Latest news with #spiritualexperience
Arab News
a day ago
- General
- Arab News
What is the Hajj pilgrimage and what is Eid Al-Adha? Why are they significant for Muslims?
Once a year, large numbers of Muslim pilgrims converging on Saudi Arabia unite in religious rituals and acts of worship as they perform the Hajj, one of the pillars of Islam. They fulfill a religious obligation, immersing themselves in what can be a spiritual experience of a lifetime for them and a chance to seek God's forgiveness and the erasure of past a look at the pilgrimage and its significance to IS THE HAJJ?The Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah in Saudi Arabia and involves a series of religious rituals. It's required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it. Some Muslims make the journey more than is also one of the Five Pillars of Islam, in addition to the profession of faith, prayer, almsgiving, and IS THE HAJJ?The Hajj occurs once a year during the lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar year. This year, the Hajj will start on June the Hajj falls during the summer months, the intense heat can be especially challenging. Amid extremely high temperatures last year, more than 1,300 people died during the Hajj, Saudi authorities announced then. The country's health minister said at the time that the vast majority of the fatalities were unauthorized pilgrims who walked long distances under the THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HAJJ TO MUSLIMS?For pilgrims, performing the Hajj fulfills a religious obligation and is also a deeply spiritual experience. It's seen as a chance to seek God's forgiveness for past sins, to grow closer to God and to walk in the footsteps of the Hajj unites Muslims of diverse races, ethnicities, languages, and economic classes from around the world in performing religious rituals and acts of worshipping God at the same time and place. This leaves many feeling a sense of unity, connection, humility, and equality. Pilgrims also show up with their own personal appeals, wishes and pilgrims bring with them prayer requests from family and friends that they would like to be said on their spend years hoping and praying to one day perform the Hajj, or save up money and wait for a permit to embark on the of the journey, preparations may include packing various essentials for the physically demanding trip, seeking tips from those who've performed the pilgrimage before, attending lectures or consulting other educational material on how to properly perform a series of Hajj rituals as well as spiritually preparing ARE SOME OF THE RITUALS THAT PILGRIMS PERFORM?Pilgrims make the intention to perform the Hajj, and they enter a state of 'ihram.' Being in ihram includes abiding by certain rules and prohibitions. For instance, men are not to wear regular sewn or stitched clothes that encircle the body, such as shirts, during ihram. Instead, there are simple ihram cloth garments for men; scholars say the purpose is to discard luxuries and vanity, shed worldly status symbols and immerse the pilgrim in humility and devotion to God.A spiritual highlight of the Hajj for many is standing on the plain of Arafat, where pilgrims praise God, plead for forgiveness and make supplications. Many raise their hands in worship with tears streaming down their rituals include performing 'tawaf,' circumambulating, or circling the Kaaba in Makkah counterclockwise seven times. The Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure, is the focal point toward which Muslims face during their daily prayers from anywhere in the other rituals, pilgrims also retrace the path of Hagar, or Hajjar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, who Muslims believe ran between two hills seven times searching for water for her IS EID AL-ADHA?Eid Al-Adha, or the 'Feast of Sacrifice,' is the Islamic holiday that begins on the 10th day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, during the Hajj.A joyous occasion celebrated by Muslims around the world, Eid Al-Adha marks Ibrahim's test of faith and his willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of submission to God. During the festive holiday, Muslims slaughter sheep or cattle and distribute some meat to poor people.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
What is the Hajj pilgrimage and what is Eid al-Adha? Why are they significant for Muslims?
