Hajj Map in brief

Hajj Map in brief

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

" For Hajj are the months well-known. If anyone undertakes that duty therein,let there be no obscenity,nor wickedness,nor wrangling in the Hajj and whatever good ye do,(be sure) ALLAH Knoweth it. And take a provisions (with you) for the journey, but the Best of provisions is Right conduct. So Fear Me, o ye that are wise."

[Holy Quran, Surah Al Baqarah, Chapter 2:197]

The months well known: the months of Shawwal. Dhu al Qa'dah and Dhu al Hijjah (up to the 10th or the 13th) are set apart for the Rites of Hajj.

That is to say,the First Rites may begin as early as the Beginning of Shawwal with a definite approach to Makkah.

But the Chief Rites are concentrated on the First ten days of Dhu al Hijjah,and specially on the 8th,9th and 10th of that month,when the concourse of pilgrims reaches its height.

The Chief Rites may be briefly enumerated:

1. The wearing of the pilgrim garments( Ihram)from certain points definitely fixed on all the roads to Makkah: after this the pilgrimage prohibitions come into operations and the pilgrim is dedicated to worship and prayer and the denial of vanities.

2. The going round the Ka'bah seven times( Tawaf),typifying activity, with the kissing of the little black stone built into the wall, the Symbol of concentration in the Love of ALLAH.

3. After a short prayer at the Station of Abraham(Quran 2:125),the pilgrim goes to the hills Safa and Marwah
( Quran 2:158),the Symbols of Patience and Perseverance.

4. The Great sermon (Khutbah) on the 7th of Dhu al Hijah, when the whole assembly listens to an exposition of the Meaning of Hajj.

5. The visit on the eight of the whole body of pilgrims on the valley of Mina(about six miles northof Makkah),where the pilgrims halt and stay the night,proceeding on the ninth to the plain and hill of Arafat(about five miles further north)which is also called the Mount of Mercy.

6. The tenth day, the Eid Day, the Day of Sacrifice. When the sacrifice is offered in the valley of Mina,the head is shaved or the hair trimmed, the Tawaf al Ifadah and the symbolic ceremony of casting seven stones at the Evil one is performed in the first occasion; it is continued on subsequent days; both rites are connected with the story of Abraham(PBUH): this is the Eid Al Adha; note that the ceremony is symbolically connected with the rejections of evil in thought, word and deed. A stay of two or three days after this is prescribed; this days are called Tashriq days.

It is recommended that pilgrims should come with provision, so that they should not be compelled to resort to begging. But as usual,our thought is directed at once from the physical to the spiritual. If provisions are required for a journey on earth, how much more important to provide for the final journey into the future world? The Best of such provisions is Right Conduct, which is the same as the"Fear of ALLAH (Subhana Wa Ta'la).

Ameen.