Do Muslims worship God or Allah?

One of the biggest misconceptions about Islam concerns the name “Allah.” Some people believe that Muslims worship a different God than Christians, Jews and others, and some missionary organizations distribute literature in English in which they say such things as: “Allah is the God of the Muslims” and ” Muhammad told people to believe in the God, Allah.” They thus imply and reinforce the idea that “Allah” is some sort of false deity.

This is totally incorrect because “Allah” is the same word that Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews use for God. If you pick up an Arabic Bible, you will find the word “Allah” wherever “God” is used in English. “Allah” is also the proper name of God. Therefore, Muslims use the name “Allah” even when they speak other languages.

“Allah” is a special word. It indicates the only entity in existence who truly possess the qualities of divinity and lordship, the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens and earth. It is the name of the only being worthy of worship, the one upon whom all creation is dependant at every moment. This name belongs to God alone and no one else.

“Allah” is the only word in the Arabic language equivalent to “God” with a capital “G.” It is also a unique word grammatically since it cannot be made plural or given a masculine or feminine gender. This is consistent with the Islamic concept of God. In English and other languages the word “God” can be used in various forms such as “gods” or “goddess,” all with different connotations and meanings. The only difference between “god” (meaning a false god or any object of worship) and “God” (meaning the one true God) is a capital “G.” Thus, a more accurate translation of “Allah” might be “the one and only true God.”

But there is another important point, which is that Islam is particularly concerned with the correct concept of God. Someone can have an erroneous concept of Him whether he uses the name “Allah” or the word “God.” Followers of previous religions gradually deviated from the original pure belief in God due to the fact that their scriptures were not adequately protected from loss and alteration. None of these are still available for study in their original form or language.

But this is not true of the last divinely revealed message the Qur’an. Hence, the accurate concept of God can be found therein.

Overall, Our God is everyones God. He is “one” for all human beings. One God for Muslims, Christians, Jews and everyone else. One God that created the universe and created us. We all worship ”Allah”/ “God”. 

“In the name of Allah, The most Gracious, The Most Merciful.

Say, Allah is One, Allah The Everlasting, The Eternal,
He has not given birth and was not born,
And no one is comparable to Him.” Qur’an, Surah Ikhlas (S: 112)

Compiled by Saheeh International

She was killed because of her veil

A veiled Egyptian mother was stabbed to death because she wore the hijab (veil). The killing raises fears about the rising tide of anti-Muslim feelings in Europe.

In a Dresden park, Marwa took her 3-year old son to play. A German man, probably piqued by her headscarf, insulted her and called her a “terrorist”. Witnesses that were near Marwa heard the German man and filed a case against him in German courts. When she won the case and the court fined him 750 Euros for having abusing her, he appealed against the verdict.

As Marwa stood in court on July 1st, 2009, to give evidence, the 28-year old man took out a knife and stabbed her 18 times. Present were her son and her husband, who ran to rescue her. But the assailant stabbed her husband 3 times. A German security officer in court shot the husband in the leg probably mistaking him for the assailant. The husband, who was scheduled to defend his Ph. D. thesis in genetic engineering in a couple of weeks, lapsed into a coma and was taken to hospital suffering from serious injuries to the stomach and liver.

The criminal has been stabbing her for 8 minutes infront of her 3 year old child, without any intervention from court security and when they started to take an action they shot her husband. Marwa’s husband is now hospitalized and not even aware that his beloved wife has passed away.

May Allah be with you Ameen.

Now the important part is, Why aren’t the European reporters and newspapers talking about this story? Why is it all from Egyptian reporters and newspapers? This did not happen in Egypt. It happened in Germany in a German Court, in front of German police and a German judge.what kind of world are we living in? Should we always be shown as terrorists, with first page headlines saying “Muslim extremists”? Yet, a story like this is never reported in any western media. 

suppose that this crime signed by a Muslim against a non-Muslim
what were the world reaction be?

 Are we terrorists now?

Obama reaches out to the Muslim world

Thank You Mr. Obama for this great speech and May Allah make this world a more peaceful place!!

(CNN) — President Obama delivered his long-awaited and wide-ranging speech Thursday on American and Muslim relations, offering a hand of friendship to Islam and addressing an array of quandaries and conflicts dividing the two cultures.

