Belief & Worship

a) Pilgrimage – Hajj and its Universality

Meaning of Pilgrimage – Hajj:
Literal meaning of Hajj is ‘intention to do something’. As per the Islamic Shariyah the meaning of
Hajj is “At the particular allotted time do the Tawaf of Baitullah at Makkah and visit some other
sacred places for certain rituals of worship.”
Importance / Significance of Pilgrimage / Hajj:
Hajj is an important pillar of Islam and act of worship. Hajj became an obligatory act of worship in
9 Hijri. Hajj is an obligation once in a life time for a person who is sensible adult Muslim man or
woman and he / she can afford to go to Baitullah. It is stated in Holy Quran:
“In it (Baitullah) are manifest signs, the standing place of Abraham, and whoever enters it shall
be secure, and pilgrimage to the House is (incumbent) upon the men for the sake of Allah, (upon)
everyone who is able to undertake the journey (fulfill pilgrimage) to it; and whoever disbelieves,
then surely Allah is not in need of the worlds (does not need anything).”
(Surah Al-Imran Verse 97)
Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) said that
“Hajj is Farz once in a life time. To perform Hajj more than this is Nafil.”
Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) said about the people who don’t perform Hajj despite possessing all
the provisions for Hajj
“Whosoever possesses the provisions (for Hajj) and the means of transport to take him to the
House of Allah, yet he never performs the Hajj, then there is no blame on him if he dies as a Jew
or as a Christian”.
Pilgrimage – Hajj Accumulative Worship
Pilgrimage – Hajj is such an act of worship which is the accumulation of many other acts of worship. Namaz /
prayer and Sawm / Fasting are the acts of worship which are physical. Zakat is an act of worship in which
once wealth is utilized. But in Hajj, like prayer and fasting important steps are performed, pain of journey
and other physical pain is tolerated. And like Zakat, one’s wealth is also utilized. Like in prayer / namaz, a
person presents himself in front of Allah with humility, cries in supplication, similarly a pilgrim leaves his best
clothes, wears 2 mantles / chaadar and presents himself with complete humility in front of Allah. He remains
busy in reciting Labaik Allahuma Labaik ( I am Present O’ Allah, I am Present) and keeps supplicating.

Manasik – e – Haj (Rituals of Pilgrimage)

In the season of Hajj, Muslims from all over the world travels towards Makkah. When they reach to Meeqat
(Special place for wearing Ahraam) gents leave their national or cultural dress and wears two mantles,
whereas ladies in their own dress makes intention of performing Hajj and recites this supplication which is
called Talbiyah

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In the morning of 8th Zilhaj pilgrims reach at the place of Mina and assemble in the plain of Arafat in the
morning of 9th Zilhaj. Where they hear a sermon in the afternoon and offer the prayers of Zuhr and Asar
together. When the sun sets they leave the plain of Arafat and and assembles at Muqam-e-Muzdalfa. They
stay there over night and offer the prayers of Maghrib and Isha together. In the morning of 10 th Zil Haj they
throw stones at Jumra Aqba, then sacrifice animals and gets the Halaq or Qasar done. Then visit Baitullah
and after tawaf –e – Ziarat they so Saai in between Safa and Marwa. After Saai during the three days –
Ayam-e-Tashreeq while staying in Mina they offer Qasr prayer in congregation and after zawal they throw 7
stones each on three Jamrat. After that they come to Makkah from Mina and perform Tawaf-e-Alwida and
return back.
Universality of Hajj / Pilgrimage
As the 5 times congregational prayer assembles the Muslims of an area in a mosque, weekly Friday prayer
assembles the Muslims of a city in central mosque / Jama Masjid and the annual gatherings of Eidain
assembles the Muslims of big cities of a country. So that unity and brotherhood is developed amongst them.
Like that Hajj is such an annual universal gathering in which Muslims from all parts of the world are
gathered. Their colors are different, their languages are different, their caste is different and their countries
are different but by forgetting all these differences, in the same dress of Ahraam they present themselves of
same fraternity. They practically demonstrate such universal brotherhood and unity which is not visible in
any other worship. Hajj represents the universal form of human equality and eliminates all the differences.
Similarly Hajj provides the Muslims with the universal opportunities of gaining knowledge from each other
and Hajj also paves the way for gaining profit from universal trade. Like that many countries gain trade
profit. It means that Hajj is such a universal worship that is an important source of brotherhood and unity
among the Muslims of the world. It represents the universal human equality. People get the awareness
about the cultures and languages being used around the world and provides the opportunities to gain profit
through universal trade. Spiritual benefits are also there and very important in one’s life.

Questions
Q1. Write down the meaning of Hajj / Pilgrimage as per the Islamic Shariyah.
Q2. Write down the category of Muslims who are entitled to perform Hajj as an obligation.
Q3. Define each term (1. Meeqat, 2. Ahraam, 3. Tawaf, 4. Talbiyah)
Q4. Describe the main events / rituals of annual pilgrimage.
Q5. What beliefs and practices are involved in: (i) stoning the Jamarat (ii) performing sa’y
(iii) assembling at Arafat
Q6. Write down the importance of pilgrimage to the Muslim Community.
Q7. Why does Hajj is regarded as an accumulative worship?