My Hajj Pilgrimage
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My Hajj pilgrimage By Abdel Aziz Dimapunong Imam, Masjid Alkhairi, Manila, Philippines
The Baitullah inside Masjid Al Haram
Surah 22. Al Hajj - Ayat 27 -28 -29 27 . And proclaim to mankind the Hajj. They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every deep and distant mountain highway 28 . That they may witness things that are of benefit to them, and mention the Name of Allah on appointed days (i.e. 10, 11, 12, and 13 of Dhul-Hijjaah), over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice). Then eat thereof and feed therewith the poor who have a very hard time. 29 . Then let them complete the prescribed duties for them, and perform their vows, and circumambulate the Ancient House
The Ancient House in Surah Hajj refers to the Holy Kaaba. It is believed that it was originally built by the first man on earth, Adam. After it was forgotten for a long time, it was found and My Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah
By Imam Abdel Aziz Dimapunong, al haj
rebuilt by prophet Ibrahim. That was more than 3,000 years ago. Today, the Holy Kaaba stands in the middle of a large complex that is popularly known as Masjid-el-Haram. To some, the Holy Kaaba itself is also known as Masjid el Haram. It is the place which captures the hearts of more than a billion Muslims all over the world. My first ‘encounter’ with the Holy Kaaba was in 1977 when I made my first visitation known as Umrah. Masjid el Haram and its environs that surround the Holy Kaaba were then not as developed as it is today. But even then it was very hard to give an account or representation of this monumental edifice. First, I was told by my guides to Makkah not to take pictures and never use my camera at all. I was told that, anyway, there were available post cards of the Holy Kaaba in the nearby convenient stores. Even then, to describe the Holy Kaaba by the expediency of the camera is at once problematic. For one thing the camera cannot capture the ambience and the environmental influence of the Holy Kaabba. A post card of the Holy Kaabba can only, at best, serve as a lifeless impression of an edifice that was rebuilt by prophet Ibrahim, the father of the three great religions of the world, Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. He was the father of Isaac and the father of Ishmael. No modern machine, much less a camera can capture this environmental influence of the Holy Kaaba. Therefore, no post card can best describe this object of Quranic times. On my first Umrah, I tried to scribble some few lines to describe the Holy Kaaba. However, my first experience with this edifice can be described in a few words. I was amazed and awed. Something deep inside of me decides that I must come back again, perhaps another year or two. I realized that I was only on a visitation that is Umrah. And even if I had succeeded to put a few lines forward to describe the object, the Holy Kaaba’s awesome position in man’s vision and reality simply reduces my eagerness to an insignificant scribble. In order to capture the reality of the Holy Kaaba, one must be in a state of purity of purpose.
My Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah
By Imam Abdel Aziz Dimapunong, al haj
Pilgrims in a State of Ihram
There is such a thing as a “state of Ihram” where one is covered with only two pieces of white cloth. One must be under a state of regular ablution and in constant prayer and supplication. To the devout Muslim, this is the highest state of formality (set aside the coat and tie). Even Kings and Emperors must be in a state of Ihram during the hajj pilgrimage – so that everybody is equal in the sight of Allah. The best time of pilgrimage to Kaaba is during the Hajj proper, particularly during the appointed time, i.e. 10, 11, 12, and 13 of Dhul-Hijjah, as set forth in verse 28, Surah Hajj, as follows:
28. That they may witness things that are of benefit to them, and mention the Name of Allah on appointed days (i.e. 10, 11, 12, and 13 of Dhul-Hijjaah), over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice). Then eat thereof and feed therewith the poor who have a very hard time.
