[One Ummah] - Hajj, The Symbol of Unity

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Topic:               Hajj, The Symbol of Unity

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Text:  

Hajj – the symbol of unity

(by: Sister Rukaiah)


‘And pilgrimage to the House is a duty which men owe to Allah, for those
who can afford the journey until there.’ [imran 3: 97]


‘Hajj should make Muslims the envy of the world, for no other nation can
boast or co-ordinate a conference of such magnitude every year, bringing
Muslims together from all over the globe… to meet in unity of mind and
spirit, brotherhood and understanding.’ [Editorial ICC Newsletter, # 31]


Hajj is a trial of self-control and patience. The crowd that collects in
Makkah for the Holy Pilgrimage is so great that the pilgrim is bound to
suffer hardship, but the Hajj code of conduct demands the we respond with
kindness and brotherliness and control anger. 

‘For Hajj are the months well-known. If anyone undertakes that duty
therein. Let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling…’
[baqarah 2: 197]

Equality from the word ‘go’

All Muslim men [women’s ihram consists of their regular clothes] are
required to dress in two pieces of seamless sheets, which is preferably
white and hence we see no apparent distinction between the rich or poor,
king and commoner. This uniform shows that all are equal in the sight of
Allah, for dress demonstrates rank differences among people. 

Talbiya

The pilgrims demonstrate outward unity by being clad in similar two sheets
and cry out in one language what is understood by all, labbaik Allahumma
labbaik – ‘Here we are, O Allah! Here we are in Thy Presence.’

The vast concourse of humanity sobbing on every side with the words of
talbiya on the lips shows that it is engrossed in the contemplation of
Allah; so much so that they lose all ideas of self. 

Tawaf 

The circumambulation of the ka’bah demonstrates the unity of the
believers in the worship of Allah, as they move in harmony around the
central shrine – the Ka’bah, which is an emblem of Divine Unity.

Saiy

The people walk hurriedly between Safa and the other hillock, Marwah. This
act, known as Saiy, symbolizes that the pilgrims will ceaselessly endeavor
to serve their Master and seek His Pleasure.


Arafat 

The most important part of the Hajj is the wuquf or ‘standing before
Allah’ at Arafat, where pilgrims beg forgiveness of their sins. It is an
amazing sight to see about 1.5 – 2 million people, out in the relentless
heat of the desert, and swarming over the Mount of Mercy, engrossed in
their devotions. It seems as though the plain of Arafat turns into a sacred
lake where people can wash off their sins and wipe out their misdeeds.

Standing on the plains of Arafat, Muslims experience the underlying unity
and equality of a worldwide Muslim community that transcends national,
racial, economic and sex differences. This is unparalleled.

‘Satan never appears smaller, more abject, more abased, and more furious
than on the Day of Arafat’ [Malik]

Muzdalifa

Jabir reported the Prophet [s] as saying, ‘I have sacrificed [the
animals] here, and the whole of Mina is a place of sacrifice; so sacrifice
your animals at your places. I have stayed here [near these rocks], and the
whole of Arafat is a place for stay. And I stayed here [at Muzdalifa near
Mash’ar al-Haram and the whole of Muzdalifa] is a place for stay [i.e.,
one is permitted to spend night in any part of it, as one likes.’ [muslim
vol. 2 h # 2805]

Mina 

To live in perfect peace is the message of Islam. But there is no peace of
mind for the man who makes peace with evil. At Mina, seven stones at three
fixed places are thrown, which is known as rami al-jimar. The throwing of
stones teaches the lesson that man must learn to hate evil. 

Sacrifice

The concern of the Muslims for their poor Muslims brothers and sisters is
shown in the sharing of the sacrificed meat on the Hajj.

‘ Therefore true believers feel for their brothers and sisters and they
likewise for them. They should help each other wherever they are, look
after each other when unwell, guard their belongings while they are away,
support them in their needs especially when their lives are in danger, keep
them company when they are alone, support them in their struggle for
earning their livelihood. By doing so, then each individual’s strength
becomes the strength of all the believers.’ [‘Friday Khutba’ ICC
Newsletter # 43]

Pilgrimage, as such, is a firm establishment of Islamic brotherhood among
Islamic peoples, a call for cooperation among them, and a reminder to the
Muslim countries of their duties toward one another.

Those who believe obtain their strength by believing that they are but one
brotherhood. Allah says in the Qur’an – 

‘Those who believe are but one single brotherhood.’

Has anyone devised a better system than this for establishing peace in the
world, for removing hostility among nations, and for creating in the place
of quarrels and bickering a place of love, friendship and brotherhood?

The answer is a silent ‘no’.

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