The pilgrimage to Mecca, which is the fifth Pillar of Islam, is known as hajj. The Five Pillars of Islam are the foundation of the entire religion, and dictate the actions of every Muslim in both a private and public manner (Western Traditions 244). The first Pillar is shahadah: “to declare, or bear witness, that there is no god except God (Allah), and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God” (Western Traditions 244). The second Pillar is salat: “to establish regular worship” (Western Traditions 244) also known as prayer – which must occur five times a day. The third Pillar is almsgiving: which requires paying the Zakat alms (Western Traditions 244). The fourth Pillar is the Ramadan fast: which is a month long fast that the Quran recognizes as …show more content…
Abraham established the pilgrimage to Mecca at God’s command through the experience of building the Ka’ba with his son Ishmael (Muslim Traditions 248). In a way, the pilgrimage is understood as a reenactment of the event between Abram, God, and his son – which is why men and women who attend hajj participate in many ritualistic tasks and performances (Western Traditions 248). These rituals include throwing seven stones at a pillar, which represents Satan, because it was said that Abraham had done this after being told to sacrifice his own son as a test (Western Traditions 248-9). Another ritual that takes place in hajj is animal sacrifice (usually a lamb, goat, cow, or camel), which is symbolic of the animal God sent Abraham in ransom for his own son, Ishmael (Western Traditions 249). Interestingly, this ritual of hajj has been modernized in a way which allows pilgrims to pay a fee and receive a receipt stating a sacrifice has been make on their behalf (Peer The Modern Mecca). There are many other rituals that take place during hajj in order for it to be completed sincerely, such as: repetition of certain prayers, and the circling of the Ka’ba in certain directions for a specific number of times. In Baharat Peer’s article, he outlines some of the rituals that take place in hajj, as well as how extreme volume of pilgrims makes some if the tasks …show more content…
Peer notes that today, Mecca is a city of more than one and a half million people (Peer The Modern Mecca), and that every year during hajj between two to three million pilgrims flood into Mecca as well. As we can imagine, this number is significantly larger than it would have been when the tradition of the pilgrimage was formed, and therefor the logistics of completing specific rituals becomes challenging. One example of this is seen in the desire to kiss the stone that was part of Abraham’s Ka’ba, something that Muhammad had done on his own hajj (Peer The Modern Mecca). Unfortunately, because of the immense number of pilgrims trying to kiss the stone, it is impossible for everyone to even come close to accomplishing this. Many “Pilgrims raised smart phones above their heads to record the moment” (Peer The Modern Mecca), as physical contact was nearly impossible, highlighting the ways in which hajj has been modernized – yet remains so important. Peer himself was unable to kiss the stone, but feels comfort in knowing that this is a common reality for most pilgrims, including Malcolm X, who also was not able to reach the stone during his pilgrimage (Peer The Modern Mecca). Also, Islam is very aware that not every Muslim will be able to complete their hajj – so alternate options are given for those who may not be able to attend
The hajj consists of four days of constant practice and ritual. The talbiya, a prayer of announcement is recited constantly while on hajj. The rituals of the pilgrimage begin once the pilgrims enter the gates of Mecca, reciting the talbiya; these serve as checkpoints to guarantee that only Muslims enter the holy site. One of the core ceremonies of the trip is the circumambulation of the Ka 'ba (tawaf) seven times counterclockwise by those on hajj. Tradition states that Abraham and Ishmael practiced the same ritual during their lifetimes. On one corner of the Ka 'ba rests the "black stone a sign of God 's covenant with Abraham and Ishmael. The Prophet used to touch it when he passed, and pilgrims follow his example, also kissing and meditating near it (1)."
The Five Pillars of Islam are lifelong acts of worship, which includes faith, prayer, almsgiving (charity), fasting, and a pilgrimage to Mecca.
The film Glory by Edward Zwick is one of the most well-known films of all time. The film itself is solely based upon the first formal unit of the Union Army during the American Civil War which consist of all African American men. They were essentially the very first unit of United States Colored Troops. They were formally known for their courageous attempts to and actions at Fort Wagner in 1863. The film is set in many different locations such as New York, Maryland, South Carolina and Massachusetts. In each of these different locations events took place that shaped our history. For example on November twenty seventh of 1862 Robert Shaw started to train soldiers. July eighteenth 1863 the Colonel Shaw and his troops attempted to take Fort Wagner, which didn’t succeed.
Pilgrimages to designated holy sites is a core concept in most religions/faiths. Muslims pray five times a day towards Mecca and the Kaaba, rather than Jerusalem where the Dome of the Rock is located. Both the hajj and prayer five times a day are two out of the five pillars of Islam. As pilgrims gather they circumambulate around the Kaaba seven times and hope to kiss/touch the Black Stone. Due to the growing numbers through history, colonnades (also seen at the Dome of the Rock)were built around the open plaza of the Kaaba.
Mecca, Saudi Arabia is the home of the Kaaba in which Islam’s go to when the time of the Hajj arrives every year. This is a material creation within the city. Islam people are required to attend the Hajj at least once in their life to worship the God of Abraham. A mosque stands in the middle of Mecca and in the very center is the Kaaba. The Muslims believe the Kaaba was built first by Adam and Eve, and then rebuilt by the prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael from when a flood struck it back in Noah’s time. As a result of the Kaaba being built, about 1,000,000 people live near it on the outskirts of the mosque. Many Muslims are encultured into this religion because they were born and live in the city. Mecca has been inhabited by Muslims for 1,400 years. Although the city has a lot of Islam people due to the fact that Mecca is a sacred city and only Muslims are allowed, during the Hajj many people migrate from all over to get to the five-day event. There are all sorts of races that come to the Hajj every year and participate in it. For example, the American woman attends the
A group of pilgrims going on Hajj. People on Hajj, circling the Ka’aba as part of their ritual.
