In Arabic, Muslims believe in one all-powerful and sustainer God almighty, called "Allah." The word Allah contains two words; "Al" means "The," and "ilah" means "God." The same word, "Allah," is used for God almighty in the Arabic Bible. The word "Allah" comes first when searching for synonyms of the word "God" in the dictionary.

Muslims believe in the Holy Quran, which gives the laws and commands for Muslims to follow, revealed to the beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH in 609 CE, and the other big volume of scriptures is the Books of Hadith. Holy Quran has the historical narration of all previous prophets and books (i.e., Torah & Injeel), but doctrinal messages guide Muslims in the right direction for achieving salvation. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) takes no credit for words in Holy Quran because the entire Quranic text is revelations from God almighty through Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The books of Hadiths are reflections of the messages of the Holy Quran. For example, The Holy Quran commands praying five times a day, but the Books of Hadith record how and when to pray. The Prophet used to visit the cave, Hira, occasionally for meditations and received the first revelation in 610 AD through the angel Gabriel (AS). He had a long struggle to convey monotheism, peace, and equality to the idol-worshipping Arab people who drowned in injustice and tribalism. Islam brought a practical approach to humankind through the code of conduct, principles, beliefs, and worship. Islam began not as a new religion but in continuations of monotheist Abrahamic religious traditions, Judaism and Christianity. The message was the same message that Prophet Adam, Nuh, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and many other messengers (Peace be upon them all) provided throughout history.

Why do Muslim perform Hajj (or Pilgrimage)?; Five pillars of Islam are; having a Faith, Five times daily prayers, Fasting in the month of Ramadhan, Doing charity, and If there are sufficient wealth and good health then perform pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime. The Muslim Pilgrimage is called Hajj that is unique compared to other faiths as it is streamlined, organized, structured, time bound, demands sincerity and commitment of body, mind, and wealth. Hajj is nothing but commemorating the Prophet Abraham's tradition whom with God Almighty pleased.

MUSLIMS' SPIRITUAL JOURNEY TO MAKKAH, WHICH IS THE HEART OF THE MUSLIM FAITH

Briefly, Prophet Abraham was raised in a family and village where most people were idol worshippers, including his father. Prophet Abraham (PBUH) was thrown into the fire by the people of communities and his family due to his rejections and reasoning on idol worship. The entire life of Prophet Abraham (PBUH) has been packed with struggles and trials. God almighty tested him many times, and one of the most famous tests was that Prophet Abraham (PBUH) was prescribed to sacrifice his dear son. Prophet Abraham's sacrifice has been one of the holiest events in history and became part of Jewish and Muslim traditions in the Pilgrimage. Jewish visit Jerusalem to fulfill their spiritual and religious obligations, while Muslims go to Mecca to accomplish one of the Pillars of Islam. The Hajj covers several rituals whose history is hidden behind the life events of Prophet Abraham (PBUH).

THE TEMPLE OF MOUNT WHICH IS HEART IN THE ABRAHAMIC FAITH

In the first event, God almighty ordered Prophet Abraham (PBUH) to take his wife Hajar (PBUH) and son Ishmael (PBUH) and live in the desert, which is the location called Mecca, where Muslims go for Hajj. Prophet Abraham (PBUH) followed the commandment of God Almighty. After some time, a child Ishmael (PBUH), became thirsty, and Hajar (PBUH) looked around for water and ran between two mountains called Safa and Marwah, but, could not find water. God almighty pleased and provided water beneath the knee of small child Ishmael (PBUH). The place where the water began gushing is called the well of "Zam Zam." This well has provided water to the people of Mecca and Pilgrims for the last 1400 years, and all pilgrims drink the Zam Zam water while they stay in Mecca and bring a bottle of water home on the way back after completing their Pilgrimage. God almighty liked this event and revealed it to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for including the act of Hajar (PBUH) in the ritual. During the Hajj, pilgrims must walk between Safa and Marwah to commemorate this event.

In the second event, God commanded Prophet Abraham (PBUH) to take his son Ishmael (PBUH) for sacrifice. Prophet Abraham (PBUH) did as ordered, but, God almighty pleased with the act and replaced the animal in place of Ishmael (PBUH) during sacrifice. Every pilgrim must sacrifice an animal as part of the pilgrimage to remember this event.

These two events were so important and divine that all Muslims were required to perform rituals to mimic and remind the sacrifice of Prophet Abraham (PBUH).

How is Hajj performed?

Hajj is performed once a year, and millions of Muslims gather in Mecca worldwide. All rituals are completed orderly with a family or a small group. It includes wearing a single unsewn white cloth for men and modest dressing for women covering all body parts except the face. Five days of Hajj are important; on those days, all pilgrims spend time in Kabah, Mina, Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Madina.

KABAH

The Kabah was built by Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael (Peace be upon them both). Muslims pray to face towards Kabah or Qiblah (i.e., Direction), similar to Jewish pray facing towards the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Every mosque in the world is erected facing toward Kabah. At the time of Hajj (Pilgrimage), Muslim circumambulating around the Kabah to testify that there is only one God almighty. There is a black stone in the Kabah, which Muslims believe that when Prophet Abraham (PBUH) was constructing Kabah, there was a space to fill, and God almighty sent the stone from heaven through Angel Gabriel (AS). Muslims are prohibited from worshiping Kabaha, black stone, or any other sanctuary. The prayer and worship are directed to the God almighty alone, which is the core belief of Muslims. During the Pilgrimage to Mecca, Pilgrims can meet, greet and worship with people of different origins, colors, professions, and backgrounds.

MINA

This is the place where Muslims spend time praying, remembering, praising God almighty, and working towards purifying body and soul. In the past, it was an open space with tents, but for many years, it has been upgraded to air-conditioning tents with all amenities provided, including food, water & washrooms. Mina turns into the millions of people town for at least five days.

ARAFAH

All Pilgrims are required to stay for one day on the ground of Arafah. Arafah has been upgraded with air-conditioned tents providing comfort to pilgrims. This is considered the most sacred day of the year, and Muslims pray, cries, and request God almighty for the redemption of their sins as well as the sins of entire humanity. Muslims believe that everyone will be gathered on the day of judgment on the ground of Arafah, and that's why it is a reminder for the pilgrims, to reflect on the future purpose in mind that we will be gathered. Everyone will have justice and be judged based on his or her deeds and piety throughout life.

MUZDALIFAH

The Muzdalifah is not the house, cottage, or recreational park but a bare ground, where all pilgrims have to sleep for at least a night irrespective of status, wealth, or profession. Muslims have an opportunity to step back and reflect on the realities of a human being as we came from dust and will go back to dust, and for God almighty, it does not make a difference how much wealthy, healthy, or famous we are; everyone is same in the sight of God almighty.

EID CELEBRATION

This is a day when Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid al-Adha, which begins with morning prayer; then, Muslims meet and greet with family, relatives, friends, and other community members. All pilgrims and Muslims throughout the world offer sacrifice and keep one-third with them to eat and rest, distributing to friends, relatives, and the poor.

MADINAH

Holy city Madinah is described as a city of the Prophet where Pilgrims find tranquility after spending busy time in Mecca. The last step before completing Pilgrimage is to visit the Masjid al Nabawi in Madinah, where the beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)'s tomb existed. Pilgrims spend time there in remembrance of the Prophet by sending blessings. Muslims believe there are numerous rewards for visiting and spending time at the Masjid al Nabawi. Muslims consider making an intention to perform Hajj, as one of the most precious goals in their lifetime.

Muslims believe there is no greater reward for pilgrims than the successful acceptance of Hajj in front of God almighty, which will wipe away all past sins.

References

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