The leadership of the Islamic Community Outreach of California is spreading the word of Allah(God,) working for peace and justice here and all over the world, and welcomes any question on Islam and its practices.
Hijri
The night of the middle of the month of Shaban in accordance with Hijri calnder is important to Muslims. Hijri means the migration of Prophet Muhammad peace upon him from Mecca to Madina after the hardships he and his companions received from the infidels. This year, the night of the middle of the month of Shabban (the night of 14/15 of the month Shabban, which is the eitghth month in the Islamic calander occured on the night of March 6, 2023.) This night is very important night, and Muslims perform prayers, recite the Quran and made supplication to Allah(God.) On this occasion, Muslims prepare for the important month of Ramadn, which will occur after two weeks, when adult and capable Muslims will fast from dawn to sunset. We pray to Allah that Muslims will be able to fast, pray and supllicate to Allah in peace and tranquility and share with other communities the joy of being able to fast, and perform this important religious duty.
Hajj
This month in the lunar calendar is called "Dhul Hijjah," which refers to the Hajj(the pilgrimage to Mecca, in the Arabian peninsula.) Pilgrimage is the fifth pillar of Islam, in addition to ashahdah (confession of the faith), every Muslims says Ashhadu ala Ilaha ila Alah wana Muhammad Rasoul Allah (I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, salat(prayers), syam(fasting in the month of Ramadan), zakat (alms giving), and hajj(pilgrimage to Mecca).
In the Quran, the book of Allah, there are many references about Hajj. The Hajj is taking place in Mecca, during the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. In the Quran, it is stated: "By the break of the day(here is a reminder that Allah created everything including the day and night, and the break of the day is the beginning of the rise of the sun.) "And by the nights,( of the month Dhul Hijja,) which are the holiest days in the year for Muslims. All adult Muslims who are financially capable and healthy must perform pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in their life time. Hajj is connected with the Prophets Ibrahim (Abraham) and Ismail(Ishmael) who built the Kabba in Mecca, which the first house built for worshipping Allah on earth. Muslims preforming hajj circulate the Kabba, and pray there. Malcom X performed pilgrimage to Mecca and stated the he was shoulder to shoulder with the whitest people and all felt that they were brothers and sisters in the House of Allah.
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