Friday, August 15, 2008
HAJJ TYPE
Tamattu' Hajj
Tamattu` means performing `Umrah during the Hajj season, and on the Day of Tarwiah a pilgrim gets into the state of Ihram for Hajj. Anyone intending to perform a Tamattu`` Hajj should on approaching the Miqat make intention for `Umrah. After fulfilling the Hajj rituals, one should offer a sacrificial animal.
Qiran Hajj
In this type of Hajj, a pilgrim should declare his intention to perform both Hajj and `Umrah together. Only when he throws the Jamrah of Al-`Aqabah, gets his hair shaved or cut that he can put off his Ihram. However, he should offer a sacrificial animal.
Ifrad Hajj
In the Miqat, a pilgrim of Ifrad Hajj declares his intention for Hajj only. He maintains his Ihram up to the Day of Sacrifice. No offering is required from him.
Umrah
Rituals of `UmrahIn Arabic the word `Umrah is derived from I`timar which means a visit. However, `Umrah technically means paying a visit to Ka`bah, performing Tawaf [Circumambulation] around it, walking between Safa and Marwah seven times. A performer of `Umrah puts off his Ihram by having his hair shaved or cut.
Tamattu` means performing `Umrah during the Hajj season, and on the Day of Tarwiah a pilgrim gets into the state of Ihram for Hajj. Anyone intending to perform a Tamattu`` Hajj should on approaching the Miqat make intention for `Umrah. After fulfilling the Hajj rituals, one should offer a sacrificial animal.
Qiran Hajj
In this type of Hajj, a pilgrim should declare his intention to perform both Hajj and `Umrah together. Only when he throws the Jamrah of Al-`Aqabah, gets his hair shaved or cut that he can put off his Ihram. However, he should offer a sacrificial animal.
Ifrad Hajj
In the Miqat, a pilgrim of Ifrad Hajj declares his intention for Hajj only. He maintains his Ihram up to the Day of Sacrifice. No offering is required from him.
Umrah
Rituals of `UmrahIn Arabic the word `Umrah is derived from I`timar which means a visit. However, `Umrah technically means paying a visit to Ka`bah, performing Tawaf [Circumambulation] around it, walking between Safa and Marwah seven times. A performer of `Umrah puts off his Ihram by having his hair shaved or cut.
THE HAJJ IN PICTURES
Today modern transport means that each year 2 million men and women travel to Makkah for the annual Hajj. This page contains photographs depicting the various stages of this journey of a lifetime....
Hajj Rites - in brief
On the first day of the Hajj, pilgrims sweep out of Makkah towards mina, a small uninhabited village east of the city. Pilgrims generally spend their time meditating and praying, as the Prophet (PBUH) did on his pilgrimage.
During the second day, the 9th of Zul-Hijjah, pilgrims leave Mina for the wukuf, "the standing," the central rite of the Hajj. As they congregate there, the pilgrims' stance and gathering reminds them of the Day of Judgment. Some of them gather at the Mount of Mercy, where the Prophet (PBUH) delivered his unforgettable Farewell Sermon, enunciating far-reaching religious, economic, social and political reforms. The Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have asked God to pardon the sins of pilgrims who "stood" at 'Arafat, and was granted his wish. Thus, the hopeful pilgrims prepare to leave this plain joyfully, feeling reborn without sin and intending to turn over a new leaf.
Just after sunset, the mass of pilgrims proceeds to Muzdalifah, an open plain about halfway between 'Arafat and Mina. There they first pray and then collect a fixed number of chickpea-sized pebbles to use on the following days.
Before daybreak on the third day, pilgrims move en masse from Muzdalifah to Mina. There they cast at white pillars the pebbles they have previously collected. According to some traditions, this practice is associated with Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH). As pilgrims throw seven pebbles at each of these pillars, they remember the story of Satan's attempt to persuade Ibrahim (PBUH) to disregard God's command to sacrifice his son.
