The+Hajj

toc By: Maria Airapetian =**Hajj**= = =
 * The Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecaa, during the month of Dhul-Hijjah (season of worship). It is a religious journey described in the five pillars that each Muslim has to make once in there lifetime. Throughout the Hajj Muslims must perform several ceremonies and rituals that symbolize concepts of the Islamic faith, and to commemorate the trials of the prophet Abraham and his family. The Hajj brings all the Muslims from around the world of different colors, languages, races and ethnicity together in a spiritual worship of one god, Allah. T he Hajj begins on the eight day of Dhul-hajjah, on the twelfth month of the Muslim Lunar Calendar. [[image:http://www.bible.ca/islam/islam-ihram-clothing.jpg width="184" height="256" align="right"]]**
 * The Image shows the Kaaba in Mecca.**

=Preparations for the Hajj=
 * Besides** planning for a logical trip, Muslims need to prepare Islamic-ally, physically, financially and mentally for this great act of worship. The best way to prepare for this journey is by gaining knowledge for performing rituals of the Hajj and Um-rah correctly. Muslims are obligated to put on the Ihram during the performance of the Hajj rituals. The Ihram is a white seamless garment that consist of two pieces for men and a one piece, a simple white gown, for women. The Ihram symbolizes equality of all pilgrims in the eyes of god. During the Hajj pilgrims must not wear any jewelry and no violent or sexual act should take place during any of the rituals. The pilgrims must step into the holy mosque in Mecca, right foot first to recite the prayer. "__//In the name of Allah, may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. Oh Allah, forgive me my sins and open to me the doors of Your mercy. I seek refuge in Allah the Almighty and in His Eminent Face and in His Eternal Dominion from the accursed Satan.//__" After praying the pilgrim must perform the Tawaf, this is a counter clockwise procession with circles around the Kaaba, a cubed stoned building Muslims believed was originally built by Abraham and his son Ismael. Another preparation would be performing the sa'i. When performing this one must hurry seven times between two small hills near the kaaba, called safa and Marwah.
 * The image shows how the Muslims dress in order to prepare for the Hajj.**

=Route= On the first day of the Hajj the pilgrims walk a few miles to Mina and camp overnight. Pilgrims spend the "Day of Arafan" in Arafan, on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah. Arafan is an empty plain where Muslims commit the entire day to supplication and devotion. Later in the evening Muslims move to the Muzdalifa and perform various prayers to Allah. On the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah the Muslims return to Mina, and throw seven pebbles at a pillar that symbolizes Satan's temptation of Abraham. The pilgrims then sacrifice a sheep and distribute the meat to friends, relatives and the poor. Symbolizing how Abraham sacrificed a sheep that God had provided in place of his son. After-wards the Muslims return to Mecca and perform a final Tawaf and sa'i. Completing the Hajj by cutting their hair.

=Spiritual Journey= The Hajj is the largest annual gathering of people on earth. Courtesy and helping others is the norm. After a Muslim has gone through the Hajj they generate this profound feeling of having gone through a life-transforming spiritual experience. The Muslim feels a sense of pride in completing this pilgrimage,in having successfully performed a ritual dedicated to God and in belonging to a huge family of people that share the same religious beliefs.This single pilgrimage has a huge affect on the Muslims because it almost reminds them of how important it is to be apart of that religion, and how important it is to be a Muslim. This experience causes Muslims to acquired a sense of humility, inner calm, brotherhood and strength that lasts a lifetime and makes all the difference in their lives. They will teach this proud feeling to their kids when it is time for their pilgrimage to Mecca and so on the generations wil continue on. **This is the route of the Hajj all Muslims have to follow.** media type="custom" key="8118842"
 * This image shows how many people performed the Hajj and are already at the house of Allah (Kaaba).**
 * This is when the Hajj is complete by the cutting of the hair.**


 * Bibliography:**


 * Aziz, Shawana. "The blessed days of Dhul-Hijjah".  The source article on how Muslims prepare for the Hajj and how the route and rituals are during the pilgrimage.**
 * Robinson, B.A. "The Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca". 2000 to 2006. The Source mainly describes what the Hajj is and what the route is for completing the Hajj.**
 * Embassy, Royal. "Hajj". 2010. The source mainly describes the reason for the Hajj, and what a Muslim feels like after the Hajj.**
 * Council on Foreign relations.  This is a video on you-tube talking about the Islam religion.**