Haj bears out significance of unity in Islam

By Mohammed Naalir

Muslims all over the world are getting ready to celebrate the Haj festival (festival of sacrifice) on Wednesday. Haj is the world’s biggest annual pilgrimage and Muslims the world over throng the Holy Makkah (Mecca) to celebrate this event. Thousands of devotees from Sri Lanka will also take part.

Fulfilling Haj is a compulsory duty of every able Muslim at least once in a lifetime. The money which is spent on Haj should have been earned in a righteous way. One who goes on this pilgrimage should leave enough wealth to his family until his return.

Haj portrays the submission to Allah while recalling the yeoman sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim. It pays tribute to the incomparable sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim 1,500 years ago.

Unity is a way of life in Islam and it is practically demonstrated during the Haj pilgrimage. Islam stresses firstly, the unity of mankind and secondly, unity among Muslims.

All devotees who throng the Holy Makkah are equal in the presence of Allah and no one will be discriminated. There is no room for race, caste, state, rich, poor or colour differences. This is due to the dress code of Ihram, the only clothing which should be worn by the pilgrims during the Haj pilgrimage. Sewn garments are prohibited.

The Haj pilgrimage takes place from the seventh to the 13th day of Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar and is 11 days shorter than the presently used Gregorian calendar. According to the Gregorian calendar, the date of Haj changes every year.

Several obligations

Several obligations are compulsory during the Haj pilgrimage, one being walking seven times anti-clockwise around the Kaaba, which is the focal point and direction to fulfil the five-time prayers.

Kissing the black stone in the corner of Kaaba to wash away previous sins, running back and forth between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah to remind and recall Mother Hajarah, drinking water from the Zamzam well, going to the plains of Mount Arafat to stand in vigil and throw stones at Satan are among the rituals which are carried out by pilgrims.

They shave their heads and perform ceremonial animal sacrifices, another important part of the pilgrimage. Finally, the devotees will celebrate the three-day global festival.

On the completion or before the completion of the Haj pilgrimage, the pilgrims will travel to Madinah where several important places connected with Islamic history and Prophet Muhammad’s life are located. The pilgrims could, at the very outset, travel to Madinah and visit those places and thereafter leave to Makkah for Haj or leave for Madinah after fulfilling the Haj duty first.

Even though it is not a part of the pilgrimage, every Haj devotee tours Madinah and visits Prophet Muhammad’s mosque, Al-Masjid al-Nabawi which contains Prophet Muhammad’s tomb and Riaz ul Jannah. The pilgrims also visit the grave of the Prophet’s companions, Ummahat Ul Momineen (mothers of Muslims) and Ahle Baith located in Jannat ul Baqi.

As a symbol of unity, Haj pilgrims generally travel in groups. The Al-Quran stresses the importance of unity and this philosophy is strongly demonstrated during the Haj pilgrimage.

There are many regulations to be carried out during a Haj pilgrimage. Pilgrims should wear the Ihram and must not shave. Clipping nails is prohibited while applying perfume, cursing and quarrelling with one another must also be avoided. Looking at a woman with desire and having sexual relations is banned. Uprooting or damaging plants must not be done. Males should not cover the head while women should not cover the face while in Ihram.

Before leaving the Holy Makkah, pilgrims should perform a farewell known as Tawaf Al-Wada. Except the holy words of “Labbaik, Labbaik, Labbaika Ya Allah! Allahu Akbar!” no other words are heard.

A devotee who fulfilled the Haj in this manner becomes purified from all previous sins. Haj seems to be a means of purifying oneself from sins. The devotees will throng the Miqat at the same time to pray, to ask for forgiveness and celebrate in Allah’s glory together.

Going to Mina

Devotees will go to the neighbouring town of Mina on the day of Tarwiyah every year. Mina is five kilometres from Makkah, the devotees must recite the Luhar, Ashar, Maghrib, Isha and the morning Fajr prayer as Prophet Muhammad did. Next they must pray four Raka’as or shorten it to two Raka’as.

After sunset on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, pilgrims must leave for Muzdalifah, walking in peace, reciting the Talbiyah on their way. They should not cause inconvenience or injury to fellow pilgrims.

When the devotee reaches Muzdalifah, he must pray combining Maghrib and Isha, but shorten the Isha to two Raka’as. They would spend the night sleeping on the ground, under the stars, but women, the elderly and the infirm may return to Mina after midnight. In the morning of the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah, devotees must pick up seven pebbles or Jamarah to throw at the Jamarah Al Aqabah. The pebbles can also be picked up at Mina.

They return to Makkah for the next essential ritual, Tawaf. Devotees must walk seven times anti-clockwise around the Kaaba, starting at Al-Hajar al-Aswad or the Black Stone. They will pray in their own words or repeat the words “Bismillah wa Allahu akbar” while walking around. They will touch the fourth corner or the ‘Yemeni Corner’ of the Kaaba each time they pass by.

Once the seventh round is completed, devotees would stand behind Maqam-e-Ibrahim or if it is crowded, anywhere within Al-Haram to pray for two Raka’as.

During the first Raka’a or round, the Surat Al-Kafiroun is recited and during the second Raka’a, the Surat Al-’Ikhlas is recited. Finally, they take a drink from Zamzam, as Mother Hajarah and her son Ishmael did, and pray.

The 11th, 12th and 13th days of Dhul-Hijjah after the Day of Sacrifice are known as Ayyam-ut-tashreeq. After Saee, the devotees must return to Mina. Those who wish to leave Mina on the second day must depart before sunset or spend another night at Mina and take part in the “stoning the devil” ritual again the next day. The Ramy al-Jamarat ritual starts in the afternoon of the 11th, 12th and 13th day of Dhul Hijjah.

Nobody can mourn on this day. Visiting neighbours and relatives on this holy day is preferable. The Haj festival should be celebrated within the limits of Islam.

Muslims should refrain from unwarranted activities. Helping the less fortunate and poor people will add further value to the Haj festival.