Hajj or haji, one of the five pillars of Islam, is essential to Muslim belief. It is the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, that each and every Muslim needs to take part in at least once in their lifetime. It is said to be the most spiritual event that one experiences; this is due to the fact rituals are performed in one of the most sacred places in Islam.
Because of the significance of the, say, religious commitment, hajj package in Singapore programs are offered throughout the city-state. Want to know more about this momentous pilgrimage? Read on for details.
The history
Hajj or haji draws over two to three million Muslims from around the world. Here, they walk in the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad and in the process, retrace the journey of Ismail and Ibrahim (Ishmael and Abraham in Jewish as well as Christian traditions).
As told in the Quran, Ibrahim was called to sacrifice his son, Ismail to test his faith. However, God stopped him at the last moment. Later on, Ibrahim as well as Ismail built the Kaaba (stone building). The Kaaba became a centre for polytheistic worship for pagan Arabs. This changed when Islam arrived in the 7th century, and Prophet Muhammad consecrated the said structure and commenced the Hajj.
The ventures that take place
The Hajj begins with devotees praying and circling the Kaaba in a counter-clockwise manner seven times. Afterward, they march between two hills. This in an effort to reenact Hagar’s (mother of Ismail) search for water for his son. It should be noted that there is an account of the said event in Christian as well as Jewish traditions.
The next day, Muslim pilgrims head over to Mount Arafat, which is located about 20 kilometers or 12 miles, east of Mecca. It is said to be the site where the Prophet Muhammad delivered his last sermon. Here, the pilgrims stand in prayer, asking for forgiveness. This activity is heralded by many as the highest point of the hajj. And this probably plays a role in the rise of hajj tour packages.
The hajj ends with a circling of the Kaaba and the casting of stones at the Valley of Mina. Here, men often shave their heads, and women, for their part, trim or prune a lock of their hair. This is done to signal renewal.
The preparation
Some pilgrims wait for several years before engaging in the hajj because Saudi authorities employ a strict quota system. Once a permit is secured, making arrangements is easy due to the fact that entities that offer hajj package Singapore programs are easy to find. They provide assistance to needy pilgrims of different income levels.
With regard to the spiritual aspect, pilgrims enter a state called ihram. Here, men wear seamless terry cloth robes, while women do not wear make-up as well as perfume and then cover their hair. Garments that have stitching are prohibited so as to advocate unity amongst the affluent and poor.
Lastly, pilgrims are not allowed to cut their hair, trim their nails, and/or engage in sexual intercourse while in ihram. Furthermore, they are not supposed to quarrel or fight. This can be quite a challenge since the heat as well as the enormous number of crowds can take its toll.
Summing up
In the end, Hajj is a symbolic and significant journey that tests the spirits, emotions, and physical state of pilgrims. Those who reside in Singapore and want to participate in the said event do not have to worry about making travel arrangements because of the sheer number of reputable entities that offer Singapore haji package programs.