Following the casting of the pebbles, most pilgrims sacrifice a goat, sheep or some other animal. They give the meat to the poor after, in some cases, keeping a small portion for themselves. As the pilgrims have, at this stage, finished a major part of the Hajj, they are now allowed to shed their ihram and put on everyday clothes. On this day Muslims around the world share the happiness the pilgrims feel and join them by performing identical, individual sacrifices in a worldwide celebration of 'Id al-Adha, "the Festival of Sacrifice"
Men either shave their heads or clip their hair, and women cut off a symbolic lock, to mark their partial deconsecration. This is done as a symbol of humility. All proscriptions, save the one of conjugal relations, are now lifted.
Still sojourning in Mina, pilgrims visit Makkah to perform another essential rite of the Hajj: the tawaf, the seven-fold circling of the Ka'bah, with a prayer recited during each circuit. Their circumambulation of the Ka'bah, the symbol of God's oneness, implies that all human activity must have God at its center. It also symbolizes the unity of God and man.
After completing the tawaf, pilgrims pray, preferably at the Station of Ibrahim, the site where Ibrahim (PBUH) stood while he built the Ka'bah. Then they drink of the water of Zamzam.
Another, and sometimes final, rite is the sa'y, or "the running." This is a reenactment of a memorable episode in the life of Hagar (PBUH), who was taken into what the Qur'an calls the "uncultivable valley" of Makkah, with her infant son Ishmael, to settle there.
The sa'y commemorates Hagar's (PBUH) frantic search for water to quench Ishmael's (PBUH) thirst. She ran back and forth seven times between two rocky hillocks, al-Safa and al-Marwah, until she found the sacred water known as Zamzam. This water, which sprang forth miraculously under Ishmael's tiny feet, is now enclosed in a marble chamber the Ka'bah.
These rites performed, the pilgrims are completely deconsecrated: They may resume all normal activities. According to the social customs of some countries, pilgrims can henceforth proudly claim the title of al-Hajj or Hajji.
They now return to Mina, where they stay up to the 12th or 13th day of Zul-Hijjah. There they throw their remaining pebbles at each of the pillars in the manner either practiced or approved by the Prophet (PBUH). They then take leave of the friends they have made during the Hajj. Before leaving Makkah, however, pilgrims usually make a final tawaf round the Ka'bah to bid farewell to the Holy City.
[paraphrased from an article by Ni'mah Isma'il Nawwab]
HAJJ IS ARAFAH
“Sister don’t forget to make duaa for me too” I heard as I stood facing the qiblah making duaa. I looked down to my right and found a sister lying on her back relaxing and taking a rest as the most important day of Hajj passed her by.
The most important day of Hajj is the day of Arafah (the 9th day of thul hijjah) as the Prophet PBUH said “Hajj is Arafah”. Pilgrims are to go to Arafat and spend the day from Thuhr until Maghrib in supplication and remembrance of Allah SWT.
Alhamdulillah I was able to perform hajj during the 2006-2007 hajj year. Upon my arrival to the site where my group and I would be staying during these blessed hours, I found myself confused. Where was the mountain of Arafah? I quickly learned we were far from the mountain and would not be seeing it but that we were standing in the boundaries of Arafah and would be gaining the same reward as those standing on the mountain itself. The best advice I received before embarking on my hajj journey especially when it comes to the time spent in Arafah was:
Be prepared both mentally and physically
Do not waste time – time is precious as the number of hours are limited
Face the Qiblah while making supplications and remembering Allah-not the mountain
It is not necessary to be on the mountain of Arafah (it is best to stick with your own group)
Eat lightly to not tire yourself
Be prepared for heat
Anticipate long commute times and finally
BE PATIENT
I made dua’a for that sister, myself and the entire Muslim Ummah that Allah SWT would grant us the wisdom to realize our blessings and strength to reap the benefits of this great day. Aameeen
The most important day of Hajj is the day of Arafah (the 9th day of thul hijjah) as the Prophet PBUH said “Hajj is Arafah”. Pilgrims are to go to Arafat and spend the day from Thuhr until Maghrib in supplication and remembrance of Allah SWT.
