 |
The
journey for Hajj is a divine one and, in reality, a great migration; an
expansive field for self-development, self-rectification and the
Greatest Battle (Jihad-e-Akbar).
|
The Hajj rituals collectively are an act of worship profoundly
associated with the struggle of Ibrahim (peace be upon him), his son
Ismaai’l (peace be upon him) and his wife Haajar and if we were to
remain heedless of this aspect while studying the secrets and
objectives of Hajj, many of its rites and rituals would only float
before us as enigmas; the solution to this lies in keeping this deep
association within our sights during the course of the study.
When we come to the sacrificial grounds in Mina, the innumerable
sacrifices performed there leave us amazed and perplexed; basically, is
it possible for animal-sacrifice to be a part of the rituals associated
with an act of worship?
But when we bring to mind the incident of Ibrahim (peace be upon
him), when he sincerely endeavoured to sacrifice his nearest and dearest
one in the path of God subsequent to which the sacrifice at Mina came
into existence in the form of a custom, we comprehend the philosophy
lying behind it.
The reformative and educative effects of these rites can be derived
in sufficient measure only when the entire scenario of the sacrifice of
Ismaai’l (peace be upon him) and the spiritual state of the father and
the son leading up to the sacrifice is incarnated before man’s eyes and
this spiritual state casts its influence upon him.
When we proceed towards Jamaraat (three stone pillars, which the
Pilgrims strike with pebbles - each one to be struck with seven pebbles
– in a special ritual of Hajj), the rituals there appear enigmatic and
inexplicable to us and we are given to wonder as to what could be the
idea behind stoning a lifeless stone pillar and what problem could such
an act possibly solve?
However, when we bring to mind the struggle of Ibrahim (peace be upon
him) - the champion of monotheism - against the whisperings of the
Satan, who appeared before him on three occasions - each time seeking to
weaken his resolve and distract him from the Jihad-e-Akbar (The Greatest
Battle) - and on each occasion Ibrahim (peace be upon him) repelled him
by means of stones, these rites appear more meaningful and
comprehensible to us.
 |
These
rituals convey the meaning that: All of you too, all throughout your
lives, are in confrontation with the whisperings of the Satans during
the Jihad-e-Akbar (Greatest Battle), and till the time you do not stone
them and drive them away, you shall never be victorious.
|
And if you desire that God, just as He had sent His salutations upon
Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and made his name and doctrine eternal,
should also cast His look of grace and favour upon you, then you must
follow his (peace be upon him) path too.
Or when we arrive at Safa and Marwah and observe the people
repeatedly moving to and fro between one small mountain and an another
even smaller one without coming to possess anything - at times walking
and at times running - we are surely overtaken by astonishment as to
what kind of going-on is this and what could it possibly mean and
signify?
But then, when we bring to mind the striving and efforts of Haajar
for saving the life of her suckling child in that hot and scorching
desert, and how God, after her sincere efforts, granted her wish by
making the water of Zamzam to flow from beneath the foot of her new-born
child, the clock suddenly turns back for us, the curtains tend to get
lifted and we find ourselves near Haajar, accompanying her in her quest
and efforts; this is so since, in the path of God, one cannot hope to
attain any rank and status without exertion and effort!
 |
Offering sacrifice, in reality, implies one’s total disregard for
everything else when striving in the way of God and is a demonstration
of cleansing one’s heart from everything other than God.
|
From what we have presented above, it can be easily concluded that
Hajj should be taught in this manner; the memories of Ibrahim (peace be
upon him), his son and his wife should be personified step by step so
that not only is the philosophy of Hajj perceived and comprehended, but
also its profound ethical effects illuminate and influence the souls of
the Pilgrims - for without these effects the entire Hajj is nothing but
a mere façade. (1)
Notes:
1. Tafseer-e-Namunah, vol. 19, pg. 125.
Hajj Article Index
