Message Of Hajj: Never Lose Faith In Lord And Fight Against Devil

By Grace Mubashir, New Age Islam 28 June 2023 The Holy Qur'an described Mecca as the 'Mother of Villages' (Umm al-Qura), where the Ka’ba, the centre of Islamic civilization, is located. It is also a model city that presents Islam to the world. A centre full of peace and tranquillity in every sense of the word 'Islam'. Peace has been there since ancient times. A safe haven where one would not seek revenge even if he met his own father's killer. There is no violence or destruction here. It exudes indescribable purity and peace. The Qur'an described the Meccan Ka’ba as the 'Eternal Heaven' (Albait al-Ateeq). The Qur'an also describes it as 'the first temple on the face of the earth, built for all mankind to worship God' (3:96). In introducing the Ka’ba to entire humanity, the broad humanistic conception (Linnas) initiated by the Qur'an is conceivable. Allah is the Lord of the people (Rabbinas); Prophet Muhammad is a blessing to the world (21:107) and a warner to all nations; The Qur'an is 'a guidance for all mankind' (Hudal Linnas); Muslims are the best community raised for the people. Allah has given Ka’ba an epithet that is closely related to this. Ka’ba occupies the central place like that of the heart in the human body. The heart is the venous centre of the circulatory system. In human society, Ka’ba plays the role of the heart in maintaining the pulse of life by repeatedly purifying the blood that has been corrupted by use. In the words of Allama Iqbal, “Our first direction is our Qibla (Ka’ba). We constantly maintain our relationship with it: it also protects us (our unity).''The Ka’ba is the centre that enables the unity of the community of believers on a global basis. That is possible and should be possible through the deeds of Hajj and Umrah. The acts of Hajj have soul. If one do it without invoking it, s/he will not get the multifaceted benefits that should be achieved through Hajj. The Holy Qur'an does not specify the benefits of Hajj but says that 'they should experience the multifaceted benefits of Hajj' (22:28). Not everyone has the same experience in Hajj. According to each person's spiritual - inner - depth, the feelings that can be gained through Hajj. That is why the Qur'an said that one should prepare well for Hajj and ready for the path. Prepare properly for Hajj both spiritually and physically. The greatest preparation is piety. Taqwa (piety) is repeatedly emphasized when teaching the rules of hajj (2:196,197,203). The `Ihram'' and Niyyat, which marks the beginning of Hajj and Umrah, have many layers of meaning. Niyyat (intention) is to ensure purity of intention. It inculcates in Hajj a precise sense of what is to be attained through Hajj. The secret of Ihram (ritual beginning for Hajj) is that many things that are permissible, desirable and even sacred become completely forbidden until entering into Ihram. An inquisitor who does not know the details of this may sometimes ask: "Are things that were allowed and desired for so long suddenly become completely forbidden?" What is this? .....'' The answer to this is the secret of Ihram. What can happen in our life, what can't happen, when it can happen, when it can't happen is not for us or creatures like us to decide? Rather, it is the Creator, Creator, and Ruler who has absolute power to determine it all. If he allows it. If not, you can't. This should be the position of a believer. Yes, Ihram should be with complete submission to Allah's Ownership, Sovereignty and Discipline and taking it into the heart. Ihram should also be a pledge and a prayer to hold on to this reality that we often forget throughout our lives. We come to the Ka’ba in response to the proclamation of Allah, the King of Kings, through Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH), the Creator (2:124) and the restorer of the Ka’ba and the architect of Mecca (22:27). For the trope 'Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik...' is the battle of the servant's call to the master. It is the proclamation of the true and firm Monotheism (Tawheed) and the humble submission to the Lord. Our journey is to Allah; to his royal court. Come to the presence of the Almighty and Omniscient Master with utmost humility and extreme simplicity. This simple garment of the servant truly recognizing his master's servitude is equivalent to the shroud we wear on our final journey. Many people have fallen in love with this issue when entering Ihram and donning this garb. It is very important to be careful not to embrace the struggle of Ihram and become like a play. There should be no violence or destruction in Ihram; must be perfectly peaceful and humble. Haji must have had many aliases earlier. Now there is only one address. It means 'Abdullah' (Servant of God). That is the real title and the best title - Allah lovingly called the great prophets as 'Abd' (slave). Allah called His beloved servants 'Ibadur Rahman'. Tawaf is the first act of the pilgrim who reaches the Ka’ba. Walking around the Ka’ba on the left side is not circumambulation or circumambulation. It is a prayerful expression of submission and disciplined obedience to the Lord. A great act of unity of believers over all differences. It starts in front of Hajarul Aswad. By chanting the holy name of Allah. This black marker stone, which does neither good nor harm, has a lot of antiquity and history. Kissed and touched by many generations, this landmark is the oldest witness of history there. No matter who, when or where he comes from, Tawaf should start from that point. All, whether king or subject, black or white, Arab or non-Arab, start from this point. On this point, as in Ka’ba, the Muslims of the world are united. "Surely this community of yours is one community (Ummat); I am your Lord. Here we see the beautiful form of the Qur'anic statement, "Submit yourself to me (21:92). Tawaf is a prayer of mind, word and action, realizing that Tawheed is also integration and unification. Prayer to