Once a year, large numbers of Muslim pilgrims converging on Saudi Arabia unite in religious rituals and acts of worship as they perform the Hajj, one of the pillars of Islam. They fulfill a religious obligation, immersing themselves in what can be a spiritual experience of a lifetime for them and a chance to seek God's forgiveness and the erasure of past sins. Here's a look at the pilgrimage and its significance to Muslims. WHAT IS THE HAJJ? The Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia and involves a series of religious rituals. It's required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it. Some Muslims make the journey more than once. It is also one of the five pillars of Islam, in addition to the profession of faith, prayer, almsgiving and fasting. WHEN IS THE HAJJ? The Hajj occurs once a year during the lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar year. This year, the Hajj will start on June 4. When the Hajj falls during the summer months, the intense heat can be especially challenging. Amid extreme high temperatures last year, more than 1,300 people died during the Hajj, Saudi authorities announced then. The country's health minister said at the time that the vast majority of the fatalities were unauthorized pilgrims who walked long distances under the sun. WHAT'S THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HAJJ TO MUSLIMS? For pilgrims, performing the Hajj fulfills a religious obligation and is also a deeply spiritual experience. It's seen as a chance to seek God's forgiveness for past sins, to grow closer to God and to walk in the footsteps of prophets. Communally, the Hajj unites Muslims of diverse races, ethnicities, languages and economic classes from around the world in performing religious rituals and acts of worshipping God at the same time and place. This leaves many feeling a sense of unity, connection, humility and equality. Pilgrims also show up with their own personal appeals, wishes and experiences. Many pilgrims bring with them prayer requests from family and friends that they would like to be said on their behalf. Some spend years hoping and praying to one day perform the Hajj or saving up money and waiting for a permit to embark on the trip. Ahead of the journey, preparations may include packing various essentials for the physically demanding trip, seeking tips from those who've performed the pilgrimage before, attending lectures or consulting other educational material on how to properly perform a series of Hajj rituals as well as spiritually readying oneself. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE RITUALS THAT PILGRIMS PERFORM? Pilgrims make the intention to perform the Hajj and they enter a state of 'ihram.' Being in ihram includes abiding by certain rules and prohibitions. For instance, men are not to wear regular sewn or stitched clothes that encircle the body, such as shirts, during ihram. Instead, there are simple ihram cloth garments for men; scholars say the purpose is to discard luxuries and vanity, shed worldly status symbols and immerse the pilgrim in humility and devotion to God. A spiritual highlight of the Hajj for many is standing on the plain of Arafat, where pilgrims praise God, plead for forgiveness and make supplications. Many raise their hands in worship with tears streaming down their faces. Other rituals include performing 'tawaf,' circumambulating, or circling the Kaaba in Mecca counterclockwise seven times. The Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure, is the focal point toward which Muslims face during their daily prayers from anywhere in the world. Among other rituals, pilgrims also retrace the path of Hagar, or Hajar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, Abraham to Jews and Christians, who Muslims believe ran between two hills seven times searching for water for her son. WHAT IS EID AL-ADHA? Eid al-Adha, or the 'Feast of Sacrifice,' is the Islamic holiday that begins on the 10th day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, during the Hajj. A joyous occasion celebrated by Muslims around the world, Eid al-Adha marks Ibrahim's test of faith and his willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of submission to God. During the festive holiday, Muslims slaughter sheep or cattle and distribute some meat to poor people. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
The Independent
4 days ago
- General
- The Independent
What is the Hajj pilgrimage and what is Eid al-Adha? Why are they significant for Muslims?
Once a year, large numbers of Muslim pilgrims converging on Saudi Arabia unite in religious rituals and acts of worship as they perform the Hajj, one of the pillars of Islam. They fulfill a religious obligation, immersing themselves in what can be a spiritual experience of a lifetime for them and a chance to seek God's forgiveness and the erasure of past sins. Here's a look at the pilgrimage and its significance to Muslims. WHAT IS THE HAJJ? The Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia and involves a series of religious rituals. It's required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it. Some Muslims make the journey more than once. It is also one of the five pillars of Islam, in addition to the profession of faith, prayer, almsgiving and fasting. WHEN IS THE HAJJ? The Hajj occurs once a year during the lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar year. This year, the Hajj will start on June 4. When the Hajj falls during the summer months, the intense heat can be especially challenging. Amid extreme high temperatures last year, more than 1,300 people died during the Hajj, Saudi authorities announced then. The country's health minister said at the time that the vast majority of the fatalities were unauthorized pilgrims who walked long distances under the sun. WHAT'S THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HAJJ TO MUSLIMS? For pilgrims, performing the Hajj fulfills a religious obligation and is also a deeply spiritual experience. It's seen as a chance to seek God's forgiveness for past sins, to grow closer to God and to walk in the footsteps of