Hajj is one of the necessary pillars of Islam. It is one of the important necessary duties on parts of the Muslims if they are capable of physically and financially.
“Kabba” is an important place in Makkah, Saudia Arabia, where Muslims perform Hajj. The Muslims of the whole world perform religious rituals of the Hajj ceremony in the holiest month of Dhu –al-Hijjah. The religious rituals of the Hajj ceremony continue from the beginning of the 8th day of Dhu al-Hijjah to the 12th.
It is the second-largest annual gathering of the Muslims world.
Hajj is one of the biggest shows of the demonstration. It is an opportunity where Muslims across the world gather to perform the religious rituals for one God, Almighty Allah.
Muslims follow specific conditions while performing Hajj. For example, they have to wear a seamless dress, “Ihram.” Similarly, they have to abide by the particular instructions given by Almighty Allah.
If we trace the history of Hajj, we can easily find its origin when Prophet Abraham built “ Kabba,” the house of Allah. Later ages, People kept changes in the method of Hajj without getting information from divine sources.
Lastly, Prophet Muhammad SAW described its right method given by Allah.
Importance of Hajj by the Quran
The Quran clarifies the status of Hajj as an important pillar of Islam. There are different verses of the Quran regarding Hajj.
In the Quran, Allah says, “And to people the Hajj. They will come here to you on every sinewy camel: they will come here from every deep and distant.” (22:27)
In another place, Allah says,” We have completed the shrine ( Holy Kabba) a focal point for the people and a secure sanctum. You can use Abraham’s shrine as a prayer house; we give power to Abraham and Ismail. You shall clean my house for those who make a visit and those who live there and those who nod and prostrate. “(2:125)
Quran describes the importance of several places. For example, Allah says,” People ask you about the moon, say, it provides timing for people and the Hajj. It is no use to beat about the bush. Fairness is acquired by upholding the orders and by remaining straightforward. “(2:189)
The holy book of the Quran and the Ahadith of Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW is the most accurate means of information. We should pay attention to any other thing in the presence of the Quran and Ahadith.
Importance of Hajj by Ahadith
Different Ahadith also describes the importance of Hajj.
For example, in a Hadith, Abu-Hyrarah said, Prophet Muhammad SAW said,” Allah has decreed Hajj upon you. So must do Hajj.”
In another Hadith, narrated by Abdullah ibn Masood, Prophet Muhammad SAW said,” keep doing Umrah and Hajj, for, they wipe out poverty and sin Justas the bowl remove defilement from iron, silver, and Gold. “
According to the Ahadith, Hajj is important to us in so many ways. It helps us to get our sins forgiven from Almighty Allah. More importantly, it is one of the five important pillars of Islam.
A step-by-step guide to Hajj
Muhammad SAW offered the Hajj ceremony after the conquest of Makkah, Saudia Arabia. Every year, Muslims gather to follow the sunnah of the beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW once in a year.
It Is one of the essential duties imposed by Almighty Allah to perform Hajj once in life if one has the capability, particularly bodily and financially.
The ceremony of Hajj occurs between the 8th of Dhu Al Hijjah till 13th. Different related religious rituals are carried out in these days.
According to reliable Islamic history, the construction of the House of Allah” Kabbah” carried out by Prophet Abraham by order of Almighty Allah.
Due to different schools of thought, Hajj is made difficult. Here is the list of steps, which is necessary to be taken while performing Hajj.
Day 1 ( Enter in a sacred state wearing Ihram)
Miqat is the outer boundaries of Makkah; it is necessary for the pilgrim to follow some directions given by Prophet Muhammad SAW.
For example, it is essential to have a particular dress called Ihram on your body. It is some kind of plain white garment unstitched clothes for gents. Similarly, lose fitting clothes is for women.
There are some other rules, which are necessary to follow, for example, the prohibition of involving sexual activity and do not let the anger to control you, the hunting ban.
Trawling to Mina
Mina is the city, which is known as the city of the tent. After 8 KM of the journey, Muslims reach Mina. They spend time in remembering Allah and doing Dhikr.
