Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, Chairman of the Russian Muftis Council (RMC) and the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation, called on the believers to do good and pray for going to the Hajj in the coming years, as well as for an end to the coronavirus epidemic. His message was published on the Organization website.
Traditionally, during the Dhu al-Hijjah month, which began on July 21, 2020, Muslims traditionally make the Hajj, a large pilgrimage to the shrines of Islam. Believers, first of all, visit the Forbidden Mosque in Mecca, and also try to visit the Mosque of the Prophet in Medina. Saudi authorities on February 27 suspended entry into the country for a pilgrimage to Mecca and a visit to Medina because of the coronavirus epidemic.
"Dhu al-Hijjah is a blessed time for a pilgrimage - the Hajj, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. But because of the pandemic, the Hajj was only possible for the residents of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In these days, by the command of Allah, Muslims must double their good morals, do good works, do extra prayers and fast," Gainutdin said.
He recalled the importance of doing good deeds in the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah and especially on the Day of Arafat (on the eve of Kurban Bayram), when "the reward from the Almighty for doing good deeds is increased many times". According to Gainutdin, fasting on the Day of Arafat "is a desirable action (Sunna) for all Muslims who do not make pilgrimages". At the same time, Mufti stressed, one cannot fast on the tenth day, Kurban Bayram, as it is a holiday.
"We pray and on these blessed days we call on all Muslims in their prayers to ask the Almighty Allah for the retreat of the terrible disease and healing of the sick. We prayerfully ask the Creator that all the next years Muslims all over the world can step into the holy lands of Mecca and Medina in order to fulfill what is prescribed to each of the Muslims", he concluded.
The Hajj is one of the five pillars on which Islam is based. The pilgrimage to the holy places in Mecca is prescribed to every Muslim at least once in life. The Hajj is divided into large and small. The Big Hajj is performed in Dhul al-Hijjah ("Pilgrimage Month"). Due to the fact that the Muslim calendar is lunar, the time of the hajj is changed annually. A Muslim can perform the small hajj (Umrah) at any time of year.
The Feast of Sacrifice of Kurban Bayram (in Turkic) or Eid al-Adha (in Arabic) is one of the main holidays of Muslims. It is celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Dhul al-Hijjah of the Islamic lunar calendar and lasts three days. Every year the date of the holiday changes, in 2020 Eid al-Adha starts on July 31.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Valery Sharifulin / TASS
Based on materials from RIA Novosti