OBSERVATION
This question which came under the section of Islamic Theology and Jurisprudence required the candidates to write fully on any three of the five rites of Hajj given. This question which was adjudged by Chief Examiners as being straight forward but technical was attempted by many candidates. While some of these candidates did well by raising enough points on each of the rites they chose, some overflogged one or two rites at the expense of the others and therefore scored very low marks. Some of the expected points which were not raised by the candidates under each of the rites are as follows:
(a) Ihram: (i) It is purely the wearing of the white garment at the Miqat which varies from country to country.
(ii) A ritual bath is performed before going into the Ihram.
(iii) The wearing of Ihram signifies the commencement of Hajj.
(b) Tawaf: (i) There are three types of Tawaf – Qudum (Arrival), Ziyarah/Ifadah (Visitation) and Widac (Farewell).
(ii) Pilgrims supplicate in the process of Tawaf.
(c) Sa‘y: (i) Sa‘y is performed by pilgrims to commemorate the confusion of Hajar
in-between Safa and Marwah, searching for water.
(ii) Sa‘y is a compulsory rite of Hajj.
(d) Wuquf bil ‘Arafah:
(i) Pilgrims assemble at ‘Arafah to listen to a sermon (Khutbah).
(ii) One’s Hajj is null and void without its performance.
(iii) Gathering at ‘Arafah is a replica of the assembly on the Day of
Judgement
(e) Ramy: (i) It is the throwing of pebbles by pilgrims.
(ii) The pebbles are thrown at three places of Sughra, Wusta and Kubra.
(iii) Seven pebbles are thrown at each place.
(iv) It symbolizes spiritual and physical dissociation from Shaytan.
By and large, candidates’ performance was generally fair as far as this question is concerned.
