From Euronews:
“Pilgrims progress: What to know about Hajj as millions of
Muslims arrive in Mecca”
Why are millions of Muslims arriving in Saudi Arabia this
week? Here's what you need to know about Hajj, Islam's sacred pilgrimage. Some
two million Muslims from all corners of the world have arrived in Saudi Arabia
to begin their Hajj pilgrimage, one of humanity's largest religious gatherings.
This year’s Hajj is the first since the lifting of all restrictions related to
the COVID-19 pandemic, and Saudi officials are predicting record-breaking
crowds. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and every practising
Muslim is expected to make the five-day journey at least once in their lives,
as long as they're physically and financially able. It’s considered a profound
spiritual experience for pilgrims, who believe it absolves them of sins, brings
them closer to God and unites the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims. Here’s a
Euronews Culture guide to understanding the Hajj and what to expect this week.
What is the historic significance of Hajj in Islam? The Hajj was first inaugurated by the
Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century, and has been observed by Muslims annually
ever since. It begins during the 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar
calendar, meaning that it can fall at different times in different years. The
Hajj traces the journey of Ibrahim and Ismail, or Abraham and Ishmael as they
are known in the Christian and Jewish traditions. It begins in Mecca,
Islam's holiest site, which has been controlled by Saudi Arabia since the
1920s. The Quran states that this is where Ibrahim was called upon to sacrifice
his son Ismail as a test of faith. Allah, or God, prevented it from happening
at the last minute. The Kaaba, which is the large cube-shaped structure that's
Muslims circle around during the Hajj, is said to have been built by Ibrahim
and Ismail. Muslims do not worship the Kaaba, but they do consider it their
most sacred place and a powerful symbol of unity and monotheism. No matter
where they are in the world, Muslims will face the Kaaba during their daily
prayers.
How do Muslims prepare for their Hajj? Some pilgrims spend their whole lives
saving up for the journey or wait years before getting a permit, which Saudi
authorities distribute to countries based on a quota system. Travel agents
offer packages catering to all income levels, and charities assist needy
pilgrims. Once they’ve embarked on their journey, the first step of a
Muslim’s Hajj is setting an intention and entering a state of purity, called
ihram. This is meant to take place as the pilgrim enters the outer borders of
Mecca. Women cover their hair, wear loose-fitting clothing and skip
wearing makeup. Men wear modest garments made from two unstitched pieces of
fabric, which are meant to erase the gap between rich and poor. Pilgrims
cannot cut their hair, trim their nails or have sex while in the state of
ihram. They’re also not meant to argue or fight, which is often difficult given
the staggering temperatures and huge crowds in Saudi Arabia during Hajj. Many
Muslims will also visit Medina, where the Prophet Muhammad is buried and where
he built the first mosque, before heading to Mecca.
What events take place over the five days of Hajj?
Day 1 officially begins with the circling of the Kaaba,
called Tawaf. Pilgrims walk around the Kaaba counterclockwise seven times while
reciting prayers. After, they'll walk between two hills in a reenactment of
Hagar's search for water for her son, Ismail, a story that occurs in different
forms in Muslim, Christian and Jewish traditions. All of this takes place
inside Mecca's Grand Mosque – the world's largest – which encompasses the Kaaba
and the two hills.
On Day 2, pilgrims head to Mount Arafat, some 20 km east of
Mecca, for what’s considered one of the most important days in the Islamic
calendar. Here, they stand in prayer from noon to sunset, asking God to forgive
their sins. This site is particularly important to Muslims because it’s where
the Prophet Muhammad gave his last sermon. Many Muslims, even those who are not
taking part in the Hajj, will fast on the Day of Arafat. At sunset, pilgrims
will head to Muzdalifa, 9 km west of Arafat, where they begin collecting
pebbles to use in the next day’s rites.
On Day 3, which coincides with the start of the feast of Eid
al-Adha in the Islamic calendar, pilgrims take part in a symbolic "Stoning
of the Devil" in the valley of Mina. They'll throw seven pebbles at the
largest of three columns, known as Jamarat al-Aqaba, which is believed to be
the site where the devil appeared to tempt Ibrahim into ignoring God’s command
to sacrifice his son. Pilgrims are also meant to sacrifice an animal on this
day and distribute the meat to the poor, a rite known as nahr. In Saudi Arabia,
they can buy a voucher or coupon that says a sacrifice has been made in their
name. The Hajj ends with a final circling of the Kaaba and more casting of
stones at Mina. Men will often shave their heads and women will clip a lock of
hair, signalling renewal. Many who have completed the pilgrimage will take the
title of "hajj" or "hajja" – a great honour especially in
more traditional communities.
Has there ever been a year the Hajj didn’t take place? This year the Hajj has returned to
its full capacity, after disruptions due to the coronavirus pandemic. In 2020,
only around 1,000 pilgrims were allowed to make the journey due to sanitary
concerns, and strict screening and quarantine measures were put in place. But
the recent pandemic wasn't the first time the Hajj had been disrupted. One
of the earliest major interruptions to the Hajj took place in 930 AD, when a
sect of Ismailis, a minority Shiite community, known as the Qarmatians raided
Mecca and accused the Hajj of being a pagan ritual. The Hajj was
suspended for 20 years, until the Abbasid dynasty, which ruled large swathes of
the Middle East and North Africa, paid a ransom for it to restart. Diseases
like the plague kept pilgrims from making the then-treacherous journey to Mecca
in the late 900s AD. And cholera claimed the lives of many pilgrims throughout
the 19th century.
^ This was informative. ^
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