Calender of Haj events

          The months for the pilgrimage are well known. The four sacred months, viz. Rajab(7^th), Zul Qadah (11^th), Zul Hijjah (12^th, the month of Pilgrimage), and Muharram (1^st). Excepting Rajab the other three months are consecutive. In all these months war was prohibited. That is to say, the first rites may begin as early as the beginning of Shawwal, with a definite approach to Makkah but the chief rites are concentrated on the first ten days of Zul Hijja, and especially on the 8^th, 9^th and 10^th of that month, when the concourse of    pilgrims    reaches   its   height.  

          The    chief rites may be briefly enumerated: (1) the wearing of the ihram from Meeqat fixed definitely on all the routes to Makkah. After this the pilgrimage prohibitions come into operation and the pilgrim is dedicated to worship and prayer and the denial of vanities; (2) the going round the Ka’ba seven times (tawaf), typifying activity, with the kissing of the little Black Stone built into the wall, the symbol of concentration in the love of Allah; (3) after a short prayer at the Station of Abraham, the pilgrim visits what may be called as station of Ismail (the fountain of zam zam) followed by running between the hills of Safa and Marwah, the symbol of patience and perseverance; the running between the two hills has both spiritual and moral dimensions. (4) the great Sermon (Khutba) on the 7^th of Zul Hijja;  on 8^th Zul Hijjah, the whole body of pilgrims moves to the Valley of Mina (about six miles north of Makkah, where the pilgrims halt and stay the night; on 9^th they proceed to the plain and hill of ‘Arafat, which is also called the Mount of Mercy (Jabl-e-Rahama) about five miles further north,; (5) the tenth day, Yaum Nahr, the day of Sacrifice, when the sacrifice is offered in the Valley of Mina, the head is shaved or the hair trimmed, the symbolic ceremony of casting seven pebbles at the Jamarat is performed on the first occasion and the Tawaf al-lfada or circumambulation of the Ka’ba  is undertaken: the Rami is continued on subsequent days, both rites are connected with the story of Abraham. This is the ‘Id-ul-Adha’, the ceremony is connected with the rejection of evil in thought, word, and deed. A stay of two or three days after this is prescribed: these three days are called Tashriq days. The Appointed Days: the three days after the tenth, when the pilgrims stay on in the Valley of Mina for prayer and praise. It is optional for pilgrims to leave on the second or third day.