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Pilgrims returning back from Hajj should realise that the pilgrimage was a lesson for living a righteous life.
Ways and methods of worship in Islam, being divinely ordained carry significant lessons and immense wisdom. Worship in Islam goes far above mere mechanical movements, sheer hunger and thirst. In these commands of the unseen Creator of all, are signs and lessons for His creation, for Muslims and Non-Muslims, especially those who follow and ponder over those prescribed acts with proper understanding and spirit.
Hajj, the pilgrimage, the fifth pillar of Islam, is one of these divine commands. Here we shall discuss its significance, wisdom and the message it carries for our Muslim and Non-Muslim readers.
The Kaaba is the Qibla (direction) for worship and the oldest and the first house of Allah (swt) built on the commandment of Allah (swt).
Allah (swt) says in Surah Ali- Imran 3:96 “Indeed, the first House (of worship) established for mankind was that at Bakkah (i.e.Makkah)-blessed and a guidance for the Worlds”.
Allah (swt) says in Surah Al Baqarah (2:125)
“And (mention) when we made the house (i.e. Ka’bah) a place of return for the people and (a place of) security”.
During Hajj, Muslims, irrespective of the variations in their colours and languages gather near the house of Allah (swt) to follow His commandments. This pilgrimage to the House of Allah (swt) symbolises equality in the sight of Allah (swt), whether rich or poor, black or white, Arab or non-Arab, whether they belong to a country which is a ‘super-power’ or a ‘third- world’ country. All are dressed identically in two pieces of white unsewn cloth. You cannot identify whether the person standing next to you is a king or a pauper, rich or poor. In this gathering, you are asked by your Lord to keep your perception of your worldly status that may separate you from others, away from your mind and your behaviour.
The ways of worship for different people performing hajj do not differ. All of them remember and seek mercy from the One and the same True Lord, the Mightiest, the Most Gracious, and Most Merciful, Allah (swt). The Dhikr (remembrance) that is done repeatedly during the entire hajj is ‘Wahdahu La Shareeka-Lahu’, (He is the one, without any partners). The Hajis (pilgrims) express their presence and servitude to Allah (swt) in order to fulfill the commandment of their Lord by saying ‘Labbaik, la Shareeka Laka, Labbaik’ (Here I am, You have no partners, Here I am). Thus apart from practically demonstrating universal brotherhood, they remind themselves again and again that the Creator of the entire universe is Allah (swt) alone, worthy of all praise and worship.
Hajj inculcates in us lessons for living a righteous life and being ready to face death, when due. It prepares us for leaving behind all our worldly belongings and wealth and knowing that the only thing that stays with us, when we die, are our ‘deeds’ and ‘Niyah’ (intentions). And the day we stand before our Lord we are accountable for our deeds, as none is the Master of the entire humankind except Allah (swt). He is the one who will judge between the right and the wrong, the good and the bad, the true and the false. Therefore, O mankind! Prepare yourselves for the Day of Judgement.
Hajj teaches mankind to beware of the devil and his deceptions; to distinguish the true way proclaimed by Allah (swt), the straight path, the ‘sirat al-mustaqim’ , from the false and the deviated ways of satan and his associates.
The practical demonstration of Universal Brotherhood, unity and equality conveyed by hajj is unmatched by any other religion. Hajj teaches us that all human beings, regardless of their castes, creeds or regions, belong to one common denomination of the human race. According to Allah (swt), their only distinguishing feature is ‘taqwa’ i.e. God consciousness, Piety and Righteousness. All other distinctions between humans are baseless. Today, if there is any way, which can eradicate oppression and racism from this world and establish equality and justice, it is Islam, the only way approved and chosen by the Creator of this world.
An ocean of people of diverse colours and backgrounds standing forth before their Lord in universal brotherhood has been an inspiration for many a Non-Muslim to realise this divine truth of Islam.
This awe inspiring sight of the hajj congregation served as a turning point in the life of the dynamic revolutionary Malik El Shabazz of U.S.A. (formerly known as Malcolm X), who forsook his ideas of black supremacy and realised the true spirit of Islam., the spirit of global unity and brotherhood. Said Malik El Shabazz in his letter from Makkah: “There were tens and thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. They were of all colours, from blue-eyed blondes to black skinned Africans. But we were all participating in the same ritual displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood, that my experiences in America led me to believe, never could exist between whites and non-whites. America needs to understand Islam….”
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