HSC Hajj Flashcards
(11 cards)
What is Hajj?
- The annual pilgrimage that Muslims embark on to Mecca, Saudi Arabia
- One of the 5 pillars of Islam
Hajj in the Qur’an
Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to God by all who can afford a way to it. (Qur’an 3:97)
It is a command
Hajj significance to individuals quote
The Prophet Muhammad said, “Whoever performs Hajj to this house…was born - pure and free from sins”
What is the first step of Hajj?
Performing Umrah:
- Getting into a state of ihram, pure devotion and complete attention to Allah
- Tawaf (circumambulation) walking around the Ka’bah 7 times
- Sa’y walking between the Safa and Marwa mountains 7 times
- Getting out of the state of ihram → shave/cut hair, shower, different clothes
What is Muzdalifah
- Occurs on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah
- Muslims depart Arafat and head to Muzdalifah
- 49 pebbles are collected to stone the devil
- Spend the night under the stars
- Muslims get closer to Allah
Hajj significance to individual
- Hajj is a test of patience and temperament
- A spiritual, emotional and physical challenge
- Muslims have the opportunity to refresh their spirituality and cleanse themselves of sins, enabling them to draw closer to Allah
- Demonstration of devotion and worship to Allah
Hajj significance to the community
Men all wearing white cloaks → intentionally meant to demonstrate equality and humility before Allah
- There is no division between anything
- Diverse multiculturalism as everyone is brought together with the same goal, to fulfil one of the pillars of Islam
- Experience universal brotherhood and sisterhood
What is the Kaa’ba
- It is known as the ‘House of God’, and is a mosque
- The Prophet Ibrahim built the Kaa’ba on the command of Allah
Hajj equality of all humans
- Hajj unifies humans together as they are all completing the same journey
Contemporary example (wheelchair)
- Farid Ahmed performed Hajj in a wheelchair
- He sent two people in the past to perform Hajj on his behalf - but wanted to feel the ‘wonderful feeling and the divine experience at Hajj’
- With new technology, wheelchair-accessible hotels and support people, he was able to perform Hajj
Contemporary example (COVID)
- In 2021, Hajj had to occur during COVID
- “This year’s hajj came at a critical time… calling for stricter procedures to prevent spread” - said Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari
- Needed two doses of COVID vaccine or previous infection + one dose
- Electronic cards were used to access religious sites, accommodation and transport at Hajj, providing medical details of the pilgrim
