HJ ZULHEIMY - DOWN MEMORY LANE

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

8 April 2024

MASYAA'ER

Masyaa'er means Symbol of the Greatness of Allah s.w.t. covering the areas of Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina.

1. Arafah is the first gathering place with an area of 13 km and a distance of 20 km from Masjidilharam.

2. Muzdalifah: The night stop is located between Arafah and Mina. It is 8 km from Arafah and 6.9 km from Mina.

3. Mina: the second gathering place to carry out the Hajj.

When you arrive at Mekkah to begin Hajj, It's important to make your intention (niyyah) within your heart. The intention must be to perform the Hajj for the sake of Allah alone, with a desire for good in hereafter. It should be done to be seen by others or for worldly gain.

The 8th of Zulhijjah marks the beginning of the days of Hajj and the next stage of your spiritual journey. You'll purify yourself and enter the state of Ihram once again.

Rules of Ihram

It’s very important to note that when you are in a state of Ihram, you are not permitted to smoke, swear, shave, clip your nails, or engage in any form of sexual relations. Fighting and arguments are also forbidden, and participants are prohibited from hunting, killing, or unjustifiably breaking anything. You must also avoid scented products such as perfumes, moisturisers, makeup, or soaps. You may, however, substitute them for unscented toiletries which are permissible to use.

Wukuf in Arafah is the climax of Hajj .

In 2017, the number of Malaysian pilgrims increased by 12,000 people compared to the initial number of 30,200 people that was announced at the beginning of the Hajj season. This increase can be attributed to the good relationship between the Government of Malaysia and the Government of Saudi Arabia.

All 42,200 Malaysian Hajj Pilgrims in 2017 will join more than 2 million Muslims around the world moving towards Arafah to undergo the wukuf worship, which is the climax of Hajj, on 31 August 2017.

Arafah is located about 25 km from Masjidilharam. In the Hajj season 1438H this time, 280 buses were prepared to carry Hajj pilgrims from 14 Maktab accommodation, involving a total of 840 trips.

Chairman of Tabung Haji (TH), Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, stated that there were 42,200 Malaysian Hajj pilgrims in the Holy Land during the Hajj Season 1438H. As of August 31, 2017, it was reported that 20 pilgrims had died in the Holy Land, with 3 of them passing away on Thursday, August 31, 2017 (Wukuf Day). The Tabung Haji Board will provide Badal Hajj for these individuals next year.

As of Wukuf Day (August 31), it was reported that 12 pilgrims are still receiving treatment in Mecca. Among them, 4 pilgrims are in a coma while 8 others are being monitored for their health. For those who are ill and unable to perform the wukuf at Arafah, which is a pillar of Hajj, Tabung Haji will refund RM9,980.00 and they will be given priority to perform the Hajj next year (2018).

Regarding the determination of Wukuf Day, the Head of the Malaysian Hajj Group 1438 Hijrah, Datuk Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman, explained that all the dates of the Hijrah year, including the determination of Wukuf Day and Eid al-Adha, depend on the ummul qura' calendar (Hijri calendar) which is used together with the government of Saudi Arabia.

According to the Ummul Qura Calendar, Wukuf Day in 2017 (1438H), the 9th of Zulhijjah falls on 31 August 2017, a Thursday. It falls on the same day as Malaysia's Independence Day. While Malaysians at home are celebrating Independence Day and then Aidil-Adha the next day, let's not forget the Malaysian pilgrims who raised their hand to heaven and offered prayers of repentance on the sacred hill of Saudi's Arabia Mount Arafat, an intense day of worship considered to be the climax of the annual Hajj.

On the 9th of Dzulhijjah, pilgrims travel to Arafat. They spend the entire day making du'a and stand until sunset facing the Qiblah and seeking forgiveness for their sins. This is the most important part of the Hajj, without which the Hajj would be incomplete. The Prophet s.a.w said, "Hajj is Arafah."

MOVEMENT TO ARAFAH - MAKTAB 87

Hajj pilgrims from Maktab 87 Abraj Al Janadiriyyah were instructed to move to Arafah on August 30, 2017, a day earlier.

A briefing was given before moving to Arafah

Waiting for the Bus to Arafah

The official departure ceremony for the first group of Malaysian pilgrims at the TH Makkah headquarters this morning was led by Datuk Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman, the Head of the 1438 Hijrah Hajj Group.