be performed with physical and mental purity. A Tawaf is seven times. This number (seven) is also thought provoking. Not only the Tawaf but the Sa'i and then the stone thrown at the Jamrahs are seven. The sky is also seven. The human race is of the same opinion that a week is seven days. Thus many things are seven. The pattern of rotation to the left is similar to the rotations in the universe. In solar systems and galaxies, down to the very core, motion—rotation—is of the same order. The Tawaf, which the angels constantly perform around the throne of Allah in the upper world, is in the same order. And so the strict system of the creator is dawning. The believer surrenders the little freedom available to him before the match of the lord and says, "Rab, I am satisfied with your provision." Tawaf is a vow and a prayer to confess that I am always ready to stick to your condition. Tawaf gives us the knowledge that those who move in disharmony with Allah's system will degenerate into anarchy that does not match the rhythm of the universe. Safa and Marwa are the two hills described by the Qur'an as the signs of Allah (2:158). Sai’ is the walk in between. Sai means effort. The message is that prayer should be accompanied by efforts to fulfil it. The walk is reminiscent of Bibi Hajra, the mother, who ran after her young son in search of water. Don't get hopeless and do nothing and adopt a suicidal inaction. In any environment we should do our best with prayer. All such efforts are part of God's worship. (Representational Photo) Dhul Hajj is held for six days from 8th to 13th in Mina-Arafah-Muzdalifa-Mina, and is being rolled and laid down in three fields, and we are being raised from the absolute state of average sympathy to the great state of empathy. Here you can experience the suffering of the street child, the homeless, and the refugee. The day of Arafah is the best of days. There the prayer is Jam and Qasr. There the activity of the day is self-examination and repentance. Be willing and committed to correction and remedial action based on self-inquiry. Then, repent and seek forgiveness. The Prophet (PBUH) has informed that the devil will tremble on the day of Arafah. The day of Arafah is a reminder of the Day of Judgment in the Hereafter. At Arafah, millions of people stand in the scorching sun for only a few hours. In the Hereafter, all men from the beginning to the end of the human race must stand for eons in a fiery atmosphere. If you are being judged here, you will be judged fiercely tomorrow in the Hereafter. The more fruitful the present self-examination, the more comfort will be found in the hereafter. The essence of 'Arafah' is recognition. We can get some insights from Arafah. Realization is all it takes to correct and be better. But there is a sad truth, not all those who are aware become better. Realizations are often lost. That is where Muzdalifah is relevant. The term used by the Qur'an for Muzdalifa is 'Mashar al-Haram'. It means the place where sacred consciousness germinates. The precious realizations of the day of the ninth of Dhul Hajj (Arafah) become intense awareness that riots within us. This awareness is the mood of Hajj. "The evil power that deceived me should no longer lead anyone astray. I will continue to fight against all the evil forces that have misled me and many others. Because I have wronged myself and wronged others, but the only atonement is the constant struggle against evil forces...'' As the beginning of the swift implementation of this firm decision, he gathers seven small stones as a symbolic weapon and marches towards the Jamrah of Mina on the morning of Dhul-Hajj 10, reciting the Talbiyath with fervour. There he begins and ends the battle against all demonic forces. The Hajis, who had recited the Talbayat, returned triumphantly reciting the Takbeer. There he begins and ends the battle against all demonic forces. The pilgrims who had recited the Talbayat returned victoriously reciting the Takbeer. There he begins and ends the battle against all demonic forces. The pilgrims who had recited the Talbayat returned victoriously reciting the Sahlad Takbeer. Sacrifice is not just sacrifice. It is a solemn act of self-sacrifice following the illustrious example of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his beloved son Ishmael (as) as commanded by God. Ibrahim (AS) prepared to sacrifice his dearest - the golden son whom he had looked after in his old age - as per the command of the Lord. We also need to be ready to sacrifice our precious and beloved (yes, our Ishmael) if need be. Then our sacrifice has meaning. "Neither the flesh nor the blood of the sacrificial animal reaches Allah; rather, let your piety be towards Allah” (22:37). "You will not attain virtue unless you spend (sacrifice) what is most dear to you" (3:92). After fighting and winning against the devil, he shaves his head to reaffirm his dedication to the fighting path; Is the devil lost forever? No; it is history that those who fled Badr came back to Uhd with new weapons and strategies. So don't stop fighting. So Dhul Hajj continues on 11th, 12th and 13th. Finally we can think of the merciful Rabb as saying to us: ''Poor Haji, thou hast come from far away, and hast been busy for some days; is tested; let’s stop for now. But there is one thing, if you come back to your country, you have to continue the fight that you stopped here for the time being till the end of your life, tirelessly and unceasingly..." Thus, Haji becomes an active fighter and returns to the country as a new man with the innocence of a new-born child. The return comes with realization and heightened awareness, and a fighting spirit against evil. When millions of holy warriors come to every nook and cranny of the world like this every year, the change is indescribable. ----- A regular columnist for NewAgeIslam.com, Mubashir V.P is a PhD scholar in Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia and freelance journalist. 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