Hajj – Pillar Five Your task today is to read all of this information about Hajj and then write a diary entry, as if you had just complete Hajj for yourself. Introduction to the Hajj Hajj in the Arabic language means to go out, heading towards a great aim. Hajj in Islam means going to Mecca to perform special rituals during a particular time. Within the Islamic calendar, Muslims perform Hajj between the 8th to the 12th of the month of Thul-Hijjah, which is the last month of the Islamic year. Thul-Hijjah It is an individual duty. Every adult, able Muslim should perform Hajj once in their lifetime if we can afford it and if we are healthy and well. Watch these clips https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/clips/z29hyrd https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/24566691 (there are 2 videos here) Look at the impact COVID 19 is having https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-middle-east- 53577690 Why Do Muslims Go for Hajj One of the main and most important reasons of Hajj is to obey Allah (Glory Be to Him) and fulfil the fifth pillar of Islam. Hajj also cleanses us of our sins. It brings over two million Muslims from different parts of the world together and unites us regardless of our race, colour and culture, whether we are rich or poor. We all come to this special place at this particular time of the year for the same reason - to get closer to Allah (Glory Be to Him) and ask for His mercy and forgiveness. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The reward for an accepted Hajj is nothing less than Paradise.” - Ibn Majah 1. Intention and Ihram The first step to prepare for your Hajj journey is to have the intention in your heart to perform the Hajj for the sake of Allah (Glory Be to Him) only, to purify yourself from all sins and to seek Allah's forgiveness. Next you enter the state of Ihram. Men will wear special clothing made from two pieces of unstitched white cloth. Women may wear any appropriate Islamic clothing. Iharm not only means that you wear these unique clothes, but it is also a spiritual state you enter once you have intended to complete your Hajj. During the state of Ihram: • You should be mindful of your behaviour and words. • You should not be involved in swearing or fighting with anyone. • You are not permitted to cut your hair and your nails • You should not cover your head. 2. The Two Hills Safa and Marwah are two small hills, now located in the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, between which, Muslims travel back and forth seven times during the ritual pilgrimage of Hajj. Doing this helps Muslims to remember the struggles that Hagar and Ishmael faced when they were in the desert. A well still remains here and pilgrims drink from it. The Story of Walking and Running between the Two Hills of Al- Safa and Al-Marwa Allah (Glory Be to Him) was testing Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his family. They were strong believers, and this why we follow what they did till this present day. Prophet Ibrahim, his wife Hajar and their baby son Ismail were travelling for days. They stopped at a place with no water, plants or anyone. At this moment, Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) left his wife and his son with a small amount of food and water. The Story of Walking and Running between the Two Hills of Al- Safa and Al-Marwa Hajar did not know what was going on! She asked him, “Where are you going, Ibrahim, leaving us in this barren valley?” He did not respond to her. She asked him again, but he remained silent. Then she asked him, “Did Allah command you to do so?” He replied, “Yes.” Because Hajar had a strong faith and trust in Allah (Glory Be to Him), she was ready to stay alone with her baby in the middle of the desert. The Story of Walking and Running between the Two Hills of Al- Safa and Al-Marwa She was very sure that Allah (Glory Be to Him) would not abandon them. When you have trust in Allah (Glory Be to Him), you will do anything He wants without a doubt in His mercy. She said, “If this is Allah’s Command, then He will not abandon us.” Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was very sad and worried about his family, but he obeyed Allah’s command. He knew that it was a test from Allah (Glory Be to Him) and He tests those He loves the most. He prayed for Allah (Glory Be to Him) to protect his family and to provide them with plenty of fruits. The Story of Walking and Running between the Two Hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwa After a few days, the water and food had run out and Hajar could not stand seeing her baby son Ismail thirsty, so she started running toward Al-Safa hill, hoping to find some food or water. Then she ran back to Al- Marwa hill. But she did not find anything! She kept running back and forth between Al-Safa and Al-Marwa hills seven times while being patient and praying for Allah (Glory Be to Him). Saee between Al-Safa and Al-Marwa This event marks the Hajj ritual of Saee, the walking or running between Al-Safa and Al- Marwa, so that we can always remember to have faith and trust in Allah (Glory Be to Him) and reflect on our relationship with Him during Hajj. The Well of Zamzam Water! Hajar returned to her baby son Ismail, when suddenly she saw a spring of clear and pure water coming out from underneath his feet! Allah (Glory Be to Him) had responded to her prayers! They both drank from this miraculous water and thanked Allah (Glory Be to Him) for His mercy. Allah (Glory Be to Him) rewarded Hajar's patience and faith. A Fact about Zamzam Water Did You Know…? The Well of Zamzam is a 4000-year-old stream of pure water that is still flowing, and to this day still provides millions of pilgrims with Zamzam water. You may mention that you tasted this water 3. Mount Arafat and the Plain of Muzdalifah Pilgrims spend the night praying and sleeping outside and gather pebbles for the next day's ritual of the stoning of the devil. Mount Arafat was the scene of the prophet Muhammad's final sermon. Pilgrims spend the day here in prayer. Plain of Arafat showing the ‘Mount of Mercy’ on the main Hajj day. 4. Sacrifice and Halq Animals are sacrificed to remember the story of Abraham and his son. In the story, God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son. As Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, God told Abraham that he had fulfilled his command and replaced his son with a ‘great sacrifice’ instead. Traditionally, the pilgrims slaughtered the animal themselves but today many pilgrims buy a sacrifice voucher, which allows an animal to be slaughtered in their name. The meat from the sacrificed animals is used to feed people in need in Muslim countries. After the sacrifice, the next step of Hajj is shaving heads, known as Halq. All male pilgrims are expected to shave their head or trim their hair on the day of Eid and female pilgrims cut the tips of their hair. This day is known as Eid al-Adha. The Story of the Animal Sacrifice and Throwing the Pebbles After Hajar and her son Ismail (peace be upon him) found Zamzam water, people started to come around the Zamzam well and asked Hajar for her permission to live nearby so that they could use the water. Hajar welcomed them happily and many of them made Mecca their home. Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) had never stopped thinking about his family and he came to visit them in Mecca to see if they were doing well. Ismail (peace be upon him) grew up. At this time, another big test was about to take place. The Great Sacrifice One night, Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) had a strange dream. He dreamt that he was sacrificing his son, Ismail! Prophet Ibrahim knew that his dream was a command from Allah (Glory Be to Him) and that he should obey the command. It was very hard for Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) to tell his son Ismail about this news. He said "O my son! Surely I have seen in a dream that I should sacrifice you; What do you think of this?” Ismail said: “O my father! Do what you are commanded; if Allah wills, you will find me of the patient ones."- Qur'an 37:102 That was a massive test to Ibrahim's faith, to sacrifice his own son that he loves the most. Only a great Prophet like Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was able to carry out such a painful task as proof of his true love for Allah (Glory Be to Him). A Ram from Heaven Ibrahim and his Allah (Glory Be to son Ismail (peace Him) said in the be upon them) had A large ram appeared Qur’an, “O Ibrahim; just passed a nearby that Allah you have fulfilled the difficult test from (Glory Be to Him) dream; thus we Allah (Glory Be to had sent down reward the obedient - Him).