subject: Celebrating the Sacred Rituals of the Hajj at Holy Al Jamarat [print this page] Celebrating the Sacred Rituals of the Hajj at Holy Al Jamarat
It is said that the Hajj and the pilgrimage of Makkah is a hallowed journey that all Muslim faithfuls must engage in at least once in their lives. Rife with ritual, custom and age old tradition the commemoration and celebration of the Hajj is concentrated in the holy region of Makkah in Saudi Arabia. One of the most significant aspects of this ancient landscape is its connection to the story of Abraham and the inception of the Islamic religion. In fact, re-enacting albeit symbolically the various trials and tribulations endured by Abraham and his family are integral to the pilgrimage of Makkah where devotees head to the plains of Mina where much of the episodes of the religion's historic occurrences are concentrated.
One of the most intriguing rituals of the pilgrimage is the stoning of the devil known as Ramy Al Jamarat where pilgrims throw pebbles at three ancient pillars in an attempt to ward off and punish the devil. Located at a distance of 155 meters from one another the three pillars are located near the Al-Khaif Mosque and increase in height from the first to the third. Dubbed the pillar of Aqabah the third pillar is the last to feel the brunt of the pilgrims' stoning as they proceed from the first, the second and finally to the third column. Conducted at predetermined schedules so as to avoid congestion at the venue, the Jamarat basin has also been expanded from its circular shape to an oval shaped basin which makes the pillars more accessible to the faithful. Separate entrance and exit routes have also been laid out to reduce overcrowding during the holy period of the year when pilgrims flock to the ancient city.
The three pillars are believed to be symbolic representations of the challenges the devil presented to Abraham and as such the pilgrims are required to hit the pillars a minimum of seven times. The stones also must be bean sized pebbles collected from Muzdalifah and it is said that the stones must also not be larger than the prescribed size as it denotes exaggeration. The act of throwing the stone is believed to be a supplication to god to accept each pilgrim's completion of the Hajj and acknowledge its conclusion.
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