The Sunday Mail
Prayer is an important aspect in Muslim culture
WHAT is meant by the Hajj?
In accordance with the Islamic requirements, one of the five pillars of faith prescribes as a duty that Muslims go on Pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, at least once during their lifetime, on condition they have the financial and physical means to be able to do so.
What is done in the Hajj?
The Hajj (Pilgrimage) consists of several important acts of worship, meant to symbolise the essential concepts of the Islamic faith and to commemorate the trials of the Great Messenger of Allah – Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) and his family.
The pilgrimage also enables Muslims from all around the world, of different cultures, languages, races, and ethnicities, to come together in a spirit of universal brotherhood and sisterhood to worship the One God together.
When is the Hajj carried out?
Hajj is observed during the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah, which is the last month of the Islamic calendar. The main acts of worship and duty, for the Hajj (Pilgrimage) are carried out over a period of 5 days.
What is the Islamic calendar?
The Islamic calendar is based on the Lunar calendar. It comprises of twelve months with each month beginning at sunset on the day when the lunar crescent first appears after the new moon, and can be sighted by the unaided eye. Visibility depends on a large number of factors including weather conditions, the altitude of the moon at sunset, the closeness of the moon to the sun at sunset, the interval between sunset and moonset, atmospheric pollution, the quality of the eyesight of the observer, and so forth.
As a result, although the phases of the moon can be predicted accurately, the moon’s visibility at a given place on Earth cannot be accurately estimated in advance.
So do Muslims worship the moon?
No, not at all! Sadly, this is not only a major misconception but actually in some instances it is intentionally spread by so-called men of the cloth only to discredit Islam and the Muslims – yet Islam upholds the pure monotheistic beliefs and practices conveyed by all the Messengers/ Prophets of The Almighty.
The only role the moon plays in the life of a Muslim is the fact that it’s new crescent heralds the commencement of the new month – just like in old times, the folk would count the months by checking the phases of the moon (even at present in many rural areas the folk follow the Lunar calendar and not the Solar one).
Muslims do not and cannot pray “to” or even “through” the moon (or for that matter any other celestial body, object, humans, spirits, and so forth.)
Muslims do not even pray to the Ka’bah, which is in Makkah, in any way whatsoever. Prayer, worship, service and submission is to The One and Only Supreme Being, The Creator, Sustainer, Nourisher and Cherisher of the entire Universe – Allah Almighty.
(We had discussed this in great length in one of our precious articles.)
What is the Ka’bah?
This is a cubed like structure which was originally built by Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) as a house of worship.
He was instructed by Allah Almighty to build it and then upon completion, circumbulate it (go around it) in devotion to Allah Almighty.
Muslims emulate this practice to this day and observe the circumbulation when they go to Hajj (Pilgrimage).
This is not done as an act of worship to the Ka’bah but as an act of emulating Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) in devotion and service to Allah Almighty.
So why do Muslims face Makkah when praying?
As mentioned above the Ka’bah in Makkah was built by Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) as a place of worship.
Muslims have been instructed to use it as a focal point not only for the Hajj (Pilgrimage) but also for their daily prayers.
So wherever a Muslim may be, when he or she observes prayer, they will face the direction of the Ka’bah in Makkah so as to observe uniformity and solidarity and portray an underlying unity with all other Muslims across the globe.
◆ For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact:
MajlisulUlama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars
Publications Department
P.O. Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare
Tel: 04-614078 / 614004, Fax : 04-614003
e-mail: [email protected]