On the way to Arafah

The Tabung Haji (TH)officials in charge always prioritize the well-being of the pilgrims. They serve as the backbone for the pilgrims, consistently delivering exceptional service, even beyond their official duties.

To ensure that the pilgrims can fulfill the fifth pillar of Islam, all staff members—whether in administration, operations, media, or medicine — are collaborating to execute every plan in the best possible manner. Thank you to everyone involved.

Once you’re all set to enter the Ihram, you’ll begin reciting the following invocation called the Talbiyah:

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ، لَبَّيْكَ لاَ شَرِيْكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ، إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ لاَشَرِيْكَ لَكَ

Transliteration:

Labbayka Allāhumma labbayk. Labbayk lā shareeka laka labbayk. Inna al-ḥamda, wa n-‘imata, Laka wal mulk. Lā shareeka lak.

Translation:

“Here I am, O Allah, here I am, here I am. You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours and all sovereignty. You have no partner.”

ARAFAH

During the Hajj season in 2017, all pilgrims were accommodated in a new tent that was used for the first time. These tents are larger and sturdier to withstand strong winds, and they are also fireproof. Each tent can accommodate between 150 to 240 pilgrims. Additionally, steam fans have been installed in each tent, with 150 units provided for each Maktab.

The weather in Arafah during this Hajj season has been quite hot, with an average temperature of around 40 degrees Celsius.

For the first time this season, pilgrims are being served a combination of Malay and Arabic menus, designed to better suit their tastes.

The arrival of the Pilgrims in Arafah on the evening of August 30, 2017.

WADI URANAH

A valley located at the end of the Haram Land, before reaching Arafat, is the border between the Haram Land and the Halal Land. Here Rasulullah s.a.w. delivered his last sermon in the 10th year of the Hijrah. Today, part of it is in front of Namirah Mosque.

Namirah Mosque in front of Wadi Uranah

A LITTLE INFO ABOUT ARAFAH

Arafat is also known as Arafat. Arafat is a singular name with a plural (plural) pronunciation. In the Quran, it is called "Arafat".

Arafah and Arafat are names for this place, referred to in the plural even though the place is one because all corners of this place are called Arafah.

Arafah is one of the Masya'er (places of worship) of Hajj outside the boundaries of the Haram Land of Mecca, so Arafah is a Halal Land. The distance is about 22 km from the southeast side of Masjidilharam. Wukuf in Arafah is the main Pillar of Hajj, whoever leaves it then the ruling is like not performing Hajj. If a person intends to perform Hajj but does not have time to perform Wuquf, then he will miss his Hajj that year.

Arafah is an open and wide area located on the eastern side outside the holy city of Makkah. This is where Muslims fulfill the pillar of wukuf. Wukuf in the field of Arafah is one of the pillars of Hajj, to remember the event where Prophet Adam and Eve were brought down to earth from heaven for disobeying God's command and being deceived by the devil's trickery. They were separated in this world and it took 40 years to meet again. Their meeting place is Mount Arafah, precisely in Jabal Rahmah, which means "Mountain of Mercy". This is where they begged forgiveness from God for many years. Finally, their request was accepted by God.

The day of Arafah is one of the most important days for Muslims across the world, as Allah (SWT) refers to the Day of Arafah in Surah Al-Maidah as the Day on which He perfected His religion, completed His favors upon His beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and approved Islam as the way of life!

The Prophet (PBUH) also said :

"There is no day on which Allah frees people from the Fire more so than on the Day of Arafah. He comes close to those (people standing on Arafah) and then He reveals before His Angels saying, "What are these people seeking?"

(Hadith / Muslim)

Jabal Al-Rahmah (Mountain of Mercy) is a granodiorite hill about 20 km southeast of Mecca. The mountain is especially important during the Hajj, with the 9th day of the Islamic month of Dzulhijjah, also known as the Day of Arafah.

Arafah rituals end at sunset and pilgrims then move to Muzdalifah for Maghrib prayer.

Wukuf in Arafah on the 9th of Zulhijjah means pausing for a moment in the field. Being in the field of Arafah in a warm and scorching atmosphere serves as an early reminder to Muslims about the situation in Padang Mahsyar, where all people, regardless of race, rank, or position, will be gathered to receive judgment based on their good and bad deeds while in the world.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Dr. Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, visited the pilgrims' camp in Arafah.