Alhamdulillah I was able to perform hajj during the 2006-2007 hajj year. Upon my arrival to the site where my group and I would be staying during these blessed hours, I found myself confused. Where was the mountain of Arafah? I quickly learned we were far from the mountain and would not be seeing it but that we were standing in the boundaries of Arafah and would be gaining the same reward as those standing on the mountain itself. The best advice I received before embarking on my hajj journey especially when it comes to the time spent in Arafah was:
Be prepared both mentally and physically
Do not waste time – time is precious as the number of hours are limited
Face the Qiblah while making supplications and remembering Allah-not the mountain
It is not necessary to be on the mountain of Arafah (it is best to stick with your own group)
Eat lightly to not tire yourself
Be prepared for heat
Anticipate long commute times and finally
BE PATIENT
I made dua’a for that sister, myself and the entire Muslim Ummah that Allah SWT would grant us the wisdom to realize our blessings and strength to reap the benefits of this great day. Aameeen
MADINAH
Madinah was a place of firsts for us and provided clues to the trip to come. We got off the plane like tourists, giddy and exhausted. The giddiness dissipated as we stood in line to be processed by a series of clerks who were the first in the long line of alternately aggressive and apathetic bureaucratic employees we would encounter during our hajj journey. The chaos of getting onto a bus and checking in to the hotel was the first of many moments of chaos we would encounter. We got settled in our hotel room and immediately set off with two friends from Houston for the masjid an Nabawi.
Being in the masjid an Nabawi and visiting nearby mosques of historical significance would give us the first taste of the terrible pushing crowds we would experience. In that way it was beneficial to go to Madinah first - it prepared us as best we could be for the crowds to come in Mecca. My husband and friends made plans to get up after a few hours of sleep to pray tahajjud at the mosque, but I was tired and disoriented and opted for sleep instead.
December 31, 2005, ~3:15 a.m. Room 317, Hilton Madinah. I’ve been up for about an hour or so, taking my time and having a nice hot shower. Husband left to see the Rawdah ~1:30 a.m. but I thought I wanted to sleep more - as it turned out I wasn’t as tired as I thought, and got up shortly thereafter. The plan is for my friend and I to go to fajr together at the masjid an Nabawi and stay to see the Rawdah. After that we’ll meet our husbands back at the hotel and go on the tour of historic sites and such. Unfortunately the plan isn’t 100% clear to me, though, as far as what time my friend and I are meeting, and I will likely end up walking over to fajr alone. I’m kind of nervous about doing things alone.
So I’m looking out the window right now watching people steadily walking towards the Prophet’s masjid. Madinah is like a party town in total reverse - people are out at all hours of the night to pray, not to party.
I was totally jonesing for some coffee, even though I’m down to one cup in the morning and really do well without it. I was simply dreaming of sitting down with a hot cup of black bitter coffee when I started writing. I ordered a small Arabic coffee from room service and ended up with a carafe full of tea-colored cardamom-flavored hot beverage, which I’m hoping has caffeine in it…
I see so many people heading towards the masjid that I keep thinking it will run out of space - but then I remember it can hold a million people within the building and surrounding grounds. It’s enormous! And gorgeous. Subhanallah! Off I go.
Being in the masjid an Nabawi and visiting nearby mosques of historical significance would give us the first taste of the terrible pushing crowds we would experience. In that way it was beneficial to go to Madinah first - it prepared us as best we could be for the crowds to come in Mecca. My husband and friends made plans to get up after a few hours of sleep to pray tahajjud at the mosque, but I was tired and disoriented and opted for sleep instead.
