Continued from page 1
When
Pilgrims reach Makkah (Mecca),
spot where Prophet Abraham (OWBP) first built a house to worship Allah, they are naturally elated and
atmosphere is one of joy. There is a myriad of colors of Africans, many from Nigeria, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Philippines, Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Bosnians, Arabs, and others from some 70 nationalities.
It is an amazing factor that despite
jostling in
streets, there is no confrontation. Every Pilgrim takes pride and rushes to help each other in a spirit of brotherhood and love, transcending all barriers of color. That they go by air, sea, road and camel caravan, makes no difference. It is only by undergoing
rigors of Hajj that one can truly appreciate
importance and significance of this annual event which brings together believers of all color, class and creed, all praying for forgiveness and reciting on an almost 24 hour basis,
words... 'Labbayk, Allahuma Labbayk' (Here I come, Oh Lord, Here I come.), 'Labbayk la sharika Laka Labbayk' (Nothing is equal to you. Here I come, Oh Lord.), 'Innal Hamda Wanni'mat Laka Wal Mulk' (All Praise is Yours, all wealth is yours, all domain is yours), 'La Shaika Lak', (Nothing is equal to YOU.).
The rites of Hajj begin on
eighth day of Zulhijjah,
last month of
Islamic Calendar, which coincides this year with February 21st or 22nd.
Before arriving in Makkah,
men must put on their Ehram - two pieces of unstitched clothing, a prerequisite for
Hajj. The two pieces of unstitched clothing worn by
men serves to underscore
fact that all
Pilgrims were equal before their creator, irrespective of their mundane position of being a King, a President, leader of a country, professional, laborer, etc. Once they arrive in Makkah, their primary goal is to go to
Haram ash-Sharif, surrounding
Ka'ba. They seize
opportunity of performing Umrah....the circumambulation of
Holy Kaaba seven times and
performance of Sai...walking briskly between Safa and Marwa, in recognition of
plight of Hazrat Ebrahim's (Abraham) wife, Haga, when she rushed between two mountains in search of water for her baby. It was on this occasion when Haga was told to strike
rock from which fresh water emerged. That water still flows today from
well called ZamZam.
After this ritual,
men have to trim their hai
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By Edwin Ali - Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent - at www.jetsettersmagazine.com

Edwin Ali Jetsetters Magazine. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com