Hajj\Pilgrimage In Islam
"Hajj" means literally "to set out for a place". For a Muslim, that place is the Holy City of Makkah. The Hajj (Arabic: حج) is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so. The Hajj is a demonstration of the solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to God (ALLAH in the Arabic language).
The pilgrimage occurs from the 8th to 12th day of Dhu Al-Hijjah, the 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar. Because the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, eleven days shorter than the Gregorian calendar used in the Western world, the Gregorian date of the Hajj changes from year to year. Ihram is the name given to the special state in which Muslims live whilst on the pilgrimage.
The Hajj is Farz (Compulsory) for muslims from 9 hijri, but the ritual of pilgrimage to Mecca is considered by Muslims to stretch back thousands of years to the time of Ibrahim (Abraham) (Peace On Him). Pilgrims join processions of hundreds of thousands of people, who simultaneously converge on Mecca for the week of the Hajj, and perform a series of rituals: Each person walks counter-clockwise seven times about the Ka'bah, the cube-shaped building which acts as the Muslim direction of prayer, runs back and forth between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah, drinks from the Zamzam Well, goes to the plains of Mount Arafat to stand in vigil, and throws stones in a ritual Stoning of the Devil. The pilgrims then shave their heads, perform a ritual of animal sacrifice, and celebrate the three day global festival of Eid Al-Adha.
The pilgrimage occurs from the 8th to 12th day of Dhu Al-Hijjah, the 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar. Because the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, eleven days shorter than the Gregorian calendar used in the Western world, the Gregorian date of the Hajj changes from year to year. Ihram is the name given to the special state in which Muslims live whilst on the pilgrimage.
The Hajj is Farz (Compulsory) for muslims from 9 hijri, but the ritual of pilgrimage to Mecca is considered by Muslims to stretch back thousands of years to the time of Ibrahim (Abraham) (Peace On Him). Pilgrims join processions of hundreds of thousands of people, who simultaneously converge on Mecca for the week of the Hajj, and perform a series of rituals: Each person walks counter-clockwise seven times about the Ka'bah, the cube-shaped building which acts as the Muslim direction of prayer, runs back and forth between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah, drinks from the Zamzam Well, goes to the plains of Mount Arafat to stand in vigil, and throws stones in a ritual Stoning of the Devil. The pilgrims then shave their heads, perform a ritual of animal sacrifice, and celebrate the three day global festival of Eid Al-Adha.
Hajj in the View of Quran and Hadith
In the View of Quran
In Sura Al-Baqarah, Ayat No 158 ALLAH Said
بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّـهِ ۖ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا ۚ وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ اللَّـهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ
بیشک صفا اور مروہ اللہ کے نشانوں سے ہیں تو جو اس گھر کا حج یا عمرہ کرے اس پر کچھ گناہ نہیں کہ ان دونوں کے پھیرے کرے اور جو کوئی بھلی بات اپنی طرف سے کرے تو اللہ نیکی کا صلہ دینے خبردار ہے
إِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَائِرِ اللَّـهِ ۖ فَمَنْ حَجَّ الْبَيْتَ أَوِ اعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا ۚ وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ اللَّـهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ
بیشک صفا اور مروہ اللہ کے نشانوں سے ہیں تو جو اس گھر کا حج یا عمرہ کرے اس پر کچھ گناہ نہیں کہ ان دونوں کے پھیرے کرے اور جو کوئی بھلی بات اپنی طرف سے کرے تو اللہ نیکی کا صلہ دینے خبردار ہے
