

The five pillars of Islam

Answer 1

Declaration of Faith
Prayer (salat)
Tithing (zakat)
The fast of Ramadan
Pilgrimage (hajj)

Question 2

Muslims are expected to undertake the greater pilgrimage (____) to Mecca and its environs at least once in their lifetime if they’re in good health and able to save up the necessary money to pay for themselves.

Answer 2

hajj

Question 3

Becoming a pilgrim is being totally at ____ service

Answer 3

God’s

Question 4

A pilgrim must be free of ____ and is required to make a will, for the journey to Mecca and the hajj itself can be dangerous.

Answer 4

debt

Question 5

Every year more than ____ believers representing a tremendous diversity of cultures and languages travel from all over the world to the holy city of Mecca to form one community living their faith

Answer 5

2 million

Question 6

Those who participate in the pilgrimage wear ____ garments that symbolise purity, as well as the unity and equality of all believers.

Answer 6

simple

Question 8

Before they reach Mecca, and usually before they arrive at the airport in Jedda, the pilgrims into a state of ritual ____ (ihram) by performing major ablutions (ghusl) and a special salat, and by forming an intention (nay yah) of carrying out the hajj.

Answer 8

purity

Question 9

All men wear two pieces of unseen ____ cloth to show their equality, purity and humility, but women’s clothing may vary.

Answer 9

white

Question 10

The hajj is really a combination of two distinct ____, the umrah or lesser pilgrimage and the hajj proper, the greater pilgrimage.

Answer 10

pilgrimages

Question 11

The ____ is performed near the Kabah and can be undertaken at any time where as the hajj takes place mainly outside of Mecca and can only be performed on certain days of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, Dhu al-Hijjah (the month of the hajj).

Answer 11

umrah

Question 12

When the Muslims go to Mecca for the greater pilgrimage, they perform both parts and in general usage the term ____ applies to both.

Answer 12

hajj

Question 13

Both pilgrimages date from pre-Islamic times, and they are interpreted by Muslims as recalling the story of ____ ____ and ____ as well as the example of Mohammed himself.

Answer 13

Abraham, Hagar, and Ishmael

Question 14

The shrine itself, the ____, measuring 45x33x50’ in height is empty apart from a few lamps; is built out of granite and covered with a heavy black brocaded silk and cotton cloth, which is changed every year.

Answer 14

Kabah

Question 15

The umrah begins with the ____ of the Kabah seven times in an anticlockwise direction, and the second main part consists of walking and running seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah; the distance of about 385 m is now enclosed by corridor. In this way, the pilgrims recall Hagar’s search for water when she had been cast out by Abraham with their son Ishmael.

Answer 15

circumambulation

Question 16

According to the Quran (2:1 25–27) the Kabah was built by ____ and ____.

Answer 16

Abraham and Ishmael

Question 17

As they move around the Kabah, pilgrims try to kiss the ____ (al-hajar al-aswad) attached to one of its sides.

Answer 17

Blackstone

Question 18

The sacred spring of ____ was revealed in answer to Hagar’s prayers, and the pilgrims drink from it, some believing it has healing properties.

Answer 18

Zamzam

Question 19

The hajj season proper opens on the ____ day of Dhu al-Hijjah with worship at the Kabah. On the next day, Pilgrims assemble at Mina (8 km east of Mecca), and on the ninth they proceed to the plain of Arafat (another 15 km to the east). Here, at the Mount of Mercy, they stand in prayer and reflection for the afternoon.

Answer 19

seventh

Question 20

This scene, at the Mount of Mercy, is reminiscent of the ____, and this is the climax and most essential feature of the hajj. A sermon preached here where Muhammad delivered his “Farewell Sermon” not long before he died.

Answer 20

judgement

Question 21

After sunset, the pilgrims begin the trip back to Mecca via ____ where, traditionally, the men stay the night.

Answer 21

Muzdalifah

Question 22

At Muzdalifah, the pilgrims collect stones, and, in the morning of the 10th day, they proceed to ____ where they show their rejection of Satan and his temptations by throwing stones at one of the stone pillars representing him.

Answer 22

Mina

Question 23

After the throwing stones at Mina, sheep, goats, and camels are sacrificed in recollection of Abrahams sacrifice of the ram instead of his son – usually assumed by Muslims to be ____ rather than Isaac. Most pilgrims it never see the sacrifice but pay for a sheep to be killed on their behalf.

Answer 23

Ishmael

Question 24

At the same time of this sacrifice, Muslims throughout the ____ sacrifice an animal either in person or by proxy, so that all Muslims can participate in the end of the hajj without personally going to Arabia.

Answer 24

world

Question 25

This worldwide sacrifice is called Īd al-Adhā, the ____ of ____ or the greater festival, a large-scale public celebration in Islamic countries. The meat is shared among friends, family, and the poor.

Answer 25

Festival of sacrifice

Question 26

Back in Mecca, pilgrims make another circumambulation of the Kabah to end the ____, and some still have to complete the running between Safa and Marwah.

Answer 26

hajj

Question 27

It is considered desirable to return to Mina for the three days ____, and each day the the pilgrims throw more stones at the three stone pillars. They make another circumambulation of the Kabah before leaving Mecca, and many pilgrims make an optional visit to the tomb of the prophet in Medina before returning home.

Answer 27

celebration