Frank Smith

朝觐是伊斯兰教为信徒所规定的必须遵守的基本制度之一，每一位有经济能力和有体力的成年穆斯林都负有平生至少一次朝拜麦加的宗教义务。每年，数以百万计的穆斯林都会聚集在沙特阿拉伯的麦加，参加一年一度的朝觐。麦加朝圣是每年伊斯兰教最盛大的宗教活动。据说，朝觐礼仪是伊斯兰教的先知穆罕默德从伊斯兰教教义出发，参照阿拉伯部落自古盛行的朝觐宗教圣地的民俗制定的。朝觐定在每年伊斯兰教历的第12个月。今年五天的朝觐将在十月中旬进行。

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.

这是一篇说明文的佳作，语言严密准确，但并不枯燥。文章中出现多种句子结构，如同位语单独成句、分词结构、强调句式、倒装句和各种从句等。建议反复听、读，体会不同句式在不同场合的用法。

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.

麦加朝圣是深入伊斯兰教深处的神圣旅程，其宗旨与召唤的生命力远远超越了任何帝国与战争。早在九世纪，世界各地的穆斯林就开始追随伟大的先知易卜拉欣与穆罕默德的脚步，踏上史诗般的麦加朝圣之路。

在短短五天里，朝圣者必须沿着米纳山谷完成一系列的祈祷与仪式。他们必须在阿拉法特平原聚集，在贾马拉进行一个拒绝邪灵的象征性仪式，然后绕行卡巴天房——伊斯兰教最神圣的地方。

受戒是心灵净化的状态，所有穆斯林都必须进入这一状态才能进行朝圣。每个受戒的人都披上一样的白袍，籍此除去阶级、文化和种族的藩篱。

根据《古兰经》的记载，卡巴天房由先知易卜拉欣所建，它是每个穆斯林祈祷的焦点。对广场上的所有穆斯林来说，此刻是他们和真主安拉距离最近的时刻。

绕行天房之后，数十万人会争着要触摸它的墙面，有些人则要亲吻天房一角的黑石，这是在仿效穆罕默德的举动。此情此景堪称世上最壮观的一个场面。

大清真寺坐落的地点曾经有神迹显灵。易卜拉欣的妻子夏甲和年幼的儿子以实玛利十分口渴，她在沙漠的山丘之间奔跑寻找水源，最终真主赐予了渗渗泉。众信徒如今还会饮用这口圣泉的泉水。昔日夏甲焦急寻找水源的举动，今天则通过“奔走”的仪式来重现。对多数信徒来说奔跑表达了对救赎的追求。

阿拉法特之旅是祈祷的日子，为审判日进行准备。真主在阿拉法特平原告诉天使吉布利：“请见证我的臣民来到我面前，我已赦免他们。”信徒站在山丘上请求得到赦免，他们知道真主安拉会听得到自己的心声。这是让人动容的一刻。

阿拉法特平原位于米纳以东14公里处。据说，这座花岗岩丘陵是先知穆罕默德在公元632年最后讲道的地点。阿丹和好娃被赶出伊甸园后，被迫分离了两百年。正是在这里，真主宽恕了他们。朝圣最重要的仪式在慈悲山上举行。这里的祈祷仪式至关重要，连先知穆罕默德都说过：“朝圣就是阿拉法特。”几百万人默默地站着，各自和真主独处。

在朝圣的倒数第二项仪式里，信徒要收集70块小石块，掷向象征魔鬼撒旦的三根石柱。众信徒从阿拉法特彻夜徒步14公里，在穆兹达里法平原稍事休息，然后抵达目的地——射石驱邪的广场。掷石仪式是模仿穆罕默德三次拒绝邪灵。当年，邪灵想劝诱穆罕默德违背真主的旨意，不要牺牲自己的儿子。穆斯林在大清真寺里围着神圣的天房绕行，并在朝圣结束之前，最后一次低头祷告。

在过去的五天里，数百万人参与了世上最盛大的一次宗教集会。对这些信徒来说，这是对信仰最极致的肯定。对许多朝圣过的信徒，这是他们一生中最深刻的心灵洗涤。麦加朝圣在五天里让五分之一的人类因一个共同的信仰走到一起，并且一同祈祷。翻译：T Boy