Muslims Grows up reading and listening the holy prophet Mohammad (p.b.u.h), he spend most of his life In Makka and Madina that’s why Makka and Madina are the holiest cities of followers of Islam (Muslims). From around the world Muslims visit here for purpose of haj, umrah and ziyarah of Holy mosque (kaaba-Al-Haram) and religious historical places. Makka and Madina are major cities of Saudi Arabia, and plays major role in contribution of country’s economy. more than one million immigrants are serving here. Makka and Madina are also famous for tall buildings, hotels and shopping malls. Distance between these two holy cities are about 454 km, the kingdom is fully committed to approach the visitors between these cities for that purpose, the government invests billions of riyals in constructing roads and train service. The country also build railways infrastructure from Jeddah to Makka to facilitate pilgrims. Which picks pilgrims from Jeddah airport.
Muslims believes Makka is most blessed land on the earth. Makka also spell mecca is the birthplace of holy prophet Mohammad (p.b.u.h). is western city of Saudi Arabia. Makka is the direction of Muslims for Prayer. only Muslims are allowed to enter the city. Millions of Muslims arrives in the city in the month of Zil-haj (Islamic month) for the purpose of haj. It considered one of the busiest city in the world. Muslims around the world turn face to Kaaba five times for prayer(nimaz). Besides Kaaba there are many historical and religious places in Makka which increase its importance regarding religion and history, like house of Khadija (RA), house of Abu Bakr, house of Abu Jahal, Jannat Ul Mala which is located in the valley to the east of Al-Haram mosque, Masjid Al Jinn which is built at the same place where Holy Prophet Mohammad (p.b.u.h) drew a line for Abdullah Bin Masood who had accompanied after he had been commanded to recitation of Quran to the Jinn, Daarul Arqam a place where Prophet Mohammad (p.b.u.h) starts preaching islam secretly during his initial days and Zamzam wellis destination of millions of pilgrims which is located inside Haram mosque is one of holiest place in islam, it is miraculously generated source of water from Allah, it sprang thousands of years ago when Hazrat Ismail (A.S) left alone in deserts by his father Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) with his mother.
Muslims believes that Madina city is the second holiest place on the earth. Tomb of Prophet Mohammad (p.b.u.h) is also in Madina Al Munawarah (Masjid-e-Nabvi). People of Madina are famous for their hospitality since Prophet Mohammad migrated to Madina. There are many historical religious places in Madina. Which makes Madina second holiest place of islam.
Process and purpose of Haj:
What is Haj?
The Haj is one of the five arcade of Islam, and all able-bodies Muslims are required to perform Haj once in their life time. The Pilgrimage is seen as a chance to erase clean past sins and start fresh life.
What is the history of the Haj?
A path the Prophet Muhammad once walked, the procedure of Haj is believed to ultimately trace the footsteps of the prophets Abraham and Ishmael as they are named in the Bible.
Muslims believe that Hazrat Ibrahim's faith was judged when God ordered him to sacrifice his only son Ismail. Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) was prepared to submit to the command, but then God stayed his hand by saving his son.
Pilgrims also follow the path of Ibrahim's wife, Hagar, who Muslims consider Hagar, ran between two hills seven times searching for water for her dying son. That water spring, known as the well of Zamzam, is consider to possess healing powers and Haji often return from the Haj with jar of water as gifts.
Purposes of Haj:
The Haj makes Muslims feel real concern of life here on earth, and the afterlife, by prevent away all markers of social status, wealth, and glory. It is a custom that is considered to promote the bonds of Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood by presenting that everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah.
Process of Haj:
1st day of Haj:
The Haj commonly starts in Mecca, with a smaller pilgrimage called the "umrah", which can be done by year-round. To perform the umrah, Muslims orbit the Kaaba counter-clockwise seven times while reciting prayer to God, then walk between the two hills traveled by Hagar. Mecca's superb Mosque, the world's largest, comprise the Kaaba and the two hills.
Before caption to Mecca, many pilgrims visit the city of Medina where the Prophet Muhammad is concealed and where he made his first mosque.
2nd day Spend at Arafat:
The Day of Arafat is considered one of the most value able days, not just of Haj but of the Islamic calendar. Mount Mercy at Arafat was the sight of the Prophet Muhammad's final sermon. After making the 14.4 km journey from Mina, pilgrims spend the day here in devout prayer. Mostly in the world, Muslims decide to fast on this day.
Collect pebbles at Muzdalifah:
After sunset, time to proceed again, this time to Muzdalifah - a 9 km trip - where they spend the night. Mostly people also starts to collecting pebbles here for tomorrow's rites, departing again just before sunrise.
3rd day throw stones at the pillars:
The day of performing Haj, is known as yawm-ul haj al-Akbar (The big haj day) and is probably the longest day of the pilgrimage, and the most difficult time. The 10th of Dhul-Hijjah is Eid al-Adha, a day celebrated by Muslims around the world with two holidays.
Pilgrims begin the day in Muzdalifah and starts heading back to Mina before dawn. Once in Mina, they act the first rami, throwing seven pebbles at the largest of three platoons known as Jamarat.
After casting their stones, pilgrims must perform the sacrifice in remembrance of Hazrat Ibrahim sacrifice his son, Pilgrims thus must slaying a sheep, goat, cow or camel to be done in their names.
At this point, pilgrims shave (men only) their hair and change their ihram clothes. Many will then proceed to Makka to perform for tawaf and sa'ee, first encircle the Kaaba seven times, then walk on foot seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa.
4th Day to Final day in Mina:
On each day, they will again apparently throw stone the devil - this time they throw seven pebbles at each of the three pillars. With the tough part behind them, pilgrims will now pass the next two or three days in Mina.
When their time in Mina is passed, the pilgrims return to Makka to perform the last circulation of the Kaaba, a "farewell" tawaf. Before heading home, many also go to Medina, the second holiest city of Islam, where the Prophet Muhammad is concealed along with his nearest companions. To visit Medina, however is not a basic part of the pilgrimage.
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