Undoubtedly Safa and Marwah* are among the symbols of ALLAH; so there is no sin on him, for whoever performs the Hajj (Pilgrimage) of this House (of ALLAH) or the Umrah (Lesser pilgrimage), to go back and forth between them; and whoever does good of his own accord, then (know that) indeed ALLAH is Most Appreciative (Rewards virtue), the All Knowing. (These are 2 hillocks near the Holy Ka’aba)
And In Sura Al-Baqarah,Ayat No 196-198 ALLAH Said
وَأَتِمُّوا الْحَجَّ وَالْعُمْرَةَ لِلَّـهِ ۚ فَإِنْ أُحْصِرْتُمْ فَمَا اسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ ۖ وَلَا تَحْلِقُوا رُءُوسَكُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ الْهَدْيُ مَحِلَّهُ ۚ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ بِهِ أَذًى مِّن رَّأْسِهِ فَفِدْيَةٌ مِّن صِيَامٍ أَوْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ نُسُكٍ ۚ فَإِذَا أَمِنتُمْ فَمَن تَمَتَّعَ بِالْعُمْرَةِ إِلَى الْحَجِّ فَمَا اسْتَيْسَرَ مِنَ الْهَدْيِ ۚ فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ فِي الْحَجِّ وَسَبْعَةٍ إِذَا رَجَعْتُمْ ۗ تِلْكَ عَشَرَةٌ كَامِلَةٌ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن لَّمْ يَكُنْ أَهْلُهُ حَاضِرِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّـهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ
الْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌ مَّعْلُومَاتٌ ۚ فَمَن فَرَضَ فِيهِنَّ الْحَجَّ فَلَا رَفَثَ وَلَا فُسُوقَ وَلَا جِدَالَ فِي الْحَجِّ ۗ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ يَعْلَمْهُ اللَّـهُ ۗ وَتَزَوَّدُوا فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الزَّادِ التَّقْوَىٰ ۚ وَاتَّقُونِ يَا أُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ
لَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَبْتَغُوا فَضْلًا مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۚ فَإِذَا أَفَضْتُم مِّنْ عَرَفَاتٍ فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّـهَ عِندَ الْمَشْعَرِ الْحَرَامِ ۖ وَاذْكُرُوهُ كَمَا هَدَاكُمْ وَإِن كُنتُم مِّن قَبْلِهِ لَمِنَ الضَّالِّينَ
اور حج اور عمرہ اللہ کے لئے پورا کرو پھر اگر تم روکے جاؤ تو قربانی بھیجو جو میسر آئے اور اپنے سر نہ منڈاؤ جب تک قربانی اپنے ٹھکانے نہ پہنچ جائے پھر جو تم میں بیمار ہو یا اس کے سر میں کچھ تکلیف ہے تو بدلے دے روزے یا خیرات یا قربانی، پھر جب تم اطمینان سے ہو تو جو حج سے عمرہ ملانے کا فائدہ اٹھائے اس پر قربانی ہے جیسی میسر آئے پھر جسے مقدور نہ ہو تو تین روزے حج کے دنوں میں رکھے اور سات جب اپنے گھر پلٹ کر جاؤ یہ پورے دس ہوئے یہ حکم اس کے لئے ہے جو مکہ کا رہنے والا نہ ہو اور اللہ سے ڈرتے رہو اور جان رکھو کہ اللہ کا عذاب سخت ہے
حج کے کئی مہینہ ہیں جانے ہوئے تو جو ان میں حج کی نیت کرے تو نہ عورتوں کے سامنے صحبت کا تذکرہ ہو نہ کوئی گناہ، نہ کسی سے جھگڑا حج کے وقت تک اور تم جو بھلائی کرو اللہ اسے جانتا ہے اور توشہ ساتھ لو کہ سب سے بہتر توشہ پرہیزگاری ہے اور مجھ سے ڈرتے رہو اے عقل والو
تم پر کچھ گناہ نہیں کہ اپنے رب کا فضل تلاش کرو، تو جب عرفات سے پلٹو تو اللہ کی یاد کرو مشعر حرام کے پاس اور اس کا ذکر کرو جیسے اس نے تمہیں ہدایت فرمائی اور بیشک اس سے پہلے تم بہکے ہوئے تھے
And perform Hajj (Greater pilgrimage) and Umrah (Lesser pilgrimage) for ALLAH; and if you are prevented, send sacrifice whatever is available; and do not shave your heads until the sacrifice reaches its destination; so whoever among you is sick or has an ailment in the head, must pay a compensation by fasting or charity or sacrifice; then when you are in peace – and whoever takes the advantage of combining the Hajj and Umrah, it is compulsory for him to sacrifice whatever is available; and whoever cannot afford it, must fast for three days while on the pilgrimage, and seven when you have returned to your homes; these are ten in all; this decree is for him who is not a resident of Mecca; and keep fearing ALLAH and know well that ALLAH’s punishment is severe.
