Times of India | June 14, 2024
Haj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, is a profound act of worship in Islam. It is obligatory only for those who are in good health and can afford the journey. Those who are indigent, sick, or disabled are excused from this duty.
To perform Haj, a pilgrim leaves their home and travels to the holy cities of Mecca and Madinah. Upon entering Mecca, the pilgrim first goes to the Kaaba to perform the Tawaf, which is the circumambulation of the Kaaba. Next, the pilgrim performs Sa’i, a brisk walk between the two hillocks of Safa and Marwa. The rites also include a halt at the plain of Arafat, where pilgrims stand in prayer and reflection. Additionally, pilgrims cast stones at a pillar in Mina, symbolically stoning Satan. The culmination of these rituals is the sacrifice of an animal.
These essential rites of Haj are performed during the month of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
What is Haj? It is a journey undertaken for God. It involves spending one's time and wealth to reach those places associated with the memories of God and His true servants. All the rituals of Haj are a practical demonstration that a person is striving for God, centering their life around Him.
Haj is akin to visiting the Almighty. It represents the highest form of nearness to one's Lord during worldly life. If other acts of worship are reminders of God, Haj itself reaches directly to God. Haj has always held extraordinary significance among Islamic acts of worship. In one hadith, it is referred to as the most virtuous act of worship. It encompasses all acts of worship and invigorates all of them. However, its true importance lies in its spiritual essence, not merely in the external rituals and ceremonies. In other words, Haj is not just about going to the sacred land, performing certain rituals, and then returning. Regarding the essence of Haj, the Quran states:
The pilgrimage is in the appointed months. Whoever intends to perform it during them must abstain from indecent speech, from all wicked conduct, and from quarrelling while on the pilgrimage. Whatever good you may do, God is aware of it. Make provision for yourselves—but surely, the best of all provision is God-consciousness. Always be mindful of Me, you that are endowed with understanding. (2:197)
Whenever a few people gather or live together, some grievances inevitably arise between them. This situation manifests on a much larger scale during Haj, as people of various kinds gather in vast numbers at a single location. Consequently, during Haj, people frequently cause discomfort to each other. If individuals start quarreling over personal grievances, the spirit of worship would be lost, and the purpose of Haj would not be fulfilled. Therefore, quarreling and losing one's temper are strictly prohibited during Haj. This prohibition makes Haj a means of training for a significant aspect of life. Just as fighting nullifies Haj, it also distances a believer's ordinary life from Islam.
