The Hajj: Day Five

Hajj
Day Five

(Mission of the day: Stone the three pillars; perform circumambulation in Makkah)

Again, as we re-trace the steps of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), we are to spend three days and two nights in Mina. The one thing we had to do was collect seven pebbles again, and stone the pillars, this time all three of them. My mom also accompanied my dad and I this time.

The process of stoning the pillars sounds easier than actually being there in person. Many people would attempt to go after the noon prayer, but we decided to go later after the evening prayer. The walk towards the Jamaraat was through a tunnel. Hoards of groups of people would pass through this tunnel. Once we got into the tunnel, I got goose bumps, as huge groups of people were all walking in one direction, saying out loud in Arabic in unison: Here I am O Lord, Here I am in response to you O Lord. To witness 1000s of people walking together towards the Jamaraat definitely connected me to them.

Like yesterday, the process of stoning went fairly easily. No pushing, no shoving, and all three of us managed to do it right from the front. I wish some of the pilgrims would understand that Satan doesn’t live in the pillars; otherwise they would not be shouting curses at the pillars.

We also went to Makkah today to do the Tawaaf. Again, 1000s of people were doing the same thing like us. Getting into that small van to get to the mosque in Makkah was probably one of the more exciting bus ride. Zipping in and out of the back streets of the city Makkah, we saw places, which we never saw before. We were seeing the city like we never saw it before. It was just awesome.

On our way back, there were no transport to take us back to Mina. They had blocked the tunnel, because some VIP guests were coming. This was pathetic. So we started walking. We walked about seven or eight kilometers, and it was no joke, because my mom was with us too. However, the walk was not too bad. The plight of some of the pilgrims was worse. These were people who we called squatters. They were sleeping out in the open, on the bridge, under the bridge, sidewalks, pavements every place where they could find a place to sleep.

There were garbage dumps all over. The city was in a mess. Which only made us thankful of our tents. If we were tired walking, the situation around us made thankful that we are at least getting to a clean tent. If we thirsty, we were thankful that we would get water at our tent unlike the people here. If we were feeling hot, we were thankful that we have AC in our tent, unlike these people out here. My point being, that I was being taught a huge lesson here. Every time I am down and in a complaining mood, I just have to look at the reality around me, and realize that things are not so bad for me after all. It put my whole thinking in perspective.

One thing I love about spending a couple of days later here after Eid in Mina is the spirit of community. There is no better example of unity in diversity. One reason for Hajj is for the gathering of Muslims from all over the world, who would come together, to discuss their issues and look out and support one another.

I don’t think I am ready to leave tomorrow for Jeddah. I want to live in world that was given to me here in Mina, where people should be like as God has originally envisioned them to be: courteous, helpful, morally upright, supportive and so on. It is only when we leave this environment that we enter into a world where people can be anything from nasty to morally decadent.

Mansur