SIGNIFICANCE OF HAJJ RITUALS Time and name of ritual 1st day-Arriving in Makkah.

Arrival can be anytime before the 8th day of Dhul Hajj. Description of ritual When pilgrims arrive in Makkah they must circle the Ka'ba seven times as a form of welcoming to the holy city. After each circulation, pilgrims must touch the black rock that is placed at the south east corner of the Ka'ba. However, due to the numbers who make the Hajj each year, people can now often only point to the black stone as most are no longer able to touch it Significance of ritual Pilgrims follow the footsteps of the prophet Abraham.. According to Islamic history, Abraham and his son are the ones who erected the cubical structure of the Ka'ba as an order by God. The Ka'ba symbolises the worship of one God, the God of Abraham. The pilgrims circle the Ka'ba seven times, like Muhammad did after he restored the pilgrimage as it had been established by Abraham. This ritual is significant as it reaffirms the individual's belief in God and his prophets. The black rock that pilgrims must try to touch is believed to have been sent down from the heavens and therefore people touch the rock in a attempt to feel a spiritual. connection with their creator. Pilgrims pray at this place because according to the Qur'an, Abraham stood on this place while he was building the Ka'ba and therefore God ordered people to pray there. . 2nd day-Saiy ; (moving at a fast pace or manner). Pilgrims move in a fast pace between the two hills known as Safa and Marwa. Pilgrims drink zamzam water. Pilgrims follow the footsteps of Abraham'swife and son. According.to Islamic history/Abraham left his wife, Hager, and his son Ishmael in the desert as an order by God. While .there Ishmael became very thirsty so his mother ran frantically between two hills to find water.'She saw a mirage and ran seven

times, back and forth, between - the Safa and the Marwa hills. Finally, the angel Gabriel came down to Hager and Ishmael and with the tip of his wing struck the ground and water began to flow from the rock. This water was called zamzam water and the .spring remains to this day. Anytime before 8th day of Dhul-haj When Muslims pray they turn to Kaaba. When in Makkah they are praying directly to God When Muslims pray they pray in the direction of the Ka'ba in Makkah. This is known as the Qibla, therefore, pilgrims spend most of their time praying to God in Makkah as it is the most sacred place for Muslims: God's house on Earth, known as Bayt Allah in Arabic, and therefore the indIvidual feels that they are praying directly toward God. Visiting Muhammad's burial place (Medina) is not compulsory but many pilgrims take the opportunity to visit and pay their respects to the Prophet. Individuals visit the grave to feel a nearness to the messenger of Islam.

The 8th day of Dhul Hajjtravel to Mina. Hajj begins

Pilgrim must change theirclothes to Ihram attire. All men must wear two white cloths that cover their lower body and their torso. Modest dress is required for women. Pilgrims travel to Mina and spend the night there before they travel to Arafat.

All pilgrims dress in the same attire as a sign of equality The pilgrims' try to retrace the exact steps of Muhammad on his Hajj, and therefore they stop and rest at Mina as he did.

: The 9th day: Arafat

In Arafat, pilgrims must spend their time in a defined area on the plain. Pilgrims must be between the clearly marked boundaries or they risk the noncompletion of their Hajj. There is no specific prayers required, however, many spend their time praying and making dua (petition) to God and reciting verses from the Qur'an. It is believed all prayers will be answered at Arafat. Pilgrims must stay at Arafat until sunset. In order to save time and allow more time for prayer, pilgrims combine the Noon and Afternoon prayers._ At Arafat, pilgrims may also climb the Mount of Mercy. The Mount of Mercy (Rahma) is where Muhammad gave his last. sermon. As soon as the sun sets, pilgrims leave Arafat for Muzdallifa, a place between Mina and Arafat They collect pebbles in order to stone Satan. Prayers are again combined in an effort to save time and allow more time for jumraat (stoning). There are three pillars that mark the spot where Abraham defied Satan. On the tenth day of the month, pilgrims stone the stone pillar with seven pebbles as Abraham did when he was on his way to sacrifice his son.

Arafat is where Adam and Eve found each other after their exile from heaven. While at Arafat, pilgrims are still in their Ihram clothes and everyone looks the same. For this reason, it is viewed as a rehearsal for Judgment Day where there is no discrimination of colour, gender or race but only judgement of good and bad deeds. In addition the day of Arafat is also symbolic of absolute and utter devotion to the one God

This tradition is not compulsory but people climb the hill to seek a spiritual connection to Muhammad and his message. Preparation for the symbolic stoning of Iblis (the Devil)

After sunset on the 9th day. Journey to Muzdallifa.

10th day stoning of Satan the largest pillar

The significance of this ritual comes from another story. Abraham was led to sacrifice his son Ishmael. While on his way to offer this sacrifice, Satan appeared to Abraham on three separate occasion trying to persuade him not to obey the words of God. Abraham stoned Satan three times at three separate points and persevered with the command from God. The

three places where Abraham stood his ground are the three places the pilgrims stone Satan. The stoning of Satan is also symbolic of defying temptation .

After the stoning on 10th day the men shave their heads 11th day - Eid of Adha (feast of sacrifice)

Men shave heads to show their pilgrimage has ended

Symbolic of being renewed or purified

Each pilgrim offers a sheep in sacrifice. Meat is usually sent to the poor. Muslims all over the world who are not on the Haj join in this celebration.

Direct connection to Abraham sacrificing sheep instead of son

12th day the stoning of Satan: the middle pillar 13th day - the stoning of Satan: the smaller stone pillar

Pilgrims stone the middle stone pillar with seven pebbles .

The second place where Abraham stoned Satan with seven pebbles

Pilgrims stone the smaller stone pillar with seven pebbles.

The third place where Abraham stoned Satan with seven pebbles

13th day Tawaf (farewell circumnambulation) Pilgrims are allowed to remove their Ihram and they return to Makkah for one final circulation around the Ka'ba, Pilgrims must circumambulate the Ka'ba seven times.

The final Tawaf signals the conclusion of the Haj for the pilgrim