tracing a pilgrim's path
on the 8th of Thil Hijjah
the heart sees Aba Abdillah al Hussein
retreating, against the tide

reaching for him desperately
as the call of his father Abraham, beckoning -- come!
but comes his reply

My father told me there would be
a ram, on account of which
Mecca would be desecrated. That ram
I never desire to be.

and he slips out of sight, through the crowds.

For, this final great worship, he chose to exchange
for prostration
upon the burning sands of Kerbala.

* * *

MEDIA: Through the Eyes of a Pilgrim

NB: the videos are .3gp, which should play on Quicktime or RealPlayer. 

- Photographs: some photos taken on Hajj (the first few are from Iran)

- Audio: Dua al Imam Hussein (as) on the day of Arafa here, Ziarat al Hussein (as) on the day of Arafa here, Arabic poetry about imam Hussein (as) here.

- Video: you can watch a video of tawaf here, and short clips of the most shia I've ever seen together in one place in my whole life, making a big ruckus in Mina here and here.  I know the videos appear sideways (sorry) but listen to the audio, particularly of the last one :D

RESOURCES: on Hajj
 

- The Spiritual Aspects of Hajj - a complete translation of imam Zain al Abideen's discourse on hajj with al Shibli. A pocket-sized summary is also available here.

- Secrets of the Hajj - by Ayatullah Hussein Mazaheri.  Subtle points and attitudes which allow the Hajj to become a spiritual as well as physical journey.  Also contains sketches of the Kabah, Jennatul Baqi' and Haram in Mecca with labels relevant to pilgrims.

- Hajj, the Islamic Pilgrimage - by Ayatullah Sayed Muhammad Zia Abadi.  Read about the purpose of hajj, its social effects, spiritual philosophy, the various stages and halting places, and supplications to read on the way.

- An Everlasting Instruction - Imam Hussein's (as) final journey to Mecca, and what we can learn from it.  Prepared by scholars of the hawsa for pilgrims in 2004, along with Hajj, a manifestation of Unity, a Message to the pilgrims from Ayatullah Khamenei, and a handout of the area surrounding the holy Rawdah.