這裏2010年11月14日麥加朝聖盛況,為今年的朝聖活動做下回顧。據沙特通訊社說,今年參加麥加朝聖的穆斯林人數有望創造紀錄——將有超過340萬的穆 斯林參加超過五天的朝聖之旅。麥加朝聖是穆斯林信仰的基柱,每位有能力這麽做的穆斯林一生中必須至少參加一次朝聖活動。朝聖者要完成一係列儀式,其中包括 繞天房行走、在阿拉法特山上站立守夜和用石頭砸死魔鬼的儀式。11月16日,朝聖結束時,世界各地開始慶祝為期三天的古爾邦節(宰牲節)。
穆斯林朝聖者在大清真寺內環繞天房移動。
穆斯林朝聖者在大清真寺環繞天房行走時,伸手觸摸天房的金門。
新落成的Abraj Al-Bait塔上安裝了大型新鍾,成千上萬的穆斯林朝聖者在麥加大清真寺內環繞天房行走。
穆斯林朝聖者在阿努爾山上頌讀《古蘭經》。
麥加朝聖期間,穆斯林朝聖者經過大清真寺外的建築工地。
沙特阿拉伯麥加的Kiswa工廠,一名沙特工人用金線在用於覆蓋天房的絲綢幕簾上縫穆斯林書法。被稱為“Kiswa”的天房幕簾每年都要在朝聖的高潮時刻更換。
一名穆斯林朝聖者在麥加郊外的努爾山頂祈禱。
穆斯林朝聖者在大清真寺前進行星期五祈禱。
沙特阿拉伯人乘坐新開通的麥加聖城地鐵輕軌。中國承建的單軌鐵路項目把麥加與米那、阿拉法特和穆茲達裏法聖地連接起來。本月朝聖活動期間輕軌首次運營,能夠運送35%參加年度穆斯林朝聖活動的沙特國民。
沙特特種部隊參加閱兵式,為麥加朝聖做準備。
穆斯林朝聖者在大清真寺中心環繞天房移動。
成千上萬的穆斯林朝聖者在大清真寺內的陰影和陽光下祈禱。
成千上萬的穆斯林朝聖者在大清真寺內祈禱。
沙 特聖城麥加東南部阿拉法特山納米拉清真寺附近,一輛救護車停在數千名正在祈禱的穆斯林朝聖者中間。黎明前夕,朝聖者從麥加湧入阿拉法特平原,參加環繞這個 地方的重要儀式。在伊斯蘭教曆(回曆)1378年前,先知穆罕默德在這一天作了告別布道。朝聖者在阿拉法特度過這一天,沉思並頌讀《古蘭經》。
朝聖者爬上阿拉法特山。
朝聖者在麥加附近阿拉法特山邊祈禱。
一名穆斯林男子參觀努爾山的希拉山洞。傳說,伊斯蘭教的先知穆罕默德在這個山洞祈禱時收到了宣講伊斯蘭教的第一條信息。
黃昏時分,一名穆斯林男子在阿拉法特山上祈禱。
麥加附近阿拉法物平原,穆斯林朝聖者走在前往多岩石阿拉法特山的路上。
穆斯林朝聖者在麥加附近阿拉法特的納米拉清真寺外祈禱。
穆斯林觸摸並在阿拉法特山上的Jabal al-Rahma柱上書寫。
沙特阿拉伯麥加附近,數千頂住著穆斯林朝聖者的帳篷擠在一起。
沙特工人在麥加“滲滲泉”聯合辦事處搬運瓶裝“滲滲泉”水。根據穆斯林信仰,滲滲泉是來自真主能產生奇跡的水之源泉,幾千年前,亞伯拉罕尚在繈褓中的兒子以 實瑪利口渴,哭鬧著要水喝,在踢蹬地麵時發現了一口井。為了喝到泉水,數百萬名朝聖者在每年進行麥加朝聖或副朝時,前來探訪這口井。
阿拉法特納米拉清真寺附近,朝聖者擠在街道上祈禱。
從努爾山頂看到的沙特麥加聖城鳥瞰圖。
What is Hajj?
The annual Hajj pilgrimage is one of the world's largest gatherings, as hundreds of thousands of people flock to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to participate in one of Islam's five pillars of faith. Muslims from all over the world will gather together for five days to pray as one community, celebrating their history and giving thanks for blessings. From the Masjid Al Haram complex to the hills of Mina, the rites include circling the Kaaba seven times and visiting sites of historical and religious importance.
When is Hajj 2013?
This year's hajj will be celebrated on Oct. 13th to 18th, though that date depends on the sighting of the moon, as Islam follows a lunar calendar. Hajj takes place annually on the eighth day of the month of Dhul Al-Hijjah in the Muslim calendar. It's considered an obligation for devout Muslims to undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime, if they are physically and financially able.
What's the history of Hajj?
The pilgrimage to Mecca has been going on since pre-Islamic times, as Mecca's economic prosperity during the time of the Prophet Muhammad was largely due to the income from visitors.
Muslims believe that the steps of the Hajj correlate to the story of Hagar, the second wife of Abraham whom he married after Sarah was childless. After Abraham left her and her infant son, Ishmael, in the desert, she frantically ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa to look for food and water for her baby after their provisions ran out. As she prayed to God for mercy, Ishmael's heel hit the ground and the well of Zam Zam sprang forth to nourish them. When Abraham returned, he built the Kaaba with Ishmael's help.
What are the steps of Hajj?
First, pilgrims go to Miqat, the entry station to the Hajj, where they bathe, put on special clothing, and make a formal statement of intent. Next they enter the Masjid al Haram complex to do Tawaf, a rite which involves circling the Kaaba seven times while reciting prayers. After this takes place, it's encouraged to sip water from the Zam Zam well, then walk between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times.
Next, the formal Hajj ritual begins with another declaration of intent. Pilgrims then travel to Mina on the 8th of Dhul al Hijjah and stay there until dawn prayer the next morning. Following the prayer, the faithful travel to the valley of Arafat to stand in the heat and praise God. The day concludes with travel to Muzdalifa and the gathering of small pebbles. A symbolic stoning of the devil occurs at Mina the next day, along with the animal sacrifice which is part of Eid al Adha. Male pilgrims will shave their heads after this occurs. Next, pilgrims return to Mecca to do the Tawaf again, along with the crossing between Safa and Marwa 7 times. Another trip to Mina then takes place, along with more symbolic stoning, before the faithful can return to Mecca to do a farewell Tawaf.
What are other rituals associated with Hajj?
Pilgrims perform the Hajj in a state of ritual purity called ihram, which for men is physically represented by wearing simple garments made of unsewn cloth. It demonstrates the equality of humanity before God.
How many people go on Hajj?
In 2012, Al Arabiya reports that 3,161,573 went on Hajj, with 1,700,000 of them coming from outside of Saudi Arabia.
What is Eid al-Adha?
The Eid of the sacrifice takes place on the 10th day of Dhul Al-Hijjah, or Oct. 15, which commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael in order to be totally obedient to God. Muslims sacrifice a goat or lamb in remembrance of this act of faith and give part of the meat to the poor.
Lineage of six prominent prophets according to Islamic tradition | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dotted lines indicate multiple generations |
The Huffington Post | By Yasmine Hafiz