People Now
People Then
Places
Things
Rituals
100
This American Imam who has made the Hajj multiple times and offers explanations and insight throughout the documentary. [Note: Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center, this Imam's community, is located in Falls Church, VA]
Who is Johari Abdul-Malik?
100
At age 40, this prophet was visited by the Angel Gabriel while praying in a mountain cave. The revelations he received were later recited and then set down in written form, which we now know as the Qur'an.
Who is Muhammad (pbuh)?
100
This is the city where the Hajj begins.
What is Mecca?
100
This structure at the center of the Great Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) in Mecca, which the Qur'an says was built by Abraham and Ishmael.
[Hint: Muslim's consider it the house of God on earth.]
What is the Ka'ba?
100
The word 'muslim' means 'one who submits to God'. Thus, as it is commanded in the Qur'an, all Muslims must stop what they are doing and pray THIS MANY TIMES each day. If you live in Mecca, the adhan (or call to prayer) is made across the city, so shops will close and traffic will stop so all may pray.
What is five times?
200
This pilgrim and Muslim chaplain at Wellesley College, who is brought to tears when she hurts her leg and feels she has become a burden to the other pilgrims.
Who is Amira Quraishi?
200
This is Sarah's handmaiden and the mother of Ishmael. This woman is revered in a special way in Islam.
Who is Hagar?
200
This is Islam's second holiest city, and it was here where the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) set up the first Muslim community in the 7th Century AD, after the community's Hijra or "migration" from Mecca.
What is Medina?
200
A stone of THIS COLOR, encased in silver, is located at the southwest corner of the Ka'ba. Pilgrim's reverence the stone which some believe came from heaven and dates back to Adam and Eve.
What is black?
200
According to Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, this had been destroyed by floods and rebuilt many times, so believing one is touching the original ancient stones is inaccurate. Moreover, Imam Johari clarifies that this building is a house for Allah, but the BUILDING itself should not become an object of worship.
What is the Ka'ba?
300
This pilgrim and ophthalmologist, whose wife is injured during the Hajj and who never seems to fully tap into the spiritual depth found by some of the other pilgrims.
Who is Husam Ansari?
300
According to the Qur'an, in a dream Abraham sees himself sacrificing his son, believing it is a message from God. This PERSON tempts Abraham to disobey God's command to sacrifice his son. But Abraham defies this PERSON and declares his loyalty to God through his willingness to sacrifice his son.
Who is the Devil?
300
This is the home town (city) of the pilgrims featured in the documentary (Sacred Journeys: Hajj).
What is Boston?
300
This is the term for both (1) the pure state of mind and (2) the simple white garments that each pilgrim wears while making Hajj.
What is ihram?
300
This is the act of circling the Ka'ba seven times as instructed by Muhammad (pbuh).
What is tawaf?
400
This pilgrim and app designer, who has just been through a painful divorce and came on Hajj seeking a clear conscience regarding what he has just been through.
Who is Syed Muhammad Talha?
400
Islam, Judaism, and Christianity all see this PERSON as their patriarch or father in faith, who was willing to sacrifice his own son to God. However, only Islam includes an additional element of the story where this PERSON gathers stones to through at the Devil in defiance.
Who is Abraham?
400
The journey to this place is the single most important event of the Hajj. Imam Ismail Fenni explains that the divine descends to earth on this day and on this place to receive the prayers and the acts of faith offered by pilgrims and accept their Hajj. This is where the Prophet gave his Farewell Sermon.
What are the Plains of Arafat?
400
On the Mount of Mercy amid the Plains of Arafat, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) gave THIS just a few months before his death.
What is his Farewell Sermon (on the Mount).
400
This 'Festival of Sacrifice' marks the end of the Hajj where Muslim's across the world celebrate the saving of Abraham's son from sacrifice. These days, this is often celebrated by sacrificing an animal - or paying for the sacrifice to by done in their name AND for the meat to be given to the poor.
What is Eid al-Adha?
(not to be confused with Eid al-Fitr celebrating the end of Ramadan)
500
This journalist and filmmaker from New York, who (because Bruce Feiler is not Muslim and is not allowed to be present with the pilgrims on the Hajj) is accompanying the pilgrims from Boston on their Hajj.
Who is Anisa Mehdi?
500
In Mina, pilgrims throw stones at the Devil, entering into the story of Abraham and the test of his faith. THESE stand as symbolic representations of the Devil, at which pilgrims through their pebbles.
What are pillars (or walls)?
500
After visiting Medina, making tawaf for the first time, and entering into the story of Hagar and the zamzam, pilgrims travel away from Mecca for the first time. Following in the footsteps of Abraham and his family but done in the way of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh), pilgrims on Hajj journey from Mecca to the Valley of THIS PLACE to spend the day in prayer alone before moving on to a third location- the Plains of Arafat.
What is Mina?
500
In one ritual, pilgrims enter into the story of Hagar running between two hills near Mecca searching for water so her son Ishmael does not die of thirst. This is the name for the water of the Spring that bubbles up and miraculously saved her and Ishmael.
What is zamzam?
500
In THIS PLACE between the Plains of Arafat and the Valley of Mina, pilgrims pick up stones for their re-enactment of Abraham's dramatic showdown with the Devil.
What is Muzdalifah?