Malaysian haj pilgrims gathered there for wukuf to pray for Malaysia to continue being blessed with peace, stability, prosperity, and safety, as Malaysian National Day coincided with the Day of Arafah on August 31, 2017.

While leading the prayer, Datuk Dr. Asyraf expressed hopes that Malaysia and its leaders would be protected from all evil and humiliation.

Also present were Tabung Haji Chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, Tabung Haji Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Johan Abdullah, and head of the Malaysian Haj Delegation 1438H, Datuk Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman.

In anticipation of Wukuf, the Arafah Sermon was delivered by Datuk Dr. Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department. Additionally, several religious experts delivered the Arafah Sermon at 13 other pilgrim camps.

During the sermon, Asyraf Wajdi emphasized that the strength of a nation can only reach its peak when the people's solidarity is upheld in a spirit of brotherhood. He referenced Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his Khutbatul Wada' (Farewell Sermon), which he delivered on the 9th day of Zulhijjah, during the 10th year of the Hijrah, at Mount Arafah.

During the period between Asr and Maghrib, it is crucial for pilgrims to pray, and they should not miss this important opportunity. After that, as soon as midnight passes, the pilgrims will proceed to Muzdalifah to pray. This is one of the essential obligations that must be fulfilled during Hajj.

All Malaysian pilgrims will be in Arafah until the night of August 31. They will then spend the night in Muzdalifah before staying in Mina until the 13th of Zulhijjah.

TO MUZDALIFAH

MERDEKA DAY

60th Anniversary of Merdeka Day (Malaysia's Independence Day) on August 31st, 2017 was celebrated in conjunction with the Hajj pilgrimage, which included the Day of Arafah. While the Hajj pilgrimage and the Day of Arafah are central to the Islamic faith and are observed independently of national holidays.

The moment has come and gone, the day of Wuquf in the plains of Arafah. It is over and done with and for once. All thanks be to Allah for paving the path smoothly and, well, almost effortless.

The haj ritual itself takes a mere five days to complete. It begins with preparations to be present in Arafah on the 8th of Zulhijjah to prepare for Wukuf on the 9th and then for the Stoning of the Devil ritual on the 10th, 11th, and 12th of Zulhijjah. There is also the part where the pilgrim has to return to Mekah for the tawaf (circumambulation around the Kaabah) and saei which takes a matter of hours – at peak periods, to complete.

HAJJ JOURNEY 2017 : MUZDALIFAH & MINA

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL

9.4.2024 > 1 Syawal 1445H: 8.13 p.m

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

8 April 2024

MEKKAH AL MUKARRAMAH

Mekkah or Mecca with its full name Mecca Al Mukarramah, is located approximately 73 km east of Jeddah. Mecca is the birthplace of Prophet Ismail a.s. and also Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. This is also where the revelation came down to Prophet Muhammad s.a.w, which is in Gua Hira in Jabal Nur.

Named Mecca means to purify or cleanse because Mecca purifies and eliminates the sins of those who come to it or cleanse those who commit injustice in Mecca.

The city of Makkah is located 600 km from the city of Madinah and more than 200 km from the main terminal city to Makkah, which is Jeddah. The city is situated in a narrow valley and surrounded by mountains, with the Ka'aba building as the center of the city. The temperature in summer in this city is very hot and reaches up to 40 °C (104 °F).

In Mecca, there is the Masjid al-Haram where the Kaaba is located, which serves as the Qibla for Muslims all over the world.

Scientific studies have proven that Mecca is the center of the earth. This study was conducted by Prof. Hosien Kamal El Din Ibrahim from Egypt.

During the Hajj season, this square will be filled with buses that bring Hajj pilgrims from faraway hotels to Masjidilharam. It also transports Hajj pilgrims who want to go to the place of prayer to perform Umrah or Hajj.

Refer: Hajj Journey 2017 : Flight to Jeddah

I took a photo of this mosque from a hotel room in Abraj Al Janadriyyah. I don't know the name of this mosque.

This used to be the place where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is believed to have been born. Located in Sh'ib Abi Talib, in the eastern side of Masjidilharam and just a short walking distance away from it. Now the house has been turned into a public library by the Mayor of Mekah, Syeikh Abbas Bin Yusuf Al-Qatthan in 1950.