prophets. Communally, the Hajj unites Muslims of diverse races, ethnicities, languages and economic classes from around the world in performing religious rituals and acts of worshipping God at the same time and place. This leaves many feeling a sense of unity, connection, humility and equality. Pilgrims also show up with their own personal appeals, wishes and experiences. Many pilgrims bring with them prayer requests from family and friends that they would like to be said on their behalf. Some spend years hoping and praying to one day perform the Hajj or saving up money and waiting for a permit to embark on the trip. Ahead of the journey, preparations may include packing various essentials for the physically demanding trip, seeking tips from those who've performed the pilgrimage before, attending lectures or consulting other educational material on how to properly perform a series of Hajj rituals as well as spiritually readying oneself. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE RITUALS THAT PILGRIMS PERFORM? Pilgrims make the intention to perform the Hajj and they enter a state of 'ihram.' Being in ihram includes abiding by certain rules and prohibitions. For instance, men are not to wear regular sewn or stitched clothes that encircle the body, such as shirts, during ihram. Instead, there are simple ihram cloth garments for men; scholars say the purpose is to discard luxuries and vanity, shed worldly status symbols and immerse the pilgrim in humility and devotion to God. A spiritual highlight of the Hajj for many is standing on the plain of Arafat, where pilgrims praise God, plead for forgiveness and make supplications. Many raise their hands in worship with tears streaming down their faces. Other rituals include performing 'tawaf,' circumambulating, or circling the Kaaba in Mecca counterclockwise seven times. The Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure, is the focal point toward which Muslims face during their daily prayers from anywhere in the world. Among other rituals, pilgrims also retrace the path of Hagar, or Hajar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, Abraham to Jews and Christians, who Muslims believe ran between two hills seven times searching for water for her son. WHAT IS EID AL-ADHA? Eid al-Adha, or the 'Feast of Sacrifice,' is the Islamic holiday that begins on the 10th day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, during the Hajj. A joyous occasion celebrated by Muslims around the world, Eid al-Adha marks Ibrahim's test of faith and his willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of submission to God. During the festive holiday, Muslims slaughter sheep or cattle and distribute some meat to poor people. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- General
- Associated Press
What is the Hajj pilgrimage and what is Eid al-Adha? Why are they significant for Muslims?
Once a year, large numbers of Muslim pilgrims converging on Saudi Arabia unite in religious rituals and acts of worship as they perform the Hajj, one of the pillars of Islam. They fulfill a religious obligation, immersing themselves in what can be a spiritual experience of a lifetime for them and a chance to seek God's forgiveness and the erasure of past sins. Here's a look at the pilgrimage and its significance to Muslims. WHAT IS THE HAJJ? The Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia and involves a series of religious rituals. It's required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it. Some Muslims make the journey more than once. It is also one of the five pillars of Islam, in addition to the profession of faith, prayer, almsgiving and fasting. WHEN IS THE HAJJ? The Hajj occurs once a year during the lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar year. This year, the Hajj will start on June 4. When the Hajj falls during the summer months, the intense heat can be especially challenging. Amid extreme high temperatures last year, more than 1,300 people died during the Hajj, Saudi authorities announced then. The country's health minister said at the time that the vast majority of the fatalities were unauthorized pilgrims who walked long distances under the sun. WHAT'S THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HAJJ TO MUSLIMS? For pilgrims, performing the Hajj fulfills a religious obligation and is also a deeply spiritual experience. It's seen as a chance to seek God's forgiveness for past sins, to grow closer to God and to walk in the footsteps of prophets. Communally, the Hajj unites Muslims of diverse races, ethnicities, languages and economic classes from around the world in performing religious rituals and acts of worshipping God at the same time and place. This leaves many feeling a sense of unity, connection, humility and equality. Pilgrims also show up with their own personal appeals, wishes and experiences. Many pilgrims bring with them prayer requests from family and friends that they would like to be said on their behalf. Some spend years hoping and praying to one day perform the Hajj or saving up money and waiting for a permit to embark on the trip. Ahead of the journey, preparations may include packing various essentials for the physically demanding trip, seeking tips from those who've performed the pilgrimage before, attending lectures or consulting other educational material on how to properly perform a series of Hajj rituals as well as spiritually readying oneself. