MINA (INP): Sheikh Saad bin Nasir has said that Islam prohibits terrorism, violence and bloodshed.
He was delivering sermon to Hajj pilgrims at Masjid-e-Nimra in Arafat where more than two million Muslim pilgrims from across the world performed Waqoof-e-Arafat, the main ritual of Hajj in the holy land of Islam.
Sheikh Nasir, a prominent Saudi Arabian religious cleric, urged Muslims to practice teachings of Islam in their lives, and refrain from misdeeds.
He urged Muslims to avoid injustice and snatching rights of people. “Oh believers, save yourselves from nationalism, ethnicism and grouping. Islam prohibits terrorism, violence and bloodshed,” the Sheikh said.
He called upon media of the Muslim world to play role for the unity of Muslim Ummah. “The peace and tranquility of mind can only be found through the religion,” he said. The Sheikh, in his sermon, also prayed for the Muslims of Palestine and freedom of Bait-ul-Muqadda, the first qibla of Muslims.
In first phase of Hajj, the pilgrims spent a day and following night (Wednesday) in Mina — a tent city near Makkah, and later started moving to towards mount Arafat where the main pillar of Hajj pilgrimage, Waqoof-e-Arafat, was perfomed. Waqoof (stay) in Arafat is performed from Zuhar to sunset on the 9th of Zil-Hajj of Islamic year.
The main action in Wuquf is not to pray lots of Nafils but to just stand facing the Baitul Haram (Sacred House) asking Allah for forgiveness while recognizing Him as our Lord. The holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “Al Hajju Arafah,” means ‘standing in Arafat’ is the Hajj.
After Waqoof, the pilgrims offered Zohar and Asar prayers jointly at Arafat and moved towards Muzdalafa where they would perform remaining two prayers, Maghrib and Isha, together. All Hajj pilgrims will stay whole night in Muzdalfa and continue worships for forgiveness and pleasing God, the almighty.
They would perform Fajar prayer on morning of 10th Zil-Hajj in Muzdalfa and then return to Mina for following act of Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S), Rami, stoning the big Satan.
After stoning the Satan, Hajj pilgrims will shave off heads or trim hairs, to the prescribed level, and then would get off the Ahrams, Hajj cloths, at completion of Hajj rituals. Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Adha and sacrifice Halal animals of their choices every year, after completion of Hajj proceedings.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam that must be performed at least once in lifetime by all Muslims capable of making the expensive and difficult journey. It is religious obligation equally applicable to Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims.
