Hajj and Eid-Ul-Adha

Hajj,the fifth pilar of Islam,is obligatory at least once in a lifetime for any Muslim man or women who fulfills the following conditions : at the time he(or she) intends to perform Hajj,he should be sane,sound of health,free from debts,and should have enough resources to pay his own travel expenses.

Very briefly,the obligatory(fard) observances of Hajj are:

1-IHRAM

Ihram,(the physical and spiritual state of consecration to God).Before approaching Mecca,the pilgrim takes a full bath(ghusl) before putting on the garments of Ihram.In Ihram attire,he expresses his intention (niyat) to perform Hajj.Theputting –on of Ihram is followed by a two rak’kaat (unit) prayer.

The Ihram dress,which all male pilgrims wear,consists of two sheets of ordinary unsewn white cloth which symbolizes the renunciation of worldly and material goal and vanities.The pilgrim who is in a state of consecration (muhrim) must abstain from certain satisfactions and pleasures.

2-TAWAF (Circumambulation of the Ka’ba)

On enterig the Sacred Mosque the muhrim goes towards the Black Stone which he kisses or touches.Starting from the Black Stone and keeping the building on his left,he makes the seven circuits.Certain prayers are repeated and at the end of every circuit the Black Stone is kissed or touched.


3-SA’AI (Hastening)

The next rite is that of running between the two elavations called Safa and Marwa.God has prescribed the rememberance of Hajar’s attempts to find water as an important part of the observances of Hajj.Each pilgrim ascends As-Safa.At the top he makes devotional calls (talbiya),descends from the hill,walks the distance to Al-Marwa and climbs it,making similar talbiya,repeating sa’ai seven times.

4-ARAFAT and MUZDALIFA

After sunrise on the 9th of Dhul-Hijja,the pilgrim sets out for Mount Arafat reciting talbiya.Here Dhur and ‘Asr prayers are performed in congregation.Just after sunset.all the pilgrims leave for Muzdalifa where everyone performs Maghrib and Isha prayer and passes the night.

5-MINA

On the morning of the 10th of Dhul-Hijja,the pilgrims return to Mina where there are three stone pillars representing three positions where the devil (satan) tried to tempt Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him) to rebellion when his father was leading him to the place of sacrifice.Ismail drove away the devil by throwing stones at him.The pilgrims throw stones at the same pillars to signify the rejection of evil promptings.

6-EID-UL-ADHA (The Feast of Sacrifice)

After stoning the first of the three pillars.the pilgrims sacrifice a sheep,goat or camel,following the practice (sunnah) of the Prophet Ibrahim who sacrificed a ram when God spared him the sacrifice of his son Ismail (peace be upon them).While Eid-ul-adha is actually a part of the observances of Hajj,it is also celebrated throughout the Muslim world,and every Muslim who can afford it sacrifices an animal on this occasion.

Lastly,Happy Eid-ul-adha and peace be upon u.

P/S:From English text book of 1st year(Al-Azhar As-Syarif,New Damietta City)