第2233期:What Is the Hajj?

Once a year, millions of Muslims from all over the world travel to Saudi Arabia, to complete an important religious duty called Hajj. The travelers gather in the city of Mecca, carrying out holy acts over several days.每年一次，数百万穆斯林从世界各地前往沙特阿拉伯，完成一种称为哈吉的重要宗教义务。朝圣者们聚集在麦加市，进行数天的神圣活动。Hajj is one of the five pillars, or bases, of Islamic belief.哈吉是伊斯兰信仰的五大支柱之一。Here is a look at the religious event and its meaning to Muslims: Every Muslim who is financially and physically able is expected to complete at least one Hajj. Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The others are declaration of belief, daily prayers, giving to those in need, and fasting. These acts are required.以下是关于这一宗教活动及其对穆斯林意义的介绍：每个在经济和身体上有能力的穆斯林都应完成至少一次哈吉。哈吉是伊斯兰五大支柱之一。其他支柱是信仰宣言、每日祷告、施舍和斋戒。这些行为是必需的。The Hajj takes place once a year during the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijja. It is the 12th and final month of the Islamic year. The Hajj begins on June 14 this year and ends on June 19.哈吉每年在伊斯兰阴历月的杜尔·哈吉月举行。它是伊斯兰年历的第十二个月也是最后一个月。今年的哈吉从6月14日开始，6月19日结束。Performing Hajj meets a religious requirement for Muslims. The pilgrims are to seek God’s forgiveness for their wrongdoings. They believe the act brings them closer to God.进行哈吉满足了穆斯林的宗教要求。朝圣者们寻求上帝的宽恕，赦免他们的过错。他们相信这一行为能使他们更接近上帝。Many pilgrims bring with them prayer requests from family and friends that they would like to be said for them.许多朝圣者会带着来自家人和朋友的祈祷请求，希望在哈吉期间为他们祈祷。Some Muslims spend years saving money and making preparations to make the pilgrimage. And other barriers can get in the way.有些穆斯林花费数年时间储蓄资金并做准备来进行朝圣。而其他障碍也可能阻碍他们。In 2019, almost 2.5 million Muslims traveled to Mecca for Hajj. But the next year saw worldwide pandemic restrictions. Saudi officials restricted the event in 2020 to Muslims who lived in the country. Last year’s Hajj was the first to be held without COVID-19 restrictions since 2020. Close to 1.9 million people took part.2019年，近250万穆斯林前往麦加进行哈吉。但次年由于全球疫情限制，沙特官员将2020年的哈吉限制在境内的穆斯林。今年的哈吉是自2020年以来首次没有COVID-19限制的哈吉，约有190万人参与。Pilgrims declare the will to perform Hajj and they enter a state of “ihram.” Rules of ihram include the wearing of special clothes by men. The aim is to prepare oneself to be humble and a follower of God.朝圣者们宣告进行哈吉的意愿，并进入“戒律”状态。戒律规则包括男性穿戴特殊服装。其目的是使自己准备好谦卑并成为上帝的追随者。A spiritual high point of Hajj for many is to stand on the plain of Arafat. Pilgrims pray at the site, praising God and asking for God’s forgiveness.对许多人来说，哈吉的精神高潮是站在阿拉法特平原上。朝圣者们在此祈祷，赞美上帝并请求上帝的宽恕。Other religious acts include performing “tawaf” or circling the Kaaba structure in Mecca seven times.其他宗教行为包括进行“绕行”，即围绕麦加的克尔白结构绕行七圈。The Kaaba is a structure that represents the house of God. Muslims pray toward the Kaaba wherever they are in the world.克尔白是一座象征上帝之家的建筑。无论身处世界何地，穆斯林都向克尔白祈祷。Pilgrims also follow the path of Hagar, or Hajar. She is the wife of the Prophet Ibrahim, or Abraham to Jews and Christians. Muslims believe she ran between two hills seven times searching for water for her son.朝圣者们还会沿着哈杰尔的路径前进。她是先知易卜拉欣的妻子，即犹太人和基督徒所称的亚伯拉罕。穆斯林相信她曾在两座山之间奔跑七次，为她的儿子寻找水源。Among other religious acts, pilgrims throw small stones at structures that represent evil.在其他宗教行为中，朝圣者们向象征邪恶的结构投掷小石子。Eid al-Adha, or the “Feast of Sacrifice,” is a holiday that begins on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijja, during Hajj.宰牲节或“牺牲节”是在哈吉期间从杜尔·哈吉月的第十天开始的节日。It is celebrated by Muslims around the world. It marks Prophet Ibrahim’s demonstration of religious belief by offering his son’s life to honor God. During the holiday, Muslims kill animals like sheep or cattle and give some meat to the poor.全球的穆斯林都会庆祝这个节日。它标志着先知易卜拉欣通过奉献自己儿子的生命来尊敬上帝的宗教信仰。在节日期间，穆斯林会宰杀羊或牛等动物，并将部分肉分给贫困的人。