Mumbai, July 13: The Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage, will begin this month in Saudi Arabia. In view of the coronavirus pandemic, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has restricted the Hajj 2021 to a most of 60,000 vaccinated Muslim residents and residents between the ages of 18 and 65. This 12 months too, no foreigner Muslim is allowed to carry out the pilgrimage, which is considered one of the 5 pillars of Islam. All financially-stable and physically-fit Muslims should carry out the Hajj, additionally spelt as Haj, no less than as soon as of their lifetimes. Hajj 2021: Saudi to Limit Upcoming Haj Season to Domestic Pilgrims in Wake of COVID-19 Pandemic.
When Is Hajj 2021 or When Does Hajj Start?
Hajj falls on the eighth of Dhul al-Hijjah, the twelfth and remaining month in the Islamic lunar calendar. According to the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia, the Dhul al-Hijjah month began from July 11. Therefore, the Hajj 2021 will begin on July 18. The pilgrimage-related rituals will start after sundown on July 17 itself.
Hajj Rituals and Significance:
At the starting of Hajj, the Muslim pilgrims put on Ihram, two white seamless garments for the male and regular costume for females. Ihram symbolises equality of all pilgrims in entrance of God, with no distinction between the wealthy and the poor. It is believed that with donning of Ihram, pilgrims enter right into a state of holiness. Once they put on Ihram, Hajj pilgrims can’t use fragrance, reduce their nails, trim their hair or beards and bask in sexual actions.
On the first day (eighth Dhu al-Hijjah), pilgrims are required to affirm their intention to undertake the pilgrimage. Then, they carry out tawaaf (strolling) round the Kaaba in Mecca seven instances. They trots (walks briskly) forwards and backwards between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven instances.
On the second day, after morning prayer, pilgrims depart from Mina to attain Mount Arafat the place they provide prayers, repent on and atone for their previous sins, and search the mercy of Allah. They meeting close to Jabal al-Rahmah (The Mount of Mercy). The ritual of spending the afternoon in Arafat is called ‘standing earlier than God’ (Wuquf). Around sundown, pilgrims heads in the direction of Muzdalifah, an space between Arafat and Mina.
Upon reaching there, they carry out Maghrib and Isha prayers collectively, spend the night time praying and sleeping on the floor below the sky. They additionally acquire pebbles for the subsequent day’s ritual of the stoning of the Devil (Shaitan). On day 3, pilgrims carry out the symbolic stoning of the satan (Ramy al-Jamarat) by throwing seven stones from dawn to sundown at solely the largest of the three pillars, referred to as Jamrat al-Aqabah.
The third day of Hajj coincides with Eid al-Adha competition. Hence, pilgrims carry out the animal sacrifice ritual of Eid al-Adha and shave their heads. On the similar or the following day, the pilgrims re-visit the Kaaba for one other tawaf, referred to as Tawaf al-Ifadah, and trots forwards and backwards between the hills of Safa and Marwah. Eid al-Adha: Why Do Muslims Sacrifice Animals on Bakrid? Know Significance of Religious Act Linked to Prophet Abraham.
Then, they return to Mina. On the fourth day, the pilgrims once more throw seven pebbles at every of the three pillars in Mina. The similar ritual is carried out on the fifth day. On the final day of Hajj, earlier than leaving Mecca, pilgrims carry out a farewell tawaf known as the Tawaf al-Wadaa.
(The above story first appeared on SociallyKeeda on Jul 13, 2021 11:54 AM IST. For extra information and updates on politics, world, sports activities, leisure and life-style, go online to our web site latestly.com).