They have to set out the journey the next day morning.
Setting out to Arafat
One of the most important days in the Hajj ceremony is the day of Arafat. It is not only important by the Hajj ceremony, but it is also important in the Islamic Lunar calendar.
Prophet Muhammad SAW gave his final sermon in the Mount Mercy at Arafat.
It is 14.4 km away from Mina. Due to having blessings and rewards, many Muslims fast on that day.
Collecting Pebbles at Muzdalifah
Muzdalifah is 9 Km away from Arafat.
The most important thing is that Muslims spend the whole night under stars in Muzdalifah. Muslims collect pebbles here for tomorrow’s right.
They have to move from here again after the sunrise.
Throwing stones at the pillars
Those who are performing Hajj, this day is known as Yawm Ul Hajj al-Akbar.
The next day is of Eid al-Adha, the day in which Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Adha. Pilgrims have to go back to Mina after performing religious rituals here.
The first Rammi in which they have to through seven pebbles on the largest columns, Jamarat. Muslims gather at the bridge to stone the columns.
This has been the place of deadliest stories.
After throwing stones, Muslims have to offer sacrifice. At this time, pilgrims have to trim their hair. They can remove their Ihram.
Tawaf and Sa’ee are done after this stage.
Finally, they have to return to Mina.
Final days
Seven stones throw at the devil symbolically. The Muslims have to spend two or three days in Mina more.
After completion of their times in Mina, they have to return to Makkah in order to perform the Tawaf, which will be the final circulation of the Hajj process.
Hajj ceremony is a combination of these necessary steps.
After completion of these steps, many people go to Madina, which is the second holiest place for Muslims. They do visits to sites of Islamic importance.
It is not obligatory and not part of the Hajj ceremony.
Seven easy steps for every Hajj Pilgrim
There are seven easy steps for hajj pilgrim, which is necessary to perform in order to complete the Hajj.
1. Tawaf-Circulation Kabba 7 times
After wearing a particular kind of dress Ihram, the first step is doing Tawaf. Tawaf is done by circulating Kabba by seven times.
2. Spending all day on Mount Arafat
It is the most important day, not only by Hajj also by the Islamic calendar. We, as Muslims, should spend the whole day praying.
It is the place of the final sermon given by Prophet Muhammad SAW.
3. Staying in Muzdalifah
It is another important step of staying the whole night in Muzadalifah.
As the sun is set, Pilgrims have to go to Muzdaifah to collect pebbles for later stoning of the devil. They spend the whole night under the sky.
They set out for mina after offering Fajar prayer.
4. The stoning of the devil
The stoning of the devil is the sunnah of the ProphetProphet Ibraham. It is a necessary step to complete. It happens on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah. Pebbles collect from the Muzadalifah.
Muslims perform first Rami by throwing seven pebbles at the Jimmrat. The history of stoning pebbles is fascinating that the devil incited Prophet Ibrahim not to sacrifice his son. He threw a stone at the devil to keep him stay away.
After stoning, the shaving head and sacrifice of animals have to complete.
5. Circulating Al-Safa and Marwa
Safa and Marwa are the two important hills. Exciting history is associated with these hills. The wife of ProphetProphet Abraham “SARA” circulated seven times to search for water for her son Ismail.
It is of utmost importance to perform Sa’ee.
6. Stoning at Mina
After completion of the above-given steps, the pilgrim has to stay at Mina for three days. On the day of the 11th and 12th day of Dhu Al-Hijjah, Muslims have to perform stoning in Mina on every three pillars.
7. Farewell Tawaf
The seventh important step is of doing farewell Tawaf. It is the end of the Hajj. Many pilgrims go to Madina in order to visit other Islamic sites.
Madina is the place where Prophet Muhammad SAW buried with his beloved companion. It is pertinent to mention that visiting Madinah is not part of Hajj.
Conclusion
Hajj is an important event that comes once in a year. Most of the Muslims do not get chance to visit Makkah and perform Hajj.
It is necessary for those who get the chance to perform Hajj that the Hajj must be offered according to its soul.
