Hajj Essay

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Hajj is the journey of a lifetime for many Muslims. It is the 5th Pillar of Islam and therefore it is obligatory (fard) for all Muslims to go on the Greater Pilgrimage at least once. To go on Hajj, Muslims must be of sound mind, good health, at a responsible age (not children), and able to afford it with money gained through honest means. Muslims prepare for Hajj a long time in advance. They save up money and talk to the imam. They then take a plane, boat or car to Makkah. When they arrive, there are many passport checks as only Muslims are allowed into Makkah during Hajj. They must purify their bodies by performing at least wudu, and changing into the ihram (lit. consecration). This is the sacred clothing that Pilgrims must wear. For men, two pieces of unsewn white cloth; one piece tied round the waist and one thrown over the shoulder. They must only wear sandals, and no hats. Women don’t have special clothes, but their whole bodies except hands and face must be covered, many still choose to wear white. The ihram acts as a leveller – all Muslims are equal in the sight of Allah – so that the rich don’t stand out from the poor. During Hajj, pilgrims mustn’t wear jewellery or perfume and avoid violence. They must treat pilgrimage as a sacrifice to Allah, so while many husbands and wives travel together, they stay in separate accommodation. They must devote themselves completely to Allah. The first stage of Hajj is the Tawaf (‘Circling’). Pilgrims circle the Kabah seven times anticlockwise, usually running the first three times and walking the last four. Circuits are counted from the corner where the Black Stone is. Pilgrims salute or kiss it as they pass. Circling shows the unity of the believers in worshipping one God. Each person recites and individual verse from the Qur’an, and they pray two Rak’ahs at the Station of Ibrahim when they have finished. The second

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