Yesterday, around three million Muslims gathered to perform the pilgrimage rituals.
Pilgrimage to Makkah is one of the five obligatory acts of worship for Muslims. The other four are the declaration of faith, establishing Salah (obligatory prayers), paying Zakah (obligatory charity) and fasting the month of Ramadan.
Muslim men and women of all races and tongues travel to the holy city of Makkah, the birthplace of Islam, for a very moving spiritual experience. The rituals of pilgrimage embody the noble Islamic principles of obedience, humbleness and equality. Pilgrims leave their homes, families and businesses and travel to meet with other Muslims to do the same act of worship in the same place at the same time with no distinctions between rich and poor.
According to Prophet Muhammad, the reward of performing the rituals of pilgrimage the right way is having all your sins wiped out. Therefore, pilgrims are required to make sincere repentance and purify the intention to perform pilgrimage solely to seek the pleasure of Allah.
The origins of pilgrimage date back to the time when Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Isma'il (Ishmael), as stated in the Qur'an, built the Ka'bah, "the House of God," in Makkah. That sacred place became the focal point toward which Muslims turn in their worship five times each day.
Performing pilgrimage is obligatory only once in one's lifetime. To do this act of worship you have be physically fit and have enough money to spend on yourself and your dependents. If you are sick or poor you are exempt from doing pilgrimage.
Prophet Muhammad performed pilgrimage one time. It was a few months before he died. Around 10,000 companions did the rituals with him and carried his message to the Muslim generations that came after.
After performing the rituals of Pilgrimage yesterday, the pilgrims, along with 1.2 billion Muslims around the world, celebrate the event of Eid today. There are two Eids. The first is a feast festival to commemorate the end of the month of Ramadan. The second one is a sacrifice festival in which Muslims slaughter animals to give to the poor.
From this we learn that the two major Islamic festivals come right after two major acts of worship to demonstrate that acts of worship are not a burden but a pleasure for the Muslims.
Celebrating the Eid begins with a special congregation prayer in the morning. Then, people exchange congratulations and have food together. The rest of the day is spent in visiting relatives and friends.
Children like the Eid very much. It is a happy occasion in which they celebrate and receive gifts from relatives.
Pilgrimage is a central duty of Islam. It is a season that brings together the followers of this faith from all over the world for the same purpose: to fulfill their obligation to their Lord, Allah.
Write to Fahad at fahad765@yahoo.com
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