December 31, 2005, ~3:15 a.m. Room 317, Hilton Madinah. I’ve been up for about an hour or so, taking my time and having a nice hot shower. Husband left to see the Rawdah ~1:30 a.m. but I thought I wanted to sleep more - as it turned out I wasn’t as tired as I thought, and got up shortly thereafter. The plan is for my friend and I to go to fajr together at the masjid an Nabawi and stay to see the Rawdah. After that we’ll meet our husbands back at the hotel and go on the tour of historic sites and such. Unfortunately the plan isn’t 100% clear to me, though, as far as what time my friend and I are meeting, and I will likely end up walking over to fajr alone. I’m kind of nervous about doing things alone.
So I’m looking out the window right now watching people steadily walking towards the Prophet’s masjid. Madinah is like a party town in total reverse - people are out at all hours of the night to pray, not to party.
I was totally jonesing for some coffee, even though I’m down to one cup in the morning and really do well without it. I was simply dreaming of sitting down with a hot cup of black bitter coffee when I started writing. I ordered a small Arabic coffee from room service and ended up with a carafe full of tea-colored cardamom-flavored hot beverage, which I’m hoping has caffeine in it…
I see so many people heading towards the masjid that I keep thinking it will run out of space - but then I remember it can hold a million people within the building and surrounding grounds. It’s enormous! And gorgeous. Subhanallah! Off I go.
TIMELINE OF INCIDENTS IN THE HAJJ
1979 About 250 Saudi militants take over Grand Mosque in Mecca. More than 100 of the fighters and 127 Saudi troops are killed in a two-week siege. 1987 Around 400 people, mainly Iranian Shia pilgrims, are killed in clashes with Saudi security forces during anti-Western protests in Mecca. 1989 One pilgrim is killed and 16 wounded after a bomb explodes near the grand mosque. Saudi Arabia beheads 16 foreigners found guilty of planting the bombs. 1990 A stampede in a tunnel at Mecca causes the deaths of 1426 pilgrims, mostly from Indonesia and Turkey. 1994 A stampede near Jamarat Bridge in Mena kills 270.
1997 A fire kills 343 pilgrims and injures 1500 at camp in Mena.
1998 A stampede near Jamarat Bridge kills 119 when people fall of an underpass.
2001 A stampede near Jamarat Bridge kills 35.
2003 A stampede near Jamarat Bridge kills 14 people when pilgrims going in the opposite directions collide.
2004 A 27-minute stampede near Jamarat Bridge kills at least 251 during the stoning ritual.
2006 A stampede kills 345, the highest number in 16 years, 600 injured.
TRAGIC ACCIDENT AT 1421 HAJJ STONING RITUAL IN MINA
03/08/2001Tragic accident at 1421 Hajj stoning ritual in Mina
Thirty-five pilgrims, 12 men and 23 women, were killed in a tragic accident that injured dozens more during the stone-throwing ritual on the first day of Eid Al-Adha 1421 [Monday, March 5, 2001]. Just after eight o'clock that morning, pilgrims arriving in Mina from Muzdalifah were thronging to the area of Jamarat Al-Aqaba for the first day of the ritual of throwing stones at pillars representing Satan. As a result of intense congestion, a number of them, notably those of advanced years, fell to the ground and were trampled on. Security personnel on the spot were able to alleviate the situation and prevent further casualties.
Today, the Ministry of Health updated the list of names and nationalities of those who died. Five more names have been added to the earlier list of 18:
Haneifi Ahmed, male, Turk.
Fatiyah Hussein, female, Egyptian.
Faiza Ali Mohamed, female, Egyptian.
Sheifi Wedwaa, male, Ethiopian.
Isa Mohamed Serdar, male, Afghani.
The earlier list was:
Atbah Ridhwan, female, Indonesian.
Fatimah Karsley, female, Turk.
Ibrahim Ali Odeh Masmah, male, Palestinian.
Mohammed Shihab Al-Deen Habeeb, male, Sri Lankan.
Pervez Begum Altaf Hussain, female, Pakistani.
Abdula'al Mohammed Salheen, male, Egyptian.
Sibnourbi Sheikh Ghalab, female, Indian.
Abdulazeem Ali Ahmed Al-Imam, male, Egyptian.
Siti Aminah Mohammed, female, Indonesian.
