Preview

The Hajj Essay Example

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
588 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Hajj Essay Example
Analyse the significance of the Hajj on the community and individual

Hajj takes place during Dhul-Hajjah, the twelfth month of the Muslim calendar. Preparation before this time is highly important and involves redressing wrongs, paying all debts, money for family and journey, as well as adopting good behaviour. The significance of the intensity of Hajj is that individuals learn skills such as determination, perseverance, patience and control of human will. The community is also affected through the local Muslim communities who involve themselves in the preparation. International media coverage is also gained from the enormity of the Hajj encouraging the Islamic community to take part. Thus the significance of the Hajj on both community and individual is evident.

Diverse rites also take place during Hajj and many of these reinforce the five pillars of Islam. The Hajj is significant for individuals to perform to become closer to Allah. Muslims also fulfill the first pillar “Shahada” by declaring their belief in Allah and his oneness, by attending Hajj, significantly strengthening bonds with Allah.

One of the most significant rituals performed during Hajj, occurs on Mt. Arafat in which pilgrims replicate the Day of Resurrection. The Ihram - white garments are symbolic of human equality and unity before Allah, must also be worn. This is significant for the individual as barriers of discrimination are eliminated and the Islamic community proclaims no differences. Thus there is no distinction between race, wealth and status which allows all to appear equal before Allah. The pillar of Zalat is also observed such as through the distribution of money for nahr to the poor and pillar of Salat is also performed through daily prayer which significantly deepens connection with God. Thus the Hajj is significant for the individual through fulfillment of pillars which strengthen Muslim faith. It affects the community who as umma ,affirm commitment to Allah and join

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Ap World History 600c.E

    • 537 Words
    • 3 Pages

    3. Hijra = the migration of Mohammed and he's followers from Mecca(scared city) to medina…

    • 537 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    As the Middle East developed over the years, the prominence and teachings of Islam sustained. Numerous aspects in the Middle Eastern Empire altered, but a key element in the religion Islam that prevailed through the centuries was the Five Pillars of Islam, which were Shahada (declaration of faith to only Allah), Salat (prayer), Zakat (alms-giving), Sawm (fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). Hajj was an essential aspect in the religion of Islam and as the years progressed the importance of this pillar became more eminent in Islamic society. Each Muslim was expected to take a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime and as the years progressed important Islamic figures began to promote this pillar even more by setting inns, mosques and Islamic institutes on the roads to Mecca. The teachings of the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam, also maintained the laws and daily lives of the Islamic individuals in every day society. The Qur’an taught Muslims how to live the days of their lives accordingly, what laws to obey, and what rights men and women had.…

    • 766 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    They are profession of faith, which is known as Shahadah, which every Muslim must accept that there is no other to believe in but Allah and that Muhammad was his messenger. The next is the practice of praying five times a day. This is called Salah or Salat. During Salah Muslims position their bodies by kneeling close to the ground and bowing while reciting specific prayers. The third practice is the act of giving to charity. This is called Zakah or Zakat. Muslims give 2.5% of their annual savings to the poor. The fourth practice is fasting known as Sawm. During the month of Ramadan, the 9th month of the Muslim lunar calendar, Muslims fast and keep from sexual activity from sunrise to sunset. This is done to serve as a spiritual cleansing and show of control over worldly habits. The final practice is Hajj. Hajj is the requirement that every Muslim make a religious journey to Mecca. This is done as a show of unity among all Muslims…

    • 2252 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    These pillars provide an outward steadiness and evenness to a person’s faith and hold Muslims together in a brotherhood fashion. These Five Pillars are the Declaration of Faith or Shadada, which is the most important pillar because it is an agreement between the believer and Allah. This agreement means that you believe in only Allah as the one true god. The next pillar is Prayer or Salah, which is important because this is the communication between the follower and Allah. The third pillar is the Obligatory Charity or Zakah. This pillar is about helping others that may be in need. Pillar four is fasting or Sawm this is done every year in a tradition called Ramadan. This means they fast from food, drink, and marital relations for the sake of Allah. And the last pillar is pilgrimage or Hajj. This is the where a Muslim travels to Makkah obligatory at least once in their life, only if the person is debt free and can afford to.…

    • 959 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The fourth Crusade was one of the most astonishing turn of events during the Middle Ages. Each Crusade was called for one purpose, to reconquer the Holy Land from the Muslims. With that in mind, the fourth Crusade was disaster, not only failing to get anywhere near Jerusalem but then to attack and conquer two Christian cities, which had been unprecedented to this time. When discussing these points in history, it is important to discuss how such events came to be, and whilst the sacking of Zara and Constantinople are not in question, what is in question is how much of a role did Pope Innocent III did play in the 4th Crusade? Was he the mastermind, or was control of the 4th Crusade taken from him? This essay will attempt to look through the sources and see whether Pope Innocent III did intend for events to take place as they did.…

    • 1190 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    5 Pillars Of Islam Essay

    • 591 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The five pillars of Islam is the guide of religious practice which all Muslims follow. The word pillars is an important word used. It is important to emphasize the use of the word to demonstrate the amount of support this guide gives its practitioners. The five pillars; statement of faith (Shahadah), daily prayers (salaat), charity (Zakat), fasting, pilgrimage to mecca (hajj). The purpose of each pillar and how it is put into practice illuminates the dedication Muslim faith requires.…

    • 591 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In the Islamic religion, a Muslim believes in one god, Allah.Their beliefs are shaped from their sacred book, The Koran. The Five pillars serve as the unifying principles of Islam. As a Muslim, you strive to keep the Five pillars which consist of the testimony of faith, the prayer, the obligatory charity, the fasting of Ramadan and the pilgrimage.Muslims beliefs are based upon the Koran which they believe is the revelation of God. People practicing the Islamic religion follow the words of the Koran because in it quotes “ Follow what is revealed to you from your Lord” 33:2. The textual evidence illustrates that they feel it is only right to follow what their lord has written for them. The cultural significance is by practicing the five pillars…

