Significance of Hajj to the Life Muslim Adherents
Analyse the significance of Hajj to the life Muslim adherents (15 marks)
The Hajj is one of the 5 pillars of Islam and ultimately reflects many core Muslim beliefs. Through spiritual rebirth, the wearing of the Ihram garments, the acknowledgement of Allah 's omnipotency and the experience of following in Prophet Muhammad 's footsteps, adherents through the Hajj are able to reflect the Islamic beliefs of Jihad, Umma, Zakat, and forgiveness in their own lives. By this Muslims are able to become more intimate with Allah and his will, and are also destined to an afterlife in heaven by his side. Accordingly, those who do not complete the Hajj in their lifetime will be sentenced to an afterlife in purgatory. These consequences reflect how significant the Hajj is to an adherent. There are many actions in the Hajj which reflect spiritual rebirth. This is essentially becoming morally cleansed, where one 's sins are absolved by Allah. This can be seen during the 10th day of the month Dhul-Hajj, where all the men shave their heads, partially as a small sacrifice in Allah 's name (Jihad), and primarily to symbolise a new beginning for these adherents. This action not only allows adherents to live a freer life after the Hajj in terms of their past burdens but also brings them closer to Allah and allows them to feel a strengthened bond with the God. This is reflected through the teachings of scholar Al-Bukhari, who stated an adherent after completing the Hajj will "return as a newly born baby, free of all sins". The physical shaving of the head is also a form of Jihad, a Muslim 's struggle in order to show Allah respect and determination. This sacrifice also leads to purification, and is further seen during the donation of one 's sheep to the poor, where the practice of Zakat is also evident. Jihad and Zakat both strengthen an adherent 's bond with Allah, much like the absolving of one 's sins. As a result of this spiritual rebirth and sacrifice Muslims are able to
The Hajj is one of the 5 pillars of Islam and ultimately reflects many core Muslim beliefs. Through spiritual rebirth, the wearing of the Ihram garments, the acknowledgement of Allah 's omnipotency and the experience of following in Prophet Muhammad 's footsteps, adherents through the Hajj are able to reflect the Islamic beliefs of Jihad, Umma, Zakat, and forgiveness in their own lives. By this Muslims are able to become more intimate with Allah and his will, and are also destined to an afterlife in heaven by his side. Accordingly, those who do not complete the Hajj in their lifetime will be sentenced to an afterlife in purgatory. These consequences reflect how significant the Hajj is to an adherent. There are many actions in the Hajj which reflect spiritual rebirth. This is essentially becoming morally cleansed, where one 's sins are absolved by Allah. This can be seen during the 10th day of the month Dhul-Hajj, where all the men shave their heads, partially as a small sacrifice in Allah 's name (Jihad), and primarily to symbolise a new beginning for these adherents. This action not only allows adherents to live a freer life after the Hajj in terms of their past burdens but also brings them closer to Allah and allows them to feel a strengthened bond with the God. This is reflected through the teachings of scholar Al-Bukhari, who stated an adherent after completing the Hajj will "return as a newly born baby, free of all sins". The physical shaving of the head is also a form of Jihad, a Muslim 's struggle in order to show Allah respect and determination. This sacrifice also leads to purification, and is further seen during the donation of one 's sheep to the poor, where the practice of Zakat is also evident. Jihad and Zakat both strengthen an adherent 's bond with Allah, much like the absolving of one 's sins. As a result of this spiritual rebirth and sacrifice Muslims are able to