Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam and it is mandatory for every Muslim to perform the pilgrimage at least once in his lifetime. Haj is the time when patience and faith is tested. On 8th of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims wear their Ihram and call out the Talbiyah. The pilgrims have to constantly recite the Talbiyyah during Haj, count and praise the blessings of Allah. Pilgrims leave for Makkah and perform Tawaf Al Qudoom on arrival. Then they leave for Mina, where they have to reach before noon. The pilgrims have to spend the night there before proceeding to Arafat after praying Fajr. On the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, pilgrims stay in Arafat till sunset but they don't pray Maghrib there. From Arafat they go to Muzdalifah where they are required to pray Maghrib and Isha together. Pilgrims have to spend the night in Muzdalifah and collect stones for stoning the devil. The next day after praying Fajr they head toward Mina, where they have to reach before sunset. The pilgrims need to stay in Mina for three days. They have to stone the devils for three days with seven stones each. After the stoning the devil on the first day, men shave their heads and women cut a part of their hair and make the sacrifice in the name of Allah. The pilgrims then perform Tawaf Al Ifadah and Tawaf Al Widaa. Muslims around the world celebrate Eid Al-Adha on 10th of Dhul Hijjah by performing their Eid prayers, sacrificing an animal, and holding a feast for their loved ones after the appropriate distribution of the meat. Yara Ahmed of Grade 6, Al-Faisal International School, said: “I have done Haj twice and whenever I go for Haj I feel I am very close to Allah. When I perform Tawaf, I feel my heart has become pure and empty of bad thoughts.” Jannah and Ameena Shafqat, student of Al-Faisal International School will be performing Haj this year for the first time. Both of them are excited to perform this holy event with their parents. Reema, Co-ordinator at Al-Faisal International School, said that students should be aware about the five pillars of Islam and as part of Islamic education they should be taught about Haj and the correct ways to perform this holy ritual. She also said the school will also be hosting an event to enlighten children about the procedures of Haj and why one has to perform it in his lifetime.
