Rusty wrote:
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Dear Mohd
if you can express a bit to me what your journey meant to you
I'd be fascinated, and of course be respectful toward your beliefs
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Dear Forumites --- as you know that I am a Muslim --- A Muslim means a person who is Islam --- Islam is an Arabic word which simply means submission --- it is derived from word salama which means peace. In a religious context it means complete submission to the will of Allaah --- Allaah is the Arabic name for God which is used by Arab Muslims and Christians alike --- We Muslim believe in Allaah as the only One, Unique and Incomparable God, in the Angels created by Him; in the prophets through whom His revelations were brought to mankind; in the Day of Judgement and individual accountability for actions; in God's complete authority over human destiny and in life after death --- Muslims believe in a chain of prophets starting with Adam and including Nuh, Ibrahim, Ismail, Ishak, Yaakob, Yusof, Musa, Harun, Daud, Sulaiman, Elyas, Yahya, Zakaria and Isa, peace be upon them --- few of those prophets are mentioned in the His words (Al-Quran) but the rest are only known by Him --- Allaah's final message to man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summming-up of all that has gone before was revealed to the last & final prophet ie. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) through Gabriel --- Islam may seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world --- Perhaps this is because religion does not dominate everyday life in the West today, whereas we Muslims must always regard religion as the uppermost in our minds, and make no division between secular and sacred --- We believe that the Divine Law, the Shari'a, should be taken very seriously, which is why issues related to religion are still so important.
Rusty also wrote:
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Was this your once in a lifetime pilgrimage to Medina and Mecca? Are you now a haji? Did making the pilgrimage awe you and make a permanent impression in your spiritual life? Or have you kind of filed most of it away til you have a chance to take your time and try to more fully comprehend what was too much all at once?
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Dear Forumites --- I love to let you know about this pilgrimage for the sake of knowledge sharing purpose with the sole intention of enhancing the mutual respect among all of us from different believes --- actually I am a bit scared that this writeup might be wrongly taken as an effort of preaching Islam --- anyhow, considering Bro Rustys request which sound so sincere to me; so I brave myself to explain it in what I think as a simple comprehensive writeup.
Pilgrimage is the 5th pillar of the Five Pillars of Islam which are the framework of the Muslim life.
The annual pilgrimage to Makkah - the Hajj - is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. Nevertheless, about two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another. Although Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar year (which is lunar, not solar, so that Hajj and Ramadhan fall somes in summer, sometimes in winter). Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garmets which strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God. The rites of the Hajj, which are of Ibrahamic origin, include circling the Ka'ba seven times, and going seven times between the mountains of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar during her search for water. Then the pilgrims stand together on the wide plain of Arafa and join in prayers for God's forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Last Judgement. In previous centuries the Hajj was an arduous undertaking. Today, however, Saudi Arabia provides millions of people with water, modern transport, and the most up-to-date health facilities. The close of the Hajj is marked by a festival, the Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere. This, and the Eid al-Fitr, a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadhan, are the main festivals of the Muslim calendar.
The pilgrimage which I have done in the past month of Ramadhan is actually an Umrah ie. a small Hajj because it was perfomed outside the months of Hajj and the pilgrims are not required to stand together on the wide plain of Arafa. Yes --- I am a Hajj since 1992 --- but that doesnt mean that I wouldnt make mistakes any longer --- I am still very much an ordinary human being --- prone to err and mistake. It is a supererogatory action to perform additional Hajj or Umrah. Furthermore Umrah during the month of Ramadhan is actually bringing together all the five pillars of Islam in one. In this case --- You might want to know the other four pillars of the five pillars of Islam:
The 1st pillar is the declaration of faith: There is no god worthy of worship except Allaah and Muhammad is His messenger. This declaration of faith is called the Shahada, a simple formula which all the faithful pronounce. In Arabic, the first part is la-ilaha-illa-(A)llaah - 'there is no god except Allaah'; ilaha (god) can refer to anything which we may be tempted to put in place of God - wealth, power, and the like. Then comes illa-(A)llaah: 'except Allaah', the source of all Creation. The second part of the Shahada is Muhammadu-(a)rrasulu-(A)llaah: 'Muhammad is the messenger of Allaah.' A message of guidance has come through a man like ourselves.
The 2nd pillar is Salat. Salat is the name for the obligatory prayers which are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam, and no priests, so the prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Al-Quran, chosen by the congregation. These five prayers contain verses from the Al-Quran, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation, but personal supplication can be offered in one's own language. Prayers are said at dawn, noon,mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and universities. Visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of prayers in daily life.
The 3rd pillar is Zakat. Oneof the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growthEach Muslim calculates his or her own zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one's capital. A pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as 'voluntary charity' it has a wider meaning. The Prophet (pbuh) said 'even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity.' The Prophet (pbuh) said: 'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim.' He was asked; 'What if a person has nothing?' The Prophet (pbuh) replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.' The Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet (pbuh) said: 'He should help the poor and needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What if he cannot do even that?' The Prophet (pbuh) said 'He should urge others to do good.' The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet (pbuh) said 'He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.'
The 4th pillar is the fast. Every year in the month of Ramadhan, all Muslims fast from first light until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they are physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer) from puberty, although many start earlier. Although the fast is most beneficial to the health, it is regarded principally as a method of self-purification. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry as well as growth in one's spiritual life.
Dear Forumites --- As a Muslim I have to review, correct & enhance my self every now and then --- daily review in my Salat --- weekly review in my Friday congregation Salat--- annual review in my fast in the month of Ramadhan --- periodical review (once every 2 to 5 years) in my pilgrimage --- They are sort of QA check points! In fact I have performed pilgrimage 6 times since 1992.
NEPAL HO!
[This message has been edited by mohd (edited 01-09-2001).]
