Religious Education Coursework Assignment Essay

COURSEWORK QUESTIONa) (i) What is haj?(ii) Describe and explain why a Moslem would take part in Hajj and what this involves 40b) (i) Explain the meaning and significance of the events ofHajj for a Muslim.(ii) What difficulties might there be for a Muslim performing Hajj?(iii) How might participate in Hajj affect the life of a believer?35c) A received pilgrimage is re entirelyy a jaunt within.Do you agree with this literary argument? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you run through thought about different points of view. You essential refer to Islam in your answer.25A (i)Hajj is the pilgrimage to Makkah, a Muslim-only metropolis. Tourists bent welcome to Makkah Hajj is for Muslims to get pen upr to divinity and isnt meant to be a tourist attraction. It is the duty of every healthy and financially stable Muslim to complete Hajj once in their lifetime. It is a deeply spiritual journey for the millions of Muslims who complete Hajj every Muslim year, between 8 and 13 Dhul-Hijjah the final month. Some Muslims may prefer to tour Makkah on a pilgrimage at an another(prenominal) time in the year, but this is not con slopered as important as Hajj, and is called Umrah. Because so many Muslims want to experience Hajj for the commencement time, those who have done it before often do Umrah instead. Hajj is the fifth part of the five pillars of Islam the basis of the religion. It is meant for the sane and mature Muslim mind, and it is ordinarily considered an honour to die during ones Hajj, as it is widely believed burial in the city of Makkah pass on bring Muslims closer to their God, and is a good indication of their dedication to Islam.A (ii)Hajj is widely considered essential in order to be a near Muslim. It is one of the five pillars of Islam which be the biggest and main requirements of the religion. It is considered that Hajj is something of a ticket to heaven in the afterwards(prenominal)life. The pilgrimage is to show ones self to Allah, and let him be the essay of character. With a good Hajj comes a peaceful afterlife and paradise. It is not just a strong-arm practice, for true meaning a pilgrim must come a whole new mindset and way of living, at least for the twenty-four hour periods of Hajj. This was of living is called Ihram, and is the first obligatory rite of Hajj.All men must wear two white unhemmed sheets so that all look alike, and wealth, age and status in general is not even considered. Whilst in Ihram, Muslims should not argue, swear, eat (even insects) or participate in a sexual relationship even accompanied by husband or wife. Ihram creates an equilibrium and purity for Hajj. It unites every pilgrim and crates a pure mental canvas solely ready to think about nothing but God. The physical part of Hajj is all about recreating operative and very old events in Islam. First the pilgrims all run or walk quickly around the Kabah vii measure, if close enough they leave behind check or kiss it. They then pray close to the Kabah, near Maqam Ibrahim. Next the Muslims step on it between Marwah and Safa, two hills seven times. The hills are linked now by a corridor for convenience and safety. later on doing this, the pilgrims must make their way to the plain of Arafat, around 20km from Makkah. The pilgrims stand under the sun from mid daylight until sunset praying to Allah, and asking for forgiveness.After this the pilgrims go to Muzdalifah to pray, collect stones and camp overnight. In the morning the pilgrims go to Mina to throw seven stones at three walls. After kill the walls pilgrims make a sacrifice, often through companies nowadays. The sacrificed animal is the either frozen for future use or given to the poor Muslim community to eat. Men then cop their heads, and women cut off a lock of hair, usually a small amount a few centimetres or a quarter. Muslims are then allowed to grumble Ihram, changing into their normal clothes. They camp at Mina for three nights, and then return to Makkah to walk around the Kabah once again. They then drink water from the ZamZam soundly and their Hajj is complete. They are then a male Hajji, or a female Hajjah.B (i)Carrying out the actions of Hajj is not meaningful without a straitlaced understanding for the ideas behind separately procedure. It is all about representing the past and having empathy for Muhammad (PBUH), Ibrahim his son Ismahil and others. The Kabah is a cube-shaped building supposedly first constructed for God by the first man Adam. It was washed away in Noahs time, but Ibrahim and his son Ismahil rebuilt it. It is covered in a black cloth called kiswah with verses of the Quran sewed into it. The Kabah is rebuilt on the same foundations by the same method when it needs to be, and the cover is re-made every year, after it is cut up and given to some lucky pilgrims as a memento of their journey. The Kabah is the very first house of God and many seers have visited it. It is for this reason that pilgrims tactual sensation such closeness and representation to God when they visit it during Hajj. Tawaf is the circling of the Kabah seven times.To begin, the pilgrims can kiss the Black Stone al-hajar-al-aswad or just raise their hands towards it (on the east corner of the courtyard) and