Re-enact the experience!
Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Makkah, is the most intense and demanding of all Islamic obligations. It involves hijra (migration from one's place of abode), jihad (struggle with one's nafs) and specific acts of worship that are physically and mentally demanding. An estimated two million Muslims from every part of the world are expected to converge on Makkah this year to re-enact the experience of Ibrahim, Ismail and Muhammad, upon them all be peace, all of them Allah's messengers, in one of the most moving acts of ibadah.
Hajj is supposed to be a journey in obedience, struggle, self-purification and submission. It is also a journey undertaken to meet and to greet fellow Muslims from around the world and to share their experiences of suffering, reflection and contemplation. Most Muslims, however, are unable to do this.
Mundane (self imposed) personal problems and physical impediments (created) by the system, leave little time to benefit from the truly spiritual and divine aspects of Hajj. The true content seems to have been reduced to rituals, thus making this unique experience a mere mechanical exercise.
The conceptual problem is more difficult to overcome because this has been drilled into the minds through decades of indoctrination. There is a great emphasis on the rituals: i.e. how to perform various acts, with little or no understanding about their significance, spiritual or political. The whys of Hajj are as much, if not more important than the hows of Hajj. By ignoring them, the hujjaj do not return any wiser.
In fact, it is that abandonment of whys that foster another bizarre culture: indulgence in shopping, to acquire the latest electronic gadgets, as well as beads and prayer-mats manufactured in Korea, China or Japan. Not to mention stocking of Madina Medjool dates grown in Southern California! This is only one aspect of the problem but a serious one.
One of the saddest problems at Hajj is the ugly show of disparities. Different levels of services are offered to hujjaj, based on the price charged for each type of service. Now one can perform a super deluxe Hajj with all amenities. It is like a spiritual holiday in five-star hotels, with room service, round-the-clock beverages and the occasional trip to the Haram, to attend to one's spiritual needs. The only time one then rubs shoulders with the rest of the Ummah is either in the Haram or at Arafat and Muzdalifah. Muzdalifah is now the only real leveler: there are no tents, air-conditioned or otherwise; everyone spends the night in the open with dust and dirt blowing on to them. Let us hope that the court Ulema will not come up with a 'fatwa' allowing special facilities for the effete rich who prefers to have a leg up from the Ummah.
Hajj is supposed to be a very spiritual journey towards the Creator. The tourist is not a mere traveler but a Haji who is exclusively invited by the Creator. Our focused aspirations must be to re-enact the experiences of:
Prophet Ibrahim, whose selfless sacrifice has no parallel in the annals of history of humankind.
Prophet Ismail, whose example of obedience and submission is awe-inspires the humanity until eternity.
Prophet Muhammad, who firmly stood on the plains of Arafat and proclaimed the completion of his mission, i.e., establishing the Sovereignty of One Creator over every-thing and every-one.
(may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon all of the Prophets)
This then must be the objective of those who are blessed to respond to His invitation this year and those who aspire to respond next year, InshaAllah. A journey that is devoid of passions and desires to capture the true spirit of this awesome occasion would be no more but (may be) a halal-holiday!
Let us pray in the coming days and nights of these holy months;
that, we be blessed with the courage of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to break all the idols (apparent & hidden),
that, we be blessed with the fervent desire of obedience and submission of Prophet Ismail (Ishmael) to the Will of One God alone and none else,
that, we be blessed with the courage, patience and perseverance of Hajra (Hagar) and optimism to survive in the midst of nothingness,
that, we be blessed with all of the above that is epitomized in the life and character of our last and eternal leader, Prophet Muhammad ...
May our fervent prayers reach the Creator and be accepted by Him. Then and only then our arduous journeys will turn into serene joys that will last all seasons!
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As-Salaam Alaikom wa-rahmatullah.
THis is a re-awakening piece for those of us making the spiritul journey this year.May ALlah bless you all in this dawah of your's both here and in the hereafter.
Ma salaam
I totally agree with the contents of the article. I have never been to hajj and pray Allah bless me the funds to be able to make what is supposed to be the most spiritual journey of my life - In Sha Allah - Suphana'Allah. I will marry if it be his will in a few months and hope that Allah allows me to prosper so that I can afford this - can you tell me how much this would be from the USA and how me and my husband can go about registering for this blessed event. Make Dua for us and we will make dua for the Ummah to get back to the sunnah of the prophets Ibrahim, Ishmail (Alai Salam) and Muhammad (Sallah la huallahi wasalam).
Masha'Allah
Halimah
I have heard (but not directly read) that there is a Hedith about the time of Qurb-e-Qaiyamat (i.e near the doomsday) that people will visit Bait-Ullah for the perpose of recreation and picnic. Kindly find out about this and also let me know.
May God, The One,The Lord of all of us, be praised !
Salam aleikum !
If a man does not experience union with the Giver of Peace, wherever he stands or kneels, it is because of The Lord's doing. Every act of a man, created by that man, is only a sham. A re-enactment, perhaps inspired by hope; but not a blessing.
Blessed be the man who gives himself entirely over to God, for God to use as He wills. That is the man who God knows as His own; the man who recognizes where he has come from, and who actually has control over his life.
Are you afraid of opposing opinions?
You don't need my defense, but I offer it in love for your diciplines.
come to pass. S.xix. 62. They will not there
hear any vain discourse, but only salutations
of Peace: and they will have therein their
sustenance, morning and evening.
May the peace of God rule in your hearts which
is His intention for us all, and be thankful.
I really wanted to go want to go to Hajj and to see Ka'ba...I had dream of that two times but who cares. May Allah swt accept that beautiful journey of all Hajji...and make them pray for the rest who cannot perform.
Assalam o alaikum
May Allah help us during these holy months to do the right thing.
Fi Amaani Allah
Omar B.
May Allah, the Almighty, bless all of us on these trying times....
Take care and stay safe out there..thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.