Hajj or Islamic Pilgrimage is one of the five duties which is also known as five pillars of Islam is present on every Muslim. In order to seek forgiveness from the Allah (God), a pilgrim performs hajj processions in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Hajj is the largest Islamic pilgrimage in the world. It is important for a Muslim to carry out this religious duty at least once in their life time if affordable to do so. The Hajj or Islamic Pilgrimage is a exhibition of oneness of the Muslim people and their submission to God (Allah).
Every year, the Islamic pilgrimage takes place from the 8th to 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th and the final month of the Islamic calendar. During the Hajj processions, male Muslims wear a specific dress, popularly known as Ihram. Ihram is a garments consisting of two sheets of white unhemmed cloth, with the top draped over the torso and the bottom secured by a white sash including a pair of sandals. Women are generally required to maintain their hijab – normal ordinary dress, which doesn’t cover the hands or face. The purpose of wearing Ihram is to display the unity of all pilgrims in front of God. It means there is no difference between a prince and a pauper.
The Hajj or Islamic pilgrimage is mainly related to the life of Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century. Pilgrims can also move to Mecca for Umrah which can be undertaken throughout the year but this is kind of smaller pilgrimage and these pilgrims are still need to perform the Hajj at some later stages in their lifetimes. According to a studyBusiness Management Articles, there were almost two million pilgrims performed Hajj in 2009.
The government has maintained extraordinary security and safety arrangements in order to help pilgrims carry out Hajj processions successfully.
As a defensive method of stopping the wildfires that have previously taken over the tent city of Mina, gas and even electric cookers have been forbidden, and a system of transporting in food ready outside or in allocating kitchens to the pilgrims has been familiar and enforced. Even the very tragic events of the stampedes at the Jamarat areas (the sites where the pilgrims toss the stones in imitation of Ibrahim's stoning the devil when he was tempted by him) have been detached from the building of multiple-level bridges and application of one-way traffic for this process, as well as an enforced orderly admission from the lanes of tents into the Jamarat zone.
Different hardships and tragic obstacles have scarred the pilgrimages of the past. But those related to the responsibility of safeguarding the safety and comfort of the pilgrims-the honored guests of the Most Merciful-have learned the hard lessons of those tragic events. And they have worked long and industrious in making the proper corrections to guarantee the safety and comfort of all. Great paces have been taken in this direction by the Saudi Government.
Nowhere in the world willyou observe any such meetings of nearly 3 million holy pilgrims assembled in one spot, at one time, dressed in the same bland, simple cloth, facing the same way at one time, all praying necessary for one thing: forgiveness. Everything asking of One God for admission into heaven by His Mercy. Pauper, beggar, king, businessman, lower laborer, all standing in front of Allah shoulder to shoulder on the same standing--none surpassing the other in the sight of Allah by anything other than their piety held within the depths of their hearts. Such a beautiful spot and time--the mountain of Mercy on the Day in which He drops His Vast Mercy on the masses! Today,
Allah has extended the offer, and the modest, confident pilgrims have answered. They have accepted Allah's invitation to be His privileged guests. He is by sure the Most Substantial and Helpful! He has promised His Mercy and clemency for those who come to HimFeature Articles, and He never surrenders on His promise. His only condition is that His slaves answer His call.
On this Day of Mercy-the Day of Arafat-we have different multitudes of yearning holy pilgrims answering His call.May He hurt His Eternal Mercy upon us all!
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