Hajj, the fifth of Islam’s pillars, is about to begin in
Makkah, Saudi Arabia. It is performed in the 12th month of the
Islamic calendar. The whole event takes place within a time scale of 5 – 6
days, the last day being optional, to allow those pilgrims who wish, to stay in
Mina.
Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah to perform devotional duties,
is one of the most desired and longed for Islamic practices that the majority
of Muslims, whether with means or not, would like to accomplish in their life
time.
In common with all other Islamic devotional obligations and
practices, Hajj is intended to have a multi-dimensional impact on people’s
religious, spiritual, social and moral life.
It provides an economic benefit , whilst offering people opportunities to broaden their intellectual
outlook and to reflect on their current situation.
The Quran describes the event in the Surah Hajj saying: ‘so
that they may attend to benefits pertaining to them’: meaning benefits beyond
those arising from the performing of the religious obligation of pilgrimage.
Also, the Quran very eloquently draws the attention of
pilgrims towards the social and moral developments from Hajj, in this verse of
Surah al-Baqarah: ‘Hajj is known months.
Whosoever obligates upon himself to perform Hajj, then let there be no
obscenity, disobedience and altercation in Hajj. Whatever goodness you may act
upon Allah will know it. And take provision and the best of provision is righteousness.
And fear Me O people of understanding’.
Hajj, on the one hand, is a religious duty and one of five
pillars of Islam, and if denied one will cease to be a believer. However, on
the other hand, it is meant to develop and enhance the believer's spiritual and social life.
Unfortunately it appears to have little impact on these
aspects in many people’s lives. In my own experience I have seen people,
although very sincere in their wish to perform the duty, and very devoted, but
possessing little or no idea of what Hajj ethics are, or indeed of its possible
benefits. It is very easy to recognise how many people confuse the true
meanings of Hajj with the performance of its ritual duties.
While it is obviously the case that few people set aside
adequate time to prepare themselves, in the full sense, to benefit from all
that can be theirs from this blessed journey, it also appears that, to some, it
has become purely an exercise in the
performance of a ritual duty. How then can one expect the beautiful outcomes of
‘best provision’, ‘acts of goodness’, ‘benefits’, ‘keeping away from obscenity,
disobedience and altercations’, which were described in the above-mentioned
verses, to be fulfilled on this blessed journey?
Performance of Hajj needs considerable effort by us, before
and during it, to be worthwhile and to release its immense benefits into our
lives. It should be a life changing journey, a journey which teaches us
hundreds of valuable lessons; lessons from which we must learn and incorporate
the results into our everyday existence.
Our Prophet Mohammad, Peace and Mercy of Allah be upon him,
performed only one Hajj in his lifetime, due to the circumstances of his
time. Hajj is an obligation which is to
be observed once in our lifetime. Many people
perform multiple Hajj (and Umrah as well) but, because of their lack of
preparation or lack of understanding, fail to see a change in the spiritual and moral aspects of
their lives.
On the occasion of that one Hajj, the prophet delivered a
beautiful sermon from the top of the mount ‘Al-Rahmah’. In my opinion, the
highlights of that sermon, as it was given on the occasion of Hajj, needs to be
refreshed in the minds of all pilgrims. The sermon also needs to be repeated
and explained in Friday sermons in the months of Hajj in all mosques around the
world. There were also many other sermons delivered by the Prophet in places
such as Mina.
Highlights from Prophet’s sermons:
What stands out in the Prophet’s sermons was his obvious
emphasis on the sacredness of people’s lives, their property and honour. He
spoke time and again saying: 'O people! Do you know what month are you in? what
day is today? And what piece of land you are on? They replied: in a sacred
month, in a sacred day and in the sacred land'. The Prophet then said: 'indeed
your blood, your properties and your honour are as sacred upon you as the
sacredness of this day, this month and this land till you meet your Lord'.
The Prophet further said: ‘do not turn out after me
disbelievers by hitting the necks of
each other’.
He strenuously told people not to commit ‘Zulm’ or oppression
or to wrong others in any way.
He forbade all matters belonging to the era of Ignorance,
including claims of blood revenge and claims of usury and interest taken on in
the era of Ignorance as well.
The Prophet reminded men to take care of women for God sake
and that women have rights on them.
The Prophet reminded people that he left two things for their
guidance: the Book of Allah and his Sunnah (accounts of his life). The prophet
said that as long as they held fast to these two they would never go astray in
their lives.
If we Muslims want to
build the future of this Ummah we need to pay heed to these last reminders and
the guidance given to us by our Prophet Mohammad, peace and mercy of Allah be
upon him, while we try to perform the rituals of Hajj.
It was on the occasion of this Hajj that Allah completed His
Revelation of the Quran to the Prophet. This important symbolism must live on
in the minds of Muslims and reflect on its significance. Part of the verses
that were revealed on this occasion announced: ‘this day We have completed for
you your religion (Deen), and accomplished on you My Favours, and (for ever)
have accepted Islam as your religion’.
A lot needs to be reflected on in the months of Hajj both by
both the pilgrims and by Muslims worldwide. We need to re-learn the overarching
message of our beautiful religion so that our lives ultimately improve and we
can come to enjoy the pleasure of our spirituality.
