WISDOM BEHIND HAJJ

 

Which Muslim, Christian or Jew does not know the name of Ibrahim (peace be on him)! Two-thirds of mankind revere him as their leader. The Prophets Musa, Isa and Muhammad, peace be on them, are all his descendants. It is the lamp guidance light by him that has long illuminated the whole world.

The word Hajj means to make a resolve to visit a holy place: visiting the Ka’ba in Makka is, therefore, called Hajj. How did it begin? The origin of Hajj is rooted in the Prophet Ibrahim’s life, peace be on him. That story is very instructive, and illustrative, too, of the true meaning and significance of Hajj. That story you must know to fully understand the benefits Hajj can bring to you. Life and Mission of the Prophet Ibrahim(pbuh).

The Universal Islamic Movement:

In this manner Ibrahim became a pioneer of the universal Islamic movement and set about establishing permanent missions in different regions. In this task he was aided by his nephew, Lut, his eldest son, Ismail who, on learning that the Lord of the worlds wanted the sacrifice of his life, had him self willingly placed his neck under the knife, and his younger son, Ishaq….

The first House ever set up for mankind was indeed that at Bakkah, a blessed place, and a guidance unto all beings; wherein are clear sings---the place whereon Ibrahim stood; and whosoever enters it finds peace (Al ‘Imran 3: 96---7).

First of all, it should be clear that Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime. If a person has the means to offer Hajj, he should carry it out as soon as possible. One is advised to not delay offering Hajj under any pretext, keeping in mind the fact that Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Islam is built upon five pillars: testifying that there is no true god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, performing Prayer, paying the Zakah, making the pilgrimage to the Sacred House (Hajj), and fasting the month of Ramadan.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)

WISDOM BEHIND HAJJ ;

“There is much wisdom behind Hajj. Among these wisdoms is the wisdom that Almighty Allah prepares man to have the perfect form of servitude to Him. There are many acts of Hajj whose significance man cannot conceive by his limited intellectual powers. However, a Muslim accepts these acts and fulfills them out of his obedience and surrender to Almighty Allah.

Islam lays emphasis on the very principle of equality between all people. It makes it clear that people are as equal as the comb teeth. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, declares: “O people! Your Lord is One, your father is one. You are all sons of Adam and Adam is created from dust.” In prayer, a person may wear his own traditional costumes and thus may be distinguished. In Hajj, it is totally different as all people put on two pieces of white cloth that resemble a shroud. This is the highest form of equality.

In Hajj, man enters into a state of total santity that prevents him from violating the life or the safety of any human being. Hajj is the sign of the universality of this Divine message. All people come from all parts of the globe celebrating the praises of the One true God, no colors, races, regional borders. All barriers are removed and all pilgrims are molten in one brotherhood that gathers their hearts and strengthens their bonds and sense of belonging to one religion.

Hajj is, above all, a revolution against all usual matters. A person who travels for Hajj may be traveling out of his country for the first time. Moreover, he experiences a life that is simple but happy. All these are among the benefits of Hajj about which we are told in the Qur’an. In the Hereafter, the benefit is greater; it is Paradise. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, says: “He who performs Hajj and avoids sin and vice in it, will return as sin free as the day his mother bore him.” In another Hadith, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, declares: “An accepted Hajj is rewarded with nothing less than Paradise.” Almighty Allah knows best.

Please Note : This article was first published in Times Of India ,Speaking Tree Column (Dated 05/12/2007) With the title " Why The Devot Muslim Performs The Hajj "

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