I enjoyed class last Thursday when we preformed the Hajj. I learn best when I can experience something because then I have something to relate to when trying to remember it. Here is a review of what we did and why we did it.
First we started with the purification when we cleansed our hands with water. Second we circum ambulated seven times counterclockwise around our homemade Ka’aba. This is supposed to bring a sense of community and the Ka’aba is the direction of prayer. Third we ran between two hills in order to remember the story of Hagar and how she searched the desert for water after Sarah casted her out. She ran between two hills, Al-Safa and Al-Marwah. Hagar was trying to find water for her son Ishmael and the story is that after she ran around, the well of Zamzam appeared and supplied her water. Fourth we stood on a hill and in Mecca this is done on Mount Arafat. This is to reflect on Judgment day when we make our way to heaven. Fifth we threw ping pong balls at a sculpture on campus to imitate how they throw stones at three pillars seven times (total of 21) to stone the devil. Sixth we circum ambulated again seven times counterclockwise. Last we preformed an Eid, which is the sacrifice of a lamb by Halal.
I think this is a really cool thing about the Islam religion. All year Muslims pray facing Mecca, which is where the Hajj takes place. It must be a really cool feeling getting to experience actually being there. As mentioned on class last Thursday, the day spent on Mount Arafat is the one people consider the most moving. Rarely do we just stand in one place and do nothing but meditate, pray, or think. We are always so busy and our lives are full of movement, I am pretty sure that if I were to experience the Hajj, this day would be the one that would effect me the most.