Makkah – A million hujjaj will pack the beloved city of Makkah as it welcomes the biggest number of pilgrims for Hajj since the pandemic.
One million people, including 850,000 who come from abroad, will be allowed at this year’s Hajj. Even though the number is small, the atmosphere has not changed. Moulana Ebrahim Bham, who is part of a Hajj group, expressed his happiness at once again being able to visit the Holy Lands. At the moment the hujjaj are in Aziziyah awaiting the five days of Hajj.
“Most of the hujjaj because of logistical reasons and considerations people come to Aziziyah. In Aziziyah it is often a waiting game. You don’t have the environment of the Haram which is there, but you are near Mina and you start waiting for the five days of Hajj.
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The feelings of the hujjaj
As the hujjaj wait for the days of Hajj there is a feeling of nervousness, said Moulana Bham. A feeling of both fear, apprehension, anticipation, and excitement. These feelings are normal and expected.
“In the Quraan Allah (SWT) says the believers when they call out to All Mighty Allah, they do so with apprehension and expectations. If I can put it in accordance with that Quraanic verse that is what the situation is. There is anticipation, enthusiasm. That is the reason why people have come for the five days.”
There is apprehension and fear from those who are first timers. Some might be scared about how they will be able to complete their Hajj, if they will manage it but at the same time, they are excited to be here. These fears and enthusiasm are to be expected and is a good mix of emotions, said Moulana Bham.
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The days of Hajj
The days of Hajj happen over five days. Each day is a day for a person to reflect on their life and try to gain a closeness to Allah (SWT).
“The first day is basically a time of reflection. We reflect upon the coming days of Hajj. There aren’t any major rights which have to be performed on 8 Dhul-Hijjah which will be on Thursday. On Friday we go to Arafat. The fact that it is a Friday adds to the virtue of Hajj because according to different narrations it is seventy times more superior. There is an anticipation about that also.”
The hujjaj will then travel to Muzdalifah at sunset to collect pebbles for the next day. Muzdalifah is unique in the sense that the Hujjaj only spent a night and a couple of hours there. There are not many facilities there as the stay is short. The Hujjaj sleep under the stars, said Moulana Bham.
“While Arafat is the most virtuous day, in terms of activity and in terms of being strenuous, it is the one that will be on the 10 Dhul-Hijjah which will be on Saturday. You will leave Muzdalifah and walk to Mina to do the pelting of the Jamarat or what people refer to as the big Shaytaan. Then await news of your sacrifice and once that is done you can come out of Ihraam. After that one will perform Tawaf al-Ziyarah which is Fardh (compulsory).”
Once this act has been complete people usually wan to return home. Although there are two more days to go, this feeling of home sickness is natural, said Moulana Bham.
The experience of Hajj is one that a person won’t forget. While the crowd is small compared to pre-covid years, the excitement and anticipation from hujjaj remains the same.
