Terrorism is Haram (forbidden) in Islam, and such acts should not be reciprocated in any term, Mufti-e-Azam Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah said while delivering the Hajj sermon. Delivering the Hajj Khutba (sermon) to the Hujjaj (pilgrims) assembled in Mt Arafat to perform a key ritual of Hajj, Mufti Azam said that Allah Almighty dubbed the Muslims as best Ummah on the face of the earth, and he whoever kills a Muslim deliberately would be sent to Hell. He said that Islam condemns any that act, which aims at creating anarchy in the society, adding that, and as being the religion of peace it calls for end to cruelty and defiance. Sending divine revelations and raising the Prophets was meant for the message of Allahs oneness; and this succession of guidance for human being is in progress, he said.The Grand Mufti said Allah sent the Last and Final Prophet (peace be upon him) with complete code of conduct and this (shariah) is in harmony with human nature, as it caters to all mans natural and material needs. Human inner being (nafs) excites him to do evil.The Grand Mufti said the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) presented a comprehensive concept of ibadat.Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh said Allah Almighty conferred men with reason and consciousness so that he can differentiate between good and bad. We should respect each other.Even those people who are defaming Islam, also offer prayers, lamented the Mufti. However, Allahs pious men will change fear with peace, for it is only in peace that we can worship and establish mosques.He said that Islam believes in co-existence and harmony. The door of repentance remains open in our religion, it never closes. He called upon the Muslims to eat what is Halal and avoid the forbidden; dont hanker after vain desires; follow the Quran and Sunnah. Islam endorses moderation where materialism has no room, the Mufti advised.Around 2.5 million Muslims assembled on Monday at Mount Arafat for Wuquf-e-Arafat, the key ritual of annual Hajj pilgrimage.This year's pilgrimage season is estimated to be attended by up to 2.5 million pilgrims.The worlds largest annual pilgrimage, the Haj, began on Sunday with hundreds of thousands of Muslims pouring into the camp of Mina from Makkah to prepare for solemn rituals. The passage to Mina marks the official launch of the Haj on the eighth day of the Muslim calendar month of Zilhaj. At Mount Arafat, some 10 kilometres southeast of Mina, the pilgrims spend the day in prayer and reflection. After sunset, they move on to Muzdalifah, halfway between Mount Arafat and Mina, where they spend the night. The pilgrims are estimated to total up to 2.5 million this year, a major concern for the Saudi authorities who have yet to report any major incidents since the faithful descended on the holy city. Many took buses but some had already set off on foot overnight as they headed to the vast plain of Mina, a small village about five kilometres east of Makkah that comes to life for just five days a year. Authorities say permits have been granted to 1.7 million foreign pilgrims, with a further 200,000 or so issued to pilgrims from within Saudi Arabia and from neighbouring Gulf states. This year has seen a crackdown on pilgrims who do not have the requisite papers as authorities attempt to prevent numbers getting out of hand.A driver caught transporting unauthorised pilgrims faces a fine of 10,000 riyals for each individual. Vehicles with a capacity below 25 passengers have also been banned from entering Haj sites to streamline the flow of buses transporting pilgrims. The day is known as Tarwiah (Watering) as pilgrims in the past stopped at Mina to water their animals and stock up for the following days trip to Mount Arafat. Gilaf-e-Kaba to be replaced todayMeanwhile, Ghilaf-e-Kaba, made at a cost of 17 million Riyals, is being replaced today. The new Ghilaf of the Khana-e-Kaba measures 14 meter long having a circumference of 47 meter on which Surah-e-Ikhlas and 6 Quranic Aayats have been written separately in square-shapes in Islamic calligraphy. The ceremony of replacing Ghilaf-e-Kaba would be held today in Khana-e-Kaba, which would be attended by the management of Haram Sharif representing Sheikh Abdul Aziz and the representatives of the factory, which made the Ghilaf-e-Kaba.Lacs of pilgrims coming from all across the world are performing the topmost ritual Waquf-e-Arafat today.
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