The Hajj is during the well-known months; and for one who intends to perform the Hajj in it – neither is there to be mention of cohabitation in the presence of women, nor any sin, nor a fight with anyone till the completion of Hajj; and whatever good you do, ALLAH knows it; and take provision along with you for the best provision is piety; and keep fearing Me, O men of understanding!
It is no sin for you that you seek the bounty of your Lord; so when you return from Arafat, remember ALLAH near the Sacred Symbol (Mash Ar Al-Haram) – and remember Him in the manner He has guided you; and indeed, before this, you were of the astray.
The Hajj is during the well-known months; and for one who intends to perform the Hajj in it – neither is there to be mention of cohabitation in the presence of women, nor any sin, nor a fight with anyone till the completion of Hajj; and whatever good you do, ALLAH knows it; and take provision along with you for the best provision is piety; and keep fearing Me, O men of understanding!
It is no sin for you that you seek the bounty of your Lord; so when you return from Arafat, remember ALLAH near the Sacred Symbol (Mash Ar Al-Haram) – and remember Him in the manner He has guided you; and indeed, before this, you were of the astray.
In Sura Al-Imran, Ayat No 97 ALLAH Said
فِيهِ آيَاتٌ بَيِّنَاتٌ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ۖ وَمَن دَخَلَهُ كَانَ آمِنًا ۗ وَلِلَّـهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّـهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ
اس میں کھلی نشانیاں ہیں ابراہیم کے کھڑے ہونے کی جگہ اور جو اس میں آئے امان میں ہو اور اللہ کے لئے لوگوں پر اس گھر کا حج کرنا ہے جو اس تک چل سکے اور جو منکر ہو تو اللہ سارے جہان سے بے پرواہ ہے
In it are clear signs – the place where Ibrahim stood (Is one of them); and whoever enters it shall be safe; and performing the Hajj (Pilgrimage) of this house, for the sake of ALLAH, is a duty upon mankind, for those who can reach it; and whoever disbelieves – then ALLAH is Independent (Unwanting) of the entire creation!
In the View of Hadith
Hajj as a Pillar of Islam
Narrated Ibn 'Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him): Messenger of ALLAH (Peace Be Upon Him) said
Islam is based on (the following) five (principles):
To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but ALLAH and Muhammad is ALLAH's Messenger.
To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly.
To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity) .
To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca)
To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Al-Iman, Hadith Number 8, Classification of Hadith: Sahih)
Best deed
Narrated Abudullah bin Hubshi (ALLAH Bless With Him) Prophet was asked:
Which deed is best?" He said: "Faith in which there is no doubt, Jihad in which there is no stealing of the spoils of war, and Hjijatun Mabrurah." It was said: "Which prayer is best? He said:"That in which there is ling Qunut (standing)." It was said: "Which charity is best?" He said: "The poor's night." It was said: "Which Hijrah (emigration) is best?" He said: "One who shuns (Hahara) that which ALLAH has forbidden." It was said: "One who strives against the idolaters with his life and his wealth. "It was said: "Which death is best?" He said: "One who sheds his blood while his horse's feet are cut with swords".