I visited this library and was given some books for free.

Zam Zam well located within the Masjidilharam in Mecca about 20m east of the Kaaba. The well is a miraculously generated source of water, which opened up thousands of years ago when the son of Ibrahim a.s. (Abraham), Ismail (Ishmael) was left with his mother Hajar (Hagar) in the desert. It is stated to have dried up during the settlement of the Jurhum in the area and to have been rediscovered in the 6th century by Abdul Muttalib, grandfather of Muhammad (PBUH).

Millions of pilgrims visit Mecca and Medina each year to perform the hajj or umrah and drink water from the zam zam well.

Al Haram Emergency Hospital located north of the Holy Mosque in front of King Abdullah Gate provides high quality services to pilgrims through an integrated medical team. The hospital was launched during Ramadan 1438H (2017).

Al Safwah Tower located in Mecca, a 5-minute walk from Masjidilharam, oppostie to King Abdul Aziz Gate with Mecca skyline view.

FELDA D'Saji is proud to be the flag bearer for Malaysian and Asian cuisine at the Holy City of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia. The best of Malaysian and Asian cuisine brought by FELDA D'Saji can be located at Level 2, Al-Safwa Tower, located infront of King Abdul Aziz Gate of Masjidilharam.

Among the dishes are Malaysian favourite Roti Canai, Nasi Lemak, Teh Tarik and other various Malaysian dishes.

MASJID AL-HARAM

The Masjid Al-Haram is the largest mosque in the world, located in the city of Mecca surrounded by hills. The construction of the Kaaba, which is the qibla of Muslims, is located in Masjid al-Haram.

Allah s.w.t said in Surah al-Imran verse 96, which means, "Indeed, the first house of worship built for mankind is the House of God in Mecca, which is blessed and a guide for mankind."

The reward of praying in Masjid al-Haram is 100,000 times compared to praying in other places.

The word "Masjid al-Haram" is mentioned 15 times in the Quran.

The Bab Ajyad (باب أجياد) or Ajyad Gate, is named after the two valleys of Ajyad, situated south-east of the Masjid al-Haram. It is one of the smaller, single portal gates of the mosque complex. Gates no. 7 and 8 are also part of the same group, providing electrical escalator facilities to access the upper part of the Haram.

There are two KFC's in the vicinity of the Masjidilharam. The nearest would be on the ground floor of the Hilton Towers (now Millenium Hotel Tower) and the other in the food court of the Jabal Omar Mall, near to Hilton Suites.

KAABA

The Kaaba, sometimes referred to as al-Ka'ba al-Musharrata is a stone building in the center of Masjidilharam. It is considered by Muslims to be the Bayt Allah (House of God) and is the qibla (direction of prayer) for Muslims around the world. In early Islam, Muslims faced in the general direction of Jurusalem as the qibla of their prayers before changing to Kaaba,as a result of a Quranic verse revelation to Muhammad (PBUH).

According to Islam, the Kaaba was rebuilt several times throughout history, most famously by Prophet Ibrahim a.s and his son Ismail a.s.

The construction of the Kaaba is located on a site called Syazarwan, forming four corners which are:

a. Rukun Iraqi - pointing to the northeast

b. Rukun Ash-Syami - pointing to the northwest

c. Rukun Al-Yamani - pointing to the southwest

d. Rukun Al Aswadi - pointing to the southeast where the Black Stone is located.

Pray in front of the Kaaba, in sha Allah, it will be accepted by Allah s.w.t. Among those found around the Kaaba are:

a. Hajar Aswad - located on the east side of the Kaaba, marking the beginning of tawaf.

b. Multazam - the place between the Black Stone and the door of the Kaaba. Rasulullah s.a.w in his hadith said this is the place where prayer is necessary.

c. Makam Ibrahim - the place where Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.) stood when building the Kaaba, also a suitable place to pray.

d. Al - Hathim - located between the Rukun and the Maqam Ibrahim, the well of zam-zam and Hijr Ismail.

e. Hijir Ismail - a crescent-shaped wall construction. It is said that this is where Prophet Ismail and his mother Siti Hajar were buried. It is recommended to pray at Hijir Ismail.

f. Pancur Emas - a golden fountain or mizab that leads out from the roof of the Kaaba to drain rainwater. An auspicious area for praying.