Mumbai To Mecca

A Pilgrimage to the Holy Sites of Islam

Ilija Trojanow, Rebecca Morrison

• Publisher: Armchair Traveller
• Year: 2007
• Print ISBN:
  9781909961517
  9781904950295
• eBook ISBN:
  9781909961579
• Topic: Personal Development
• Subtopic: Middle Eastern History

'"From the very first moment they realize that the Hajj—the pilgrimage to Mecca—is among the duties of each and every Muslim, the faithful long to go."

This book presents Ilija Trojanow's journey from Mumbai to Mecca in the tradition of the rihla, one of the oldest genres of classical Arabic literature, describing the Hajj, the pilgrimage to the holy sites of Islam. Every Muslim, regardless of geographical location, is implored by tradition to undertake the Hajj at least once in their life if they are able. Trojanow, with the help of his friends, donned the ihram, the traditional garb of the pilgrim, and joined the hundreds of thousands of Muslims who each year go on the Hajj. Over the course of a mere three weeks he experienced a tradition dating back over a thousand years. This personal and enlightening account will provide insights not only for Muslims who have yet to embark on the Hajj, but for those who have already made the journey and want to see a different perspective on it. Mumbai to Mecca also presents a unique glimpse into this pivotal tradition for those non-Muslims who remain barred from the most holy Muslim sites.
the pilgrimage to the holy sites of Islam, through the eyes of a Westener, but with the heart of a Muslim.

Glossary

Ahadith	plural of hadith
Alhamdulillah	God be praised
‘Alim	scholar, particularly of Islam
‘Asr	afternoon prayer; part of the ritual prayer (salah)
Aya (Ayaat pl.)	a verse of a sura
Azaan	to inform, to call; the call to prayer by the muezzin
Bhai	brother (Urdu)
Bismillah	in the name of Allah, (the opener to all suras)
Burqo’	black over-garment worn by women to cover their body, and sometimes their face as well (Burqo’ is the face covering and abaya is for the body)
Djinn	an invisible being of fire, like mankind there exist the devout and the unbelievers
Dua’a	personal prayer and also general supplication
Eid al-Adha	the Feast of Sacrifice, takes place on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah
Eid al-Fitr	the feast of that comes directly after Ramadan, a celebration for the breaking of the fast
Fajr	prayer before sunrise; part of the ritual prayer (salah)
Fatwah	religious decree issued by a qualified person
Fidya	compensation for not adhering to certain rules
Fitna	dissention caused by disagreement over Islamic matters. The results throughout Islamic history have had grave consequences.
Hadith	sayings or discourse directly attributed to the Prophet (pbuh). They serve to guide in word, action and deed also serving as an example of the ideal Muslim life
Hafiz	a person who has learned and can recite the Qu’ran in its entirety from memory
Halal	lawful or permitted in Islam
Haram	unlawful or blasphemous
Hijra	the Prophet’s (pbuh) flight from Mecca in September 622 to Yathrib (Medina); it marks the start of the Muslim calendar
Hijaz	the coastal region of the western Arabian Peninsula bordering on the Red Sea; includes both Mecca and Medina
Iftar	the breaking of the day’s fast after sundown, literally ‘breakfast’ in Arabic
I...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Copyright
• Title Page
• Dedications
• Prologue
• Departure
• Arrival
• The First Prayer
• Rituals
• Preparation
• The Kaaba
• Companions
• On Discipline and Form
• More Prayers
• Transformations
• The Occident in the Orient
• Amir
• Ramadan
• Pilgrims
• Mecca – as it was and as it is
• The 8th of Dhu al-Hijjah – The Day of Departure
• The 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah – The Day of Attestation
• The 10th of Dhu-al-Hijjah – The Day of the Sacrifice
• The 11th of Dhu al-Hijjah – The Day of the Great Stoning
• The 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah – The Day of the Rain
• The 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah – The Day of the Final Tawaf
• Journey to Medina
• Homeward bound
• Return
• Echoes
• Glossary