(Sunan an-Nasa'i, Kitab Al-Zakat, Hadith Number 2526, Classification of Hadith: Hasan)
Narrated Abu Huraira (ALLAH Bless With Him) Prophet was asked:
Which deed is the most virtuos ? And which deed is the best ?' He (Peace Be Upon Him) said: 'Faith in ALLAH and His Messenger.' It was said: 'Then what ?' He said: 'Jihad is the hump (the most prominent) of the deeds.' Then what O Messenger of ALLAH ? He said: 'Then Hajj Mabrur.'
(Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Kitab Al-Jihad, Hadith Number 1658, Classification of Hadith: Hasan)
Hajj at least once in a lifetime
Narrated Aqra' ibn Habib (ALLAH Bless With Him) Prophet was asked:
Messenger of ALLAH hajj is to be performed annually or only once? He replied: Only once, and if anyone performs it more often, he performs a supererogatory act.
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab Al-Manasik, Hadith Number 1721, Classification of Hadith: Sahih)
All sins will be forgiven
Narrated Abu Huraira (ALLAH Bless With Him): Messenger of ALLAH (Peace Be Upon Him) said
Whoever performs Hajj to this House (Ka`ba) and does not approach his wife for sexual relations nor commits sins (while performing Hajj), he will come out as sinless as a newlyborn child. (Just delivered by his mother).
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Al-Mohasar, Hadith Number 1819, Classification of Hadith: Sahih)
Struggle for women
Narrated 'Aishah (ALLAH Bless With Her):
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) sent my brother, 'Abdur Rahman with me to Tan'im for the 'Umra, and he made me ride on the packsaddle (of a camel). 'Umar said, "Be ready to travel for Hajj as it (Hajj) is one of the two kind of Jihad".
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Al-Hajj, Hadith Number 1516, Classification of Hadith: Sahih)
The Guest of ALLAH
Narrated Abu Hurairah (ALLAH Bless With Him): Messenger of ALLAH (Peace Be Upon Him) said
The pilgrims performing Hajj and ‘Umrah are a delegation to ALLAH. If they call upon Him, He will answer them; and if they ask for His forgiveness, He will forgive them.
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Kitab Al-Manasik, Hadith Number 2892, Classification of Hadith: Hasan)
Situations of Performing Hajj
- Hajj Al-Tamattu'
- Hajj Al-Ifrad
- Hajj Al-Qiran
Conditions for Hajj to Become Obligatory
There are eight conditions for the Hajj which must be all present at the time of performing Hajj to make the Hajj, Farz (Obligatory). These conditions are:
PROBLEM
For a lady traveler for Hajj if the time distance is of 3 days or more then she must be accompanied by a Mahram, whether she may be young or old, if the woman travels without any Mahram, she will be committing an act against the law of the Shariat, but if she performs the Hajj without Mahram, the Hajj will be an order and the Farz will be fulfilled.
Mahram: the man with whom the marriage of the woman is prohibited (Haram) for ever, whether it may be on account of family line age (Such as father, son, uncle, brother) or an account of foster.
- To be a Musalman.
- If he is residing in Dar-ul-Harb (Literally it means a city or place which is at war with Islam. In general Ennotahan it stands for any un-islamic country) and it should affirmed that the obligation of Hajj is declared as such for the residents of that place.
- To be major in age (Baligh).
- Possessing normal sensibility (Aqal). Hajj is not Farz on a person who is mentally deranged.
- To be independent or Free (Not a slave)
- In good health to go to the Hajj and perform various rites etc with fortitude. Hajj is not obligatory on a handicapped person, a blind and one whose legs have been wimputed, or one who is so old and decexpit who is unable to sit a right on a carriage of riding animal.
- He should possess enough resources and be capable to bear the to and for expenses of Hajj (It means that before proceeding for Hajj he should leave sufficient money for the household expenses in his absence after meeting all expenses such as travel ,transport, stay at the Holy Places etc ; this means the money/resources left at home should suffree the expenses for a moderate clan of family, which he used to support and eater for the needs of his own family and those dependent on him for their essential necessities, known as Hajjat-e-Asliyah which includes the living accommodation clothes of normal use, servants, riding animals, vocational implements, cooking and eating material, borrowings or dues such as loan or dowry.)
