Hajj is an Arabic word meaning “to travel.” Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, that every Muslim has to do, financially and physically, at least once in his or her lifetime, given. This precious place is voluntarily visited by all Muslims, as Allah has given this area a precedence over everything else.
The Hajj is a pilgrimage that occurs during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hajj to the holy city of Mecca. All Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the pilgrimage are required to do so at least once in their lives. As said in Quran:
” وَاَتِمُّوا الۡحَجَّ وَالۡعُمۡرَةَ لِلّٰهِؕ “
“And complete the Hajj or Umrah in the service of Allah.” (Al-Baqarah: 196)
According to another narrative, the Prophet (SAW) acknowledged it as one of the pillars of Islam:
بُنِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ ، شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ، وَإِقَامِ الصَّلَاةِ ، وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ ، وَالْحَجِّ ، وَصَوْمِ رَمَضَانَ
“Islam is based on five fundamentals: to proclaim that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad (saw’s) is the Messenger of Allah, and to establish the prayer, and pay Zakat, to offer pilgrimage of the House [of God] and to fast during Ramadan.” (Bukhari, No: 7)
Allah (SWT) says this in the Quran about Hajj
وَأَذِّن فِى ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِجَالًا وَعَلَىٰ كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ يَأْتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ
“And publicly proclaim Pilgrimage for all mankind so that they come to you on foot and mounted on lean camels from every distant point.” (Surah Al-Haj: 27)
Pilgrims wear straight, white towels during the hajj. Men wear seamless clothes, undressed clothes and ladies clothe in straight white garments. The goal behind clothing simply is to cover up any income and rank inequalities. The Hajj makes Muslims realize that life here on earth and afterlife is truly important through the removal of all marks of social standing, riches and pride. Hajj is an opportunity to remove the slate of mistakes and weaknesses of the past.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“One who comes to this House for Hajj and avoids all lewdness and sins, he returns as he was on the day his mother gave birth to him.” (Bukhari & Muslim).
Hajj also sends a powerful message of brotherhood and unity, emphasizing the significance of Hajj in Islam. Because pilgrims are considered guests of Allah, the Hajj journey is the simplest way to obtain Allah’s satisfaction. According to Abu Hurairah (R.A), the Prophet (S.A.W.) addressed the people one day and said:
“O people! Allah has prescribed Hajj upon you, so perform it.
When a person decides to perform Hajj, he is frequently reminded that the chance is a gift from Allah. Only those who have been welcomed by God Himself are allowed to enter the Kaaba in Makkah, which is known as the “House of Allah.” Pilgrims are treated as Allah’s guests.”
Narrated by Abdullah bin Abbas (R.A.):
“Al-Fadl (his brother) was riding behind Allah’s Apostle and a woman from the tribe of Khath’am came and Al-Fadl started looking at her and she started looking at him. The Prophet turned Al-Fadl’s face to the other side. The woman said, “O Allah’s Apostle! The obligation of Hajj enjoined by Allah on His devotees has become due on my father and he is old and weak, and he cannot sit firm on the Mount; may I perform Hajj on his behalf?” The Prophet replied, “Yes, you may.” That happened during the Hajj-al-Wida (of the Prophet ).” (Volume 2, Book 26, Number 590)
Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (R.A.):
“I saw that Allah’s Apostle used to ride on his Mount at Dhul Hulaifa and used to start saying, “Labbaik” when the Mount stood upright.”
Shukriah is the most important spirit associated with any act of worship, particularly Hajj. The pilgrimage to Mecca is a pilgrimage to God. It symbolizes the closest one can get to God while yet existing in our planet. The pilgrim also considers the day when he will die and be summoned to God. As a result, pilgrims assemble on the plain of Arafat to commemorate the time when they will assemble there on Judgment Day.
Two unstitched long sleeves of cloth are dressed up for all pilgrims. In God’s eyes all are equal. This symbolizes. This offers a powerful sense of fraternity, equality and humility, one of Hajj’s greatest themes. A full prophetic tradition, which extends from Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) through Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), comes to life. The prophets were obedient to the Lord and were obedient to His will. Indeed, the events of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.), and his family are performed in the course of Haji. Hajj teaches us many of Allah’s critical lessons. Here are five essential spiritual truths from this sacred trek that we might learn.
- As Humans, We are All Equal.
Millions of Muslims from all walks of life and every corner of the globe converge to conduct the holy pilgrimage, reminding us that in Allah’s (S.W.T.) eyes, we are all equal as human beings. In the Holy Qur’an, Allah (S.W.T.) says:
“O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.” (49:13)
In his final sermon in Makkah, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) repeated this message, reminding his followers to treat women equally and not to distinguish between race, skin colour or nationality, as the only thing that distinguishes us is our taqwa (God-consciousness or piety). - Allah (S.W.T.) is the Most Merciful
Any able-bodied, sane Muslim who can afford to travel to Mecca must perform Hajj. All of our sins are pardoned when we perform this task. SubhanAllah, all previous sin is washed away as if we were a newborn kid or a new Muslim! Allah (S.W.T.) is so merciful! - Ease Comes with Difficulty
Running between Mounts Safa and Marwa, like Hajar (A.S.) did, is one of the many phases of Hajj. Hajar (A.S.)’s narrative is one of struggle, fortitude, and finally hope and patience, since she is one of Islam’s most venerated women and the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.). We are reminded of her efforts when we run between these two mountains. Hajar (A.S.) tired and thirsty in the desert with a newborn baby – Prophet Ismail (A.S.) – dashed for water. Her patience and optimism were rewarded, however, when a spring erupted, supplying holy Zamzam water. This is a good example.
4 . We are More Powerful than Shaytan
During the ‘Stoning of the Devil’ another crucial lesson is delivered from Hajj. When we throw these stones, we remember that eventually we are stronger than Shaytan, Alhamudlillah. Even if he is capable of temptation, it is up to us to take refuge in Allah (S.W.T.). It is up to us to refuge from his evil. It is up to us, with His help.
- Allah (swt) is going to test us, but He is with us always.
Hajj is physical and emotional, although the prize is different from any other, subhanAllah! In this season especially, we remember the activities of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) when we sacrifice an animal, and how Prophet Ismail nearly sacrificed his son (A.S.). It’s Al-Rahman, Al-Raheem always with us, look for us, SubhanAllah. It’s Al-Rahman who is Al-Rahman!
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