The Hajj – Dive into the Heart of the Pilgrimage as One Individual’s Narrative Illuminates the Collective Journey of Millions” This week thousands of Muslim neighbors are making the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. However, due to the decline of American media outlets and the shrinking number of religion writers, there is limited coverage on Hajj coverage Hajj within the U.S. news media this week.
Our unique method in ReadTheSpirit is to mix traditional journalistic techniques in writing about spiritual and religious media with an international community of writers and readers who share their words and experiences to enhance the lives of all of us.
So, we couldn’t find a better way to show our appreciation for those who have travelled to the Hajj this year, and to provide you with a taste Hajj Hajj than to give the “Letter of the Hajj,” written by Victor Begg, who is located in Michigan but is recognized across the nation in interfaith networks for his work as an activist for peace. Muslim peace advocate.
This isn’t a simple text-book entry. It’s a pilgrim’s story among millions. The account was originally written for his family and friends but the story began to take on a life that was its own. It’s served as the basis for sermons by clergy who have received the letter, such as a religious rabbi. In the end, it’s a kind of approach that we are drawn to when it comes to significant spiritual events like the Hajj.
A NOTE FROM THE JAJJBy Victor Beg
Hajj is among the five fundamentals of Islam that must be performed at least once every lifetime by healthy Muslims who are financially stable. The preparation for Hajj involves asking forgiveness from family members, friends and friends in the event of any unresolved violations that we may have caused. Muslims typically say goodbye by requesting everyone’s forgiveness and ensuring they fulfill their obligations prior to leaving to go on Hajj.
One of the most important elements that the journey is to make seven circular circles surrounding the place for worship (Kaba) which was rebuilt by the prophet Abraham (pbuh). It is believed that Kaba was originally built by Adam -the common ancestor to all. It is also believed that Angels revere God by circling around His throne.
Therefore, the circling Kaba known as tawaf is the “primordial type of worship” prior to the time the time we were born similar to the electrons in the atom or the planets spinning about the sun.
Kaba is a black stone that is encased in a white case. It is among the corner stones at the point where we begin in circumventing the Kaba. The legend says the Angel Gabriel brought this stone from heaven at the time that the Prophet Abraham (pbuh) began building this house for the Worship that is the temple of One God.
In Hajj which is a religious festival, people are instructed to wear two pieces of white, un-sewn cloth. One is placed around their waists, and the other on their upper bodies, referred to as “ahram” (similar in the garments Muslims will be buried on their departure from this world).
With the same clothes, any divisions among pilgrims are eliminated as all use the same words in the same way. Prayers are shared in Arabic. In English this is: “I am here O Lord I am the only one God of Glory, I am here to praise You. …”
Malcolm X’s views about race changed after seeing the ocean of people saying the same thing dressed alike. This is the language that will be on our lips as soon as we wear the ahram and we have to perform that if we are close to 40 miles from Mecca (which could be a sign that we are taking on the condition of ahram frequently in the aircraft before landing).
Here’s a Sufi view on the circles in Kaba: Holy Shrine
Outside of time
In black, she wore a dress.
Mortal beings
Heartfelt pleadings
In white, she was dressed
Door with gold gilded finish
White marble flooring
Heaven’s own black and white stone
White shrouds of all kinds are in abundance
Circling around
Chanting prayers
A beautiful dance
Prayers enhanced
The rising sun
Eyes focused
A trance of prayer
Singing praise
Loudly cries From the shrouds
Seeking grace
Dear Lord You’ve heard and seen All we hide is Accept our request
Make sure that the guilty are free.
Retained from the flame
Attachment is lost
Illusions crossed
Subhan Allah ( All praise God) God) All praise to Him!
