HSC Hajj

Question 1

What is Hajj?

Answer 1

• The annual pilgrimage that Muslims embark on to Mecca, Saudi Arabia
• One of the 5 pillars of Islam

Question 2

Hajj in the Qur’an

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Hajj significance to individuals quote

Answer 3

The Prophet Muhammad said, “Whoever performs Hajj to this house…was born - pure and free from sins”

Question 4

What is the first step of Hajj?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What is Muzdalifah

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

Hajj significance to individual

Answer 6

• 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

Question 7

Hajj significance to the community

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What is the Kaa’ba

Answer 8

• It is known as the ‘House of God’, and is a mosque
• The Prophet Ibrahim built the Kaa’ba on the command of Allah

Question 9

Hajj equality of all humans

Answer 9

• Hajj unifies humans together as they are all completing the same journey

Question 10

Contemporary example (wheelchair)

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

Contemporary example (COVID)

Answer 11

• 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