“O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become
righteous.” - Qu’ran 2:21
Q = How does 1 significant practice in Islam assist adherents to ‘become righteous’?
Refer to Hajj. (20 marks)
Hajj is considered the largest human gathering as it attracts over 1.8 million (2023) adherents
across the globe to attend/participate. It completes all five pillars of faith (Arkan al-islam) by
completing rituals including Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’y, Wuquf, Jamarat and finally Kaaba. Through
completing Hajj, adherents attempt to obtain full submission to be morally right and virtuous by
learning what is Halal (permissible) and Haram (forbidden). After the completion, adherents gain
a new title Hajji (Man) and Hajjah (Woman) as they “...become righteous”.
Ihram involves adherents placing themselves in an appropriate disposition or attitude. A sign of
their preparedness is shown by all normal clothing being replaced by a simple ensemble of two
white cloths (one worn around the waist, the other draped over the left shoulder). Women wear
a plain garment covering all but their hands, their feet and their face (this is an example of being
morally right and righteous).“Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather
he looks at your heart and actions” (Hadith 2; Sahih Muslim 2564). As the adherent arrives in
Makkah, they begin to repeatedly pray the prayer known as "talbiyah" which is in the form of a
response to the call to perform the hajj.
Tawaf is the circling of the Kaaba (a big stone) which is equivalent to pivoting around a nucleus.
The circular movement reinforces adherents that life itself has a central power as the stone is
the only remaining piece from the House of God, built by Abraham and Isma’il. Adherents
movements focus on Allah during the execution of Tawaf, as the obedience and submission to
the will of Allah is central. “Pilgrimage unto the Temple a duty owed to God by all people”
(Quran). Mankind must worship Allah “...who created you and those before you, so that you may
become righteous.” Enormous communal power of prayer is felt as the community is joined in
spirit and submission to Allah.
Sa’y (search) is the reenactment of Hagar’s frantic search for water to quench Ishmael’s thirst.
The walkway between the hills of Safa and Marwah symbolises the search for things of true and
lasting value. It is the ultimate realisation that Allah will provide all that is needed to mankind, if
mankind “...worships your lord who created you and those before you…” to become righteous.
This act enables adherents to recognise Allah as "the pardoner", who cleanses sin. “Whoever is
an enemy to Gabriel - it is [none but] he who has brought it [i.e., the Qur’ān] down upon your
heart…" [ Quran 2:97]. As travellers help adherents walk between the hills of Safa and Marwah
7 times, they are reminded of their individual angels assisting them in their journey of
righteousness. Individuals learn what is halal (permissible) and haram (forbidden) by joining
other adherents in worship and prayer to become righteous.
Wuquf refers to the journeys and prayers to Arafat (the pinnacle of Hajj), as adherents spend an
entire day on Mount Arafat praying and devoting their repentances to God. “Hajj is arafat, if Araft
is missed, the whole hajj is missed, you have not participated in Hajj.” (Bukhari 47:27).
Individuals take a step to purify themselves in prayer by focusing on their own sins and
reinforcing their belief in Prophet Muhammad. Intense concentration and spiritual devotion is
righteous.” - Qu’ran 2:21
Q = How does 1 significant practice in Islam assist adherents to ‘become righteous’?
Refer to Hajj. (20 marks)
Hajj is considered the largest human gathering as it attracts over 1.8 million (2023) adherents
across the globe to attend/participate. It completes all five pillars of faith (Arkan al-islam) by
completing rituals including Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’y, Wuquf, Jamarat and finally Kaaba. Through
completing Hajj, adherents attempt to obtain full submission to be morally right and virtuous by
learning what is Halal (permissible) and Haram (forbidden). After the completion, adherents gain
a new title Hajji (Man) and Hajjah (Woman) as they “...become righteous”.
Ihram involves adherents placing themselves in an appropriate disposition or attitude. A sign of
their preparedness is shown by all normal clothing being replaced by a simple ensemble of two
white cloths (one worn around the waist, the other draped over the left shoulder). Women wear
a plain garment covering all but their hands, their feet and their face (this is an example of being
morally right and righteous).“Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather
he looks at your heart and actions” (Hadith 2; Sahih Muslim 2564). As the adherent arrives in
Makkah, they begin to repeatedly pray the prayer known as "talbiyah" which is in the form of a
response to the call to perform the hajj.
Tawaf is the circling of the Kaaba (a big stone) which is equivalent to pivoting around a nucleus.
The circular movement reinforces adherents that life itself has a central power as the stone is
the only remaining piece from the House of God, built by Abraham and Isma’il. Adherents
movements focus on Allah during the execution of Tawaf, as the obedience and submission to
the will of Allah is central. “Pilgrimage unto the Temple a duty owed to God by all people”
(Quran). Mankind must worship Allah “...who created you and those before you, so that you may
become righteous.” Enormous communal power of prayer is felt as the community is joined in
spirit and submission to Allah.
Sa’y (search) is the reenactment of Hagar’s frantic search for water to quench Ishmael’s thirst.
The walkway between the hills of Safa and Marwah symbolises the search for things of true and
lasting value. It is the ultimate realisation that Allah will provide all that is needed to mankind, if
mankind “...worships your lord who created you and those before you…” to become righteous.
This act enables adherents to recognise Allah as "the pardoner", who cleanses sin. “Whoever is
an enemy to Gabriel - it is [none but] he who has brought it [i.e., the Qur’ān] down upon your
heart…" [ Quran 2:97]. As travellers help adherents walk between the hills of Safa and Marwah
7 times, they are reminded of their individual angels assisting them in their journey of
righteousness. Individuals learn what is halal (permissible) and haram (forbidden) by joining
other adherents in worship and prayer to become righteous.
Wuquf refers to the journeys and prayers to Arafat (the pinnacle of Hajj), as adherents spend an
entire day on Mount Arafat praying and devoting their repentances to God. “Hajj is arafat, if Araft
is missed, the whole hajj is missed, you have not participated in Hajj.” (Bukhari 47:27).
Individuals take a step to purify themselves in prayer by focusing on their own sins and
reinforcing their belief in Prophet Muhammad. Intense concentration and spiritual devotion is