- Hajj shall become obligatory at such at time if before proceeding for Hajj he possesses such amount of money that will cover his expenses up to Mecca Moazzama and back to be there at the time of Hajj.
PROBLEM
For a lady traveler for Hajj if the time distance is of 3 days or more then she must be accompanied by a Mahram, whether she may be young or old, if the woman travels without any Mahram, she will be committing an act against the law of the Shariat, but if she performs the Hajj without Mahram, the Hajj will be an order and the Farz will be fulfilled.
Mahram: the man with whom the marriage of the woman is prohibited (Haram) for ever, whether it may be on account of family line age (Such as father, son, uncle, brother) or an account of foster.
Farz, Wajib, Sunnah In Hajj
Farz In Hajj
- Ahram.
- Wuqoof-e-Arafah (Stay at Arafat). Which latter means that in between the time from the decline of the sun in the 9th Zil Haj till the down of 10th, one must stay at the Arafat.
- Tawaf: Ziarat's greater part or minimum found circuitous (Phera) round should be spent in Tawaf.
- Niyat or intent by words of mouth.
- Tarteeb (In serial order), performance of different ceremonies itual in the ordained manner. It means the first of all Ahram should be put on as without Ahram no Hajj or Ummrah is neither possible nor permissible, then wuqoof at Arafat, then Tawaf-e-Ziarat.
- To perform all Farz strictly at the prescribed time limit i.e. wuqoof, between 9th afternoon and 10th before the break down and Tawaf Ziarat after the wuqoof.
- Place or Site: Wuqoof on the plains of Arafat or adjourning areas in case of over crowding, Tawaf with the limits of Khana Kaaba.
Wajib In Hajj
- To put on Ahram form any of the prescribed Meeqats. One should move ahead of Meeqat without Ahram. It is however permissible if any one puts on Ahram before arriving at Meeqat.
- Sa'ee running between Safa and Marwa.
- To begin Sa'ee from Safa.
- To perform sa'ee on foot.
- To do Tawaf before proceeding for Sa'ee.
- If Arafa staying at Arafat is done during the day time, then he must stay there till the sun set and come darkness of night becomes visible.
- It is wajib to begin wuqoof after the decline of sun at any part of the day.
- To follow Imam on return from Arafat. However if the Imam for reason is late leaving Arafat, the pilgrim can start early.
- To stay at Muzdalfah and offer Maghrib and Isha combined at Muzdalfah.
- Rami: To strike Jumrah on 10th, 11th and 12th which means on the 10th only at Jumratul Aqaba and strike stones on all three Jumrah, on 11th and 12th.
- Rami at Jumrah Aqaba on the first Day (10th) before the hair cut.
- To do rami on all days at the same time of each day.
- Hair cut, shaving of head or shortening the hair on the Days of Nahr.
- Greats part of the Tawaf-e-Afaza in Days of sacrifice (Ayyam-e-Nahr).
- Tawaf after the Hateem by the right side, which means that Kaaba should be on left side of the man doing Tawaf.
- To do Tawaf on foot.
- While doing Tawaf one should he with wazu or ghus'l (Ablution or bath). If he is without wazu or bath, he must start Tawaf afresh.
- To keep the shame parts of the body hidden while doing Tawaf.
- To offer two rakats of Namaz after the Tawaf. This is wajib but if not done, Dam will not be necessary, while for other wajib referred to above and those follow, dam is essential if any of these wajibs is omitted.
- There should order in Rami slaughtering the animal and Halq (Head shave) and Tawaf one after the other.
- Tawaf-e-Sadr or the Farewell (Wida) for all those who live beyond the territories of Meeqat.
