From Manchester to Mecca How These Muslim Premier League Players Balance Faith and Football
The pilgrimage is one of the most important events in any Muslim's life and is considered one of the five Pillars of Islam -a fundamental practice that unites all Muslims. Therefore, any adult Muslim who has the means to do so is obliged to undertake the sacred journey at least once in their life.
However, the Hajj cannot be undertaken at any time of the year and must be carried out during a ten-day period starting on the first and 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah (the 12th month in the Islamic calendar). The 9th day, known as the Day of Arafah, is the day of Hajj where Muslim pilgrims will gather at Mount Arafah and ask God for forgiveness.
A Muslim pilgrim prays on top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat (Image: AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
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The Hajj is closely associated with the life of the prophet Muhammad, however, Muslims believe that its history dates back thousands of years to the time of prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). It is believed that prophet Ibrahim was told by God to bring his wife Hajira and their child Ishmael to Arabia from Palestine to protect them from the jealousy of his first wife, Sarah.
He was then instructed by God to leave them on their own with some supplies of food and water. Despite this, the supplies soon ran out and both Hajira and Ishmael began to suffer from hunger and dehydration. Hajira decided to run up and down two hills known as Safa and Marwa to see if she could find help, however, she soon collapsed next to her son and prayed for relief from God.
Following this, Ismail kicked the ground which caused a spring of water to shoot forth, saving the pair from dehydration. With the water supply, the pair were able to trade water with passing nomads in exchange for food and other supplies.
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Soon, the prophet Ibrahim returned from Palestine to check on his family and was stunned by how well they were doing. He was then instructed by God to build a shrine in his honour - which soon became the Kaaba that still stands today in Mecca.
While this story explains the history behind the city of Mecca and the Kaaba, it was in fact the prophet Muhammad who enshrined the step that are followed by Muslims today when undertaking the Hajj.
Due to its importance in the Islamic faith, there are some strict rules Muslims must follow when undergoing the Hajj. Before entering the Miqat -the physical space in which the Hajj begins- practitioners must be in a state of Ihram.
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The sacred state of Ihram requires all practitioners to wear plain white clothing, the simplicity of which symbolises the equality of all Muslims in the eyes of God. Muslims must also not cut their hair, clip their nails, wear perfume or engage in sexual activity while on the pilgrimage.
While in Ihram, Muslims will visit the Masjid al-Haram, the mosque surrounding the Kaaba. They will then ritualistically walk around the Kaaba seven times counterclockwise.
Following this, they must travel between the hills of Safa and Marwah seven times. This is to honour the story of prophet Ibrahim's wife, Hagar, doing the same while she searched for water for her infant son, prophet Ishmael.
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Other rituals performed throughout Hajj include listening to prayers and sermons from the Mount of Mercy where the prophet Muhammad is believed to have delivered his final sermon. People will also collect pebbles before camping out for the night to prepare for a symbolic stoning of the devil at Jamarat Bridge.
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Pogba’s mother practised Islam but did not raise her three sons to be Muslim. However the Manchester United midfielder connected with religion as an adult through friends, and says Islam is often misunderstood.
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“Islam is not the image that everyone sees, terrorism, ” Pogba told The Times’ Life Times podcast. “What we hear in the media is really something else. It’s something beautiful.”
After going through some difficult personal times Pogba has committed to his faith, and last month was pictured on a pilgrimage to Mecca.
“It made me change, realise things in life. I guess, maybe, it makes me more peaceful inside. It was a good change in my life because I wasn’t born a Muslim, even if my mum was. I just grew up like that, respect for everyone.
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A few spurious reports in Spain claim United are lining up a monster offer of around £180m, which makes no sense on any level. 0%.
Can we take a moment to appreciate the defending in this photo... Anyway, the Fluminense striker has reportedly agreed to join Watford so it seems like this boat has sailed. 1%.
The Chelsea defender has had an outstanding season on loan at Wigan and with a potential transfer embargo looming, it seems unlikely the club would sell him – let alone to a big-six rival. New contract imminent. 1%.
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The Real Madrid captain has fallen out with the club's hierarchy, but has since said he wants to stay and see out his career at the Bernabeu. 1%.
A giant of a man who would improve United's defence, but it is unclear why he would leave Bayern or why Bayern would let him go. 1%.
The PSV forward said he wanted to play for United a couple of months ago, but has since said he wants to play in the Champions League next season. 2%.
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Key facts: slated United's comeback win in Paris recently, heavily linked with Arsenal; scored that lovely goal at the World Cup. 3%.
The kind of quality that United would be looking for, should David de Gea leave, though it would take a huge sum to prise him from Atletico and he signed a new contract in April. 3%.
A few reports say Manchester United fans want him, but little concrete linking the club to a bid, and Leicester are keen to hold on to the midfielder. 3%.
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Didn't play well at Anfield in the Champions League and could be usurped in midfield by Frenkie de Jong next season, but it still feels a long shot that he ends up at Old Trafford. 4%.
Not having a great time at the Nou Camp but was promised another season by the club president in a recent interview. Would be extremely expensive if he became available. 4%.
Jadon Sancho was wanted by United this summer, but a deal looks very unlikely with huge competition and his settled place at Dortmund. 4%.
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His dad seems to want him move to the Premier League, judging by his quotes in the media, but it is unclear just how serious United or any other top club are about signing the Atletico Madrid midfielder. 4%.
The West Ham and England midfielder could be set for a career at the top of the game, but reports linking him to United are light on detail, and more recently Solskjaer has 'accepted Rice is out his reach'. 4%.
Perpetually linked with a PSG exit, but never actually leaves. Supposedly United and Chelsea both want him, but those rumours haven't resurfaced for a couple of months. 5%.
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The forward is one of the best young players on the planet. Manchester City are believed to lead the race for his signature, and he is an admirer of Pep Guardiola, although he just looks like he's made for a clasico one day. 5%.
Loan at Bayern has not been made permanent so he's back at Real Madrid, looking for a new club. United are one of the few who could pay his wages but the links have been tenuous at best. 6%.
His last stay at Manchester United was not particularly productive and north London seems a more likely destination for the Palace forward, judging by the latest reports. 6%.
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Lost the Inter captaincy after his wife/agent fell out with the board. Could form part of a swap deal with Romelu Lukaku, but these high-profile swaps almost never happen. 6%.
Having scored this goal (pictured) against United in one of their more spectacularly inept displays this season, Richarlison is on their radar, but he said recently that he is happy at Goodison and it's hard to see exactly which problem he would solve at Old Trafford. 7%.
Still only 19, the winger didn't quite light up the Premier League this season, although he was playing in a duff Fulham side. A
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