It is now
upon Muslims do Haj, at least once in a natural life, as long as they possess
the means. As is clear from the following excerpt from the Quran and Hadiths,
Haj is one important pillar among the five foundation pillars of Islam.
Hajj is a
comprehensive act of worship, involving both financial outlay and physical
exertion. Both remembrance of God and sacrifice for His sake is part and parcel
of Haj. Hajj is an act of worship in which the spirit of all acts of worship
has, in some way or another, been brought into play.
The trip to
Haj is a journey to Allah. It represents the ultimate closeness one can achieve
to Allah while living in this world. Other acts of worship are ways of
remembering Allah; Hajj is a way of reaching Him. Normally, we worship Him on
an unseen level; in The Haj, we worship Him as if we saw Him face to face. When
a pilgrim stands before the House of Allah Himself, he is then moved to revolve
around the Lord’s House, like a butterfly encircling a flower, clinging to His
doorstep as a slave begging for his master’s mercy.
Haj is to
stand in the plain of Arafat.” These words of the Prophet Muhammad illustrate
the importance of sojourning in the place. The plain of Arafat, in which
pilgrims spend one day, presents a picture of the arena of Judgement Day. Host
upon a host of God’s servants flock in from all sides to witness the display.
And what a spectacle! All are clothed in similar, simple attire. There is
nothing to single out any person. All are reciting the same words: “Here we are
at Your service, Lord,” How can one who witnesses this spectacle, but call to
mind the like of this verse of the Quran:
“When the
Trumpet is blown, and behold, from the graves they rush forth to their lord.”
(36.51)
“When the
Trumpet is blown, and behold, from the graves they rush forth to their lord.”
(36.51)
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