hajj

hajj intro

Hajj is an obligatory pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, in which Muslims retrace the footsteps and practices of Rusul Ibrahim and Muhammad. It is a profound spiritual journey that must be completed at least once in the lifetime of "all who are able to undertake it" (Quran 3:97); as it is a physical expression of the Fifth Pillar, which is central to the beliefs and practices of all adherents. The challenging nature of this pilgrimage—one that requires great thought, time, and effort—embodies the core concept of Submission to Allah, thus demonstrating the principle belief of Tawhid.

22.27

[muslims] will come from every deep valley and distant place to perform hajj

hadith

whoever performs hajj for the sake of allah...returns like the day in which he was born

ihram action

entering state of purity:
- remove worldly clothing to dress in all white, seamless outfit
- refrain from sexual intimacy, murder, shaving body hair for entire journey

ihram beliefs

tawhid - submission to will of allah, reflects His 'oneness' and 'unity'
akhira - all adherents before allah reflects day of judgement

ihram - individual

submission to the will of allah
spiritual renewal/purification

ihram - community

ummah is united in the physical expression of their beliefs

ihram quote 2.197

let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the hajj

wuquf action

ascending mt arafat and begging for forgiveness and mercy upon it. it is believed that prayers made on arafat are particularly favoured by allah, as this is the site on which muhammad made his final sermon.

wuquf beliefs

rusul - prophet muhammed
kutubullah - prophet muhammed
tawhid - submission to allah's oneness
akhira - consciousness of day of judgement and afterlife (asking for forgiveness and mercy)

wuquf - individual

spiritual renewal - asking for rebirth, new life, to be cleansed from sin, reflecting on bad deeds
submission to allah - new life focuses on allah only, as he is the only one
connections to origin of islam - muhammed

wuquf - community

unity and equality during day of judgement

wuquf quote 39.53

he is indeed all forgiving, most merciful

wuquf quote 2.198

when you surge down the multitudes from arafat, remember allah at the holy place, and remember him as the one who guided you after you lost your way