Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest growing countries in the world and is an economic leader in the Middle East. It is not surpassed in luxury and offers a land rich in cultural traditions, music, sports and weather distinguishing them as a country known to be the birthplace of Islam. Saudi Arabia is getting ready for a future that is even more extensive and all encompassing, on all levels both economically and socially with new state of the art industrial complexes and a solid commitment for business growth.
Every year, Muslims from all over the world take part in a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia called Hajj (Arabic: حجý Ḥaǧǧ). The pilgrimage occurs from the 8th to 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar. The Hajj is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world, and the fifth pillar of Islam. It is a religious obligation 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 and brotherhood of the Muslim people, and their submission to God (Allah in the Arabic language). Ihram is the name given to the special state in which Muslims live while on the pilgrimage.
The Hajj resembles the re-enactment of the experiences of the Prophet Abraham, whose selfless sacrifice has no parallel in the history of humankind. It also symbolizes the lessons taught by Muhammad, the final prophet, who stood on the plain of Arafat, proclaimed the completion of his mission and announced the proclamation of God: "This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed my favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam, or submission to God, as your religion" (Quran 5:3).
This annual gathering of faith demonstrates the concept of equality of mankind, the most profound message of Islam, which allows no superiority on the basis of race, gender or social status. The only preference in the eyes of God is piety as stated in the Quran: "The best amongst you in the eyes of God is most righteous.
" Muslims confirm the commitment to God and affirm their readiness to leave the material interest for his sake. Muslims dress in the same simple way, observe the same regulations and say the same prayers at the same time in the same manner, for the same end.
The Hajj is a reminder of the Grand Assembly on the Day of Judgment when people will stand equally before God waiting for their final destiny, and as the Prophet Muhammad said, "God does not judge according to your bodies and appearances, but he scans your hearts and looks into your deeds."The Quran states these ideals beautifully (49:13): "O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)."
The Steps of Hajj (At-tama’tu)
1. Niyyah /Ihram (“intention/ purification”): up to 14 days before Hajj
Before entering Makkah, pilgrims clean themselves physically and spiritually at designated times and places at the edge of the sacred precinct surrounding the city. At this time you announce your intention to perform Hajj & Umrah by reciting an invocation and Talbiyah. Men dress in a simple garment of two seamless pieces of white cloth called Ihram, which they wear for the duration of Hajj. Women wear modest and unobtrusive dress of any color, and cover their heads. For the next six days, all outward differences among pilgrims are diminished.
2. Tawaf Al-Quddum (arrival) at the Holy Masjid before Hajj Between your arrival in Makkah and the eighth of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims walk seven times counterclockwise around the Kabah. This circumambulation, which expresses the centrality of G’d in life, is called Tawaf. This is the Tawaf for Umrah. Then from the Uswah(example of Muhammad) pray two rakaats behind Maqam Ibrahim and drink from the water of Zam Zam.
3. Sa’I (walking between Safa and Marwah) Along the eastern side of the Holy Masjid, pilgrims run seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah, commemorating the desperate search for water of Ibrahim’s wife Hajar. This ritual, undertaken now in a 400-meter covered arcade, is called Sa’i. The spring that G’d brought forth for Hajar and her baby son, Ishmael, is Zamzam, which flows copiously still. With the seventh round of Sa’I ending at Marwah the pilgrim ends the state of Ihram, by shaving the head and removing the Ihram dress. This completes the rites of Umrah.Women only cut a few strands of hair (length of the tip of the pinky finger.) The Faraaid (obligations) of Umrah are 4 in number: 1.Niyyah & Ihram 2.Tawaf 3.Sa’I 4.Halaq cutting of hair(wajib"a must)
4. Encampment at Mina: the first day of Hajj On the eighth of Dhul Hijja those pilgrims who exited Ihram after Umrah now state your intentions for Hajj and re-enter Ihram. Pilgrims gather in the flat valley of Minaknown as “the tent city”, about five kilometers (3 mi) east of Makkah. Meditating and praying in preparation for the next day. Here the believer prays the five Salah starting with Dhuhr and ending with Fajr of the next day.
5. Wuquf (“standing”) at Arafat: the second day
In the morning of the ninth, pilgrims continue 10 more kilometers (6mi) east to the plain of ‘Arafat. From noon prayers until sundown, this is the anticipated climax of the Hajj and the devotional pinnacle of Muslim spiritual life: Pilgrims pray, stand or sit- some for minutes, some for hours-before G’d reflecting on their lives and pray for mercy and renewal. Some climb Jabal Rahmah, the Mount of Mercy, a rocky hill at the foot which the Prophet Muhammad (Allah’s prayer and peace be upon him) delivered his farewell sermon. Dhuhr and Asr prayers combined.
6. Muzdalifah: the second night
After sundown at ‘Arafat, pilgrims turn back towards Makkah and stop for the night at Muzdalifah. There, most pick up to 49 pebble-like stones that they will throw at the three pillars of Jamarat over the next three days. The pilgrim stays in muzdalifah until Fajr of the next day. Magrib and Isha prayers combined.
7. Stoning at Jamarat and ‘Id al Adha: the third day
After Fajr on the 10th, pilgrims begin moving to a place just west of Mina called Jamarat (“stoning”). There you throw seven pebbles at the first of three pillars which have come to represent Shaitan. This symbolic repudiation of evil commemorates Ibrahim’s (upon him be peace) faith by sacrificing a sheep, as G’d commanded Ibrahim to do. Thus, this day is the first of the three-day “Id ul- Adha”, the “Feast of Sacrifice”. After throwing stones at the first pillar, men shave their heads, and women cut off a lock of their hair. Pilgrims may return to their customary clothes and minor restrictions of ihram are lifted.
8. Id Ul-Adha and Tawaf Al-Ifadah: Pilgrims return to the Holy Masjid in Makkah, again circle the Ka’ba seven times and perform Sa’y again this Tawaf and Sa’I are of the rites of hajj. At this point, the pilgrims are completely out of the state of Ihram.
9. Return to Mina 10-13 days of Tashriq (watering)
After sunrise of each day stone all three Jamarats starting from smallest to largest. It is permissible to depart on the 12th day after completion of stoning.
10. Tawaaf Al-Wida After the 12th day, the pilgrim travels to Makkah to perform the Tawaaf Al Wida’ or farewell Tawaf. This should be the last thing done in Makkah as suggested by the Messenger of Allah. This Tawaaf if also required of those performing the Hajj.
