Frank Smith

朝覲是伊斯蘭教為信徒所規(guī)定的必須遵守的基本制度之一，每一位有經濟能力和有體力的成年穆斯林都負有平生至少一次朝拜麥加的宗教義務。每年，數以百萬計的穆斯林都會聚集在沙特阿拉伯的麥加，參加一年一度的朝覲。麥加朝圣是每年伊斯蘭教最盛大的宗教活動。據說，朝覲禮儀是伊斯蘭教的先知穆罕默德從伊斯蘭教教義出發(fā)，參照阿拉伯部落自古盛行的朝覲宗教圣地的民俗制定的。朝覲定在每年伊斯蘭教歷的第12個月。今年五天的朝覲將在十月中旬進行。

he Hajj， a holy pilgrimage into the heart of Islam. Its purpose and call has outlasted empires and wars. As early as the 9th century， Muslims from all corners of the Earth would embark on this epic journey to Mecca， following the footsteps of the great prophets Ibrahim and Mohammed.

這是一篇說明文的佳作，語言嚴密準確，但并不枯燥。文章中出現多種句子結構，如同位語單獨成句、分詞結構、強調句式、倒裝句和各種從句等。建議反復聽、讀，體會不同句式在不同場合的用法。

Over just five days， pilgrims must complete a series of prayers and rites along the Valley of Mina. They must gather at the Plain of Arafat， perform a symbolic rejection of the Devil at the Jamarat， and circle Islams holiest site， the Kaaba.

“Ihram，” a state of spiritual purity that all Muslims must enter before performing the Hajj， the great pilgrim to Mecca. Identical white robes are donned， a means of erasing any distinctions of class， culture or race.

According to the holy Quran， the Kaaba was built by the Prophet Ibrahim and is the focus of every Muslims prayers. To every Muslim in this courtyard， this is the closest they feel they can ever be to Allah.

After pilgrims circle the Kaaba， hundreds of thousands will try to touch its walls. Others try to kiss the *Black Stones set in its corner， 1）emulating the prophet Mohammed himself. Its one of the greatest spectacles on Earth.

The site of the Grand Mosque is also where a miracle once took place. Ibrahims wife， Hagar， and baby son Ismail were dying of thirst. She ran between the desert hills searching for water until God made the Spring of Zamzam appear. Pilgrims still drink from this spring today. Hagars desperate search for water is re-enacted in a rite called “the Sai” or “walking.” To many pilgrims the Sai is an expression of their search for salvation.

Arafat is a day of prayer， a rehearsal for the Day of Judgment. Here at Arafat， God told the angel Gabrial， “Bear witness that my servants have come to me and that I have forgiven them.”Its a profoundly emotional moment as pilgrims stand on these slopes seeking forgiveness， knowing that Allah hears them.

Fourteen kilometers east of Mina stands Arafat， a 2）granite hill where Prophet Mohammed was said to have delivered his last 3）sermon in 632. It is here that God forgave *Adam and Eve， separated for 200 years after their 4）expulsion from the Garden of Eden. On the Mount of Mercy， the defining ritual of the Hajj will take place. So essential are the rites of prayer here that the prophet Mohammed was said to have remarked， “Hajj is Arafat.” Millions stand in silence， each alone with God.

For the 5）penultimate rite of the Hajj， pilgrims collect 70 stones that they will throw at three pillars， which represent Satan. Pilgrims trek 14 kilometers on foot from Arafat overnight， resting at the Plain of Muzdalifah before finally arriving at their destination， the arena for the stoning of the Devil. The rite 6）mimics the three times the Prophet Ibrahim rejected the Devil， who attempted to dissuade the prophet from sacrificing his son as God had commanded. Here in the Grand Mosque， Muslims circle the holy Kaaba and bow their heads in prayer one final time before the Hajj comes to an end.

In the last five days， millions have taken part in one of the greatest religious gatherings on Earth. For these pilgrims， it has been the ultimate affirmation of faith. For so many that come here， this is the most profound spiritual experience of their lives. This is the Hajj， five days that bind one fifth of the human race in a common belief and a common prayer.

麥加朝圣是深入伊斯蘭教深處的神圣旅程，其宗旨與召喚的生命力遠遠超越了任何帝國與戰(zhàn)爭。早在九世紀，世界各地的穆斯林就開始追隨偉大的先知易卜拉欣與穆罕默德的腳步，踏上史詩般的麥加朝圣之路。

在短短五天里，朝圣者必須沿著米納山谷完成一系列的祈禱與儀式。他們必須在阿拉法特平原聚集，在賈馬拉進行一個拒絕邪靈的象征性儀式，然后繞行卡巴天房——伊斯蘭教最神圣的地方。

受戒是心靈凈化的狀態(tài)，所有穆斯林都必須進入這一狀態(tài)才能進行朝圣。每個受戒的人都披上一樣的白袍，籍此除去階級、文化和種族的藩籬。

根據《古蘭經》的記載，卡巴天房由先知易卜拉欣所建，它是每個穆斯林祈禱的焦點。對廣場上的所有穆斯林來說，此刻是他們和真主安拉距離最近的時刻。

繞行天房之后，數十萬人會爭著要觸摸它的墻面，有些人則要親吻天房一角的黑石，這是在仿效穆罕默德的舉動。此情此景堪稱世上最壯觀的一個場面。

大清真寺坐落的地點曾經有神跡顯靈。易卜拉欣的妻子夏甲和年幼的兒子以實瑪利十分口渴，她在沙漠的山丘之間奔跑尋找水源，最終真主賜予了滲滲泉。眾信徒如今還會飲用這口圣泉的泉水。昔日夏甲焦急尋找水源的舉動，今天則通過“奔走”的儀式來重現。對多數信徒來說奔跑表達了對救贖的追求。

阿拉法特之旅是祈禱的日子，為審判日進行準備。真主在阿拉法特平原告訴天使吉布利：“請見證我的臣民來到我面前，我已赦免他們?！毙磐秸驹谏角鹕险埱蟮玫缴饷?，他們知道真主安拉會聽得到自己的心聲。這是讓人動容的一刻。

阿拉法特平原位于米納以東14公里處。據說，這座花崗巖丘陵是先知穆罕默德在公元632年最后講道的地點。阿丹和好娃被趕出伊甸園后，被迫分離了兩百年。正是在這里，真主寬恕了他們。朝圣最重要的儀式在慈悲山上舉行。這里的祈禱儀式至關重要，連先知穆罕默德都說過：“朝圣就是阿拉法特。”幾百萬人默默地站著，各自和真主獨處。

在朝圣的倒數第二項儀式里，信徒要收集70塊小石塊，擲向象征魔鬼撒旦的三根石柱。眾信徒從阿拉法特徹夜徒步14公里，在穆茲達里法平原稍事休息，然后抵達目的地——射石驅邪的廣場。擲石儀式是模仿穆罕默德三次拒絕邪靈。當年，邪靈想勸誘穆罕默德違背真主的旨意，不要犧牲自己的兒子。穆斯林在大清真寺里圍著神圣的天房繞行，并在朝圣結束之前，最后一次低頭禱告。

在過去的五天里，數百萬人參與了世上最盛大的一次宗教集會。對這些信徒來說，這是對信仰最極致的肯定。對許多朝圣過的信徒，這是他們一生中最深刻的心靈洗滌。麥加朝圣在五天里讓五分之一的人類因一個共同的信仰走到一起，并且一同祈禱。翻譯：T Boy