al-Baqarah 2:158,189,196-199; al-Hajj 22:27-36.
Pilgramage to Mecca and the
fifth pillar of Islam. It is required of every able-bodied Muslim
and who can afford it. No non-Muslim is allowed to visit Mecca or
witness the hajj. The season begins in the 10th month, the month
following Ramadan, and lasts through the middle of the 12th month.
Muslims associate the origin of the Hajj and the founding of the
Ka'aba with Abraham, who was believed to have built the Ka'aba.
Rituals begin 5 miles from centre of Mecca. No non-Muslims
allowed any further. Muslims prepare, bath and does brief salat.
Each man puts on two seamless white cloths, one round waist, the
other over shoulder. He states his intention (niat): "O Allah, I
purpose to make the hajj; make this service easy to me, and accept
it from me."
In the Ka'aba, goes round it 7 times, first three quickly
(running), the other walking. He performs a brief salat at a point
where Muslims believe Abraham and Ishamel rebuilt the Ka'aba.
Outside the mosque, prilgrims run between two hills, Safa and Marwa,
400 yards apart, in memory of Hagar running to find water for
Ishmael.
On the 7th day of the month (Dhu al-Hajj), he listens to a sermon
in the Great Mosque at Mecca, next day he travels east to Mina to
spend the night. Most, continue to plain of Arafat, 12 to 14 miles
east of Mecca. According to tradition, this is where Adam and Eve
met after falling from Paradise. Important thing is to stand (wuquf)
on a nearby hill on the afternoon of the 9th day. This is the hajj.
Failure to meditate at this particular place means failure to
complete the hajj. After sundown, returns to Muzdalifa to perform
evening salat, collect some pebbles and spend the night.
On the 10th day, Muslims celebrate 'Id al-Kabir (Greater Feast)
or 'Id al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). The pilgrim continues
toward Mecca, stoping at Mina to thro seven small stone at certain
stone pillars. This "stoning of the Devil" is in memory of Abraham
whom Muslims believe chased away Satan. Nearby is a hill where
Muslims believe Abraham prepared to sacrifice Ishmael, and Muslims
kills an animal according to his means.
Nails cut, shaved, and returns to normal clothes. Can be addressed
as al-haji (or al-haja). Before leaving Arabia, he again goes round
Ka'aba, drinks from well of Zamzam (which is believed by Muslims to
be opened by Gabriel for Ishmael). Most pilgrims travel 250 miles to
Medina to visit the tomb of Muhammad.
Hadith: the true pilgrim : "shall return (from Mecca) as pure from
sin as the day on which he was born". Another: "The reward of a
pilgrim is paradise"
(Mishkat).
see also kissing of black stone, under HAJJ
kissing of black stone,
* Narrated Salim that his father said:
I saw Allah's Apostle arriving at Mecca; he kissed the Black Stone
Corner first while doing Tawaf and did ramal in the first three rounds
of the seven rounds (of Tawaf).
(Sahih Bukhari 2.673)
* Narrated 'Abis bin Rabia:
'Umar came near the Black Stone and kissed it and said "No doubt, I
know that you are a stone and can neither benefit anyone nor harm
anyone. Had I not seen Allah's Apostle kissing you I would not have
kissed you."
(Sahih Bukhari 2.667,
Sahih Bukhari 2.675,
Sahih Bukhari 2.676,
Sahih Bukhari 2.679,
Sahih Bukhari 2.680)
* The reason behind this is that the pagan Arabs had the same ritual.
Muhamamd kept the same practice, and Umar did feel repugnant
about the practice. However, he followed the practice of Muhammad.