At Egypt’s Cairo University, Obama quoted from the Quran as he expounded on Islam’s glories and rights, the legitimate rights of Israel and the Palestinians, Iranian nuclear aspirations, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, women’s rights, Muslim hijab, economic development, and religious rights and democracy in the Muslim world.

“I know there are many — Muslim and non-Muslim — who question whether we can forge this new beginning,” Obama said, emphasizing that “it is easier to start wars than to end them. It is easier to blame others than to look inward, to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share.”

Mama…

Nasheed by Sami Yusuf 
video & lyrics 

Blessed is your face
Blessed is your name
My beloved
Blessed is your smile
Which makes my soul want to fly
My beloved
All the nights
And all the times
That you cared for me
But I never realised it
And now its too late
Forgive me

Now Im alone filled with so much shame
For all the years I caused you pain
If only I could sleep in your arms again
Mother Im lost without you 

You were the sun that brightened my day
Now whos going to wipe my tears away
If only I knew what I know today
Mother Im lost without you 

Arabic part – English translation:

Mother… Mother… O my mother
How I long to see O mother
Your mother, Your mother, Your mother
Is the saying of your Prophet
In my heart, in my dreams
You are always with me mother

You went and left me
O light of my eyes
O comfort of my nights
You went and left me
Who, other than you, will embrace me?
Who, other than you, will cover me?
Who, other than you, will guard over me?
Your pardon mother, forgive me

May Allah forgive all of our mothers, make them stronger and give them happiness and ease in this life and in the next life in Jannah insha Allah.

May He help us to love them, and to be patient with them, and to be compassionate with them, to help them when they need it, when they ask for help or when they don’t, to be dutiful sons and daughters to them, and to love them unconditionally.

Get up and hug your mom right now. If you can’t, call her. If she has already passed away, make du’aa that Allah forgives her and forgives you insha Allah and unites both of you (and us) in Paradise, with all the mothers of the Ummah.

love her . . before its too late!

Graffiti for spreading da’wah

Aerosol artist Mohammed Ali has` a very unique graffiti style, his inspiration is Arabic script from the Holy Qur’an. His work merges Western graffiti style with Islamic calligraphy in a unique fusion. Ali uses the walls of Birmingham, his home town, as a public gallery to spread his message. Moreover, Ali was recently honoured in a ceremony recognising “unsung heroes” of the Muslim community in Britain.

Journey to Mecca

Journey to Mecca is an IMAX® dramatic and documentary feature that tells the amazing story of Ibn Battuta, the greatest explorer of the Old World, following his first pilgrimage between 1325 and 1326 from Tangier to Mecca.

His perilous journey resonates with adventure while presenting an unforgettable picture of Islamic civilization during the 14th century, culminating with Battuta’s first Hajj. The story is book-ended by a close-up look at the contemporary Hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca that draws three million Muslims from around the world.

Even though its a short film (45 minutes) but it was one of the most beautiful productions I ever saw. Sadly, this talented actor (Shams al-deen) died exactly after shooting the film and he didn’t have the opportunity to watch it. May Allah accept him in jannah Ameen.

IMAX® is known for its films that can take people to places they would otherwise never go, from Mt. Everest to the deep sea to outer space. The Hajj, the longest running congregation of humans annually on planet earth, is definitely a unique experience for the medium. For non- Muslims it is the closest they will ever come to witnessing this extraordinary event, and for Muslims it takes on an even deeper significance.

Trailer

“To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest, and mutual respect.”
‘President Barak Obama”

Al-Mawlid Al-Nabawi (Prophets birthday)

Today March 9th 2009, (12 Rabi-Al awal 1430) is Mawlid Al-Nabawi, (Prophet Muhammed’s ‘S.A.W’ birthday). Yet our country ‘Kuwait’ doesn’t have a holiday. For some reason its pushed till thursday, while all the other Muslim countries are celebrating this day by having a day off.

The Mawlid al-Nabi was first observed around the thirteenth century and was preceded by a month of celebration. The actual day of Muhammad’s birthday included a sermon, recitation of litanies, honoring of religious dignitaries, gift giving, and a feast. The festival spread throughout the Muslim world and is celebrated in many countries today. 

