| What is the purpose of Hajj? | The purpose of Hajj is for Muslims to deepen their devotion to Allah. Hajj gives Muslims the opportunity to shed past sins and start anew before God so they feel equipped to deepen their devotion, which can often be observed through women feeling empowered to wear the hijab. |
| What do Muslims do on the first day of Hajj? | On the first day of Hajj, a smaller pilgrimage takes place (umrah) in Mecca. In the smaller pilgrimage, Muslims will trace the steps of Hagar between the two hills after they have circled the Ka’ba – the most important mosque in Islam. And before Muslims reach Mecca some choose to visit Madina because it is the city where Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) was buried. The day is ending by spending the night in the city of Mina. |
| Why do Muslims trace the steps of Hajar between the two hills? | Muslims trace the steps of Hajar between the two hills as a tribute to Hajar, Ibrahim’s servant. Muslims believe Hajar ran between the hills in for water after Ibrahim left her at God’s command. The Qur’an quote, “Whoever relied upon Allah, he will suffice him”, reflects Hajars trust in God to give her strength to survivor as she provided for herself instead of running to find Ibirham. Hajar considered her masters act as good; his devotion influencer her own; so Muslims too may be influenced. |
| What do Muslims do on the second day of Hajj? | On the second day of Hajj Muslims take a pilgrimage towards Mount Arafat and climb the hill Jabal al-Rahman where prophet Muhammed (PBUH) delivered his final sermon. As the sun sets Muslims will head west to Muzdalifah. |
| Why does climbing the hill of Mount Arafat hold significance to Muslims? | Muslims climb the hill of Mount Arafat, also known as the Mount of Mercy, because it was where Muhammed devices his final sermon. Muhammed’s last sermon holds great importance to Muslims as it was the final reminder of their universal commitment to human values such as justice and equality and peace. Therefore as Muslims stand on Mount Arafat, they achieve continuity in followings Prophet Muhammad’s teachings despite his death. |
| What do Muslims do on the last three days of Hajj? | During the last three days of Hajj Muslims will circle the Ka’ba a final time and perform Rami, also referred to as stoning the devil before taking off the Ihram (scared state). Men shave their heads and women cut a lock of hair as a sign of renewal. |
| Why do Muslims perform Jamarat? | Muslims perform Jamarat to reflect Ibrahim’s love for his sons despite his sacrifice. Just as Ibrahim once did, when Muslims throw the stones at the three walls that represent the devil to rebuke him from their lives. Ibrahim threw stones to cast the devil out of his life; because the sacrifice of Ishmael was Satan’s idea, Muslims throw stones to cast away Satan’s intervention in their everyday life. |
| Where does the Quran refer to Ivorian casting the devil out his life? | As the Quran states,” the Devil appeared to him at Stone-Heap of the Defile. Gabriel (Jibril) said to him: "Pelt him!" |
| Why do Muslims cut their hair on Hajj? | Muslim men shave their heads (halq) and Muslim women cut a lock of hair (taqsir) as a sign of rebirth. To exit the state of Ihram after pilgrimage, Muslims will cut their hair so they can lose the worldly attachment of vanity and appearance it contains. The Qur’an quote, “O Allah! Be merciful to those who have their head shaved, be merciful o those who have cut their hair short”, being repeated three times, infers Muslims wish to achieve genuine submission by simplifying themselves. |