recite a prayer. After this the Pilgrims rush around the Kabah seven times to represent the fact that their lives revolve around God. It is the first thing that the pilgrims do when they arrive in Makkah. Tawaf is the second rite of Hajj, after Ihram, mentioned earlier. The second event is called the sai, where pilgrims rush between the hills Marwah and Safa, to show perseverance and patience. This is what Ibrahims wife Hajar did as she desperately searched for aid as her and her thirsty son came close to death in the desert.This part of Hajj can be very tiring and difficult under the blazing sun, despite there being a modern corridor built especially for sai. Hajars patience was rewarded by Go d with a spring of water that appeared at her son Ismahils feet, which was named the ZamZam substantially today it is in the courtyard of the great Mosque in Makkah. Sai is not a compulsory part of Hajj but is usually included in the pilgrimage, and has a deep meaning. The pilgrims travel to Mina, a city of tents near the plain of Arafat. In Ihram, the Muslims are united and equal they sleep side by side often grouped only by language if anything. All of the pilgrims sleep in tents in their Ihram clothes, poor and rich sleep aside each other as the devout, proud and fellow Muslims of Hajj. The following day the pilgrims travel to Mount Arafat for the most important part of Hajj, where they stand before Allah and ask forgiveness for all of their sins. This is the third obligatory rite of Hajj. Mount Arafat is also known as the Mount of Mercy and is supposed to be where God forgave Adam and Eve for their sins and reunited them, after previously separating them for wrongdoing. Here th e Muslims stand before God, the wuquf.The pilgrims stand from midday to sunset praying, weeping and meditating, all under the searing Saudi sun. The afternoon of wuquf is purely concentrated on Allah, and some pilgrims have to rush to make the stand, as without it their Hajj is invalid. Everyone is expected to stand alone and analyse every wrong doing individually, and pray to Allah for forgiveness for their sins. In this rite, repent is essential, and if pilgrims are truly sorry for their sins, it is said they will be completely purified and forgiven by Allah, and can start again, as pure as the day they were born. It is an unforgettable experience and is savoured by every pilgrim. After wuquf, pilgrims travel to camp in Muzdalifah in time for prayers in the evening. Here they usually collect 49 pebbles for the ramy al-jamarat (stoning of the chafe) the following day. In 2004 Saudi authorities got rid of the pillars and replaced them with long walls, to make the stoning the devil process easier and therefore safer. Hundreds of people have died in the whacking crowds all trying to get a good shot at the pillars. On the first day of the process, after a night in Muzdalifah, the first wall is stoned 7 times. The following days each of the three walls has to be stoned 7 times for two consecutive days. This means 49 pebbles are required, but if the pilgrims miss any shots they may need at least 21 extra pebbles to stone all three walls 7 times the following day. This seems like a strange ritual when no background is supporting it, but there is good meaning. Ibrahim was told by God one day he had to sacrifice his son Ismahil. Ibrahim made his way to the place of sacrifice, abiding Allahs instruction, after consulting his son who told him to do what he had to.On the way the devil appeared before him first to try and tempt him not to sacrifice his son, and the angel Gabriel, the messenger of God told him to pelt him. Ibrahim threw 7 pebbles at the devil and it disa ppeared. It soon reappeared along the way, this time representing the temptation of Hajar to stop her husband sacrificing her son to God, and Gabriel told Ibrahim to pelt him again. He did what he was told and threw 7 stones at the devil who once again disappeared. The devil appeared a third time along the road, to tempt Ismahil to avoid being sacrificed. Gabriels order to pelt him was followed by Ibrahim, and the devil then disappeared for the final time. Ibrahims loyalty and resistance to the devil was rewarded by God when Ibrahim was told to stop as he prepared to kill his son. He was told by God to sacrifice a ram instead, and Ibrahims resistance to temptation paid off. Ramy al-jamarat shows the pilgrims dedication to Gods wishes, and rejection to the temptations of the devil.Most Muslims make a sacrifice after stoning the devil, to recreate Ibrahims experience as closely as possible. Because there are so many pilgrims who want to make a sacrifice, there are special companies, w ho make it on their behalf and feed the poor. What cannot be used immediately to feed the poor Muslim community is frozen and used later. After do a sacrifice, male pilgrims have their heads shaven by a person who is not in Ihram and women have usually around an inch cut off. Pilgrims usually change into their normal clothes and do a single Tawaf this is the fourth obligatory rite of Hajj. After doing this single Tawaf the Muslims are now officially Hajjis or Hajjahs as a female. They can then return home but most choose to stay and visit other places such as Medina, where