Speeches are given about the life of the Prophet in gatherings, and dinners are held. This occasion was not celebrated in the early times of Islam and is therefore unevenly celebrated today, with great and festive celebrations in many Muslim countries . Muslims everywhere celebrate this day with great rejoicing. This occasion is not for frivolity or pleasure seeking, but an event of inner joy and happiness. Assemblies and conferences are held throughout the Muslim world to narrate the stories of the Prophet’s birth, childhood, manhood, and his preaching, his character, his sufferings and his forgiveness for even his bitterest enemies, and about his leadership, his triumphs through Allah’s mercy over the hearts of men. 

Regret!

Once, a group of people were traveling on rocks at night a voice came from the sky that whosoever picks up the rocks will regret and whosoever doesn’t pick up the rocks will regret. Now, the people were confused. How can this be? Whether you pick up the rocks or not, you will regret!

Anyway,some people picked up the rocks and some didn’t. In the morning when they reached their homes, they saw that the rocks turned into Diamonds. Now, those people who didn’t pick up the rocks started regretting saying “If only we had picked up some rocks.” Those people who did pick some rocks also started regretting saying “Why didn’t we pick up more rocks?” Both sides ended up regretting.

Dear Muslims, this same incident will take place with us on the Day of Judgment. Those people who spent their time in useless things will start regretting by looking at those who achieved a great position in Paradise by spending their time in the way of Allah. Now, those who did achieve a position in Paradise will start regretting by looking at those who did more than them and are higher in status.

“ If we had only done more to please Allah…”

A Friend or Enemy?

He wanted me to burn in hell,
He wanted me to be among those who fell,
He wished to lead me astray,
From my Lords mercy he tried to keep me away.
Was he my friend or enemy?

It was because of him I was deprived,
He had deceived so many,
He kept coming at me until I died,
I still didn’t realize amidst all the agony,
Was he my friend or enemy?

He whispered evil to me every day & every night,
He defeated me without me even putting up a fight,
I didn’t even try,
I thought I can just ignore him and let him pass by,
Was he my friend or enemy?

This is why I was drowned in sins,
All along he was sitting back and laughing at me,
Then death hit me, now I can see,
But it’s too late,
There’s no going back to change my fate.

His task had reached its end,
This was his plan all along,
He wasn’t my friend,
I understood it all wrong,
He was the Devil, my arch enemy!

 

Gaza Bleeds; the World Shudders

The beginning of 2009, a new attack had started once again on .. GAZA.. Palestine..!! Another Holocoast is starting, a NEW GENOCIDE!!! Why all this?? is it a war against religions? or is it politics that we don’t understand?

If it was religion, then neither Musa (Moses), Essa’a (Jesus) and Mohammed agree with all this hate. Then which religion does agree? Where is the humanity?

Where is the salam? the peace!!! Did we forget that we are humans? Why all this? People’s hearts died… or are we the ones who died??

 

 

 

 

wake up .. WAKE UP.

************************************************

Here is a wave of protests that erupted across the world  against the attacks on Gaza. Millions of demonstrators have marched in cities across Europe, Asia, Middle East & America to demand a halt to Israeli bombing in the Gaza Strip.

All people are one hand to stop all this death.  
lets wake up, and understand thats not life . .

 

 

Times Square – NEW YORK

Atlanta – U.S.A

D.C. – U.S.A

Florida – U.S.A 

Boston – U.S.A

Dallas-U.S.A

Hundreds of protesters came to Dealey Plaza to pray and to protest the recent attacks in Gaza. The event was organized by the Muslim Legal Fund of America. 

London- Britain

Muslims pray for Gaza along Embankment in London

Wales

Ireland

Amsterdam – Holland

Pic:The U.N is a joke

Translation: Israel is repeating the Holocaust with support from the Netherlands”.

 

A man and woman hold blood-smeared dolls during an anti-Israel demonstration in Amsterdam 

Turkey

Spain

Valleta-Malta

In the cold weather Muslims reflected in pool of rainwater as they prayed in Freedom Square, Valletta, before the peaceful protest against Israeli attacks

 

 

 

 

 

Athens

 

 

 

 

ROME – Italy

  

 

 

 

 

MILAN- Italy

Muslims all kneel down in prayer in front of Milan’s gothic cathedral as they protest Israel.

