The Hajj

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The Hajj

Just about every religion has one thing that a person must do in their lifetime in order to go on after death and Islam is one of those religions. It is required of a Muslim to make the pilgrimage to Mecca and perform the given tasks at least once in their lifetime.

It is said that the Prophet Muhammad had rid the Ka'ba of its idols and re-established it as a shrine dedicated to the one God (Hofe 96). Now it is the duty of every Muslim to make a trip to that very place. About 2 million Muslims from just over 70 different countries will journey to the holy city of Mecca each year. The pilgrimage begins during an important month in the Muslim calendar called the Dhu al-Hijah. At this time Muslims will travel from all over to make the trip to the sacred land of Mecca. Many will die young and old, but there couldn't be a better way of dieing for a devout Muslim. On the journey they must walk and wear only a roab type outfit so that you can not distinguish between the rich and the poor. During the Hajj, pilgrims must abstain from intercourse and eating and drinking during the day light hours.

During the journey, pilgrims will visit the Well of Zamzam, which was established by Hager and Ishmael (Shariat 99). They will take seven trips around the Ka'ba and kiss the black stone. A sacrifice is offered on the tenth day to celebrate Abraham's unselfishness to sacrifice his son to God. Then they must visit Medina to pay respect to the Prophet Muhammad. Then they will all make their way home and put the word Hajj on their name to show they have made the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Before a Muslim arrives at the holy city, they will go into a state of consecration known as Ihram. In preparation for Ihram, but not after, t...

... middle of paper ...

...s, which have accumulated throughout their lives. The Prophet Muhammad once said, "A person who performs the Hajj properly will return as a newly born baby free from all sins"(Shariat 178). The Hajj also brings together Muslims from all around the world, of different races, languages, and ethic groups, to come together as one to worship God.

Bibliography:

1. Hopfe, Lewis and Woodward, Mark. Religions of the World Eighth Edition.

New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc, 2001, 1998, 1991, 1983.

2. Peters, F.E. The Hajj. New Jersey: Princeton Universit Press, 1996

3. Shariat, Ali. Hajj: Reflections On Its Rituals.

New York: Abjad Book Designers And Builders, 1992

4. The Hajj, Islam's Journey of Faith.Oct. 1997. CNN. 14 April 2001

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/hajj/

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