Without family
One and Alone
Ya Rahman Ya Rahim Ya Rahman Ya Rahim
Ih-dinus-sirat-ul-mustaqeem (O the Most Merciful One) O Most Compassionate One Let us know the straight way)
After the Tawf after the tawaf, we take a drink from the well called zam zam which was created at God’s will. God in accordance with our doctrines, and by Archangel Gabriel to satisfy his thirst. Abraham was the son abandoned to wander the wilderness by his father Abraham and his mother, Hagar. The water provided nourishment for the infant Ishmael as a response to Hagar’s prayer. I witnessed a multitude of pilgrims drink water from the well, and clean their face and feet in water ablution. I was awed by how the water flows so freely.
Then, we pray at the place where the steps from Abraham (pbuh) can be kept. Then, we repeat how Hagar moving between the two hills, Safa and Marwa searching for water or a caravan to assist her newborn child, Ishmael.
In the coming days, there will be other rituals that we need to perform. A large number of people will move following the early morning prayer on the eighth day of the lunar month of Zul-Hijjah toward those plains in Arafa and then spend their night inside the city of tents Mina on the way similar to what prophets like the Prophet (pbuh) did over 1400 years ago.
The next day in Arafa we gather in the place in the place where The Prophet (pbuh) delivered his last sermon from the top of a hill. Muslims consider that this assembly in Arafa dressed with white shrouds (no restrictions for women, but the majority of them wear white or plain colors) is the gathering of humanity that has been raised at the time of Judgment. We ask to God for forgiveness and blessings.
I asked God to forgive me as well as for my family friends, family, and communities, and for peace throughout the world.
Then the multitudes move out of the plains Arafa into an area known as Muzdalfa to pray at night, in which prophet Muhammad (pbuh) lived the night. We collect pebbles in the desert to eliminate the Satan who tried to fool Ishmael (pbuh) in the name of Abraham (pbuh) in three occasions.
Therefore, the next day, with these pebbles, go back to Mina to take part in the rituals (you are aware of the hurling of these pebbles because of CNN) and then we stay in the city of tents for two nightspraying and meditating, and getting rid of Satan’s wicked (Satan).
Then, we head back to Mecca to say goodbye in tawaf. The men will be shaving their heads. This includes me too, since we are expected to be newly-born free from all sins after the an appropriate fulfillment of the journey. When we complete the pilgrimage, we offer a lamb to commemorate the sacrifice performed by our great-grandfather Abraham (pbuh) as part of our seeking to be completely obedient in obedience to the divine will.
The Prophet Abraham (pbuh) was also asked God to bless the area with a city as well as the fruits that he could consume. We saw the bustling people and the abundance of fruits and other goods from across the globe in Mecca. Mecca. God has answered His prayers, and continues blessing the city of Mecca until today.
We meditate, we pray while shopping and we savor the local cuisine, we get some holy germs (I had a cough even after getting back to the airport where I am from) however, overall it’s an incredible experience that will leave you feeling satisfied. My wife was completely lost in the experience.
We had a huge American contingent, along with Canadian, European, Asian and African siblings who travelled together. During Hajj thousands of pilgrims are able to move from site during a time of several days, making an extremely patient person.
Despite some mishaps that happen even during this massive crowd of pilgrims, Hajj is a miracle of God in and of itself. ( The is reprinted in TheSpirit )
Categories: PRAYER (Salat), ALMS (Zakat), SAWN (Fasting) HAJJ (Pilgrimage) & DUA (Supplications), Hadith and Tafseer, The Holy Quran, Quran Jaz 1- 114
Topics: Ushr and Zakat, Hijab, Arabic Corner, Faith, Islamic History, Biography, Sirat ul Nabi PBUH, Islamic Studies, Halal & Haram
Hajj:
- What is Ihram Haji ? | Hajj and Umrah-Quranmualim
- Importance of The Days of Zil Hajj | The Day of Arafah
- Define Menses during Hajj and Umrah | Mina in Makkah
- The Holy pilgrimage of The Messenger | The Rituals of Hajj
- 3 Types of Hajj | Tamattu | Ifrad | Hajj Qiran – Quranmualim
