Basics of Religious Education — Page 13
13 13 13 13 13 B ASICS OF R ELIGIOUS E DUCATION - F IFTH E DITION They worship during their stay at `Arafaat from the afternoon of the 9th Dhul Hijjah to the sunset. This is the place where the Holy Prophet sa delivered his Farewell Sermon. On their way back to Mecca they worship at Muzdalifah , and then stay at Minaa on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah. The pilgrims stay at Mina on the tenth day of Dhul Hijjah , where at first they perform the ceremony of Ramy-al-Hijaar , a symbolic act to strike the devil by throwing small stones at three pillars. Next, the pilgrims sacrifice their animals, then shave their own heads and end the state of Ihraam by wearing normal dress. On this day, Muslims all over the world celebrate Eid-ul-Ad-hiya. Before the 10th day of Dhul- Hijjah ends, they perform Tawaaf and Sa`ee for the second time at Mecca and once again return to Minaa. After passing one or two more days at Mina, the pilgrims return to Mecca on the 12th or the 13th of Dhul Hijjah , and perform the farewell Tawaaf of the Ka`bah , which marks the completion of Hajj. Whereas the Hajj may be performed during the prescribed dates only, ` Umrah or Lesser Pilgrimage may be done at any time during the year. This also involves the state of Ihraam, Tawaaf of Ka`bah and Sa`ee between the hillocks of Safaa and Marwah. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is obligatory upon every adult Muslim. Those who are sick, or travelling, are exempt from fasting in Ramadan. They must, however, make up all the missed days of fasting at another time. Those who are really unable (i. e. too old or too weak) to fast, are allowed to feed a poor person for every day of fasting that they miss. (2:184-186) In addition to the obligatory fasting of Ramadan, we may observe voluntary fasting whenever we like. There are, however, six commonly observed voluntary days of fasting in the beginning of the lunar month of Shawwaal (month after Ramadan), as practised by the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa. Farewell Tawaaf at Mecca and the End of Hajj `Umrah Fasting During Ramadan Voluntary Fasting 1. 3 1. 3 1. 3 1. 3 1. 3 I I I I I SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM — A — A — A — A — A C T S C T S C T S C T S C T S O F O F O F O F O F W W W W W ORSHIP ORSHIP ORSHIP ORSHIP ORSHIP Stay at the Plain of `Arafaat Stay at Minaa