 

Paris – France

 

More than 20,000 protesters against Israel attacks on Gaza.

 

Australia
Taipei – Taiwan

Egypt
Israel TOO!!

Israeli Arabs wave Palestinian flags as they join a demonstration of tens of thousands of Israeli Arabs protesting against Israel’s military operation in Gaza in Northern Israel.

 

 

 

Also, Israeli Arabs held a protest march, Kuwaitis also took to the streets, a day after bigger Middle East rallies, and peaceful pro- and anti-Israel protests were held in New York.

Even with all these protests from all around the globe, the war is still going on! No one is listening to the suffering of these people.. to their pain.. to their screams! Until this MOMENT, as you are reading .. hundreds are getting killed.

 

 

Check the other countries that protested against the attack on Palestine: Jordan, Brazil, Ireland, Indonesia, Sudan, Denmark, Switerland, Nicaragua, India, Iran, Kenya, Libya, Venzuala, Argentina, Philippine, Russia, Nairobi, Pakistan, Japan!  

Lets be ONE hand, to stop this!

May ALLAH bring peace to the world

 

 

 

Are Muslims Terrorists?

When any kind of massive destruction or terror occurs at any part of the world fingers directly point to the Middle East, to Muslims and Islam.

In a large number of western countries, people think that Islam is a religion of terror and that Muslims are ordered to kill any non-Muslim human being! This being obviously wrong and its lack of knowledge, there’s nothing more unfair than attributing such actions to a religion, to a whole nation, to millions of humans around the world.

Making things worse, some people use the name of Islam for their own purposes and false beliefs. This with the awful picture that American and Western media introduce about Islam produces a huge misconception.

On the other hand, when a Christian guy commits a crime/massacre like in Oklahoma bombings (April 1995) his action is not stereotyped/attributed to his faith/religion.

Do you Remember Timothy McVeigh? The Oklahoma bombings?  who said to be with the Aryan Republican Army? They had to raise money to “commit terrorist acts against United States”.

In 19 April, 1995. A massive bomb was detenated in a underground car park beneath the Alfred P Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. It killed 168 people. and injured more than 500 others. He’s Christian and former military soldier. But this has no importance to the media and doesn’t mean anything, the guy is Christian so what? Now imagine if he was an Arab! Lets say Muslim!!! (Just to make it clear, NOT all Arabs are Muslim)!

  

As well as in Christianity, Islam allows fighting for self-defense of religion or homes. And also lays down strict laws of combat/war which include prohibitions against harminf civilians, crops and churchs. As Prophet Muhamed said : “Fight in the cause of Allah. Fight those who deny Allah; Do not be embittered. Do not be treacherous. Do not mutilate. Do not kill children or those (people) in convents.”

And Abu-Bakr’s (follower of prophet Muhamed) instructions for the Islamic army: “Do not betray or be treacherous or vindictive. Do not mutilate. Do not kill the children, the aged or the women. Do not cut or bum palm trees or fruitful trees. Don’t slay a sheep, a cow or camel except for your food. And you will come across people who confined themselves to worship in hermitages, leave them alone to what they devoted themselves for.”

How come a religion that prohibits cutting trees will order killing non-Muslim civilians?

*******************

In some minds, there is the image of an Arab horseman carrying a sword in one hand and the Quran in the other conquering and forcibly converting people to Islam.

Freedom of religion is laid down in the Quran itself: “There is no compulsion (or coercion) in the religion (Islam). The right direction is distinctly clear from error.” (Qur’an 2:256)

I know that Americans will never forget/forgive what happened in September 11. I imagine myself as an American watching the scene of that plane hitting the tower and pictures of victims played on TV for days and days and linking ALL that to one word : ISLAM.

It’s just funny how when someone attacks the US it’s outright terrorism (By Muslims), but when the US attacks someone else it’s fighting for liberty and freedom?

Of course AL Qaeda/ AL Qaida has taken credit for the attacks. As I said, alot of actions were committed in the name of Islam but this is just not what God ordered Muslims to do. Islam is a religion of peace and mercy. The Qaeda is a minority from billions of Muslims around the world. As we all know, each religion has his good and bad people. We can’t judge a religion by others people bad actions. Yet, we need to read to believe what Islam really is rather than believing media, which is controlled by “politics” or high ranked individuals.

