Hidden Wisdom Underlying the Rituals of Hajj

26/10/2011| IslamWeb

The rituals of the Hajj entail great wisdom and excellent lessons, the most important of which is a manifestation of humility to Allah The Almighty. This is because the pilgrim leaves a life of luxury and adornment to wear the clothes of Ihraam, declaring his dire need for his Lord. In this journey, he frees himself from the worldly life and its occupations that divert him from Allah The Almighty to win by this the forgiveness and mercy of Allah The Almighty.

Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And proclaim to the people the Hajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass. That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the Name of Allah on known days over what He Has Provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. So eat of them and feed the miserable and poor.} [Quran 22:27-28]

The Messenger of Allah also said: “Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any Rafath (obscenity) or commit any evil will go back free of sin as on the day his mother gave birth to him.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Spirit of the warrior:

The pilgrim stands at ‘Arafat supplicating his Lord humbly, praising and thanking Allah The Almighty for the blessings endowed upon him, and seeking forgiveness of his sins and mistakes.

Performing the obligation of Hajj is one way of expressing thanks and appreciation to Allah The Almighty for the blessings of wealth and health. They are the best blessings that one can enjoy in this world.

During Hajj one expresses his gratitude to Allah The Almighty for both great blessings because one tires himself and spends his money to obey his Lord and draw near to Him.

It was narrated on the authority of ‘Aa’ishah that the Messenger of Allah said: “There is no day on which Allah frees more of His slaves from Hell than the Day of ‘Arafah. He boasts about them before the angels.” [Muslim]

The Messenger of Allah was asked which deed is best. He said: “Belief in Allah and His Messenger, then Jihaad for the Sake of Allah, and then an accepted Hajj.” [Al-Bukhari]

The pilgrim trains himself in the spirit of warriorship by exercising patience and enduring harm. It is very similar to an organized military campaign during which one cooperates with other people. Do you not see that the pilgrim suffers from the difficulties of travel from the time all the pilgrims gather in Makkah, the Sacred Land of Allah, and then go on to perform the rites of Hajj? They move briskly and joyfully, something like the travels of scouts on the path of spirituality.

No Differences in Hajj:

In Hajj, all differences and distinctions vanish i.e., the differences of wealth and poverty, race and color, and the differences of tongues and languages. The gathering unifies all humans, making it full of goodness, blessings, mutual consultation, advice and cooperation in righteousness and support.

During the Hajj, people cooperate in righteousness and piety, advise each other to adhere to the truth and patience and take care of the interests of the Ummah (Muslim nation). The sublime aim behind such a great conference and gathering is to link worldly goals to heavenly ones. Hajj leads to precious memories which instill in souls the spirit of endless and complete servitude and submission to the commands of Allah The Almighty and His Sharee‘ah (the revealed laws of Islam).

Perhaps They would be Grateful:

In such Sacred Places and honorable sites, precious lessons are drawn. At the Ka‘bah, the father of the Prophets, Ibraaheem (Abraham) stopped his camel along with his wife Haajar and Ismaa‘eel (Ishmael) . Al-Bukhari narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas in a long Hadeeth (narration) in which the Messenger of Allah said:

“Ibraaheem brought her (Haajar) and her son Ismaa‘eel while she was suckling him, to a place near the Ka‘bah under a tree on the spot of Zamzam, at the highest place in the mosque. During those days there was nobody in Makkah, nor was there any water. So he made them sit over there and placed near them a leather bag containing some dates, and a small water-skin containing some water. Then Ibraaheem set out homeward. Ismaa‘eel’s mother followed him saying, "O Ibraaheem! Where are you going, leaving us in this valley where there is no person whose company we may enjoy, nor is there anything (to enjoy)?" She repeated the question to him many times, but he did not look back at her. Then she asked him, "Has Allah ordered you to do so?" He said, "Yes." She said, "Then He will not fail us," and returned while Ibraaheem proceeded onwards, and on reaching the Thaniyyat Al-Wadaa‘ where they could not see him. There he faced the Ka‘bah, and raising both hands, invoked Allah The Almighty saying the following prayers (what means): {Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your sacred House, our Lord, that they may establish prayer. So make hearts among the people incline toward them and provide for them from the fruits that they might be grateful.} [Quran 14:37]"

There, in this barren desert, the spring of Zamzam gushed out from under the feet of Ismaa‘eel . This water was a miracle for him and his mother so that people may learn. This small family became the nucleus of life and prosperity in this place. It brought to the desert of the Arabian Peninsula the honor of prophethood and the Divine message. Those who submitted in this way to the commands of Allah The Almighty truly deserved to be gifted with such an honor and establish the House, towards which the hearts of the people of faith incline spontaneously.