Students are expected to look at each link and then write a 2-page response describing what they see and explain how that compliments or counteracts the descriptions that they have read in the Oxtoby
Muslim Traditions – Hajj
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, mandatory on all Muslims, specifically those who can afford. Performing hajj has some rules and procedures to follow - the video and the textbook talk about the same religious tradition and procedures to follow, however, the video talks more about the architecture in mecca and the book talks about the historical religious significance and step by step procedure to perform Hajj.
Before the pilgrims reach the sacred precincts of Mecca, they exchange their regular cloths for two pieces of white linen, which is symbolic of the shrouds in which Muslims are wrapped for burial. With this act they enter the state of consecration. Once in Mecca, the pilgrims begin with the lesser hajj (‘umrah). This ritual is performed in the precincts of the great Mosque and includes the tawaf (walking counter-clockwise around the Kabbah seven times; a form of prayer in which men and women participate together, side by side) and running between the two hills of al-safa and al-marwa. In Mecca, the ancient wall of Zamzam (the contained water) is also located. The water is considered holy, and pilgrims often take home containers of it as blessed gifts for family and friends.
The Hajj pilgrimage proper begins on the eighth of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar, when the pilgrims must spend a night at mina. As the sun passes the noon meridian, all the pilgrims gather for the central rite of the Hajj pilgrimage: the standing (waquf) on the mount of mercy in Arafat. The pilgrims stand in solemn prayer and supplication till sunset, as though standing before God for judgement on the last day. The sombre scene changes abruptly at sundown when the pilgrims leave ‘Arafat for Muzdalifah, a sacred spot and short distance along the road back to Mecca. There they observe the combined sunset and evening and gather pebbles for the ritual lapidation (throwing of stones) at Mina the next day. The tenth of Dhu al-Hijjaj is the final day of the Hajj season, and the first day of the four-day festival of sacrifice. The day is spent at Mina where the remaining pilgrimage rites are completed.
Tradition says that in Abraham’s way from Arafat to Mina, he was commanded by God to sacrifice someone who was dearest to him. So, it has become a tradition to offer sacrifice on this day and Muslims practice this by sacrificing a lamb, goat, cow or camel. Pilgrims gather early in the morning to throw seven stones at the pillar, in emulation of Abraham. The other pillars in Mina, representing the three temptations, are also stoned.
Following the stoning ritual, the head of each pilgrim family or group offers a blood sacrifice. Part of the meat is eaten by the pilgrim and the rest is distributed to the poor, so they may eat as well. After this, to mark the end of their state of consecration, pilgrims ritually clip a minimum of three hairs from their heads (some shave their heads completely). The Hajj ends with a final circumambulation of the Kabah and the completion of the rites of the lesser hajj (umrah) for those who have not done so.
Tradition asserts that a person returns from a sincerely performed hajj free of all sin, as on the day he or she was born. Thus, the Hajj represents a form of resurrection or rebirth, and its completion marks a new stage in the life of a Muslim. Every pilgrim is henceforth distinguished by the title haji or hajjah before his or her name.
Architectural features:
Mecca has far more important historical & religious significance than architectural. It is the most sacred site in Islam. Kaaba is located in Mecca and according to Islamic tradition the Kaaba was re-constructed by Abraham. It is stated in the Qur'an that this was the first house built for humanity to worship Allah. Kaaba is known as the house of Allah and it is the most sacred and respectful place for Muslims. This is the reason why every Muslim wants to visit Kaaba.
The Holy Kaaba is a cuboid-shape structure made of granite. Holy Kaaba has been a destination for all Muslims of different races and nations throughout the course of history. They turn to the Kaaba in their hearts and minds during their five daily prayers, in full dedication to Allah. Mecca has a mega architecture, the Abraj al-Bait is the world’s second tallest building that casts a shadow over the grand mosque and the Kaaba. Abraj al-bait is the largest clock face tower in the world. Mecca also has a variety of luxury hotels and apartments, the western flank of the city are the first towers of the Jabal Omar development, a sprawling complex that will eventually accommodate 100,000 people in 26 luxury hotels.
The Holy Mosque Masjid al-Haram, which comprises of a rectangular central courtyard surrounded by covered prayer areas, is the site of several pilgrimage rituals. Pilgrims use the courtyard to perform the ritual circumambulation of the Kaaba, known as the tawaf. Two more sacred sites are located in the courtyard: the station of Abraham (Arabic: maqam Ibrahim), a stone which Islamic tradition associates with the Qur’anic account of the rebuilding of the Kaaba by Abraham and Ismail (Ishmael), and Zamzam well, a sacred spring. Immediately to the east and north of the courtyard are Al-Ṣafa and Al-Marwah, two small hills which pilgrims must run or walk between in a ritual known as the saʿy.
Pilgrims perform Maghrib and Isha together in Muzdalifah at Isha time as it is obligatory to perform prayers at this location as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) performed prayers here during his Hajj. Muzdalifah stretches from the Valley of Muhassar to the mountains of Ma’zamayn. It is four kilometres long and covers an area of 12.25 square kilometers. Although pebbles for pelting the Jamarat may be collected from anywhere, they are best collected from Muzdalifah.
Mina is also known as the city of tents as it provides temporary accommodation to 3 million pilgrims in 100,000 air-conditioned tents each year. It is described as a valley between copper-brown mountains, filled with identical white tents. Hajj pilgrims return to Mina to stone the devil, the devil is represented as three pillars named “Jamarat”. The Jamarat are three stone pillars which are pelted as a compulsory ritual of Hajj in emulation of the Prophet Ebrahim (upon
him be peace). They represent the three locations where Ebrahim (upon him be peace) pelted the Shaitan (Satan) with stones when he tried to dissuade him from sacrificing his son Ismail (upon him be peace). The pillars are called ‘Jamarat-al-Ula’, ‘Jamarat-al-Wusta’ and ‘Jamarat-al-Aqaba’.
Every Muslim in their life time waits for the right time to perform Hajj and it brings them joy knowing they will be going to the holy place to perform the duty of Hajj.
References:
Britannica, T. E. (2016, July 17). Great Mosque of Mecca. Retrieved March 13, 2018, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Great-Mosque-of-Mecca
Islam Question and answer (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2018, from https://islamqa.info/en/41957
Kaaba. (n.d.). Brill’s New Pauly. doi:10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e604760 Retrieved from: https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-architectural-significance-of-kaaba-and-hatim-why-was-kaaba-built
The Jamarat. (2016, September 10). Retrieved March 13, 2018, from https://www.islamiclandmarks.com/makkah-other/jamarat
Oxtoby, Willard, Amir Hussain, and Roy C. Amore, eds. World Religions: Western Traditions. 4th ed. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press, 2014
Wainwright, O. (2012, October 23). Mecca's mega architecture casts shadow over hajj. Retrieved March 13, 2018, from https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2012/oct/23/mecca-architecture-hajj1
