Hajj: Between Obligation and Reality
The processions of monotheists are making their way to the sacred places to fulfill the obligation of Hajj in compliance with the methodology of the father of prophets and the leader of monotheists, Ibraaheem (Abraham) may Allaah exalt his mention. This has been the case since he made the immortal call in response to the command of Allaah The Almighty. This is recorded in the Quran, as Allaah The Exalted 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 Allaah on known days …} [Quran 22:27-28]
This journey is also in compliance with the Sunnah (tradition) of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) who said during the course of the Farewell Pilgrimage: “Take from me your rituals (of Hajj).” [Muslim]
Out of love for Allaah The Almighty and in compliance with the Sunnah of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) as soon as the months of Hajj come, all Muslims are inspired with an inclination to depart to the sacred places in response to the command of Allaah The Almighty.
Yet, have the Muslims, who are now over a billion, succeeded in keeping alive the spirit of this obligation and witnessing the benefits of this worldly life and the Hereafter, which are referred to in the noble verse: {That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the Name of Allaah on known days …} [Quran 22:28]
Being the slaves of Allaah The Almighty, the effect of the different acts of worship is supposed to materialize in the Muslim community where it dominates their mutual relations and behavior. Have we observed the effect of Hajj reflected in the Muslims in reality? This act of worship unites the Muslims hearts and firmly grounds the unity of feeling as a consequence of the unity of the ritual. Have we actually observed this? Have the Muslims benefited from the fruits of Hajj and lived its wisdom while applying its rulings according to the Sharee’ah (Islamic legislation) and Sunnah (tradition)?
Has this procession of those who wear the bright white dress of pilgrims moved among the sacred places adorning the earth and of which Allaah The Almighty boasts of before the angels, with united hearts and surrendering to the injunctions of Allaah The Almighty?
Has the great wisdom behind Hajj and its noble effect materialized in a tangible manner in that great procession and is it reflected in the pilgrim’s actions and acts of worship? Are the differences and barriers between the rich and the poor, the strong and the weak melted and removed? Have the souls become cleansed, compassionate, connected and no less pure than the clothes of Ihraam?
The Reality: Notwithstanding the massive gathering of Muslims in these sacred places — even if the increasing number of pilgrims is a positive sign of the Islamic awakening and denotes compliance to the methodology of the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) — there is still a large group of pilgrims who would answer in the negative to the aforesaid questions.
This could be due to many reasons:
- Many Muslims are far from the sound foundations of the Islamic creed. This implies a clear deviation from the straight path of Allaah The Almighty as well as a contradiction to the straight guidance of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) who warned against hidden and minor Shirk (associationism), not to mention major Shirk. This draws attention to the importance of clarifying Islamic monotheism and dedicating worship to Allaah The Almighty alone.
Sadly, some scholars fall short in their duty in this aspect and remain silent concerning these polytheistic deeds, while they are the trustees of the message of the manifest proclamation. Many Muslims have come to think of this act of worship (Hajj) as a tourist tour which voids it of the spirit of faith. It has even become a subject to pride and boasting. It is as if one goes to Hajj in order to beautify his name with that title (Al-Hajj so-and-so), and when he is not called by this title, he considers it a disdain.
- Many pilgrims are ignorant of the etiquettes and morals of Hajj, particularly in the practical application of Hajj in Tawaaf (circumambulation) and Sa‘y (going seven times between Safa and Marwah). While pilgrims are moving from one place to another, certain kinds of dispraised behavior, as well as different forms of unjustifiable harm, occur, although all this is forbidden. Allaah The Exalted Says (what means): {Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of Ihraam], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj.} [Quran 2:197]
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Article by: www.islamweb.net