In the name of Allah

Haj: Beyond the rituals
Tariq Al-Maeena | talmaeena@aol.com

6 December 2008

As Muslims from across the globe gather in Makkah for the start of Haj, they must try to grasp the deeper meaning of the rituals they are about to perform.

Haj is the last of the five pillars of Islam. The other four are a declaration of faith in one God and in His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the five daily prayers, zakah (giving a percentage of one’s income to charity), and fasting during the month of Ramadan. Pilgrimage is an once-in-a-lifetime obligation only for those who have the physical and financial means to undertake such an arduous journey.

While all the great religions state that humans are more than mere physical creatures in that we possess an essence beyond the material world, Haj represents the spiritual journey toward this essence.

Haj is unquestionably the most demanding of all the Islamic duties, and the Prophet said: “Whoever performs Haj to this house — Kaaba — and does not commit any obscenity and wrongdoing, he, or she, will come out as the day he, or she, was born — pure and free from sins.”

The importance of Haj in our religion has been noted by the late Egyptian scholar Sheikh Sayyed Sabiq who quotes this Hadith in his book Fiqh-us-Sunnah: Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The performance of Umrah is expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous ones. And the reward for Haj Mabrur (pilgrimage accepted by Allah) is nothing but Paradise.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 27, Hadith No. 1)

During these days of worship, one can honestly expect many benefits such as the opportunity to correct one’s faults, to sincerely atone for one’s sins and make up for any shortcomings or wrongdoings of the past. Deeply engrossed in prayers, the pilgrims will seek Allah’s mercy.

During Haj, millions of Muslims converge in unison on Makkah rising above all barriers based on race, nationality or class and that is a tribute to the universality of Haj.

As reported by an Islamic scholar, the rituals and the experience of Haj can be overwhelming.

“Imagine yourself stepping on the same land where Prophet Muhammad used to step and going through the valleys and mountains wherein he used to receive the divine revelation. It gives you another insight into how much he and his companions did suffer in order to get this message communicated to us in its most perfect and purest form.

“Of course we hear and read about such things but when we see them with our own eyes, it places us in a different atmosphere.

“When you go to the mountain of Hera, you realize that this is the same place where the Prophet used to seclude himself from the whole world for one month every year. It is the place that witnessed the revelation of the first words of the Qur’an and the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel.

“When you move in the Sacred Mosque of Makkah and remember Abraham and his son Ishmael, you can feel the true meaning of sacrifice and how a father left his newborn with his weak mother in that barren piece of land.”

Yes dear Hajis, this is your moment. It is your time and opportunity to dedicate yourselves to the true meaning of Islam, the religion of peace. Keep away from temptations our Holy Book warns of, and resist the calls of those who exhort violence and mayhem.

And above all, spread this message of peace and good will when you return to your lands.

Ḥajj: Ancient journey
in modern times

As the fifth pillar of Islam, Ḥajj is a must for those faithful who are physically and financially able to make the journey. Over the years, the numerical rise of the pilgrims has been phenomenal. From the hundred thousand plus who performed Ḥajj with the Prophet in 10 A. H., we have some 2.5 million doing so today every year. The number would be 10 times more if the Saudi government had not enforced a pilgrim quota for Muslim countries due to logistical reasons.

Speaking of soulfulness of Hajj, the year Prophet Muhammad performed Ḥajj, a Companion fell from his camel, which accidentally stomped on him breaking his neck. The Companion died of injuries. The Prophet said:

"Bathe his body with water and Sidr (lotus tree leaves) and bury him with both garments. Do not cover his head, nor touch him with camphor ... for verily he will be returned (to Allāh) on the Day of Resurrection in the state of Talbiyah! (saying Labbayk Allāhumma Labbayk)." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

In another incident, ‘Amr Ibn Al-‘Aas narrated: “When Islam entered my heart, I went to the Messenger of Allāh and said, `Give me your hand so that I may pledge allegiance to you.' The Prophet spread his hand, but I withdrew mine. He said, `What's wrong, ‘Amr?' I said, `I want to make a condition.’ ‘And what is that?' he said. I said, `That Allāh will forgive me.' Then the Messenger of Allāh said:

“Did you not know that Islam wipes out what came before it, and that Hijrah (migration) wipes out what came before it and that Ḥajj wipes out what came before it!” [Muslim]

He also said:

“Whoever performs Ḥajj and does not commit any obscenity or transgression, he returns (free from sin) as the day his mother born him.” [Al-Bukhaari]

The reward for an accepted Ḥajj, said the Prophet is nothing but Jannah (Paradise).

This is the key: The reward of Jannah comes from an accepted Ḥajj and acceptance results from the purity of intention and adherence to Allāh's Commands. Some of us come from the Ḥajj feeling an inner tranquillity; some feeling uneasy that they were not always patient during the Ḥajj; others expressing unhappiness at not having received the promised comfort from their tour operator.

