LESSON 19
PILGRIMAGEThe Ka`ba, in the centre of Mecca, was an ancient traditional shrine and pilgrimage centre of the Arabs. It was dedicated to all the deities, but in particular to Allâh, the supreme God. The Qur'ân (2:125-127) and Muslim historical Hadîth, likely building upon a pre-Islamic legend of Arabian Jews, say that Abraham and his son Ishmael built the original Ka`ba as a shrine to God, but subsequent people forgot the religion of Abraham and introduced idols. Thus when Muhammad took over the Ka`ba, he claimed he was restoring the ancient religion of Abraham.
Muslims make the pilgrimage out of obedience to God, to have their sins forgiven and gain heavenly reward. Other advantages include being honoured on one's return and being addressed as al-hâjj (alhaji). There is no rule against combining trading with the pilgrimage, and this can help pay the pilgrim's way; with the help of his new prestige, it can lead to other business opportunities. Wealthy Muslims and governments often sponsor others to make the pilgrimage, for which they expect additional heavenly reward. The pilgrimage affords an opportunity for Muslims of the entire world to meet, exchange ideas and plans and encourage one another. This gives the pilgrim greater commitment in promoting Islam and puts him in contact with many opportunities to help him in this task.
Muslims may perform certain pilgrimage rites in Mecca any time that is called `umra. But the pilgrimage which is a "once in a lifetime duty for every free adult Muslim who is able to get there" is called hajj, and must be performed at a specific time. The hajj consists of four essential ceremonies and several additional ones:
Before entering the sacred territory that includes Mecca, pilgrims must (1) put themselves in a state of consecration by bathing, changing to a wrapper and a shoulder cloth (A woman wears ordinary modest clothing), and making an intention to perform the hajj. After entering the Sacred Mosque, the pilgrim may then go around the Ka`ba seven times and do two rak`as at the station of Abraham.
Next (2) the pilgrim goes out to the mound a-afâ and stands on it to make prayers of request. Then he jogs to the mound al-Marwa and does the same. He makes seven trips, stopping four times at a-Safâ and four times at al-Marwa. Today this route is covered to protect the pilgrims from the sun. If someone is making the `umra, he shaves his head at this point and his pilgrimage is complete.
On the 8th of Dhûlhijja one making the hajj goes to Minâ, and on the 9th to `Ârafât (3) and stays on the hill Jabal ar-rahma until sunset.
On the 10th the pilgrim goes to Minâ where he stones the `Âqaba rock, shooting with his fingers seven pebbles. This ritual is interpreted as stoning Satan. Then, alone or joining with others, he slaughters an animal. If he has no animal to slaughter he fasts for three days, and when he returns home seven more days. After slaughtering the animal he shaves his head, thereby coming out of the state of consecration.
Back in Mecca the pilgrim (4) again goes around the Ka`ba seven times. He does this counterclockwise, three times jogging and four times walking. He venerates the black stone on the corner of the Ka`ba each time he passes around it, kissing it with his mouth if he can; otherwise he touches it with his hand and puts his hand to his mouth without kissing it. Going around, he also touches the Yamânî corner (southwest) and then touches his hand to his mouth. At the end he does two rak`as at the station of Abraham.
The pilgrim may then go back to Minâ to stone the Jamra rock, and at Mecca repeat the ritual of going around the Ka`ba. Before going home pilgrims often go to Medina to visit the tomb of Muammad. Besides these places, Muslims customarily make pilgrimages to other shrines, such as the Aqsâ mosque in Jerusalem, the tomb of Abraham in Hebron, and tombs of reputed Muslim saints anywhere in the world, although some disapprove of visiting tomb shrines.
The animal slaughtered on 10 Dhûlhijja (or the next two days), whether at Minâ or anywhere in the world at this time should be, in order of preference: a ram, a ewe, a male goat, a female goat, a camel, a bull, a cow. The animal must be in good condition and have begun to mature. For sheep this means an age of at least eight months, for goats one year, for cattle three years, and for camels five years. During slaughtering, the animal should be faced toward the Ka`ba. The person slaughtering should say "Bi-smi llâhi" and "Allâhu akbar". He may also add: "Rabba-nâ taqabbal min-nâ - Lord, receive this from us", meaning receive this act of obedience, not the animal itself or its blood. No part of the animal may be sold. The owner may keep it for himself, but to give the meat out in alms is preferred. He may even give some to a non-Muslim who visits him, but should not send meat to the non-Muslim's house.
Apart from these `îd al-adhâ regulations, there are general rules for any slaughtering of animals: 1) The words "Bi-smi llâhi" must be said. 2) The animal is to be killed by cutting its throat in one continuous action, without severing the head. Camels, however, should be killed by piercing their throats. 3) Animals which die by strangling, falling, being struck, or attacks from predatory animals may not be eaten. Ritual slaughtering, however, is not required in the case of hunting, either by arrows or bullets or sending falcons or dogs to catch and kill the animal. 4) It is forbidden to eat the blood of any animal. 5) Also forbidden are pigs and predatory animals with fangs, likewise horses, mules and donkeys (according to an interpretation of Q 16:8). 6) In case of "necessity", however, any meat may be eaten. 6) Muslims may eat meat slaughtered by Jews or Christians, but not that slaughtered by other non-Muslims.
QUESTIONS
- Discuss the purpose and advantages of pilgrimage for Muslims; what role does pilgrimage play for Christians?
- Describe the ritual of the hajj; are there any Christian parallels?
- List the rules regarding which meat a Muslim may eat, and how it must be slaughtered; to what extent can Christians and Muslims share food?
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