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Hajj (Pilgrimage)
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia occupies 85 per cent of
the Arabian Peninsula. However, the Saudi people often
refer to their country as the Jazira (island) which sincerely
and completely follows all the teachings of the Holy Quran
and sticks to its traditions, as though they were creating
a barrier between themselves and the rest of the world
and in doing so affirm their special status. In fact, the
Kingdom is unlike any country, not even Arab countries,
in many respects. This is no accident; for towards this
country, towards Mecca, in particular, the faces of more
than a billion people turn in prayer five times a day, and as
such, it acts like a magnet that attracts the hearts and souls
of so many people.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is described as the
stronghold of Islam, not only because it embraces the two
Holy Mosques (God’s sacred House and the Holy Kaaba)
and the Mosque of the Messenger of God, peace be upon
him, and his sepulcher in Medina) and other holy places
that are venerated by all Muslims, but because Islam
here, unlike in other Islamic countries, forms an integral
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part of social consciousness, is the pillar of the faith and
the only source of legislation. As such it performs the
functions of social and cultural organization. Hence the
country’s leadership consider that their primary duty is to
preserve the Islamic faith and law, which is the basis of
all constitutional and moral rules. This, in itself, involves
primarily the realization of the desire of the many
millions of people who are anxious to perform the duty
of pilgrimage, which is another pillar of Islam and the
dream of each Muslim, which is sometimes unrealizable,
not even once in a lifetime. Thus people look forward to
this occasion and prepare themselves for it. During the
pilgrimage season, a great many people leave the cities
and villages in the Kingdom, and many other near and far
off Islamic cities and head towards one and the same point
on the surface of the earth, all being assembled prompted
by one common objective. For performing pilgrimage
some major conditions must be satisfied, namely:
Only Muslims can perform pilgrimage. No other person
can perform pilgrimage unless he has adopted Islam.
A pilgrim must be an adult and fully conscious of his
duties towards God and people.
A pilgrim must be mentally and psychologically sane.
Good health is an indispensable condition for
overcoming the expected difficulties during the pilgrimage
trip. Old people or those who are physically weak can
delegate a relative to perform pilgrimage on their behalf.
A pilgrim must be free of all handicaps that prevent
him or her from performing the pilgrimage.
During the trip to Mecca, nothing should threaten the
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safety and security of a pilgrim, particularly his or her
life and spirit. If the security conditions are not satisfied
it would be better for a pilgrim to postpone the pilgrimage
to another more appropriate occasion.
Finally, a pilgrim must be financially able to make the
trip and not leave needy dependents behind.
What are the basic rites ordained by the noble Prophet,
during his Farewell Pilgrimage, which he performed in
the year 632 A.D.?
First and foremost, a pilgrim should be exceedingly
eager to perform the pilgrimage, appreciate the great
importance of this event and seek to devote himself/
herself wholly to this duty.
What contributes to this state are the special clean
clothes which must be worn after cleaning one’s body.
These are known as the “ihram” clothes which consist
of two white pieces of unsewn cloth, one of which is
wrapped round one’s waist, and the other is flung on the
shoulder (for men). Such clothes remind one of the shroud
of the dead. This is no accident; for a pilgrim leaves his/
her home and ordinary life leaving everything behind and
heads towards God Almighty. Women can wear ordinary
clothes that cover all parts of their bodies with a cover on
their head, as a must, while their faces may be revealed.
Thus the pilgrim enters the holiest of places, the sacred
House of God, wearing clean clothes with a clean heart
utterly devoted to God Almighty, having abandoned all
mundane matters and thoughts and focusing all thoughts
and emotions on the glorification and remembrance of the
Supreme and Most Powerful, in the hope of winning His
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blessings, grace and guidance to the straight path.
The pilgrims walk quietly on endless carpets that cover
the marble floor of the Holy Mosque, thanking God for
making it possible for them to realize their dream of
performing the pilgrimage, as though swimming amidst
the hundreds of thousands of fellow pilgrims in an
atmosphere of love for all mankind.
Then the pilgrim faces, in the middle of the square
courtyard, a huge cube covered with an exquisite cover
that is decorated with golden strings – the honorable
Kaaba, in the eastern corner of which is installed, within a
silver frame, the Holy Black Stone.
The flood of pilgrims rush towards the Kaaba without
any noise. The flood that comprises thousands and
thousands go round the Kaaba anti-clock wise so that
they may feel it close to their hearts, all repeating special
invocations that are appropriate to this occasion, until they
complete seven sacred rounds.
“No deity but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of
God” is a brief testimony known and enunciated by every
Muslim in any country.
While circumambulating the Kaaba, pilgrims stop at
the eastern corner and kiss the Black Stone, in obedience
to God and not out personal whim.
In the Holy Mosque, there are other venerated places.
Thus opposite the door of the Kaaba, under a glass bell and
in a marble frame, is placed the stone wherein the traces
of Prophet Abraham, peace be upon him, are impinged,
when in obedience to God’s orders, he and his son built
and cleaned the Kaaba. Almost opposite the Black Stone,
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