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Presently, you will observe that millions of Muslims from across the globe are converging on the Holy City of Makkah, Saudi Arabia in order to fulfil the Hajj (Pilgrimage).
Why Do Muslims Perform Hajj (Pilgrimage)
The Hajj has been ordained by Allah Almighty in the Holy Qur’aan “Pilgrimage to the House (of Allah) is a duty which men owe to Allah, (that is) those who can afford the journey; but if they deny faith, Allah stands not in need (of the services) of any of His creatures”. (Ch 3: V 97).
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity. Undertaking the Hajj at least once in a life time is a duty for all Muslims who are physically and financially capable to make the journey to Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The emphasis on financial ability is meant to ensure that a one takes care of his family first and has sufficient means for the actual journey. The requirement that one must be healthy and physically capable of undertaking the Hajj is intended to exempt those who cannot endure the rigors of extended travel.
The pilgrimage is the religious high point of a Muslim’s life and an event that every Muslim dreams of undertaking. Hajj however is performed during a six day period from the 8th through the 13th of Dhul Hijjah( the twelfth and last month of the Islamic calendar).
Performing the Hajj is the spiritual apex of the Muslims life, one that provides a clear understanding of his relationship with his Creator –Allah Almighty, and his place on earth. It imparts on a Muslim not only the assurance that he has performed the fifth pillar of Islam by following in the footsteps of both Prophet Abraham and Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon them), but also the realisation that he is part of an Ummah (nation) that is more than one billion strong and spread across the globe. Furthermore, the pilgrims witness and experience, at every step and turn, the imprints left by those who sacrificed everything of theirs in submission and obedience to Allah.
The Call Of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him)
It is recorded in the history of mankind that God Almighty commanded Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) to build the structure of the Holy Ka’abah in the valley of Bakkah (also known as Makkah), in the central eastern portion of the Arabian Peninsula. He fulfilled the command and when he had completed building, Allah commanded him to call the people (mankind) to observe pilgrimage (Hajj) to it. Abraham (peace be upon him) pleaded “O Allah! How shall my voice reach all the people (all over the world)? Allah told him that his duty was to make the call and it was Allah Almighty who would make it reach the people. Abraham (peace be upon him) then climbed Mount Arafah (in the sacred precincts of the Great House of Allah) and called out in as loud a voice as he could, “O people! Verily Allah has prescribed upon you the Hajj, so perform the Hajj”. Allah Almighty records this in the Qur’an “And proclaim the Hajj among mankind. They will come to thee on foot and on every lean mount (or some mode of transport) through deep and distant mountain high-ways…” (Ch 22 : V 28)
To this very day, each year, millions upon millions of Muslims continue to answer the call of The Almighty made through His Great Messenger and Prophet – Abraham (peace be upon him).
Universality and Brotherhood
A very striking aspect, which stands out very glaringly on this occasion, is that the Hajj is a wholesome demonstration of the universality of Islam and the brotherhood and equality of Muslims. The pilgrims wear the same unstitched pieces of cloth during the Hajj, whereby each male pilgrim wears two white seamless pieces of cloth. There is no distinction whatsoever between the poor and the rich, the young and the old, the white and the black, etc. The white colour is symbolic of innocence, piety and cleanliness of body and soul. Regardless of colour, race, nationality and language they gather together at the same place and at the same time, for the same purpose – in a practical demonstration of equality, brotherhood and unity which has no parallel anywhere else in the world. Hajj is, most definitely, the largest single gathering of people in one place, at one time, for one purpose – close onto 3million Muslims observe the Hajj each year!
The need to cast off all wrong and sin
It is important to note that a Muslim does not earn Hajj Mabroor (acceptable Pilgrimage) except by casting away all sins. While falling into sin is prohibited at all times, Allah Almighty gives a specific order to the pilgrims to abstain from all forms of wrong doing and sins. He declares: “Hajj is (during) well known months, so whoever has decided to undertake the Hajj therein, there shall be (for him) no obscenity and no transgression and no disputing during Hajj”. (Ch 2 : V 197). This verse emphasises the nobility of the time, the sacredness of the occasion and greatness of the place.
Pilgrimage makes people realise their many evil deeds and mistakes, which are the results of weakness of faith, lack of consciousness of God Almighty and their general neglect of His commands and the way of life of His Great Messengers (peace be upon them)
Blessings of Hajj
There are many blessings of Hajj and one may attempt to describe them in great detail. However, in the Holy Qur’aan where Allah Almighty instructs Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) to invite mankind to come to Hajj, He summarises the matter by declaring “So that they may witness the numerous benefits for themselves”. (Ch 22 : V 28). Hence, the real blessings of Hajj can only be experienced by those who actually perform it.
It is reported that the performance of Hajj (in the correct prescribed manner) washes away all the sins of a person. One of the Noble Companions of Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him), Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “I heard the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) say, “Whoever performs Hajj and does not indulge in any obscenity or transgression he returns (free from all sins) as the day his mother bore him.”.”
Hajj is one of the greatest deeds that one can accomplish in his or her lifetime. Another Noble Companion, Abu Ash’ath (may Allah be pleased with him) said “I contemplated the good deeds that a person does; I found that salah (daily prayer) as well as fasting are ‘jihad’ of the body. And that sadaqah (charity) is a ‘jihad’ of the wealth but Hajj is a ‘jihad’ of both body and wealth”.
Deep love of The Creator
The journey of Hajj is quite different in nature to any other which would obviously be for the fulfilment of some worldly desire or material benefit. This journey is not meant for any personal end, rather it is undertaken solely for Allah Almighty and the fulfilment of the duty prescribed by Him. Nobody can be prepared to undertake this journey until and unless he has true and deep love of his Creator, Allah Almighty, in his heart, as well as fear of Him, and is convinced that Allah wants him to do what he is doing.
That one is willing to bear the privations that arise from separation from family, to incur great expenses on a journey that will bring no material rewards, and to suffer any loss of business and job, all are signs of certain inner qualities: that one has the love and fear of Allah more than anything, that one has a strong sense of duty to Him, that one is willing to respond to His summons and ready to sacrifice material comforts in His cause.
The love of Allah heightens as one starts preparing for the pilgrimage journey with the sole intention of pleasing Allah. With the heart longing to reach the goal, one becomes purer in thought and deed. One repents from past sins, seeks forgiveness from people whom he might have wronged, and tries to render that which is due to others where necessary so as not to go to Allah’s court burdened with injustices that may have be done to fellow human beings. In general, the inclination to do good intensifies and the abhorrence of doing evil increases. Thus the entire journey constitutes an act of worship. How, then, can one do wrong? This journey, in contrast to every other, is a continuing course through which a Muslim attains a progressive purification of the self.
The impact of Hajj
It is now easy to see that from the time of deciding and preparing to go for Hajj to the time of returning home, a tremendous impact is made on the hearts and minds of pilgrims. This process entails sacrifice of time, sacrifice of money, sacrifice of comfort, and sacrifice of many physical desires and pleasures and all this simply for the sake of Allah Almighty, with no worldly or selfish motive.
For further information on Islam, please contact:
Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars
Publications Department,
P.O. Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare
Tel: 0242-614078 / 614004, Fax : 0242-614003 e-mail: [email protected]
