THE FIFTH PILLAR OF ISLAM: THE PILGRIMAGE (HAJJ)

When arriving at certain stations on the caravan routes to Mecca, the pilgrim enters a state of purity known as ihram. In this state, the 'normal' actions of day and night become impermissible for pilgrims, such as covering their heads, cutting their nails and wearing clothes with seams. The men wear two special clothes for the state of ihram, two white seamless fabrics that are tied around the body. All this increases the reverence and holiness of the pilgrimage, the city of Mecca, and the month of Dhul-Híyyah. There are 5 places where to dress the clothes of ihram, one on the coasts of the plains of northwest Mecca near Egypt and one south of Yemen, while three lie northeast of Medina, Iraq and an-Nayd. Simple clothing means the equality of all humanity in God's sight, and the elimination of worldly differentiation. After entering the state of ihram, the pilgrim continues on his way to Mecca and awaits the beginning of the pilgrimage. On the 7th day of Dhu al-Híyyah the pilgrim is reminded of his duties, and at the beginning of the ritual, which takes place between the 8th and the 12th day of the month, the pilgrim visits the holy places of Mecca - ' Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina'a - and offers an animal commemorating the sacrifice of Prophet Abraham. The pilgrim shaves his head, then throws seven pebbles at the monoliths in Mina'a for three consecutive days, goes to the mosque to do the circumvallation of the Ka'bah, and travels between the mountains of Safaa and Marwah.

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