PS 4305 Religion and Mathematics in How to take the Muslim Hajj

How to Take the Muslim Hajj

By jamesbankston



The Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca that all able Muslims are required to take during
their lifetimes.


Step1
Be aware that the Hajj is one of the "five pillars" of Islam, duties that are expected of every Muslim. The only Muslims exempted from the Hajj are those physically or financially unable to make the trip. The Hajj is considered the greatest joy a Muslim can experience on earth. The rituals of the Hajj commemorate events in the life of the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham).

Step2
Prepare. Only Muslims are allowed into the holy city of Mecca. Before Muslims enter the city the men change into seamless white garments and the women into white dresses and scarves. This symbolizes the equality of all human beings before God, the erasure of all barriers of race and class. Pilgrims are expected to be on their best behavior during the Hajj, avoiding arguments, violence and sexual relations.

Step3
Day One. The Hajj begins on the eighth day of the lunar month of Dhu al-Hijjah. Pilgrims arrive from the town of Mina, go to the Sacred Mosque. In the center of the courtyard of the mosque is a cube-shaped stone building, the Kaaba. Pilgrims make seven counter-clockwise circuits around the Kaaba, the first three running, the last four walking. They try to kiss the Black Stone, which is embedded in the wall of the Kaaba, but if a pilgrim cannot get through the crowd, he can merely touch it or point in its direction. After this pilgrims offer two prayers, they go on the "Lesser Pilgrimage," where they run seven times back and forth between the hills of Safa and Marwah, to symbolize the frantic search of Ibrahim's wife Hajar for water for her son Ismael. After this pilgrims drink water from the well of Zamzam, which miraculously appeared at the thirsty child's feet.

Step4
Day Two. Pilgrims spend from noon to sunset on Mount Arafat in prayer and contemplation. This is the "Greater Pilgrimage" and the most important part of the Hajj. Afterwards they go to Muzdafilah to collect forty-nine pebbles.

Step5
Day Three. The pilgrims participate in the ritual of "Stoning the Devil." This symbolizes the three times the Devil tried to tempt Ibrahim and the three times he refused. Pilgrims throw pebbles at three walls, seven pebbles per wall. After this the pilgrim offer an animal sacrifice, either in person or with a proxy, to symbolize the animal God allowed to sacrifice in lieu of his son.

Step6
Day Four. The pilgrims return to Mecca and make another circuit of the Kaaba. Then they return to Mina and stone the walls again, seven pebbles per wall.

Step7
Day Five. The pilgrims stone the walls again.

Step8
Day Six. The pilgrims make one last circuit around the Kaaba. After this some pilgrims head on to Medina to visit the tomb of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh).