Basics of Religious Education — Page 12
12 12 12 12 12 B ASICS OF R ELIGIOUS E DUCATION - F IFTH E DITION This pilgrimage to the holiest places is associated with the sacrifice per- formed by the prophets Ibraheem as (Abraham) and his son Isma`eel as (Ishmael). With Hajj are also associated the holy traditions of the early sufferings and sacrifices of the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa. It offers a golden opportunity to the Muslims of different countries and diverse races to meet and discuss matters of mutual and national interest. The Ka`bah , the focal point of Hajj , is the first place set up in the world for the worship of Allah in prehistoric times (4:97). It was rebuilt by the prophets Ibraheem as and Isma`eel as some four thousand years ago. Mus- lims all over the world face the Ka`bah when they offer their prayers. The Various ceremonies of Hajj are summarized below: The Hajj starts when the pilgrims reach certain designated places close to Mecca. The pilgrims enter the state of Ihraam (for males only) by wear- ing only two seamless white sheets, and recite Talbiyyah which consists of saying the following aloud : The pilgrims then perform the Tawaaf of the Ka`bah by going around it seven times, starting from the position of the Black Stone, in an anti- clockwise direction. Next, they perform the Sa`ee by running between the hillocks of Safaa and Marwah located near the Ka`bah , in memory of Hadrat Hajirah ra , who ran in search of water in this place. From Mecca they move to Minaa , a plain four miles east of Mecca. Next morning after Fajr prayer, they leave for `Arafaat. The Holy Ka`bah Ihraam and Talbiyyah Tawaaf of the Ka`bah and Sa`ee between Safa and Marwah I I I I I SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM — A — A — A — A — A CTS CTS CTS CTS CTS OF OF OF OF OF W W W W W ORSHIP ORSHIP ORSHIP ORSHIP ORSHIP 1. 3 1. 3 1. 3 1. 3 1. 3 Here I am, O Allah, here I am; Here I am, No partner have You,here I am; Indeed, all praise and bounty are Yours, and Yours the Kingdom; No partner have You.