Islamic Studies Paper 2 May/June 2015

Question 6

Describe how Ḥajj is performed.


Observation

This question on the description of the performance of Hajj was attempted by most candidates who could not vividly describe the rites of Hajj one after the other. As for some of these candidates, only the objectives of Hajj were stated. The few points which they failed to identify include the fact that Hajj duties start on the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah; on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, the pilgrims move to ‘Arafah; at Muzdalifah, pilgrims pick pebbles and remain there till the following day and that pilgrims who perform Hajj in the form of Tamattu‘ will slaughter animals as an atonement (Q.2:196).