IHRAM AND OTHER RITUALS
The
pilgrims must seek guidance and learn about all the rituals that are
essential for the performance of Haj according to the Maslak they
follow. However, it must be known to all, irrespective of their
background, that the Ka'ba is a sacred house, but not so sacred as the
people who surround it. Whatever the Haji does here, he must not hurt
anyone, not even accidentally. That is what we mean when we refer to
Haram (the sanctuary) and the hudood-e-Haram (precincts of Haram).
Harming anyone in Haram means the Haj is simply not complete. So do not
rush, do not push. Take it easy and should someone act wildly, simply
get out of the way. Remember that amidst all this apparently
ostentatious public participation in numerous rituals, Haj is immensely
and intensely personal. The Haji is always focused on personally
performing the ritual perfectly.
Within
the territory of Haram, it is the Haram law and Ihraam dress that apply.
The conditions of Ihraam and how to wear it ought to be understood.
Even the pilgrim who gets out of the state of Ihraam should
remember that a number of conditions still apply to the Haj pilgrim and
these conditions entail truthfulness, compassion to fellow beings, good
conduct, good thoughts, exemplary behaviour, desisting from anger and
angry outburst, desisting from physical violence and so on.
Ka'ba is not sacred due to some
of the sanctified spots but, rather, because of its symbolic value as a
marker of the qibla, the direction of prayer. Ka'ba contains no relics
and is not itself an object of prayer. It rather provides spiritual
focus and symbolizes God's Being at the centre of creation.
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