    • 164 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Modern Day Pilgrims

    • 181 Words
    • 1 Page

    The pilgrimage to Mecca usually take place on the 8th or 12th day of the last month of he Islamic calendar. Hajj demonstrates Muslim solidarity and submission to god “Allah”. Pilgrims spend five days praying in Mecca and the surrounding desert. There are separate days in which Muslims will repent for their sins, pray, and other ritual such as “stoning of the devil”. Simply clothing is required for both…

    • 181 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    The purpose of this paper is to describe ancient Islamic traditions. This paper focuses on the religious traditions that are mainly still practiced today according to the Qur’an. The six pillars are described which consist of Shahadah, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj, and Jihad.…

    • 1000 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Crusades Essay Example

    • 384 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The initial cause for the crusades is the emperor asked for help. Pope Urban the second thought that by “moving” the Muslims Christianity would be brought back together. The goals of the crusades were economic, social, and political goals as well as religious motives. The Pope wanted to reclaim Palestine because the Muslims controlled it and Christendom had split into Eastern and Western branches in 1054. Kings and the Church saw that the Crusades was a good opportunity to get rid of knights who fought each other. So the Crusades were basically established at that moment.…

    • 384 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Change In The Middle East

    • 762 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The first pillar states that there is no God but Allah. It emphasizes the belief in monotheism. The greatest sin for a Muslim is to put something above Allah. It also stresses the fact that Muhammad was human, mortal, and not to be worshiped. He was merely a way for Allah's will to be expressed. The second pillar of Islam states that prayer must commence five times a day, facing towards Mecca. This prayer ritual symbolizes submission to Allah. The third pillar of Islam commands charity towards all Muslims. Charity among followers of the Islamic faith. The fourth pillar requires fasting during the month of Ramadan. This pillar commemorates Muhammad's time in the mountains. The fifth pillar requires every Muslim to make the hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. Mecca is the holiest place for…

    • 762 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    As Islam entered and began to spread throughout the Middle East, more and more cultural changes began to occur and the people of the Middle East began to change. The Middle East went from a low social economic status to one of the most growing regions in the world as Islam came and changed the lives of the people living in the Middle East. As the journey of Islam began to spread and develop a new “Middle East” came to play. One of the biggest elements Islam changed for the people of the Middle East was their religion, not only did Islam change the religion of the people but it brought many of the tribes together and brought unity, Islam had also given the people organized laws a simple way to live by. As Islam took form, the culture and…

    • 1163 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The central teachings of Islam are pretty basic. They teach that their members must freely and willingly accept God and his teachings and that they must strive to live in compliance with those teachings. They believe in the oneness and unity with God and all of his knowledge and that they must strive to live as close to him as possible. They believe in Prophets and that these selected Prophets are messengers from God. They also believe in a last judgment in which after they die they will be resurrected and held accountable for their actions and deeds throughout their life on Earth. These teachings play into the Five Pillars of Faith because to “belief and witness” is to tell others of their faith in Islam and that will bring them closer to God and become one with him. Also their daily prayers keep them close to their faith and it shows their devotion to God. Zakat is the third pillar of faith and it says that at the end of the year they must donate at least two and a half percent of their accumulated wealth to other needy Muslims. This helps the people of the Islam religion to not be greedy and focused on material things, as that sort of living does not keep them close to God and their spiritual beliefs. The fourth Pillar of Faith is fasting. They are required to fast during Ramadan, but are encouraged to fast during hardships in order to clear their mind and soul of impurities and troubles they are having in their life. The last pillar is Hajj which is the pilgrimage to Mecca that all Islam people are to make at least once in their lifetime if possible. The purpose of this holy pilgrimage is to bring people of the Islam faith close to eachother. They perform holy rituals while in Mecca. All of the pillars are there and are to be followed in order to keep their closeness with God and their faith, so therefore they all…

    • 352 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Understanding Islam

    • 1335 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Islam is a world religion and the people who practice it are called Muslims. All Muslims share the same essential beliefs, values and God centered approach to the world. Islam is practiced by people from many different cultures. The Qur’an is the prime source of Muslims’ faith and practice, and the wording has not been changed from when it was originally transcribed fourteen centuries ago. The five pillars of Islam are the basis of a Muslim’s life. They are: • Belief that there is only one God and that Muhammad (pbuh*) is His Last Prophet and Messenger; • Prayers, which are, performed five times each day; • Fasting in the month of Ramadhan; • Charity in which a percentage of earnings is given to the poor; • Pilgrimage (Hajj) to the holy city of Mecca is required once in a lifetime if the means are available. Islamic dress may vary depending on a person’s country of birth or origin. However, it should be modest and dignified for both women and men and should not emphasize the body.…

    • 1335 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Islam Final Research Project

    • 2380 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Islam as a religion believes there are many prophets of Allah one of whom is Mohammed, their follower. Righteousness, love and caring for all believers especially the poor and the weak in society are some of the core practices. In brief, Islam is defined out of five pillars that every Muslim believe in and practice accordingly. These are: Shahda, meaning there is only one God and Muhammad is his messenger; the Salat, meaning believers must pray five times a day facing the direction of the east in Mecca; Zakat, meaning charity, which is a prescription practiced differently in Islam; Sawm-fasting during the month of Ramadan; and hajj-pilgrimage to Mecca, which is strongly recommended that every successful Muslim must visit the Holy land in mecca in good health and economic success (Caner & Caner, 2002).…

    • 2380 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays