Mufti Azam delivered Hajj Sermon in Arafat
MOUNT ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia (Web Desk): Mufti Azam Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah delivered Hajj sermon in Masjid-e-Nimra at Mount Arafat on Wednesday, urging Muslims to rise against ‘misguided’ elements, shun evil deeds and strengthen their relations with God, SialNews reported.
“Today when the Ummah is being cheated and facing a testing time, the believers must wage jihad (holy war) against tyranny and injustice and against those who are tarnishing the image of Islam in the pretext of religion,” said the grand Mufti while addressing millions of Hajj pilgrims.
The chief mufti urged Muslims to staunchly practice Islam which is a gift of God for the entire humanity.
“Islam is a gift of God for us, this religion is a religion of definite teachings and peace. The Prophet has directed us to be God-fearing and thankful to Him who bestowed us with faith. Therefore, the Muslims must staunchly follow those teachings,” he said.
Over two million Muslims from across the world are in the holy cities of Islam for annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Tent City
In first phase of Hajj, the pilgrims spent a day and following night (Tuesday) in Mina — a tent city near Makkah, and later started moving to towards mount Arafat where the main pillar of Hajj pilgrimage, Waqoof-e-Arafat, was observed.
Waqoof-E-Arafat
Waqoof-e-Arafat is main ritual of Hajj. It is a reminder of the Day of Judgment, where Muslims believe mankind will stand on a similar plain, in scorching heat, waiting for judgement.
The holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “Al Hajju Arafah,” means ‘standing in Arafat’ is the Hajj.
At Arafat, the Muslims pray to God and remember the purpose of their lives. It is surely an emotionally testing time for the crowd.
Muslims spend the entire day in Arafat and offer Zohar and Asar prayers jointly at Arafat. Waqoof (stay) in Arafat is performed from Zuhar to sunset on the 9th of Zilhaj of Islamic year.
The main action in Waqoof is not to pray lots of Nafils but to just stand facing the Baitul Haram (Sacred House) asking Allah for forgiveness while recognizing Him as the Lord.
Night In Muzdalifah
After the Waqoof-e-Arafat, the pilgrims would move towards Muzdalifa, a place between Mina and Arafat, where they would perform remaining two prayers, Maghrib and Isha, together.
All Hajj pilgrims will stay whole night in Muzdalifa and continue worships for forgiveness and pleasing God, the almighty.
In the night, the pilgrims will collect stones to throw at the Big Satan as part of the last ritual that is called Rami, an act of Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) as well as 1,400-year-old tradition of Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H).
Rami Of Jamarat (The Stonning)
After offering Fajar prayer on morning of 10th Zil-Hajj in Muzdalifah, the pilgrims will then return to Mina for Rami.
Traditionally, seven pebbles are thrown at a post representing the Devil. The symbolic stoning of the devil at the Jamarat (pillars) in Mina is followed by the ritual of sacrificing an animal.
During the remaining three days of the Hajj, the pilgrims continue the stoning ritual before performing the circumambulation of the Kaaba in Makkah.
Eid & Sacrifice
After stoning the Satan, Hajj pilgrims will shave off heads or trim hairs, to the prescribed level, and then would get off the Ahrams, Hajj cloths, at completion of Hajj rituals, and change back to normal clothing.
Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Adha and sacrifice Halal animals of their choices every year, after completion of Hajj proceedings.
The sacrifice symbolizes Hazrat Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Hazrat Ismail (A.S) on the order of God, who provided a lamb in the boy’s place at the last moment.
Pilgrims no longer carry out the rite of sacrifice themselves. They instead pay agencies to distribute the meat to the world’s needy.
Then pilgrims return to the Grand Mosque in Makkah, circumambulating seven times around the Kaaba, before again performing Sa’i.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam that must be performed at least once in lifetime by all Muslims capable of making the expensive and difficult journey.
It is religious obligation equally applicable to Sunni and Shiite Muslims.
Change of Ghilaf-e-Kaaba
Earlier today, the annual ceremony to change Ghilaf-e-Kaaba held at Masjid-e-Al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque) in Saudi Arabia where millions of Muslims have gathered to perform Hajj.
The covering cloth of the Kaaba, known as Kiswa, is changed on 9th Zilhaj every year after Fajr prayer on the day of Arafat that is main pillar of the Hajj.
The new cover has been prepared with estimated 150 kg pure gold and 670 kg silk fiber.
The cover, inscribed with verses from the Holy Quran, is prepared by over 200 weaving experts in Dar-ul-Kiswa factory with the cost of 20 million Saudi riyals (nearly PKR.550 million).
The old Ghilaf, that covers four walls and the door of Kaaba, is torn into pieces and gifted to foreign dignitaries after the changing ceremony.
Size of the Ghilaf is 657 square metre (14 metre high) and it is comprised of 47 pieces.
