hajj

For those of you who read my blog, you've read that we are on vacation here in Saudi (for two weeks, yay!). But what you may not know is why we're on vacation. In Islam, there are two Eids, or holidays. One Eid is the day after Ramadan (which I blogged about a couple of months ago), and another Eid which is called "Eid Al Adha", or the Feast of Sacrifice. This Eid is part of the annual Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. Performing the hajj is something every Muslim must perform in his/her lifetime as long as he/she is able to physically and financially. It is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith.

The Hajj falls at a particular time each year, according to the Islamic calendar. But Muslims may visit Mecca anytime of the year. When Muslims visit Mecca during times other than Hajj, it is called Umrah. I myself have not gone on Hajj yet, but have gone to Mecca for Umrah.

So why do Muslims perform Hajj? It all started with Abraham. Abraham grew up and become a prophet. He, unlike his father, believed in only one God, and refused to worship the idols that most of the people were worshipping. All of the rituals of Hajj symbolize events that took place in Abraham's life. I will share a brief overview of the rituals of Hajj and why we do them.

Before beginning the Hajj...Muslim men wear a two piece un sewn garment. Women wear a simple ankle-length, long-sleeved garment and a head scarf. The reason for these garments is to show equality. It is to show that we are equal regardless of money, social status, race, etc.

Day 1 - The Day of Reflection

The Mosque in Mecca...Muslims circle the Kabah (the black building in the image below) seven times and then walk between two hills called Safa and Marwa. The Kabah was originally built by Abraham and his son. All Muslims face the direction of the Kabah when they pray.

Walking between these two hills symbolizes an event that took place with Abraham's wife. God had asked Abraham to travel and to leave his wife and son near one of the hills. While Abraham was away, the baby began to cry for water but there was no water and no one to help them. Abraham's wife, desperate to help her baby, began to run from one hill to the next. Then a miracle happened. A spring gushed with water between the hills. This spring became famously known as "Zamzam" and it still exists today in a well underneath the Great Mosque in Mecca. Muslims walk between these two hills seven times to symbolize Abraham's wife's search for water and God's blessing of providing it. These two hills are now enclosed within the Mosque in Mecca. A walkway has been built for Muslims to perform this ritual. There is also a special aisle in the middle for the elderly and disabled (wheelchairs are provided for those in need). Muslims enjoy drinking Zamzam water during their visit to Mecca and many take jugs of it home to share with family and friends. Below is an image of the walkway between the two hills.

After these rituals in Mecca...Muslims wake up early to travel to a valley near Mecca called Mina. Pilgrims stay over night here.

Day 2 - The Day of Standing

On the second day of Hajj...Pilgrims go to Mt. Arafat to perform the main Hajj rite. Pilgrims pray and ask for God's forgiveness. This is also the place where the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) delivered a sermon known as the Sermon of the Farewell Hajj. Pilgrims rest here at night and collect small pebbles for the stoning in Mina. Below is an image of pilgrims traveling to Arafat.

Day 3 - The Day of Sacrifice

Throwing stones in Mina...Pilgrims go back to Mina and throw stones at three stone pillars representing the devil. This symbolizes Abraham, his wife, and son throwing stones at Satan when he tried to dissuade Abraham from sacrificing his son as God had asked. Of course, this was a test of faith, to sacrifice his son. And the Angel Gabriel was sent with a ram for Abraham to sacrifice instead. On this day, every year, Muslims sacrifice a sheep in remembrance of Abraham's trust in God. This day is Eid Al Adha, or the Day of Sacrifice. When Muslims sacrifice a sheep, the meat is divided into three parts; one for the poor, one for family/neighbors/friends, and one for the family who sacrificed the sheep.

Days 4 &5

Pilgrims stay in Mina and may throw more stones. They will return to Mecca and circle the Kabah again, seven times. They will drink Zamzam water. This concludes the Hajj.

The Spirit of Hajj...Muslims perform Hajj to have their sins forgiven, to become better human beings, to learn how to care for others, and thank God for his gifts. Hajj is like a starting over point, a fresh start to becoming a better person, to strive to do good things. Personally, what I love most about Hajj is the equality. You may have a very poor man from a very poor village standing and praying next to a royal who has wealth and "status". Before God, it doesn't matter what your social status is, what matters is what's inside your heart, and only God can truly see that.

Happy Eid!!! :-)

Picture of a pilgrim reading the Quran

All images via Yahoo Image search