- Ladies who are in Menses or in uncleanliness should wait till are purified. However in case of travel by caravan the affected can leave with the Tawaf-e-Wida in that state if the scheduled departure of the caravan is announced.
- There should be no cohabiting with wife after the Woquf-e-Arafa and before the hair cut.
Note
If during the Tawaf the shame parts become open, the Dam shall become binding.
In addition to these wajibs there are some more wajibs on the omission of which dam does not become binding.
These are:
(a) On account of some ailment etc not to have hair shave.
(b) Not to delay the Namaz Maghrib till the time of Isha so that there be offered combinedly.
Sunnah In Hajj
- Tawaf-e-Qudoom (The First Tawaf which a non-resident of Arabia).
- To begins Tawaf From the Hajar-e-Aswad.
- To do ramal in Tawafe Qudoom or Tawafe Farz.
- Sa'ee between the Safa and Marwa.
- Delivering khutba by the Imam on these dates namely on the 7th in Makkah, on the 9th at Arafat and on the 11th in Mina.
- To depart from Makkah after Fajr prayer, on the 8th, so that all the five prayers (namaz) could be offered at Mina.
- To spend the night of 9th at Mina.
- To proceed from Mina to Arafat after the sunrise
- To have bath prior to going to Arafat for wuqoof.
- To stay at Muzdalfa after the return from Arafat.
- To start from Muzdalfa on way to Mina before the sun-rise.
- To spend both the night of 10th and 11th at Mina.
- If one stays at Mina till 13th then he should also stay in Mina in the night past the 12th.
- To alight or stay at the abtah in the valley of Muhassab, even if it be for a short while.
Hajj Day By Day
First Day 8th Dhu Al-Hijjah
Mina is a desert location situated some 5 kilometres to the east of the Islamic holy city of Mecca (Makkah) in Saudi Arabia.
Mina is a desert location situated some 5 kilometres to the east of the Islamic holy city of Mecca (Makkah) in Saudi Arabia.
On the eighth day of Thul-Hijjah (Yawm-e-Tarwiyah), the pilgrim put on his Ihraam after the Salaat of Zohr & Asr and head out of Makkah to Mina. He spends the rest of the day and night in Mina involved in prayer, preparing himself to set out to Arafaat.
On the eighth day of Thul-Hijjah (Yawm-e-Tarwiyah), the pilgrim put on his Ihraam after the Salaat of Zohr & Asr and head out of Makkah to Mina. He spends the rest of the day and night in Mina involved in prayer, preparing himself to set out to Arafaat.
Second Day 9th Dhu Al-Hijjah
Mount Arafah also known as the Mount of Mercy (Jabal Ar-Rahmah)
On the second day of the pilgrimage, the pilgrims leave Mina just after dawn to travel to the Plain of Arafat for the culminating experience of the Hajj. On what is known as the "Day of Arafat,” the pilgrims spend the entire day standing or sitting near the Mount of Mercy, asking ALLAH for forgiveness and making supplications. Muslims around the world who are not at the pilgrimage join them in spirit by fasting for the day.
After sunset on the Day of Arafat, the pilgrims leave and travel to a nearby open plain called Muzdalifah, roughly halfway between Arafat and Mina. There they spend the night praying, and collecting small stone pebbles to be used the following day.
After sunset on the Day of Arafat, the pilgrims leave and travel to a nearby open plain called Muzdalifah, roughly halfway between Arafat and Mina. There they spend the night praying, and collecting small stone pebbles to be used the following day.
Third Day 10th Dhu Al-Hijjah
Pilgrims stone the jamrah in the lower level
Stoning of the devil On the third day, the pilgrims move before sunrise, this time back to Mina. Here they throw their stone pebbles at pillars that represent the temptations of Satan. When throwing the stones, the pilgrims recall the story of Satan’s attempt to dissuade Abraham from following God’s command to sacrifice his son. The stones represent Abraham’s rejection of Satan and the firmness of his faith.
