Brief Sequence of Hajj

1. Pilgrims perform cleansing rituals at designated stations outside Mecca. Men and women exchange their street clothes for hajj garments - stripping themselves of social distinctions and embracing their dedication to God.
2. Among other rites, pilgrims circle the Kaaba, a shrine at the center of the Grand Mosque - built by Abraham and his son - seven times counterclockwise in a procession called the Tawaf. It symbolizes placing God's House at the center of their lives.
3. On the first official day of the hajj, pigrims take a three-mile journey into Mina, where they spend the night in a massive tent city.
4. In the morning, pilgrims continue east to the Plain of Arafat, where Muslims believe Adam and Eve were reunited after leaving Eden. A daylong group vigil, in which pilgrims stand in the presence of God, marks the zenith of the hajj.
5. At sundown, the hajj loops back toward Mecca, halting at a patch of hills called the Muzdalifah, where pilgrims stop for the night, participate in a nightlong vigil, and collect stones for the next day.
6. At dawn, pilgrims cast pebbles at the Jamraat, three stone pillars that symbolize temptation - places where Satan tried to tempt Abraham from the path of God. They first throw seven stones at the largest pillar, and then stone the other two over the course of two or three days.
7. Back in Mecca, pilgrims can perform the seven turns around the Kaaba one last time before heading home. The end of the hajj is celebrated with a three-day feast.

Importance of Hajj and Omrah

Abdollah ibn Fadhl says: “I said to Imam Sadeq (AS) that I have too many debts, I have a big family and I can't afford the Hajj costs. Teach me a prayer. Imam stated: Say after each obligatory prayer: “May the blessings of Allah be upon Mohammad (S) and his progeny, and pay my debts in this world and the hereafter."
I said to him, “I know what the worldly debts are but what are the debts of the hereafter?"
He said: “Hajj.” The prophet of God (S) looked at the strings of camels taking Hajji’s to the pilgrimage of God's House and said: They don't take steps unless it is taken as a good deed, they don't take steps unless it vanishes a sin of them. And when they finish their ceremony of Hajj, they will be told: “You have made a building, don't destroy it. Your sins are forgiven. From now on, do good deeds."

This photo is of Maqaam-e-Ibraheem. It was clicked during the Hajj of 1427 A.H.

The Two Hajis

This photograph is of two hajis, who after completing their required actions pose for the camera in celebrations. It was the 10th Zilhijjah, the day of Eid. The following sequences of actions are necessary before coming out of Ehraam.
1- Entering valley of Mina after sunrise.
2- Stoning the big Shaitan only with seven pebbles, one at a time.
3- Sacrificing an animal.
4- Shaving off the head (halq).

Welcome to the Hajj 2007

Dear friends, salamun alaikum
This blog is created to share the moments of the Hajj. The Hajj experience is something which can be felt. It stirs the soul and helps to shed the worldly desire. Till the Hajj starts, I will try to put traditions, anecdotes, photographs, audio and video clips on this blog. You are requested to please type you comments to enhance our determination for such projects. I hope you will find this site useful in getting to know the depth of this important part of Islam.
Was salaam.
Razi Rizvi