“If they seek peace, then seek you peace. And trust in God for He is the One that heareth and knoweth all things.” (Quran 8:61)

*******************

The word “Jihad“ at its root means “Struggle,” but it’s lately been used more for its  “Holy war” definition( Which is not present anywhere in the Quran). Jihad has been around since the writing of the Qur’an, which occurred over a thousand years before America was even founded.There are two kinds of jihad. The other ‘jihad’ is the inner struggle of the soul which everyone wages against egotistic desires for the sake of attaining inner peace. The root of the word “Islam” is “Salam” in Arabic which means Peace, and the meaning of the word is Submission to Allah (God).

Islam = Peace and love… NOT hate or terrorism!

Quran: (Surah Al-Mai’da : 5:16)

Islamic New Year: Al-Hijra

The ‘new year’ in Islam is marked in a way which perhaps no other nation or community marks their own ‘new year’. In fact most, if not all civilizations, take this as a time of happiness and joy in which the people party and celebrate, committing sins most of the time. Yet in Islam, the marking of the beginning of the new year is usually quiet, unlike New Year’s celebrations associated with other calendars. Muslims gather in mosques for special prayers and readings.

The Islamic New Year, is also Al-Hijra  which is celebrated on the first day of Muharram, the month in which Muhammad emigrated from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE (the Hijra). The holiday is also known simply as Muharram. On this day, people in Mosques might tell the story of the Hijra. Muslims also reflect on the passing of time and their own mortality.

Islam has a calendar based on the revolutions of the Moon. Thus, it is only 354 days long. Islamic New Year is celebrated on the first day of Muharram, the first Islamic month. Compared to Western calendars, the Islamic year goes 11 days backwards every year.

 

Donate free rice by playing a game

 
HUNGER IS UNACCEPTABLE, WITH YOUR HELP, WE CAN END IT! AND MAY ALLAH PROTECT YOU ALL!

A simple way to bring people to the Internet for a good reason, a way to feed their minds, educate them and . . . to feed a whole lot of people . . . helping fight world hunger, one grain of rice at a time. The Web site offers a greater gift, the gift of awareness about world hunger.

Free rice is a website that offers people to donate rice to people all around the world that are suffering from hunger by playing question games.  For each answer you get right from the categories that are provided such as (Math, Geography, English, Grammer), Free rice donates 20 grains of rice through the UN World program to help end hunger.

FreeRice has two goals:

1. Provide education to everyone for free.
2. Help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free.

“What if just knowing what a word meant could help feed hungry people around the world? Well, at FreeRice it does.”          – Washington Post

“Every grain of rice is essential in the fight against hunger . . . FreeRice really hits home how the Web can be harnessed to raise awareness and funds for the world’s number one emergency.”         - UN World Food Program

The rice you donate makes a huge difference to the person who recieves it. According to the UN,  about 25,000 people die of hunger each day. Through 20 grains of rice may seem like a small amount, it is important to remember that while you are playing, so are thousands of other people at the same time, all together we will make a difference. May Allah help you all Ameen!
Now in your spare time, go to www.freerice.com and help end this!!!!!!!

Your ticket has been confirmed.

Ticket type : One Way
Price : Absolutely free (Booking confirmed)

Passenger Details

Name : One of the ‘children of Adam’
Origins : From clay
Address : Planet earth

Conditions of Travel:

Departure : from life on earth
Destination : eternal life
Stop-over : hotel (2 meters under the ground, for one person)
Duration of flight : from couple of seconds to several millions of years
Departure time : Time of death (exact time is unknown, but it can happen
earlier than expected)
Arrival time : On the Judgment Day (not specified in the timetable)

Information about Interrogation:

On the arrival to the hotel (grave): incorruptible
Auditors – two angels: Munkar & Nakir, will immediately start questioning.
Three questions will be asked:

1)Who is your God?

2)Who is your prophet?

3)What is your religion?

Questions will follow about your life on earth. For more information,
refer to 27th Aya of Sura ‘Ibrahim’ of the Holy Quran.

