Two million Muslims from around the globe are set to gather in Saudi Arabia for the hajj, as the annual pilgrimage becomes increasingly hi-tech, with apps to help the faithful navigate Islam's holiest sites, AFP reported Friday (August 17th).
By Thursday, more than 1.6 million people had already arrived in Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage, which runs from Sunday to Friday.
The hajj presents the Saudi authorities with major logistical challenges.
This year, the Saudis have launched a "smart hajj" initiative, with apps to help pilgrims with everything from travel plans to medical care.
Asefny, for example, is an app launched by Saudi Arabia's Red Crescent to help pilgrims request emergency medical attention.
Authorities are able to locate those in need through the app.
The Saudi hajj ministry also runs the Manasikana app, which provides translation for pilgrims who do not speak Arabic or English.
In the name of God, lights have shined and the sky has been decorated with the planets decorations! The day of sacrifice and redemption has come to us. This day comes to us once a year to remind us, if we forget, and to teach us, if we don’t know. It’s a great day which we celebrate and revere. It’s the day of sacrifice on which we remember how Abraham al-Khalil, the father of prophets, (may peace be upon him and upon our Prophet Muhammad), just obeyed. Abraham had a dream while asleep ordering him to slaughter his son Ismail!!! Literature teaches us that a prophet’s dream is a revelation from God Almighty. Abraham was sure that this was a divine order that must be implemented. Here, Abraham had to tell his son Ismail about what he saw in his dream. The child just obeyed his father’s order, which was God’s order. Abraham was about to slaughter his son Ismail in response to God’s order, but God redeemed him with a great ram. God Almighty said, “And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: "O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you, so look what you think!" He said: "O my father! Do that which you are commanded, Insha' Allah, you shall find me of the patient ones. (102) From this great story which was mentioned in the Quran, we learn from the speed with which Abraham responded to God’s order. The reward was that great redemption. Based on this, those who are capable are required to give a sacrifice to get closer to God on
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