The strict significance of the word Hajj is “to set out” or “to make journey”. In Shariah, Hajj alludes to the yearly journey of Muslims to Makkah to play out certain strict rituals as per the lessons and techniques endorsed by Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Hajj happens during the most recent month of the Islamic schedule, from eighth to twelfth Dhu al-Hijjah.
The source of Hajj goes back to 2000 BC and a significant number of the Hajj ceremonies come legitimately from the life of Hazrat Ibrahim/Abraham (AS). For instance, the ritual of Sa’i when Muslim explorers run/stroll between the slopes of Safa and Marwa multiple times is the re-institution of Hajra’s troubled quest for water for her newborn child, Ismail (AS), when them two were abandoned by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) in a desolate valley on the sets of Allah SWT. Hajra was the second spouse of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS). To extinguish her child’s thirst, Hajra ran to and fro among Safa and Marwa to discover water. It is said that the blessed messenger Jibril (Gabriel), on Allah’s structure, contacted rational and made a spring of freshwater for the child. This spring, called Zamzam, still runs in Makkah.
Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) was an extremely noble and devout man. Despite the fact that his dad, Aazar, was a notable icon stone carver and a polytheist, Ibrahim (AS) denied his dad’s religion and put stock in the unity of God. He was picked as a prophet and committed as long as he can remember to Allah SWT. He was given the title of “Khalilullah” (companion of Allah).
His child Ismail (AS), like his dad, was solid in confidence. Allah SWT tried their devotion when He requested Ibrahim (AS) to forfeit his cherished youthful child, Ismail (AS), for the sake of Allah. SubhanAllah, take a gander at the degree of confidence and conviction of the dad and child, when Ibrahim (AS) enlightened his child concerning what he imagined, Ismail (AS) was quickly ready to follow Allah’s requests. Be that as it may, Allah SWT put a smash rather than Ismail (AS), since the idea as far as possible was to survey the loyalty of Ibrahim (AS). Allah congratulated Ibrahim as He says in the Quran [37:104-105]:
“We called to him, ‘O Abraham, You have satisfied the vision.’ Indeed, We accordingly reward the practitioners of good.”
To remember this incredible penance and the status to complete Allah’s offering, Muslims everywhere throughout the world observe “Eid Al-Adha” toward the finish of the Hajj journey.
Allah SWT appointed Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) to construct the Ka’aba – the place of Allah, alongside his child, Ismail (AS) as Allah makes reference to in the Quran:
“Furthermore, [mention, O Muhammad], when We assigned for Abraham the site of the House, [saying], “Don’t connect anything with Me and clean My House for the individuals who perform Tawaf and the individuals who stand [in prayer] and the individuals who bow and prostrate.” [Surah al-Hajj : 26-27]
It is around this Ka’aba that the explorers play out the custom of Tawaf, which includes revolving around the Ka’aba multiple times in counter-clockwise bearing.
Subsequent to performing Tawaf, Muslims go to the Station of Ibrahim (Maqam e Ibrahim) to implore two nafl supplication rakahs, and afterward drink water from the hallowed Well of Zamzam, before continuing to the following custom of the Hajj, the Sai. Station of Ibrahim is the name of the stone on which Sayyidna Ibrahim (AS) stood while building the Ka’aba. It was one of the wonders of Ibrahim (AS) that this stone turned out to be delicate and his feet sank into it, framing an impact on it which can in any case be seen, SubhanAllah!
“Ramy al-Jamrat” (Stoning of the Satan), another required custom of Hajj, likewise identifies with a significant occasion in Ibrahim (AS) life. Explorers perform Ramy al-Jamrat by throwing stones at three columns. These three columns are supposed to be situated at the three areas where Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) was enticed by Satan when he was going to forfeit his child, Ismail (AS), as requested by Allah SWT. The travelers must hit every column at any rate multiple times with the stones they have gotten in Muzdalifah. The thought behind this custom is to show insubordination of the Devil/Satan.
On the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, travelers advance on the slope, Mount Arafat or also called ‘Jabal Al Rahmah’, the slope of absolution. Pioneers accumulate on the plain of Arafat and draw in themselves in Zikr, supplications, and Quran recitation. This is known as “Wuquf” and considered as the feature of Hajj. The centrality of Mount Arafat is that it is where Prophet Muhammad (SAW) conveyed his well known Farewell Sermon (Khutbah Hajjatul Wida) to the Muslims who had went with him for the Hajj towards an amazing finish. It was on Jabal al Rahmah where Adam and Hawa (Eve) were brought together and excused by Almighty Allah and it is on this equivalent plain where all people will accumulate before Allah SWT on the Day of Judgment.
Every single ceremony of Hajj has a history and an exercise related with it, as expressed in this blog. Knowing the records behind these customs will empower the travelers to perform Hajj with an uplifted degree of enthusiasm and genuineness, insha’Allah.