Only the certainty of actual sight, touch and smell, and all the human senses in a state of Ihram and purity of purpose, could capture the experience with the Holy Kaaba. Furthermore, only during the Hajj proper when millions of Muslims around the world participate in the Hajj congregation, could one realize the My Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah
By Imam Abdel Aziz Dimapunong, al haj
pilgrimage experience with the Holy Kaaba. Then I said to myself, I must return for this purpose. In 1980, I made my second visitation (Umrah) just before the month of Ramadhan. Then I waited for the actual period of Hajj after the Ramadhan fasting. I actually had my month-long fasting in that period in the Holy city of Makkah. I had performed the Tarawih inside Masjid Al Haram for almost all of the whole month of Ramadhan of 1980. I was fortunate that my visa was conveniently arranged by two influential friends of mind who were sons of a former Minister, a cabinet rank in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. By this time, the Masjid-el-Haram that houses the Holy Kaaba was improved tremendously. It was already a complex that maintains the Kaa’ba at its epicenter, the Muqam-e-Ibrahim and the fountain of Zumzum, plus all the expansions made through the years. The Kaabba is within Masjid el Haram. The Masjid el Haram is inside the area of Haram. Haram means forbidden. It is a holy place that includes Mecca and its surrounding areas. Haram is a holy land area bounded by three sides: three miles on one side, seven miles on the second side and nine miles on the third side towards Jeddah. The Holy City of Makkah lies 73 kilometers (45 miles) east of Jeddah. Within the boundaries of Haram, it is forbidden to hunt, bother any animal, or to cut grass or trees. One is permitted only to kill dangerous animals such as dogs with rabies and the like of snakes, scorpions, rats, etc. It is believed that Kaabba was the first house ever built for the worship of One and Only God, Allah. That is why it is called “Bait-ul-Ateeq (the Oldest House). It is also called “Bait-Ullah”, meaning House of Allah. Muslims all over the world face towards Kaaba whenever and wherever they offer their five daily prayers and supplications. This House and the places around Kaabba have several signs that have been manifested by Allah. To commemorate Allah’s signs and to enhance their faith that Allah truly fulfils His promise, Muslims have been commanded by the Holy Quran to pay homage to the Holy Kaabba. Suratul Imran, a chapter in the Holy Quran says of the first House, thus: “Surely, the first House founded for mankind is that at Becca, abounding in blessings and guidance for all peoples. In it is manifesting signs; it is the place of Abraham; and whosoever enters it, enters peace” (3:96-97)
My Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah
By Imam Abdel Aziz Dimapunong, al haj
Around the Kaa’ba is the mosque that is referred to as Masjid el Haram which includes the rectangular shape of the Kaabba. Pilgrims offer prayers in this mosque by making circular rows and face towards the Kaabba. There is a black stone in the north-eastern corner of the Kaaba. This stone is popularly known as Hajr-e-Aswad (Black Stone). This stone was probably part of a meteoroid that fell near Mecca on a mountain called Abu Qubais. At the time of construction of Kaabba, prophet Ibrahim brought it down and placed it in the corner of the Kaa’ba as a great sign and a monument. This stone is part of the Kaabba’s mark. Kissing or touching the stone is not required but it is not also prohibited. It is optional for anyone and it is not part of the legitimate rituals while performing the Hajj. This stone has no power and it provides neither benefit nor harm to anyone. I kissed this stone in remembrance of my father who also told me a story about his hajj pilgrimage more than 50 years ago when I was just a toddler. A small well is present on the left side of the Place of Ibrahim and to the east of the Kaabba. This well appeared as a sign when the child Ishmael rubbed his heels on the ground due to his thirst. There is a small round-shaped building in front of the door of the Kaa’ba and the Multazam. This building has a stone that was used by prophet Ibrahim to stand on to complete the walls of the Kaa’ba. This is called Muqam-Ibrahim (Place of Ibrahim). After completing the seventh circuit during the pilgrimage, two Raka’t of prayer is performed by the pilgrim. There is a circle of white stone around the Kaa’ba. This is the place where the circuit of the Holy Kaa’ba is performed during the pilgrimage. The circuit of the Holy Kaa’ba is an integral part of the worship offered seven times during Hajj. There are also other places to go during the hajj requiring some additional rituals. These include a congregation in Mount Rahma, Musdalifa, and even a trip to the Holy City of Medina, the City of Prophet Muhammad (peace is on him).
My Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah
By Imam Abdel Aziz Dimapunong, al haj
On top of Mount Arafat
On the valley of Mount Arafat
My Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah
By Imam Abdel Aziz Dimapunong, al haj
In between tow hills of Safa and Marwa
Two small hills in Mecca were located in the north of Masjid-el-Haram. Now these hills have been flattened. Hadrat Hajirah ran seven times between these two hills in search of food and water. Pilgrims are ordained to follow her footsteps and go to these hills seven times. During every annual pilgrimage, the Kaa’ba is the focal point of all hajj rituals from beginning to end. On the last days of the Hajj, the pilgrim returns to the Kaa’ba and perform a final circuit. This circuit is called Tawaf-al-Sadr or Tawaf-al-Wida, or the farewell walk around the Kaabba. After my farewell walk, I then prayed to Allah for forgiveness. Rabbana, Allahomagfirly (Our Lord, Please grant me forgiveness.) Then I prayed for all … those in my mind (my wife, my children, brothers, sisters, my friends, my associates, my neighbors, all Muslims). Rabanna atina fiy donya hassana, wa fil akhirati hassana, Waquinna adaban nar. (Our Lord. Give us in this world that which is good, and in the hereafter that which is good, And deliver us from the Hell Fire)
The last 2006 pilgrimage could be the largest ever with an estimated three million pilgrims around the world. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has
My Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah
By Imam Abdel Aziz Dimapunong, al haj
reported that around 1.6 million pilgrims came from abroad as reported by officially registered tour agencies. There has been no report of any untoward incident during the 2006 hajj pilgrimage year. There was no stampede or anything of that sort.
My Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah
By Imam Abdel Aziz Dimapunong, al haj
The Baitullah inside Masjid Al Haram
Surah 22. Al Hajj - Ayat 27 -28 -29 27 . And proclaim to mankind the Hajj. They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every deep and distant mountain highway 28 . That they may witness things that are of benefit to them, and mention the Name of Allah on appointed days (i.e. 10, 11, 12, and 13 of Dhul-Hijjaah), over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice). Then eat thereof and feed therewith the poor who have a very hard time. 29 . Then let them complete the prescribed duties for them, and perform their vows, and circumambulate the Ancient House
The Ancient House in Surah Hajj refers to the Holy Kaaba. It is believed that it was originally built by the first man on earth, Adam. After it was forgotten for a long time, it was found and My Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah
By Imam Abdel Aziz Dimapunong, al haj
rebuilt by prophet Ibrahim. That was more than 3,000 years ago. Today, the Holy Kaaba stands in the middle of a large complex that is popularly known as Masjid-el-Haram. To some, the Holy Kaaba itself is also known as Masjid el Haram. It is the place which captures the hearts of more than a billion Muslims all over the world. My first ‘encounter’ with the Holy Kaaba was in 1977 when I made my first visitation known as Umrah. Masjid el Haram and its environs that surround the Holy Kaaba were then not as developed as it is today. But even then it was very hard to give an account or representation of this monumental edifice. First, I was told by my guides to Makkah not to take pictures and never use my camera at all. I was told that, anyway, there were available post cards of the Holy Kaaba in the nearby convenient stores. Even then, to describe the Holy Kaaba by the expediency of the camera is at once problematic. For one thing the camera cannot capture the ambience and the environmental influence of the Holy Kaabba. A post card of the Holy Kaabba can only, at best, serve as a lifeless impression of an edifice that was rebuilt by prophet Ibrahim, the father of the three great religions of the world, Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. He was the father of Isaac and the father of Ishmael. No modern machine, much less a camera can capture this environmental influence of the Holy Kaaba. Therefore, no post card can best describe this object of Quranic times. On my first Umrah, I tried to scribble some few lines to describe the Holy Kaaba. However, my first experience with this edifice can be described in a few words. I was amazed and awed. Something deep inside of me decides that I must come back again, perhaps another year or two. I realized that I was only on a visitation that is Umrah. And even if I had succeeded to put a few lines forward to describe the object, the Holy Kaaba’s awesome position in man’s vision and reality simply reduces my eagerness to an insignificant scribble. In order to capture the reality of the Holy Kaaba, one must be in a state of purity of purpose.
My Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah
By Imam Abdel Aziz Dimapunong, al haj
Pilgrims in a State of Ihram
There is such a thing as a “state of Ihram” where one is covered with only two pieces of white cloth. One must be under a state of regular ablution and in constant prayer and supplication. To the devout Muslim, this is the highest state of formality (set aside the coat and tie). Even Kings and Emperors must be in a state of Ihram during the hajj pilgrimage – so that everybody is equal in the sight of Allah. The best time of pilgrimage to Kaaba is during the Hajj proper, particularly during the appointed time, i.e. 10, 11, 12, and 13 of Dhul-Hijjah, as set forth in verse 28, Surah Hajj, as follows:
28. That they may witness things that are of benefit to them, and mention the Name of Allah on appointed days (i.e. 10, 11, 12, and 13 of Dhul-Hijjaah), over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice). Then eat thereof and feed therewith the poor who have a very hard time.
