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This is without doubt the culmination of a great festival - a festival
where Muslims of all colour and language have congregated
on one massive plain to celebrate the praise of their Creator, Almighty Allah.
Hajj provides an opportunity to unite Muslims of
the world and it also offers an ocassion to Muslims to exchange views on their
mutual problems, to iron out their differences, to
forge common opinions, to barter goods as well as goodwill, and to take back to
their respective homelands memorable
feelings of the Muslim brotherhood, of course, in addition to the innumerable
blessings of Almighty Allah and the righteousness
of their body and soul.
The Hajj Pilgrimage, is one of the Pillars of Islam and one of the
fundamentals of Islam. It is the completion of surrender and the
day of perfection in the religion of Islam.
It was on this day that Almighty Allah revealed the following message to the
Ummah of His beloved Prophet Muhammad
(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): "Today, I have perfected your
religion for you and completed my grace
upon you and approved Islam as your religion."
We must understand that the basis of all actions is intention and intention
without doubt bears fruit if there is sincerity, and Hajj,
which is an integral part in Islam, will therefore require those who perform it
to have sincerity.
When the person intends undertaking Hajj, he severs all ties with family and
home. This is a reminder to him also of the journey
he will have to undertake for the Hereafter.
As for provisions, the intending pilgrim must realise that they have been
acquired in the Halaal (permissable) fashion. If a
person desires to take a lot for the journey, then let him remember the journey
to the Hereafter which is longer and more
difficult and that the best provision for that journey will be Taqwa (Piety).
As for transport, when the pilgrim acquires transport he should give thanks
to the Almighty Creator and at the same time
remember the transport that will carry him the grave and the next world, namely
his Kaffan (Shroud).
As for leaving home, the intending pilgrim should know that he is now bound
for the House of Allah. He is on a journey unlike
any journey. He should bear in mind where he is heading and whom he intends to
visit. He should also have hope that his Hajj
will be accepted, not because of the difficulties faced, but because of the
trust that he has in His Creator.
When wearing the Ihraam, the pilgrim is aware that he has heard the summons
of Almighty Allah. He should possess fear and
hope when considering the acceptance of his Hajj. This fear should be the fear
of Almighty Allah and hope in His Mercy.
As for touching the Hajre Aswad (Black Stone), the pilgrim should believe
that he is pledging his loyalty to Almighty Allah and
that he will obey the Commands of the Supreme Being. Make firm your promise and
do not be like those who promise today
while changing their minds tomorrow.
When the pilgrim clings to the Khilaaf (Cloth) of the Holy Kaaba, seek
forgiveness and beg for Allah's Mercy. Even the
running between Saffa and Marwa must signify a slave who is running to and from
the Court of a Mighty King not knowing
whether he has been accepted or rejected. As for standing at Arafaat, look at
the crowds following their Imaams (Leaders)
and recall the sight of the Yaumal Hashr (Day of Gathering).
After this, plead for Almighty Allah's Mercy. When you throw stones at the
Shaitaan, your purpose should be obedience to
your Creator. The idea is to drive Shaitaan away from you.
Such should be the various duties of the pilgrim at all stages of the Hajj.
When all acts are completed, your heart should be
filled with concern, for you do not know whether your Hajj has been accepted or
rejected. Yet after completion you realise
that your inner and outer self has been filled with enthusiasm and love, and you
have a genuine feeling of making Ibaadah, then
remember that you have been placed among the chosen ones!
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