Page 96 - World Religions I - Islam

redefine as Hagar running between hills looking for water). According to the Hadith, pagans continued to
observe the Hajj until the year 631, at which point Muhammad forbade it (Al-Bukhari 2:26:689).
o Pilgrims perform a series of ritual acts attributed to the lives of Abraham (Ibrahim), Hagar (Hajar or
Hajra), and Ishmael (Isma'il).
• Pilgrims performing Hajj (known as Hajji) submit themselves to a sacred state of ritual piety called Ihram.
o Ihram includes the performing of cleansing rituals and wearing the prescribed attire.
 Ihram clothing for men consists of two white unhemmed pieces of fabric and are universal in
appearance.
• Ihram clothing for women varies considerably and reflects regional as well as religious
influences.
• Ihram clothing is intended to make everyone appear the same, and contributes to a
feeling of unity and solidarity amongst Muslims.
 Hygienically, pilgrims are expected to be as clean as they are for prayers, and are not to cut
their nails or trim their hair. Men are not to cut their beards.
 Clothing (including footwear) must not contain knots or stitched items.
 No scented items should be used on the body while in Ihram. The Hadith traditions tend to
differ on the concept of using scented items while in the state of Ihram. While Muhammad at
one point instructed against it (Al-Bukhari 2:26:615), it seems that he himself wore scents while
assuming Ihram (Al-Bukhari 2:26:611-13). Other traditions indicate that only clothing colored
with saffron is not allowed (Al- Bukhari 2:26:617).
 One should refrain from sexual intercourse, hunting, killing, swearing, and quarreling while in a
state of Ihram.22 23
o One must be in a state of Ihram before crossing the pilgrimage boundary known as Miqat.
• Pilgrims reside temporarily in a location called Mina, which is about 5 kilometers (3 miles) southeast of Mecca
• Each day of Hajj consists of specific activities and rites.
o The first day of Hajj (the 8th day of Dhu al-Hijjah) consists of performing an activity called Tawaf.
 Tawaf involves pilgrims visiting the Ka'aba - the central shrine of Islam - and circling counter-
clockwise around it seven times. According to the Hadith, the fast speed at which Muhammad
performed the first three revolutions of tawaf was to show off before the pagans, and has no
spiritual significance (Al-Bukhari 2:26:675).
• The first three revolutions are done at a fast pace (known as ramal), while the final four
revolutions are done at a more relaxed pace.
 Each revolution around the Ka'aba should involve recognition of the Black Stone (al-Hajar al-
Aswad) which is mounted into one corner of the structure, either by kissing it, touching it, or
pointing at it with one's right hand. For more information on the Ka'aba, its history, construction,
and significance, see Appendix D.
 In each complete circuit, pilgrims are required to shout adulations to God ("God is great and
praise be to God").
• Shouting is only compulsory during the first three circuits, but almost all perform it
seven times.
 The place where pilgrims circumambulate the Ka'aba is called Mutaaf.
o After performing Tawaf, pilgrims perform Sa'i by running or walking seven times between two hills known
as Safa and Marwah.
 Sa'i is a reenactment of the frantic search by Hagar for water for her son, Ishmael.
 According to Islamic tradition, Hagar and Ishmael were exiled in the valley near Mecca. Water
was scarce, and as Hagar searched, an angel from God revealed a spring of water by striking the
ground with the heel of his foot (or striking it with his wing; the traditions differ on this point).
• The revealed spring of water is known as the Zamzam Well, and is considered holy by

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