After casting the pebbles, most pilgrims slaughter an animal often a sheep or a goat and give away the meat to the poor. This is a symbolic act that shows their willingness to part with something that is precious to them, just as the Prophet Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son at God’s command.
Throughout the world, Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, on this day. This is the second of the two major holidays in Islam each year.
The pilgrims then return to Mecca and perform seven tawaf, turns around the Ka’aba, the house of worship built by Abraham and his son. In other rites, the pilgrims pray near a place called “The Station of Abraham,” which is reportedly where Abraham stood while constructing the Ka’aba. The pilgrims also walk seven times between two small hills near the Ka’aba and enclosed in the Grand Mosque’s complex. This is done in remembrance of the plight of Abraham’s wife Hajar, who desperately searched in the area for water for herself and her son, before a spring welled up in the desert for her. The pilgrims also drink from this ancient spring, known as Zamzam, which continues to flow today.
After casting the pebbles, most pilgrims slaughter an animal often a sheep or a goat and give away the meat to the poor. This is a symbolic act that shows their willingness to part with something that is precious to them, just as the Prophet Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son at God’s command.
Throughout the world, Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, on this day. This is the second of the two major holidays in Islam each year.
The pilgrims then return to Mecca and perform seven tawaf, turns around the Ka’aba, the house of worship built by Abraham and his son. In other rites, the pilgrims pray near a place called “The Station of Abraham,” which is reportedly where Abraham stood while constructing the Ka’aba. The pilgrims also walk seven times between two small hills near the Ka’aba and enclosed in the Grand Mosque’s complex. This is done in remembrance of the plight of Abraham’s wife Hajar, who desperately searched in the area for water for herself and her son, before a spring welled up in the desert for her. The pilgrims also drink from this ancient spring, known as Zamzam, which continues to flow today.
Fourth Day 11th Dhu Al-Hijjah
Jamarat
The night of the 10th is spent back at Mina. On the afternoon of the 11th and again the following day the pilgrims must again throw seven pebbles at each of the three jamarat in Mina.The pebbles must be thrown on the Jamaraat in their prescribed order, i.e., beginning from the one coming first from Mina towards Makkah - called Al-Jamrah Al-Ula, then the next one to it - called Al-Jamrah Al-Wusta and lastly the nearest to Makkah - called Al-Jamrah Al-Aqabah. And the pilgrim must consciously pass the night in Mina. It is not necessary to be there the whole night.
Fifth Day 12th Dhu Al-Hijjah
Green Dome In Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi
At any time in the afternoon, throw 7 pebbles on each of the 3 pillars in he same order as was done on 11 Zul Hajj. If you could not do Tawaf-e-Ziarat earlier, it is essential to do it today before Maghrib. You can leave Mina on 12 Zul Hajj before the sun sets. If the sun sets before you are able to depart, remain in Mina for the third night and throw pebbbles again the next day. Now your hajj is complete you can go to madina.Though it is not required as part of the Hajj, many pilgrims also travel to the city of Medina and the Mosque of the Prophet, which contains Mohammad Holy Grave and Riaz-ul-Jannah and also pay visit to Grave of Prophet's Companion, Umhat-ul-Mominen and Ahl-e-Bait in Jannat-ul-Baqi.
Social Effect Of Hajj
A 2008 study on the longer-term effect of participating in the Islamic pilgrimage found that Muslims' communities become more open after the Hajj experience. Entitled "Estimating the Impact of the Hajj" Religion and Tolerance in Islam’s Global Gathering’, a study conducted in conjunction with Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government found that the Hajj experience promotes peaceful coexistence, equality, and harmony. Specifically, the report states that the Hajj "Increases belief in equality and harmony among ethnic groups and Islamic community and that "Hajjis (Those who have performed the Hajj) show increased belief in peace, and in equality and harmony among adherents of different religions"
If you have any confusion regarding Hajj, then please consult your nearest imam mosque