the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was buried.B (ii)There are many factors to prevent Muslims going to Hajj. It is said Allah excuses these factors. It is intention or niyyah that counts with the pilgrimage, and when there is something to prevent Muslims from attending it, they will be excused by Allah. The most common circumstance is poverty. There are around 1.4 billion Muslims in the world, and many live in poverty.L ots of Muslims will save up most of their life to do Hajj, and by the time they have enough money to go, they are of old age and arent physically able. In this quality the Muslim can pay another existing Hajji to attend on their behalf, or donate their savings for Hajj to charity. If they do this they will be blessed as fully as if they had completed Hajj themselves. For those who cant afford Hajj, they can donate their available savings for Hajj to charity. They will receive the full Hajj benefits also. If a Muslim passes away on their way to carry out Hajj, they will receive the full blessing also, they have died making a cargo to their religion, this shows devotion and niyyah if anything doesOf course there are difficulties that could occur during Hajj. Because around two million pilgrims undergo Hajj every year, and are all dressed in near identical garments, it is very likely that groups will be separated for the period of Hajj. This may seem like a panicking time but Muslims in Ihram will be very sympathetic and helpful with each other in such circumstances, and probably take on new members into their travel groups. The overwhelming feeling of closeness to God on Hajj is enough to eliminate any feelings of worry for the meantime anyhow, so insularism doesnt cause much of a fright.Those unfortunate enough to die during Hajj are proud. It is a blessing to be buried in or near Makkah, close to God. Passing away making commitments to Islam is an honour, and a will is usually written before leaving for Hajj anyway. For those who fear the physical telephone circuit of Hajj, or are encouraged not to repeat the journey if they have already, Umrah is the lesser pilgrimage which can be carried out all year round. It involves the seven rotations of the Kabah (Tawaf), the Sai (Between Marwah and Safa) and a halq or taqsir which is to cut the hair. Taqsir is shortening hair halqis the complete head shave.B (iii)Hajj creates equilibrium, and a sympathetic atmosphe re among the pilgrims who share the highs and lows of the journey. For most, the journey strengthens and confirms their commitment to Islam. After Hajj, a Muslim is more likely to be more courteous to people in general, and more at ease with life. Once a good Hajj is completed, the afterlife should be more peaceful and happy.Some Muslims like the experience of the pilgrimage so much they move to a Muslim country if they do not live in one already, as they like the convenience and feeling of togetherness and empathy. Hajj strengthens the belief of many Muslims, and if they werent a very good Muslim before Hajj, they might feel the need to be more committed to their faith, and practice Islam more regularly. Although for most the pilgrimage of Hajj is a blessing experience, some may have felt let down and disengaged during the journey. For those who could not get into a good Ihram, or feel true belief in God on the mount of mercy their belief in Islam and Allah may have been hindered.C To me, this statement means that although all of the processes of a pilgrimage are physical, the true idea is the thoughts within the pilgrims mind and the intention, empathy and symbolism of what they are doing in the pilgrimage.The vast majority of Hajjis find the sacred journey to Makkah nourishing and feel they have found forgiveness from Allah. As they travel around the different rites of Hajj they cherish the experience and remember the meaning of each process, going back as far as the time of Adam and Eve. They enter a new realm as they stand before God on the Mount of Mercy, are unable to hold in their tears and are swept with emotion.On the other hand, Hajj is purely a physical process for some pilgrims. It isnt supposed to be, but some cant get into the frame of mind which is intended during the pilgrimage. The journey is supposed to be emotional, deeply profound and soul cleansing. To some Muslims, their belief may be slightly hampered by the fact they struggle to get i nto a real Ihram. They will get their moneys worth on the trip and see people from all different cultures following the same rituals, but not feel truly engaged in the experience.Some people might argue that if you go on Hajj, and carry out the same processes as the prophets did, that is adequate in displaying your devotion to Allah and Islam. Some may say the fact that so much is physically required of them in Hajj, that alone shows they are a devout Muslim.Personally, I fully agree with the statement, because I would say that Hajj is a journey to Makkah to carry out the rites, and a true Hajj is a deep and thoughtful journey not only to Makkah, but to the bottom of a pilgrims heart. Although carrying out Hajj is a blessing experience cherished by Muslims, it is not truly meaningful unless they feel a certain dedication and spiritual enrichment on their journey.