`ARAFAT
MOUNT, Saudi Arabia, January 9, 2006 (IslamOnline.net) – More than
2.5 million pilgrims are readying themselves for the symbolic stoning
of the devil on Tuesday, January 19, after descending Mount `Arafat at
the climax of the annual spiritual journey.
At
sunset on Monday, January 9, a sea of white-clad Muslim pilgrims
started streaming to nearby Muzdalifa, a few kilometers from the plain
of `Arafat, where they will stay for the night.
Standing
on Mount `Arafat, where Prophet Mohammad delivered his last sermon 14
centuries ago, before sunset is the high point of hajj, and pilgrims
who fail to make it here on time must repeat their pilgrimage in
future.
Men
clad in a two-piece seamless white cloth -- which mark a state of
purity that erases all differences of race, class or culture - and
women fully covered except for the hands and face, had flocked to
Arafat on foot or in buses, small vehicles and pick-ups.
On
Tuesday, the faithful will throw pebbles at three pillars in Mina on
the spot where the devil appeared to Prophet Abraham.
The
four-day `Eid Al-Adha begins the same day, with the sacrificial of
sheep, goats and cows as a reminder of the great act of sacrifice
Prophet Ibrahim and his son Isma`eel were willing to make for the sake
of God.
Hajj
consists of several ceremonies, which are meant to symbolize the
essential concepts of the Islamic faith.
Every
able-bodied adult Muslim who can financially afford the trip must
perform hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, once in their
lifetime.
`Arafat
Sermon
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"Muslims should work to establish economic, political and military mechanisms to defend Muslims against attacks by their enemies," said Sheikh Abdul Aziz.
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Addressing
the sea of Muslim believers gathered in `Arafat, the mufti of Saudi
Arabia urged unity among the Muslim people, condemning the terrorist
acts as running counter to the merciful teachings of Islam.
"Shari`ah
forbids terrorism," Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh told the Muslim
faithful.
He
said that terrorist attacks by some people in the name of Islam have
blemished the image of the Muslim faith.
The
Saudi mufti also urged Muslims worldwide to close ranks and unite
against campaigns targeting Islam and Muslims.
"You
Muslims, who believe in Allah and His Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), should
work to cement your unity," he told the attentive pilgrims.
"The
Muslim people should also work to establish economic, political and
military mechanisms to defend Muslims against attacks by their
enemies."
Sheikh
Abdul Aziz stressed that failure to observe unity has allowed the
enemies of Islam to bully Muslims.
"Several
anti-Islam campaigns have been launched under the slogans of
terror-combat or dialogue with the other," he said.
"These
campaigns are malicious and only target Islam and Muslims."
The
Saudi mufti further called on young Muslims to follow the moderate
teachings of Islam and steer clear of fanaticism and extremism.
He
further called for respecting the rights of women and showing respect
to the judges and the judicial authorities.
