‘The significance of Hajj’ By AGA Barrie, P.Eng Canada.

The foundations to the religion of Islam are the five pillars on which it is built upon. These five pillars are:

1. Declaration of the Shahada: La ilaha illa l-L?h, Muhammadur rasulu l-Lah (There is No God but Allah and Prophet Mohamed is His messenger)

2. Perform five daily obligatory prayers

3. Paying obligatory charity- Zakaat

4. Performing Hajj

5. Fast during the month of Ramadhan

This article discusses the act of performing Hajj. Hajj is carried out by all able bodied men and women, who can afford it, at least once in their life time. Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca and its surrounding vicinity, in Saudi Arabia, during the 8th to 13th days of 12th Lunar Month Zul Hadj in the Muslim Calendar. Unlike the six articles of faith, which strictly based in faith and belief the pillars of Islam have to be performed or acted upon as well.

To perform Hajj, one must make the intention to complete it, men dressed in two un-hemmed white cloths and the ladies modestly dressed but both face and hands uncovered. The rituals are to be performed in a particular way as done by Prophet Mohammed Sallahu Alaihi wasllam.

The essence of rituals being walking seven times counterclockwise around the Kabah, called Tawaaf. The running or walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah. The throwing pebbles to signify the defiance of the devil, the slaughtering the animals and shaving or clipping of the hair. All these actions signify a part of the story of Prophet Abraham or Ibrahim (Alaih Salaam) as he his known in the Arab world.

The story goes back thousands of years where Allah directed Ibrahim (AS) to travel to Mecca with his wife Hajarah and baby son Ismail (AS) and to leave them in the desert with limited provision and water. Hajarah obeyed this command of Allah without any hesitation and upon running out of provisions and water, she started to run between the two hills in the area (Safa and Marwah) looking for any assistance or habitation. In the meantime the baby Ismail who was hungry and thirsty started cry and hit his heels on the sand. Miraculously fresh water started to spout appeared from the ground which resulted in an abundance of water whereby Hajarah was able to trade wandering nomads for their food and other needs. This was the beginning of the new settled colony in the valley of Mecca.

After some time Prophet Ibrahim (AS) returned to the valley of Mecca but with another command from Allah. This time it was a real challenge of faith and submission. He had dreamt that he sacrificed his son Ismail and when he mentioned this to his son, Ismail readily agreed to comply with Allah’s command, knowing very well his father will definitely carry it out. When both father and son prepared themselves to comply with the command of Allah, as Ibrahim (AS) readied to sacrifice his son, Allah had shown mercy on them and replaced Ismail with a ram.

Subsequently Ibrahim (AS) received another revelation to build a place in the valley of Mecca to worship Allah and Allah alone. Hence he returned to Mecca and with the help of Ismail the first place of worship, the Kabah, was built. This was the beginning of Monotheism. Years passed by, Ismail was blessed with prophet-hood and he continued the message of Islam – which is complete submission to will of Allah – as was done by his father.

As years passed by original function of worshiping of Allah faded away and the Kabah was filled with Idols. It became a vibrant town, mostly because of availability of water and also it is a stopover of all caravans passing through the International route from Yemen to India via Syria. But it was plunged into darkness spiritually. It is about this time in the year 571 AD Prophet Mohamed (SAW) was born.

As expected Prophet Mohammed faced eternal difficulties in re-establishing tawheed, the term for signifying the oneness of Allah. His dedication and divine guidance helped him overcome the superior power around that time and he was able to spread the word of Allah and establish an Islamic state.

During the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), he performed one and only one Hajj, following the rituals in a predetermined manner, which is the criteria being followed by millions who perform this important pillar of Islam.

Muslims undertake this journey of life time after clearing all the responsibilities to seek Allah’s forgiveness of his sins. Purpose of Hajj could be of two fold. To honor the Faith and life of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and to come together as a community to renew the commandments of Allah’s way of life.

The last sermon at the mount Rahmat by Prophet Mohamed (SAW) summed up the purpose of life he urged everyone to pass it to those who were not present. Hence it is our responsibility to give wide publicity and portray the word of Allah to save the humanity from calamity in the Hereafter.

Here is the last sermon

Thus the beloved Prophet completed his Final Sermon, and upon it, near the summit of Arafat, the revelation came down:

“…This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My Grace upon you, and have chosen Islam for you as your religion…” (Quran 5:3)

Even today the Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad is passed to every Muslim in every corner of the world through all possible means of communication. Muslims are reminded about it in mosques and in lectures. Indeed the meanings found in this sermon are indeed astounding, touching upon some of the most important rights God has over humanity, and humanity has over each other. Though the Prophet’s soul has left this world, his words are still living in our hearts.

– Asian Tribune –  25.10.2012.