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE RITUALS THAT PILGRIMS PERFORM? Pilgrims make the intention to perform the Hajj and they enter a state of 'ihram.' Being in ihram includes abiding by certain rules and prohibitions. For instance, men are not to wear regular sewn or stitched clothes that encircle the body, such as shirts, during ihram. Instead, there are simple ihram cloth garments for men; scholars say the purpose is to discard luxuries and vanity, shed worldly status symbols and immerse the pilgrim in humility and devotion to God. A spiritual highlight of the Hajj for many is standing on the plain of Arafat, where pilgrims praise God, plead for forgiveness and make supplications. Many raise their hands in worship with tears streaming down their faces. Other rituals include performing 'tawaf,' circumambulating, or circling the Kaaba in Mecca counterclockwise seven times. The Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure, is the focal point toward which Muslims face during their daily prayers from anywhere in the world. Among other rituals, pilgrims also retrace the path of Hagar, or Hajar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, Abraham to Jews and Christians, who Muslims believe ran between two hills seven times searching for water for her son. WHAT IS EID AL-ADHA? Eid al-Adha, or the 'Feast of Sacrifice,' is the Islamic holiday that begins on the 10th day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, during the Hajj. A joyous occasion celebrated by Muslims around the world, Eid al-Adha marks Ibrahim's test of faith and his willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of submission to God. During the festive holiday, Muslims slaughter sheep or cattle and distribute some meat to poor people. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
The National
16-05-2025
- The National
Meet the Dubai firewalkers hot-footing their way to fulfilment
On an already sweltering evening in Dubai, the night is going to get even hotter as an intrepid group of adventure-seekers step out of their comfort zone − quite literally. Behind the doors of a villa in Barsha 3, a brave bunch are on a mission to become 'people of fire'. As the sun sets over the city, the firewalkers write personal messages on pieces of beech wood. It could be a toxic presence they wish to burn; fears they are determined to conquer; or new energy they want to ignite in their lives. The pieces are cast on to the bonfire, the wood ignited and the flames roar, while the group go through deep breathing techniques, meditation and then, power moves − think Portuguese football legend Ronaldo after he scores a goal − to get energised. By sunset the flames have died down. The embers are spread in a line over a layer of grass up to eight metres in length. Temperatures soar up to 450°C. Everything is ready. 'Come on, people of fire,' the shouts ring out around the villa as they prepare for the walk. There is a tribal atmosphere as the music plays and they are urged to remember what they wrote on the wood before the walk. In some ways, you could say residents walk on fire a lot in the UAE given the blistering summer heat. But this is different. 'My friend called me to come, and said it would be a nice spiritual experience. So, I decided, yeah, that's a cool idea to try,' said Daniel Semirazov, from Ukraine, who was taking part in the firewalk. 'In the beginning I was a little bit frightened.' But the breathing techniques and power move assuaged his fears. While he did feel a burn, Mr Semirazov said it was more important to think about the aim of the firewalk. 'The burn is such a small thing in your life. It is more about working with your … problems when afraid of something.' Stephan Milacek, another member of the group, said if it didn't hurt at all it wouldn't be an experience. 'You can feel it,' said Mr Milacek, who splits his time between Dubai and Lisbon. Going the second time … was even like a bigger challenge because then you know it's not going to be just that easy.' Safety is paramount and it should not be attempted without professional supervision. Participants are told to walk normally – not too fast as they might sink deeper into the embers or too slow as they could get burned. Wood is a poor conductor of heat and the contact time for each foot is fleeting. The idea is to move quickly and evenly across the coals. Buckets of chilled water are laid on for walkers to cool their feet and aloe vera packs are on hand. 'We help people to get out of their comfort zone and do things they believe are impossible,' said Benoit Demeulemeester, the chief of Endorphins, the Dubai-based firm behind the firewalk. His job title, he says, stands for 'crazy experience officer'. 'Today, we are doing the firewalk which is clearly the most challenging experience we offer people,' he said. Mr Demeulemeester, who formerly worked in banking, said the aim of the walk is to remove limiting beliefs, create new things in life or burn something they always wanted to get rid of. 'We like to challenge the people and show them they can do things they think they can't,' he said. Every firewalk has its own magic – people push through and it is a form of catharsis. An important part of the Dubai evening is when the firewalkers write that intention on a piece of wood. Daniel said he wanted to burn off uncertainty and to 'ignite my self-confidence'. 'Because I am a founder and a chief executive and through my whole life I was fighting with this feeling of shyness,' said Mr Semirazov. ' … it works!' Mr Milacek said he doesn't typically do these kinds of activities as he is a very 'science-based guy', but it was good for him to get outside of his shell. 'I talked about some things that are very internal with a complete stranger and actually it was also freeing because I didn't have that person to judge me,' he said. He wrote 'think bigger' on his piece of firewood. 'I think I stopped pushing in my life career wise and in other aspects, and so I was like, OK … let's ignite something. Let's use this moment,' he said. 'It's going to be a nice kind of memory. And to keep pushing myself again.' Firewalks are often used in charity or motivational events across the world. But it has deep roots stretching back thousands of years and can often be linked to tests of bravery or faith. Most famously, it is performed by the Sawau clan on Beqa, a Fijian island. But it takes place across the world. This April event was the last before the summer but more are planned. 'It is a challenging, empowering, spiritual and sometimes life-changing experience,' said Mr Demeulemeester. 'It is not dangerous though, thousands of people do it,' he said. 'Become fearless, challenge yourself and crash some limiting beliefs,' he urged. 'Get out of your comfort zone – that is where you grow.'