Luggage:
Despite the fact that the airplane transfers only one passenger at a
time, there are some restrictions on the amount of baggage that you can
take with you:

1) You can take with you 5 meters of white cloth

2) Any items of material life of earth are strictly forbidden.

3) Realistic luggage should consist of good deeds, modest behavior and
of well spent time on calling people to Islam.

Important instructions:
All the passengers should remember that tickets are not exchangeable or
refundable.

This journey is compulsory for representatives of all races,
nationalities, religions and of all ages.

Delays are not stipulated.

Captain:
Angel of Death will not compromise on changing the date and time of
departure.

For more information:

Read instructions, which you can find in The Holy Quran and Sunnah. You
could also consult alims(scholars) . Please do it as soon as possible.

During your journey you will not be provided with oxygen mask, as your
breathing system will be terminated just before the departure time.

Additional instructions:
You don’t need to take care of your boarding pass, passport and other
travel documents. To prepare for the flight:

- Pray 5 times a day

- Read the Holy Quran

- Follow the sunna to the best of your ability

- and be ready for your flight, as you may have to depart any minute
(even now)

Final warning:
Final destination depend on you! Please do not waste your time on planet
earth.
Remember, you have one-way ticket: Either to Hell or to Paradise .
JANNAT OR JAHANNAM…. ……… ……… …….!

 

What is hajj?

Labayk Allahuma Labayk
Labayk. La shareeka laka Labayk.
Innal hamda wannimata laka wal mulk    La shareeka Lak

(Here I am at your service, oh Lord, here I am – here I am. No partner do you have.  Here I am. Truly, the praise and the favor are yours, and the dominion. No partner do you have.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are the words chanted by some two million Muslim people from across Saudi Arabia and Muslims all throughout the world heading, as if pulled by a magnet, to one single spot on Earth. As has happened every year for 14 centuries, Muslim pilgrims gather in Makkah to perform rituals based on those conducted by the Prophet Muhammad during his last visit to the city. ( ITS NOT IDOL WORSHIPING)

 

 

 

 

Performing these rituals, known as the Hajj, is the fifth pillar of Islam and the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity. Undertaking the Hajj at least once is a duty for Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the journey to Makkah. The emphasis on financial ability is meant to ensure that a Muslim takes care of his family first. The requirement that a Muslim be healthy and physically capable of undertaking the pilgrimage is intended to exempt those who cannot endure the rigors of extended travel.

The pilgrimage is the religious high point of a Muslim’s life and an event that every Muslim dreams of undertaking. Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage, can be undertaken at any time of the year; Hajj, however, is performed during a five-day period from the ninth through the thirteenth of Dhu Al-Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

 

A vast brotherhood Performing the Hajj is the spiritual apex of a Muslim’s life, one that provides a clear understanding of his relationship with God and his place on Earth. It imparts in a Muslim not only the assurance that he has performed the fifth pillar of Islam by following in the footsteps of the Prophet, but also the realization that he is part of an ummah (nation) that is more than one billion strong and spreads across the globe and that he will be new with no sins.

This feeling is brought home upon the pilgrim’s arrival in the Kingdom. Most pilgrims arrive by air, and as their planes taxi toward the impressive Hajj Terminal in Jeddah, they pass jetliners with familiar names, but also ones that bear exotic markings such as “Southern China Airlines” and “Daghestan Airlines” and others from every part of the world.

While waiting to be processed through the arrival hall, the pilgrim begins to shed his identity as he stands amidst a sea of people in Ihram, the two seamless pieces of white cotton that men wear and the simple, generally white or black, attire that women wear.

 

   
Here as you can see, no one can tell a person’s social or economic status, or his national origin based on the clothes he wears. WE ARE ALL THE SAME, there is no difference in nationalities, no black and white, no poor or rich but we ara all humans infront of Allah.

 

 

 

Suddenly the pilgrim is simply, and above all else, a Muslim, and the realization slowly sets in that he is now focusing more than ever on other people’s faces rather than their clothes. These faces represent almost every race or nationality on Earth. As energetic young Saudis move the pilgrims rapidly through customs, he notices Arabs, Indians, Bosnians, Chinese, Spaniards, Africans, Laotians, French, Americans and many others.

