Hajj: PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA- 5th Pillar of Islam

Pillars of Islam Oneness of God and belief in the last prophet Muhammad PBUH Prayer - five times a day Charity Fasting Hajj (Pilgrimage)

Hajj is performed in Mecca Quran 3:097 “Pilgrimage thereto is a duty, men owe to Allah. Those who can afford the journey.” Hajj is the Fifth Pillar of Islam. Formally begins on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month called the month of Zil-Hujj. Islamic months are marked with the sighting of new moon and are called lunar months. Quran 2:197 “For the Hajj are the months well known

Significance of Pilgrimage “And complete the Hajj…in the service of God.” Quran 2:196 Significance of Pilgrimage A religious ritual filled with Blessings for the millions annually, It is compulsory upon every Muslim physically and financially capable of doing so to perform pilgrimage to Mecca in prescribed time Provides Purification, Repentance & Spiritual Renewal It instills Patience, Discipline, Quality and Unity Quran 2:197 “If anyone undertakes that duty therein, let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj And what ever good ye do Allah knows it.”

Activities of Hajj Entrance into state of Ihram (self control) Two pieces of unstitched white cloth for men Stitched & Simple Clothing for women Signifies equality of all before God Stay in the state of Ihram for three days

The Rituals of Hajj TAWAF TAWAF is going around the Kabbah Seven times. The Kabbah was originally built by Abraham and his son Ismail as the first place of worship of “ONE GOD” The Kabbah is the Black Structure in the center. . SAI “SAI” is brisk walking between two small hills called Safa and Marwa as Hagar (Abraham’s wife) did during her desperate search of water for her infant son, Ismail.

The Pilgrimage h 8 th day of ZIl Hujj travel to Mina for overnight camp. 9th day of Zil Hujj travel to Arafat to spend whole day in the open grounds                           9th day of Zil Hujj leaves for Muzdallifa after evening prayer to spend night in the open grounds of Muzdalifa. 10th day of Zil Hujj come back to Mina and stone the Devils as symbol of rejection of evil deeds. 10th day of Zil Hujj sacrifice a sheep, cow or camel in remembrance of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son.

Arafat The Pilgrims Spend from Sunrise to Sunset at Arafat (a large desert outside Makkah) and join in prayer for God’s Blessings and Forgiveness Muzdalifa The Pilgrims leave after evening prayers in Arafat for Muzdalifa, for an overnight stay and prayers, Pick stones for the stoning of the devil at Mina Quran 2:189 “Then when ye pour down from Arafat, celebrate the praises of Allah at the Sacred Monument and celebrate His praises as He directed you, even though before this you may be astray.”

Picking Stones at Muzdalifa Stoning the Devil at Mina

Eid ul Adha Eid ul Adha is the celebration at the completion of Hajj rituals which is celebrated with prayers and exchange of gifts. An Islamic Holiday of great significance to the Muslim Communities worldwide.