How HAJJ is Performed

It is a very special and holy time in the Kingdom right now as Muslims from all over the world are beginning to flock Makkah (Mecca) in honor of one of their sacred duties: the Hajj pilgrimage.

We've covered some of the basics about Ramadan and the Eid Al-Fitr holidays and now, to tell our readers about what Hajj is, The Pink Tarha thought it best to take a cue from someone who has actually performed this rite. And luckily, E's best friend, AJ has experienced Hajj first-hand and was more than happy to do a short interview:

PT: Hi AJ, Thanks for taking the time to do this.

AJ: Not a problem. :)

PT: Okay, let's get the ball rolling. We both know that Hajj is right around the corner. If you were to explain what Hajj is to someone who's never heard of it before, how would you briefly describe it?

AJ: It's one of the five obligations of all Muslims. They should perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime, if they have the means. This is a chance for Muslims to wash away all their sins.

PT: You've experienced going to Hajj, correct? Tell us how your first experience was like.

AJ: I can't remember much nung first Hajj ko. I was a little kid pa lang at madalas nakasakay ako sa shoulders ng papa ko or my other uncles na kasama kasi maiipit ako kung hindi nila ako itaas. I probably didn't do the Hajj correctly that time kasi I wore briefs, which is bawal :P How it made me feel? Excited and very tired lagi pag dating ng gabi, every day ng Hajj is an adventure. Paiba-iba kayo ng place and may time doon na we slept outdoors without any tents man lang. We always buy our food doon na cooked na since wala kami dalang lutuan. I remember almost every time na kakain kami may nagsh-share ng food nila, lalapit sayo and they'll offer you some of their food or "siwak", yung kahoy na toothbrush ng Arabs.

Photo credit to The Bridgeman Art Library

PT: What are the highlights of performing Hajj?

AJ: From what I remember, you first go to Mina to pray for one day, then the next day at sunrise you go to Mount Arafat, may mosque doon and you will pray there until sunset. Then may pupuntahan ulit na isang place (I can't remember the name) and you will pray there as well. The next day, at sunrise, you go back to Mina and collect pebbles to throw at the Stone Towers. After which, you go back to the Holy Mosque and perform "Tawaf"-- yung pagiikot sa Ka'aba, pray, drink water sa Zamzam Well, then circle between the two hills of Safa and Marwa. Once you're done with that, you could cut your hair na or shave it.

After all that, you have to go back sa Mina to throw pebbles at the Stone Towers again and pray there. This last part is similar to the retreat of Christians when they go to one place to pray, meditate, etc.

I might have missed some parts, but basically, those are the major rituals na ginagawa.

PT: What does one learn (or gain) from performing Hajj?

AJ: You'll learn a lot aside from the obvious spiritual gain. If you're performing Hajj, its like you're in a different world with a different set of rules. Mas valuable doon yung mga ginagawa mong mabuti kaysa how you look, etc.

An Islamic trinket portraying a picture of Makkah during Hajj.

PT: Should a fellow Muslim not go to Makkah during Hajj, is there any alternative he/she should do to coincide with the occasion?

AJ: You could fast, parang Ramadan rin yung time na to eh, where when you do good deeds, its reward is multiplied.

PT: Why do pilgrims wear white "towels" and some even have their heads and beards shaven? What is its significance?

AJ: The towel is a way to show the equality between Muslims. Shave their hair? It's not really compulsary,. You could just have it cut while some other people say na kahit plucking three strands of your hair will do pero I have mine cut na lang to be sure. The significance here is that you show that your submission to God is more important than how you look to other people.

PT: Are women segregated in the activities? Do the women also go around the Ka'aba?

AJ: I haven't heard of a woman going to Hajj alone, normally may kasama siyang family or isang group sila na puro babae. If may family, then they can be with their family while doing some of the Hajj activities but not all. Kasi, meron ibang activities na hiwalay talaga yung babae at lalake like praying. Then you can just meet up ulit afterwards. Yes, naglilibot rin yung babae sa Ka'aba. They can do this with their families by their side.

Muslim women gathered in prayer.

PT: You've been really helpful. Thank you for taking the time AJ. May you have a blessed Hajj.

AJ: You are most welcome.

Hajj also provides a 5-7 day holiday for most of the public and private sectors, which means most of us are on vacation around this time. The celebration after the Hajj period is called the Eid Al-Adha. More on that on our later entries. Meanwhile, as expats, let us enjoy the non-working holidays ahead and may it be a fruitful one!