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    Posted October 17, 2012 by
    MZafar
    Location
    Simi Valley, California
    Assignment
    Assignment
    This iReport is part of an assignment:
    The Hajj: Have you been?

    More from MZafar

    Hajj 2011

     

    CNN PRODUCER NOTE     iReporter MZafar, who lives in the US but is originally from Pakistan, performed Hajj in 2011 and says the experience changed him immeasurably. Particularly moving, he says, was the sight of so many different nationalities circling the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the distinctive cubic building considered the most holy place in Islam. He advises those going on Hajj to remain patient and assist those around them. "Always try to help others, give charity as much as possible, especially to those who work around the Kaaba for cleaning," he says.
    - sarahbrowngb, CNN iReport producer

    I performed Hajj last year in 2011 with my wife. It was the journey of our life time. It was our first visit to Makkah. This is the place where you want to go back again and again.

    The moment we saw the Holly Kaba first time, we cannot explain in words. We forget about our surrounding and lost in looking at the Kaba. Tears were flowing from our eyes. We felt so blessed that we get the chance to visit this great place.

    This the moment when some make any Dua (prayer) and ask Allah, he will get his Dua accepted by Allah.

    From the top floor of the Haram, when you look down, you see the waves of people from different nationalities and color circling the Kaba.

    Hajj is done in total five days. On 8th of Dul-Hajj (the last month of Islamic calendar), after the Fajir prayers, the pilgrims wear their Ihram and goes to Mina. Here pilgrims stay in tents. They have nice air conditioned tents here. Next day (on 9th of Dul-Hajj), after the Fajir Prayer, Pilgrims goes to Arafat. Now Saudi Govt has built the nice train system and Pilgrims can use trains to go to Arafat from Mina. 9th Dul-Hajj is the main day for Hajj. Pilgrims spend whole day in Arafat praising Allah and asking for forgiveness for their sins.

    After the sunset, pilgrims go to Muzdalifa from Arafat and spend night under open sky. After spending the night in Muzdalifa, pilgrims go back to Mina where they perform the Rami (stoning the big satin) on the morning of 10th Dul-Hajj.

    After the stoning, pilgrim wait for their scarifies (Qurbani) to be done. Once Scarifies is done, then have their head shaved and can come out of Ihram.
    Then Pilgrims perform the Tawaf of Kaba (7 rounds) and do the Saee (walk between Safa and Marwa, 7 times). Then they come back to their tents in Mina.
    Next day, on 11th of Dul-Hajj all pilgrims need to do is the Rami (stoning of all three Satins). After stoning, then come back to their tents in Mina.

    Last day of Hajj, 12th Dul-Hajj, pilgrims will perform the Rami (stoning of all three Satins). And their Hajj is done.

    I would suggest to people to be patience all the time. There will be over 4 million people in same location performing same thing at the same time. It is very hard for anyone to make things in order and to have control on everything. Several times things are not in control of the organizers. They intend and try to the best for pilgrims but they cannot do it due to some unforeseen circumstances. Traffic is one of the major hurdle. Just be patience. Always try to help others. Give charity as much as possible, specially to those who work in Kaba for cleaning etc.
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