Write about the rituals that take place on the first three days of the annual pilgrimage (hajj).

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [10] On the first day 8th Dhul Hijja the pilgrims put on ihram, and reciting the talbiya, make their way to Mina, where they pray their shortened Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha prayers. The prayers though shortened are not combined. The pilgrims spend all the available time in worship and supplication. On the second day, i.e. the 9th Dhul Hijja, after Fajr prayers the pilgrims proceed to Arafat. Here they pray Zuhr and Asr shortened and combined during the time of Zuhr, with one azaan and two iqaamas, and staying within the boundaries of Arafat listen to the sermon given. It is considered to be the greatest acts of worship and the Prophet (pbuh) said, ‘hajj is halting at Arafat'. Pilgrims pray for the forgiveness of their sins and remain here till sunset and then proceed to Muzdalifa, once again reciting the talbiya. At Muzdalifa, the pilgrims say the combined Maghrib and Isha prayers, shortening Isha to two rakaats and spend the night there from where they collect 49 pebbles for stoning the three Jamaraat. However, it is permissible for women and weak individuals to proceed to Mina at any time after midnight. On the third day, 10th Dhul Hijja (Yawm- an- Nahr) after Fajr prayers, pilgrims wait until the brightness of the morning is widespread and following the Sunna of the Prophet (pbuh) make dua facing the qibla. Upon arrival at Mina they throw seven pebbles at the Jamarrat-ul-'Aqaba, calling ‘Bismillah Allahu Akbar' every time they throw a pebble. Yawm-an-Nahr means the Day of Sacrifice. To slaughter a sacrificial animal is obligatory on pilgrims performing Hajj-al-Qiran and Hajj-al-Tamattu. After this, pilgrims shave or trim their hair, they can now change into their normal clothes. They may not have intimate relations with their spouses. Pilgrims proceed to Makka to perform Tawaf-al-Ziyara after which they perform Sa'i and return to normal life. If possible, they pray Zuhr in Makka and return to spend the remaining nights in Mina. We are not looking for the rites performed on the 11th and 12th of the Dhul Hijja and if written about should not be credited or seen as development of the answer.
2. [4] Responses will vary in content and will need to be marked on the quality of evaluation offered. Some may say that the Prophet (pbuh) performed hajj once in his lifetime so following his Sunna Muslims should also perform hajj once in their lifetime. Others could say that hajj should not be performed more than once in a lifetime so that those who have not performed it get a chance to fulfil this Pillar. A third argument could be that if a Muslim has performed hajj once he could sponsor the hajj of one who cannot afford the journey so they can experience it and fulfil this Pillar. It could also be said that some Muslims may want to perform hajj more than once to be able to repent for their sins and to seek God's forgiveness. They may want to perform a hajj e badal for a deceased loved one who had not performed hajj in their lifetime. All valid responses to be credited on their own merit.