Only the certainty of actual sight, touch and smell, and all the human senses in a state of Ihram and purity of purpose, could capture the experience with the Holy Kaaba. Furthermore, only during the Hajj proper when millions of Muslims around the world participate in the Hajj congregation, could one realize the My Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah
By Imam Abdel Aziz Dimapunong, al haj
pilgrimage experience with the Holy Kaaba. Then I said to myself, I must return for this purpose. In 1980, I made my second visitation (Umrah) just before the month of Ramadhan. Then I waited for the actual period of Hajj after the Ramadhan fasting. I actually had my month-long fasting in that period in the Holy city of Makkah. I had performed the Tarawih inside Masjid Al Haram for almost all of the whole month of Ramadhan of 1980. I was fortunate that my visa was conveniently arranged by two influential friends of mind who were sons of a former Minister, a cabinet rank in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. By this time, the Masjid-el-Haram that houses the Holy Kaaba was improved tremendously. It was already a complex that maintains the Kaa’ba at its epicenter, the Muqam-e-Ibrahim and the fountain of Zumzum, plus all the expansions made through the years. The Kaabba is within Masjid el Haram. The Masjid el Haram is inside the area of Haram. Haram means forbidden. It is a holy place that includes Mecca and its surrounding areas. Haram is a holy land area bounded by three sides: three miles on one side, seven miles on the second side and nine miles on the third side towards Jeddah. The Holy City of Makkah lies 73 kilometers (45 miles) east of Jeddah. Within the boundaries of Haram, it is forbidden to hunt, bother any animal, or to cut grass or trees. One is permitted only to kill dangerous animals such as dogs with rabies and the like of snakes, scorpions, rats, etc. It is believed that Kaabba was the first house ever built for the worship of One and Only God, Allah. That is why it is called “Bait-ul-Ateeq (the Oldest House). It is also called “Bait-Ullah”, meaning House of Allah. Muslims all over the world face towards Kaaba whenever and wherever they offer their five daily prayers and supplications. This House and the places around Kaabba have several signs that have been manifested by Allah. To commemorate Allah’s signs and to enhance their faith that Allah truly fulfils His promise, Muslims have been commanded by the Holy Quran to pay homage to the Holy Kaabba. Suratul Imran, a chapter in the Holy Quran says of the first House, thus: “Surely, the first House founded for mankind is that at Becca, abounding in blessings and guidance for all peoples. In it is manifesting signs; it is the place of Abraham; and whosoever enters it, enters peace” (3:96-97)
My Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah
By Imam Abdel Aziz Dimapunong, al haj
Around the Kaa’ba is the mosque that is referred to as Masjid el Haram which includes the rectangular shape of the Kaabba. Pilgrims offer prayers in this mosque by making circular rows and face towards the Kaabba. There is a black stone in the north-eastern corner of the Kaaba. This stone is popularly known as Hajr-e-Aswad (Black Stone). This stone was probably part of a meteoroid that fell near Mecca on a mountain called Abu Qubais. At the time of construction of Kaabba, prophet Ibrahim brought it down and placed it in the corner of the Kaa’ba as a great sign and a monument. This stone is part of the Kaabba’s mark. Kissing or touching the stone is not required but it is not also prohibited. It is optional for anyone and it is not part of the legitimate rituals while performing the Hajj. This stone has no power and it provides neither benefit nor harm to anyone. I kissed this stone in remembrance of my father who also told me a story about his hajj pilgrimage more than 50 years ago when I was just a toddler. A small well is present on the left side of the Place of Ibrahim and to the east of the Kaabba. This well appeared as a sign when the child Ishmael rubbed his heels on the ground due to his thirst. There is a small round-shaped building in front of the door of the Kaa’ba and the Multazam. This building has a stone that was used by prophet Ibrahim to stand on to complete the walls of the Kaa’ba. This is called Muqam-Ibrahim (Place of Ibrahim). After completing the seventh circuit during the pilgrimage, two Raka’t of prayer is performed by the pilgrim. There is a circle of white stone around the Kaa’ba. This is the place where the circuit of the Holy Kaa’ba is performed during the pilgrimage. The circuit of the Holy Kaa’ba is an integral part of the worship offered seven times during Hajj. There are also other places to go during the hajj requiring some additional rituals. These include a congregation in Mount Rahma, Musdalifa, and even a trip to the Holy City of Medina, the City of Prophet Muhammad (peace is on him).
My Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah
By Imam Abdel Aziz Dimapunong, al haj
On top of Mount Arafat
On the valley of Mount Arafat
My Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah
By Imam Abdel Aziz Dimapunong, al haj
In between tow hills of Safa and Marwa
Two small hills in Mecca were located in the north of Masjid-el-Haram. Now these hills have been flattened. Hadrat Hajirah ran seven times between these two hills in search of food and water. Pilgrims are ordained to follow her footsteps and go to these hills seven times. During every annual pilgrimage, the Kaa’ba is the focal point of all hajj rituals from beginning to end. On the last days of the Hajj, the pilgrim returns to the Kaa’ba and perform a final circuit. This circuit is called Tawaf-al-Sadr or Tawaf-al-Wida, or the farewell walk around the Kaabba. After my farewell walk, I then prayed to Allah for forgiveness. Rabbana, Allahomagfirly (Our Lord, Please grant me forgiveness.) Then I prayed for all … those in my mind (my wife, my children, brothers, sisters, my friends, my associates, my neighbors, all Muslims). Rabanna atina fiy donya hassana, wa fil akhirati hassana, Waquinna adaban nar. (Our Lord. Give us in this world that which is good, and in the hereafter that which is good, And deliver us from the Hell Fire)
The last 2006 pilgrimage could be the largest ever with an estimated three million pilgrims around the world. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has
My Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah
By Imam Abdel Aziz Dimapunong, al haj
reported that around 1.6 million pilgrims came from abroad as reported by officially registered tour agencies. There has been no report of any untoward incident during the 2006 hajj pilgrimage year. There was no stampede or anything of that sort.
My Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah
By Imam Abdel Aziz Dimapunong, al haj
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