Amman-

There is no doubt that whoever is able to perform the Hajj will be happy with that, not only him but also those around him from family and friends.

The happiness of the pilgrim does not end just by performing the rites of Hajj, but rather it continues for life.

And this year - as in the past two years, the number allowed to perform Hajj decreased - in view of the continuation of the preventive measures taken due to the spread of the Corona epidemic.

As soon as a person learns of the approval of his inclusion in the lists of pilgrims for this season, he feels an unprecedented joy, and this joy pervades the family, relatives and neighbors, and the news spreads quickly among them and is transmitted by adults and children, and the person receives congratulations even before completing the registration procedures.

Hajj is an occasion that is not equivalent to any other occasion, and saying goodbye to the pilgrim and receiving him is one of the positive habits that still exist until now.

Al Jazeera Net interviewed Jordanians who will be able to perform the Hajj this year, to talk about their longing to visit the House of God, and convey the atmosphere of joy at the return of customs in farewell and receiving pilgrims.

Hajj Abdullah Al-Husseini with pilgrims in front of and inside the bus heading from Jordan to visit the Sacred House of God (Al-Jazeera)

Farewell and welcome pilgrim

Abdullah Al-Husseini, 62, says: "I performed Hajj 6 times in previous years, and every time there was renewed longing and nostalgia to visit the Sacred House of God as if it was the first time."

Al-Husseini adds, "In the past two years, I felt a great pain during the Hajj season, when watching the television screen and seeing the small number of pilgrims due to the spread of the epidemic, and in every scene shown I remember the days of Hajj, and I imagine myself present to perform the rituals with the pilgrims."

It shows that his in-laws, friends and neighbors flock to his house a few days before the date of his travel for Hajj, so that they can bid him farewell, and recommend him to pray for them in the Sacred House of God and when standing on Mount Arafat.

He recalls the days of Hajj and the customs of farewell and receiving the pilgrim by saying: "Families, friends and neighbors would flock to the house of those who intended to perform Hajj, to bid him farewell and ask for forgiveness. They collect a sum of money and present it to him to help him with expenses, and upon his return, the gates of the houses are decorated with palm fronds, and the people of the region come to welcome him and congratulate him on performing the Hajj. ".

Muhammad Al-Hajj Saleh: Relatives and friends attended my farewell (Al-Jazeera)

For his part, Muhammad Al-Hajj Saleh (58 years), said, "One of the most difficult years in my life was the last two years, because I was not able to visit the Holy House of God...Is there anything more beautiful than visiting the Kaaba and performing the rituals of Hajj?"

Al-Hajj Saleh added that his relatives, friends and neighbors came several days ago to bid him farewell, and it is one of the habits that pleases the individual before he travels to perform the Hajj, while everyone repeats, "Oh God, write it for us.. Have you, O Hajj."

Religious songs and folk songs for Hajj

Jihad Al-Joul, a bus driver for transporting pilgrims, says, "I wanted to perform Hajj since I was young, so I developed my driver's license, so that I could visit the Sacred House of God, and thanks to God, this is the fourth time that I will perform the Hajj."

He adds: "Every time I go for Hajj, he comes to bid farewell to family, neighbors and relatives, and the same is the case when I return, and my brothers and sisters slaughter the sacrifice when they receive me. Everyone rejoices because a member of the family went for Hajj."

In turn, bus driver Rashid Shreim, 50, describes the atmosphere inside the buses, saying: "One of the most beautiful trips is the Hajj trips. Everyone is eager to visit the House of God, and each of us is racing to help adults transport their needs. Together, we sing religious songs and folk songs related to Hajj."

He adds, "This year is special, after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, and thank God, life has returned, and Muslims have returned to perform their duty. The family and family gather to bid farewell to the pilgrim at the bus, as well as upon receiving him upon his safe return."

Rashid Shreim: After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Muslims returned to perform their religious duty (Al-Jazeera)

Forgiveness and prayer

About the atmosphere of joy in farewell and receiving pilgrims, family social consultant Mofeed Sarhan says: Farewell and receiving pilgrims are among the positive habits that still exist until now, because they are linked in one way or another to the teachings of religion and the laws of Islam.

He added, "Relatives and friends are keen to know the date of the pilgrim's travel so that they come to bid him farewell a day or more before the journey, and ask him to forgive and pray for them at the Kaaba, and on the Day of Arafa in particular, and they pray to God to accept his pilgrimage and return him safe and sound, and carry him the trust of peace upon the Messenger of God. He asks them to forgive."

He continues that some, especially family members, are keen to bid farewell to the pilgrim on the day he travels, and if he travels by plane accompanying him to the airport, and they wait until the plane takes off, these are unforgettable moments, in which feelings of joy are mixed with feelings of parting and tears of pilgrims and depositors alike.

But if traveling by bus, the parents accompany the pilgrim to the location of the buses, and stay with him until they leave the place, while the pilgrim recommends the depositors to take care of the children and the family, according to Sarhan.

Mofeed Sarhan: Farewell and receiving pilgrims are among the positive habits that still exist today (Al-Jazeera)

A journey engraved in hearts and minds

Consultant Sarhan explains that despite the availability of foodstuffs, foods and other needs along the road leading from Jordan to the Holy Land, the family insists on preparing some light foods for the pilgrim to carry with him as a supplement on the way, as the pilgrims share these foods willingly. It is a journey unlike any other and a companionship that will remain a memory of its most accurate details engraved in hearts and minds.

From the farewell of pilgrims in front of the bus before they headed from Jordan to visit the House of God (Al-Jazeera)

Reception of pilgrims

Sarhan says, "With the start of the Hajj season, the family begins its preparations to receive the pilgrim after his return, as it is busy decorating the house and its entrances, with the neighbors sharing it, often using "palm fronds", which is an old tradition, in addition to writing welcome expressions and praying for the safety of return. The pilgrim is in many colors, so that the pilgrim's house is known from nearby.

Among the phrases that are repeated are “an acceptable pilgrimage, a commendable endeavor, and trade that will not fail” and “welcome to the pilgrims of the House of God.”

Sarhan adds that many families are keen to receive the pilgrim at the nearest point to the border or at the airport if traveling by plane, and the pilgrim is keen to bring with him some gifts that are related to the Holy Land, such as a carpet, a memorial scene, children's toys, or clothing Arabic, or henna, dates, swimming pools, and Zamzam water, which the pilgrim offers to everyone who comes to congratulate him.

In the past, the pilgrim was received by family and friends at the entrance to the city, and some used to go to the reception at the Saudi border with Jordan (Al-Jazeera)

Inviting the pilgrim to lunch

Sarhan mentions that another custom is to invite the pilgrim - after his return - for lunch or dinner, in his honor.

He says, "In the past, the pilgrim was received by family, relatives and friends at the entrance to the town or city. Some even went to receive the pilgrim at the Saudi border with Jordan, and that was their longing for the pilgrim and their desire to reach his home as quickly as possible, especially since going to the pilgrim was often done by buses. It takes longer."

Children, grandchildren, and young children participate in this great reception, and the pilgrim continues to visit his home to congratulate him on the performance of this duty and the safety of his return for several days, perhaps more, according to Sarhan.

Pilgrims inside the bus on their way from Jordan to visit the House of God (Al-Jazeera)