Spiritual beliefs are also enhanced during Hajj, making it significant for the community and individual. Muslims believe that the Hajj was designed and commanded to be observed by Allah. The most intensive experience of umma in the life of a Muslim is to perform Hajj, the fifth pillar of faith, making it extremely significant in the lives of Islamic adherents and the community, as the event provides an opportunity for a sense of umma, through recognition of tawhid. Hajj provides Muslims with the opportunity to awaken their consciousness of their God centrality, through the tawaf made around the Ka’ba as Muslims recite their submission to will of Allah. This collective form of worship also contributes significantly to an individuals self identity through being part of the umma. It is also a means of increasing the certainty of faith as Muslims see more than two million adherents performing Hajj. Hajj also
Gun ownership is on the rise and even college students want firearms now. Since 1999 college students owning firearms for protection has increased over 19 percent (DiMauro 17). With this rise whether or not these numbers should increase has become a heated issue. As of now 26 colleges allow concealed carry on campuses, totaling in over 70 campuses(Burnett) and many others are in consideration. Organizations such as Students for Concealed Carry are at work to educate the public on the truths of how on campus carry would to some degree benefit college students, professors, and all visitors. Firearms can be and should be allowed on college campuses primarily because it is a not only a fundamental right guaranteed by the constitution but also
The forth pillar of faith is referred to as Sawm. From sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan adult Muslim’s are expected to partake in fasting. This means they mustn’t eat, drink, smoke or have sexual intercourse within the hours of daylight. Instead one should take the time to prayer reflect or meditate. Participating in fasting Muslim’s learns the traits of self-control, sympathy and discipline. These are important qualities for all Muslims to have, as the principal belief of Al-Akhira is that we humans, despite God’s will, have the freedom of choice. This way Muslim’s are able to exercise this belief during fasting. Ramadan is the celebration of the first revelation of the Qur’an given directly through the prophet Muhammad, therefore it is a sacred time of special significance to all Muslim’s. Kutubu’llah is the name given to the principal belief in God’s revelation to humans in holy books. The breaking of the fast is a significant part of Sawm, it is the time after sunset when Muslims can enjoy their achievement in fasting. Gathering together among friends and family they may share and light meal and celebrate their self-control and strength throughout the day. This small act highlights
Mecca is an extremely holy site for Muslims as it is not only the place where Muhammad was born but it is also where he first received a message from Allah. Here and around Mecca, Hajj takes place. Hajj is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world. It is a religious event that can last up to six days and every Muslim is encouraged to
People of Arabia believed that the Ka'bah was a shrine where pilgrims gathered to perform the ceremony of tawaaf, seven circumbulations of the shrine following the directions of the sun, and then the animal sacrifices. The shrine was surrounded by 360 idols. The land around Mecca (a twenty mile radius from its centre) was a sacred place, a safe haven where all violence and fighting was prohibited.
One of the Five Pillars keep the people from sinning and actually enforce that you do good for society. Other Pillars include rules such as fasting or praying. One of the Five Pillars is Shahadah, sincerely reciting the Muslim profession of faith. It is the same as how Christians get baptized. The person going through Shahadah will recite the profession of faith, which, in english, is, “There is no god but God and Muhammad is his messenger” (Muslim 1). When one says the Shahadah, he or she is stating that he or she believes the Allah is the only god, Allah never had a son, and that he is indivisible. Then there is the Hajj, another Pillar of Islam. Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca. The Hajj is an event held from the 8th to the 12th of the last month on the Islamic calendar which is Dhu al-Hijjah. It is considered mandatory for any Islamic adult who is financially stable to participate in the Hajj. If one fulfills those circumstances they are considered mustati. “During Hajj, pilgrims join processions of hundreds of thousands of people, who simultaneously converge on Mecca for the week of the Hajj, and perform a series of rituals such as: each person walks counter-clockwise seven times around
Hajj is one of the five pillars of God gave Muhammed and so it is very
The cultural values of this group revolve around the Islamic religion, which is a monotheistic religion that is the third-largest and fastest growing in the world. Islam has five pillars, with the first being a declaration of belief in Allah or God. The second is prayer, and Muslims have a requirement to pray five times a day, with Friday being their sacred day (equivalent to the Christian Sunday). In other countries, weekends fall on Thursday and Friday to account for this, and it may be appropriate for counselors to consider their prayer times. The third pillar is charity. The fourth is fasting from food, water, and pleasures during daylight hours of Ramadan. Ramadan is a month long holy month, and counselors should consider how fasting from food and water can impact the day-to-day life of a Muslim, with mood being one obvious factor. There are also restrictions placed upon eating pork and consuming alcohol year-round (Ali, Liu, & Humedian, 2004). Finally, the fifth pillar is the journey to Mecca, which Muslims are expected to make once in their life, unless they find it impossible by financial or physical means.
The five pillars of Islam are the basics of the Muslim life. The first pillar is called the Shahada or Witness. It is a profession of faith that states simply that “there is no god but God (Allah), and Muhammad is the messenger of God.” Someone becomes a Muslim by stating this declaration of faith. It is also used daily in prayers. The second pillar of Islam is called Salat or Prayer. It describes the ritual prayers muslims are called to pray five times throughout the day. The prayers are made in position facing Mecca. The third pillar is called Zakat or Giving. It is the act of charity Muslims do by setting aside about 2.5 percent of their total income and give to the poor. The fourth pillar of Islam is called Swam or Fasting. Every year in the month of Ramadan, (the ninth month of