 

 

 

Arriving in Makkah
Before heading toward Makkah, the pilgrims are already dressed in Ihram or may change at Miqat, where special facilities are set up for this purpose. By donning the Ihram, the pilgrim enters a state of spirituality and purity.

 

 

On the way from Jeddah to Makkah along the modern superhighway, pilgrims board one of the fleet of 15,000 buses assigned to the Hajj. This vast concourse of vehicles approaches Mina, some four miles to the northwest of Makkah, where most of the pilgrims are housed in the thousands of air-conditioned tents that stretch to the limits of Mina Valley.

 

The rites of pilgrimage
After sunrise on the ninth of the Islamic month of Dhu Al-Hajjah, this vast crowd of nearly two million begins to walk some eight miles to the Plain of Arafat, passing Muzdalifah on the way. Many perform the noon and afternoon prayers at the Nimerah Mosque, a tradition set by the Prophet.

 
Walking from Mina.. Millions are on their way to cast the pebbles on Satan.

Approaching Arafat by midmorning, the pilgrim is amazed to find the vast plain covered by what appears to be a thick fog, even though the temperature hovers around 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This optical illusion is created by thousands of sprinklers placed atop 30-foot poles and spaced some 50 feet apart, which spread a fine mist of water to provide coolness. Millions of containers of chilled water are distributed from refrigerated trucks located along the pilgrim route. 

 

Pilgrims are required to spend the day in the plain, performing what is called the Standing at Arafat. Here they also visit the Mount of Mercy and ask for God’s forgiveness for any sins committed and for blessings. Facilities have also been set up here to feed the pilgrims and meet any requirement they may have.

After the sun has set this river of humanity retraces its steps back toward Makkah, but stops at Muzdalifah until the brightness of day appears on the eastern horizon.

 

Millions Hajj pilgrims make their way to Muzdalifah after performing Wuquf on the plain of Arafat, near Makkah

Here the pilgrims collect seven pebbles and carry them to Mina. As they arrive in the valley, they trek along a two-level pedestrian walkway some 100-yards wide toward the three stone pillars called the Jamarat, which are meant to represent Satan. The pilgrims are required to cast the pebbles they have collected at the Stone Pillar of Aqabah while praising God, in a symbolic rejection of Satan. As the pilgrims approach along the walkway, they join those already at the pillar and, after hurling their pebbles circle toward the exit ramp in the direction of Makkah. Signs in various major languages direct the crowds along the route.

 

 The pilgrims then walk   some four miles along pedestrian walkways to reach Makkah, where they perform the tawaf, circling the Ka’abah in the Holy Mosque seven times counter clockwise. They then perform sa’ay, the running between Safa and Marwa in an enclosed, air-conditioned structure. Male pilgrims are then required to shave their heads, although cutting a lock of hair is acceptable for both men and women. At this point the pilgrims sacrifice an animal, donating its meat to the needy. Each year, over 600,000 animals are sacrificed, in modern abattoirs that complete the processing of the meat over the three days of the Eid. Distribution of this sacrificial meat goes to those in need in some 30 countries.

Safaa wal Marwa
 

The rites of the pilgrimage are now completed. Pilgrims come out of Ihram and wear their normal clothes, but remain at Mina for the Eid Al-Adha, the festival that signals the culmination of the Hajj. Over the next two days, they stone the three pillars in the Jamarat, before performing the Tawaf Al-Wida’, the Farewell Circumambulation of the Ka’abah before their departure from the city.

 

You can see the different races .. all want Allah’s forgivness

While not required as part of the Hajj, most pilgrims visit the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah during their visit to the Kingdom.

 

 

 

A spiritual Journey
Throughout the Hajj, the largest annual gathering of people on Earth, the pilgrimage is marked by a total absence of any disagreements or altercations among the pilgrims. Courtesy and helping others are the norm. Peace, serenity and piety pervade the entire pilgrimage and the pilgrims.

At the conclusion of the Hajj, the pilgrim has a profound feeling of having gone through a life-transforming spiritual experience. He comes away with pride in having successfully performed a ritual dedicated to God and in belonging to a huge family of people that shares the same religious beliefs. And he has acquired a sense of humility, inner calm, brotherhood and strength that lasts a lifetime.