SOME OTHER CHIEF RITES OF HAJJ

    Among the chief rites of HAJJ are some prohibitions to be observed during the state of Ihram, when the pilgrim has to have his White Garb on. Some of the prohibitions that the pilgrim should abstain are as follows:ِ

      The pilgrim should not cut his nail, and cut or trim his hair. No game must be hunted, and no scent must be used. Even the pilgrim must not see himself through a looking glass. Cutting the trees within the Sacred precinct of KAABEH is also forbidden, and sexual contacts are unlawful.

      All the said prohibitions apply equally to man and woman, and the taboos are removed on the 10th day when the HAJJ has been completed:ِ ``Let them remove their SUPERFLUOUS. (TRIM UP)''

      Then there is a second commandment in the verse (NO.29):ِ

      ``....And let them fulfil their, ``VOWS'' and encircle the Ancient House.''

      Many of the pilgrims may vow to perform extra prayer or circumambulation, or sacrifice, for certain demands. Here, they are reminded not to forget their promise.

      And as to why KAABEH has been named the, ``ANCIENT HOUSE'' in the above verse? Because it is the oldest center of Monotheism, and it is the first house built for people to worship Allah. (S 3:96)

WHAT IS MEANT BY, ``GHOL ZUR''?

      The arabic, ``GHOL ZUR'' translated to false word, may refer to the rites performed by Arab pilgrims in the Pagan Era. When they encircled KAABEH nudely, they sung as a part of the circumambulation rite, the following false words:ِ

      ``Here I am at Your service. O, Lord! Here I am. No partner you have except the partner who is yours, and you own him.''   The above false recital was a perverted form of what HAZRAT ABRAHAM (AS) had taught them, the correct form of which is as follows. When the pilgrims put on their white Garb (IHRAM) they make their Intention (NIYYAT) by rehearsing:ِ

      ``Here I am at your service, O, my Lord! Here I am.

      There is no partner for you. Here I am.

      Truly the Praise and the Favour is Yours, and the Dominion.

      There is no partner for You! Here I am.''

      The last verse (NO.30) refers to the lawful meats, the unlawfuls among which were excluded in S 2:173 that:ِ

      ``He has forbidden you carrion, blood, the flesh of swine, and any flesh that is slaughtered in the name of any other than Allah.''