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[Kevin_Fernandopulle]

Hi, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind providing me with some feedback to a question on the Hajj. I would really appreciate a mark out of 20. Thanks.
So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained his desire.           (http://corpus.quran.com Qur’an 3:185)
 
For Hajj are the months well known. If any one undertakes that duty therein, let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj. And whatever good ye do, be sure Allah knoweth it.                                                                                                       (Qur’an 2:197)
 
With specific reference to one or more of the above quotations, explain how ONE significant practice in Islam assists adherents in their submission to Allah. In your response, refer to Hajj.[/b]

Through the obligatory Islamic pilgrimage of Hajj adherents are assisted to continuously strive to reach their goal of complete submission to the will of Allah. The Hajj is a quest for redemption and spirituality, reflected through the physical and symbolic acts of devotion which expresses the principle belief of tawhid and a demonstration of the solidarity of adherents. The significance of the Hajj is expressed through re-enactment of the pivotal elements of Islam and its formation, and allows adherents to visit holy places and perform certain religious rites in accordance with the way prescribed by Prophet Muhammad (Qur’an 3:97). Hajj is a form of collective worship, and a way of establishing a connection with the monotheism and its human legacy symbolised by Ibrahim and the first human Adam. As a result, there must be “no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj” as adherents who perform Hajj and do not engage sexual relations or utter foul words, shall return pure and free from sins as the day they were born. Therefore, pilgrimage to Mecca is a “duty” that adherents owe to Allah, as Muslims are obliged to fulfil the fifth pillar of Islam by completely surrendering and placing all trust in in Allah.

The Hajj facilitates complete submission to the will of Allah through assisting adherents in entering a  sacred state of Ihram, which simulates the Day of Judgment when all Muslims gather in one place. Before completing the rites of the Hajj pilgrims must be clothed in Ihram attire which comprises wearing a two-pieced white garment without any stitches. The state of Ihram also extends to behaving in a virtuous manner as detailed by Qur’an 2:197 as there must be “no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj.” As a result, Ihram establishes tranquillity in the individuals mind, eliminating all aspects of stress and material possessions whilst focusing on the oneness of Allah, exhibiting ultimate submission and forgiveness from all sins. This may pose “physical difficulty for some pilgrims as they are tested on the willingness to submit to God and leave all materialistic possessions behind” (Sahih Bukhari, 26). The Hadith reinforces that “the psychological attainment of peace is also depicted on a physical level with Ihram attire constituting the attestation of Allah’s unacceptance of social and material distinctions” (Sahih Bukhari 25:4). Therefore, the “duty” of Hajj allows adherents to be edified

The Hajj assists adherents in their submission to Allah by representing a dynamic interdependence between the individual, their community and spatial aspects of liminality. During the Hajj, Muslims collectively circle the Ka’ba seven times in a counter clockwise direction while supplicating to Allah. Islamic teachings contained within the Hadith detail that “The first three circuits are at a hurried pace on the outer part of the crowd, followed by four times closer to the Kaaba at a leisurely pace” (Sahih Bukhari 2 26:617). Adherents kiss the Black Stone each time as an act of submission for initiation, which was put there by Prophet Abraham and Ishmael by the order of Allah. This exterminates all worldly stresses and accepts the authority of Allah, which consequently assists adherents in their submission to Allah (Surah Al-Imran, 97). Thus, the circumbulation of the Ka’ba reflects the unity of adherent’s in the worship of the One God as they join in a cosmic mode of worship and synchronize with the universe and all existence. As a result, the rite is the manifestation of Tawhid, the Oneness of Allah, contained in the Shahada “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger” (Qur’an 3:18). Thus the Hajj reflects the principle belief of tawhid, the absolute oneness of Allah through the circling of the Ka’ba, which facilitates adherents in their complete submission to the will of Allah.

Through the rite of sa’ay, the significance of the Hajj is further evident as adherents journey seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah in commemoration of Hagar's courage and faith in God as she searched for water in the desert. As a result, the Hajj depicts physical constraints and spiritual cleansing through the individual’s quest for patience and perseverance as evident in Hagar's frantic search for water to quench Ishmael’s thirst. In Islamic tradition, “Hagar went in search of water, travelling back and forth between the hills seven times in the scorching heat before returning to her son” (Sahih Bukhari 3-8) . Hagar continued searching until she found the sacred water known as zamzam, which sprang forth miraculously under Ishmael’s tiny feet. Through retracing Hagar’s journey, adherent’s are called to “righteousness and purification as Muslims are reminded of Allah’s unending compassion towards His followers” (Imam Abdul Adhim, 2014). Hence, through the rite of sa’ay performed in Hajj, adherents are assisted in their submission to Allah by honouring God's mercy in answering prayers.

In summary, it is evident that the mandatory religious “duty” of Hajj assists adherents in their complete submission to the will of Allah through visiting holy places and performing certain religious rites in accordance with the way prescribed by Prophet Muhammad. As the fifth pillar of Islam, the Hajj is a quest of redemption between the pilgrim and Allah and allows the Muslim community to be unified, reflected through the physical and symbolic acts of devotion. Therefore, it is through the Hajj that adherents are able completes their spiritual obligation and completely surrender and place all trust in Allah.

[Kombmail]

Okay so ... since I’m a student I probably won’t give you marks as it won’t be appropriate but if the first and a half paragraphs read I think you really need to read your response out loud. To check your sentence varying as well as if your answer actually relates to the question. You have specified specific references to the hajj however don’t fall into the trap of explaining what clothes you wear in Hiram unless it is explicitly linked to your question. I.e if it were outline the features of the hajj.

If you spend time writing this, you will ultimately forget or lose time to answer the actual question.

Good job anyways! You just lack minor things! This would probably have been a low b or high c if that helps?