Western pilgrims generally get plenty of advice about what to do, and what to expect during Ḥajj. Yet there is no substitute to the awe-inspiring, hair raising personal experience. Despite its challenges, our Ḥajj is a picnic compared to that performed by the Prophet and Muslims of earlier times. Then were no airplanes or cars, no five-star hotels; even ships were flimsy by today's standards. Travelling over sea and through desert exposed the pilgrims to pirates and robbers. The journey to Makkah took weeks. People bade farewell to pilgrims as if they were embarking on a journey of no return.

The Quran refers to the travels of earlier pilgrims thus (what means):

“And proclaim to the people the Ḥajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass.” [Quran 22: 27]

Today, most passengers fly in comfortable jetliners, where they are served with lavish amount of food, beverages and snacks. They are then transported in air-conditioned buses and housed in cozy hotels that are within walking distance from the Haram (the Sacred Area). Yet some of us complain that that wasn't good enough, or that they did not get their meals on time.

What's the purpose of Ḥajj? Is it to test our physical endurance, financial sacrifice, or to show us the equality of the Muslim Ummah (Nation) before Allāh? Some have compared the standing in ‘Arafah, the most important ritual of the Ḥajj, to the humanity's facing its Creator on the Day of Judgment. Although there is nothing like the Day of Judgment in our experience, the comparison points to something important.

Consider the first two verses of the chapter of Al-Ḥajj (which means):

“O mankind, fear your Lord. Indeed, the convulsion of the [final] Hour is a terrible thing. On the Day you see it, every nursing mother will be distracted from that [child] she was nursing, and every pregnant woman will abort her pregnancy, and you will see the people [appearing] intoxicated while they are not intoxicated; but the punishment of Allāh is severe.” [Quran 3: 22]

During the Ḥajj, we do become engrossed in our own affairs to the extent of being selfish, although only a tiny fraction of humanity is gathered there compared to the Day of Judgment, when everyone will be present. That day will be like no other. Reflecting on the first verse of the Chapter of Al-Ḥajj makes it quite apparent why Allāh exhorts us to fear Him. Fearing and obeying Allāh in this life seems to be the only option if we want to be spared the frightfulness and grief of the Day of Gathering.

Ḥajj also reminds us that if the travel is difficult and requires a lot of preparation and provision, what is it that we have prepared for that final journey? While everyone may not be able to go for Ḥajj, the entire humanity, without exception, will have to die and make the final journey.

When someone anxiously asked the Prophet about the end of time, he returned the question:

“What have you prepared for it”? [Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]

No matter the amount of money and preparation we make for Ḥajj, it is the sincere intention that counts the most. As for the final journey, the best provision is what Allāh has prescribed in the verse (which means):

“…And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allāh. And fear Me, O you of understanding.” [Quran 2: 197]

By providing a glimpse of that journey, Ḥajj should help us prepare for it. Among other things, Ḥajj instills in our hearts the Taqwa (piety) needed for that journey. It is the story of man's triumph over Satan and his whispers, of Prophet Ibrāheem's supreme sacrifices, a tale of his virtuous wife,Haajar's, devotion to Allāh, and righteous son, Ismā’eel's, obedience to Allāh's Command. It is a mirror in which we can see the history of the Ka'bah, the House of Allāh, that Ibrāheem and his son, may Allāh exalt their mention, built. It's a reaffirmation of how Allāh elevates the remembrance of His sincere servants and endears them in the hearts of posterity. The House of Allāh that Prophet Ibrāheem and his son, may Allāh exalt their mention, built is a living miracle. It is a witness to the unceasing, uninterrupted glorification of Allāh.

It is important that we remember the spiritual aspect of Ḥajj and refrain from pursuing excessive physical comfort. Ḥajj is not a vacation, but a duty we owe to Allāh. The deluxe packages, five-star hotels, and comfortable buses do not contribute to Ḥajj's acceptance; in fact they may distract from Ḥajj.

During Ḥajj, we should concentrate on the rituals, overlook others' mistakes, and seek Allāh's forgiveness. A simple reflection while standing in ‘Arafah can become an atoning experience. Upon return from Ḥajj, we should avoid dwelling on the negatives. A tranquil and forgiving heart and upright actions would be good signs, Allāh willing, that the Ḥajj was accepted.

Source: Al-Jumuah

Useful Links:

www.hajinformation.com (Ministry of Hajj: Saudi Arabia)

www.hajjinfo.org/ (Ministry of Religious Affairs: Pakistan)

www.islamicity.com/mosque/Hajj/

www.sahuc.org.za (South African Hajj & Umrah Council)

http://www.sahuc.org.za/sahuc/download/2008-1429H%20Approved%20Hajj%20Operators%20List.pdf (List of South African accredited Hajj & Umrah operators 2008)

http://hajj.al-islam.com/ (Saudi Arabia: Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da‘wah and Guidance)