Aleefi Dourour, female, Turk.
Al-Amim Hassan Mohammed Awadh, male, Sudanese.
Sheikh Basheer Ahmed, male, Indian.
Mohammed Qassim Lal Miyah, male, Bangladeshi.
Fawoziyah Amah Shah Al-Hameed, female, Sri Lankan.
Misriyah Amah Habeeb Mohammed, female, Sri Lankan.
Fahriyah Karouh, female, Turk.
Anwar begum, wife of Mohammed Tufail, female, Pakistani.
Maqboulah Touq Qon, female, Turk.
Only 12 of the 179 who were injured in the incident are still hospitalized. These are:
Jaber Mohammed Khan, Afghani.
Jaloul Shuhaimah, Algerian.
Fatimah Ali Tame', Somali.
Sajidah Parveen, Pakistani.
Parveen A'lam, Bangladeshi.
Saeed Muslih Al-Deen Sayyid Abdulkhaliq, Bangladeshi.
Yosef Baki, Turk.
Abdulghani Abduljabbar, Indian.
Abu Bakr Bouti, Indian.
Mujahid Kilab, Indonesian.
Saleem Abdulsalam, Tunisian.
Silano Younsa, Nigerian
Thirty-five pilgrims, 12 men and 23 women, were killed in a tragic accident that injured dozens more during the stone-throwing ritual on the first day of Eid Al-Adha 1421 [Monday, March 5, 2001]. Just after eight o'clock that morning, pilgrims arriving in Mina from Muzdalifah were thronging to the area of Jamarat Al-Aqaba for the first day of the ritual of throwing stones at pillars representing Satan. As a result of intense congestion, a number of them, notably those of advanced years, fell to the ground and were trampled on. Security personnel on the spot were able to alleviate the situation and prevent further casualties.
Today, the Ministry of Health updated the list of names and nationalities of those who died. Five more names have been added to the earlier list of 18:
Haneifi Ahmed, male, Turk.
Fatiyah Hussein, female, Egyptian.
Faiza Ali Mohamed, female, Egyptian.
Sheifi Wedwaa, male, Ethiopian.
Isa Mohamed Serdar, male, Afghani.
The earlier list was:
Atbah Ridhwan, female, Indonesian.
Fatimah Karsley, female, Turk.
Ibrahim Ali Odeh Masmah, male, Palestinian.
Mohammed Shihab Al-Deen Habeeb, male, Sri Lankan.
Pervez Begum Altaf Hussain, female, Pakistani.
Abdula'al Mohammed Salheen, male, Egyptian.
Sibnourbi Sheikh Ghalab, female, Indian.
Abdulazeem Ali Ahmed Al-Imam, male, Egyptian.
Siti Aminah Mohammed, female, Indonesian.
Aleefi Dourour, female, Turk.
Al-Amim Hassan Mohammed Awadh, male, Sudanese.
Sheikh Basheer Ahmed, male, Indian.
Mohammed Qassim Lal Miyah, male, Bangladeshi.
Fawoziyah Amah Shah Al-Hameed, female, Sri Lankan.
Misriyah Amah Habeeb Mohammed, female, Sri Lankan.
Fahriyah Karouh, female, Turk.
Anwar begum, wife of Mohammed Tufail, female, Pakistani.
Maqboulah Touq Qon, female, Turk.
Only 12 of the 179 who were injured in the incident are still hospitalized. These are:
Jaber Mohammed Khan, Afghani.
Jaloul Shuhaimah, Algerian.
Fatimah Ali Tame', Somali.
Sajidah Parveen, Pakistani.
Parveen A'lam, Bangladeshi.
Saeed Muslih Al-Deen Sayyid Abdulkhaliq, Bangladeshi.
Yosef Baki, Turk.
Abdulghani Abduljabbar, Indian.
Abu Bakr Bouti, Indian.
Mujahid Kilab, Indonesian.
Saleem Abdulsalam, Tunisian.
Silano Younsa, Nigerian
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