Hajj is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam. Like other acts of worship, its essence lies in taqwa (piety and consciousness of God). However, Hajj also possesses a unique character, as it is intimately associated with the life of Abu al-Anbiya (the Father of the Prophets) Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him).
The purpose of Hajj is that a Muslim who is capable of reaching the sacred sites of Hajj should make it a point to do so at least once in their lifetime. Upon arrival, through various acts of worship, they demonstrate their complete servitude to God. By performing the symbolic rituals of Prophet Ibrahim, they kindle within themselves a fervour to immerse their outer and inner selves in the spirit of Ibrahim.
After constructing the Ka‘bah, Prophet Ibrahim called out, “O people, come and perform Hajj for the sake of your Lord.” The journey of Hajj is a response to this call of Ibrahim. During the season of Hajj, the proclamation “Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk” (Here I am, O Allah, here I am) resounds from all directions. This is the response to the call of Ibrahim, signifying that the pilgrim, having answered the call, now stands before God, ready and willing to fulfil any command given with all their heart and soul.
The literal meaning of the word “Hajj” is “to intend a journey” or “to set out for a place with a purpose.” In Islamic Shariah, Hajj refers to the annual act of worship in which a person travels to Makkah to perform the Tawaf (circumambulation) of the Ka‘bah, stands in the plain of Arafat, and engages in other rituals collectively known as the Manasik al-Hajj (rites of Hajj).
Hajj is a comprehensive act of worship. It involves spending wealth and enduring physical hardship. It includes the remembrance of God and the offering of sacrifice for His sake. Hajj is an act of worship that, in one way or another, embodies the spirit of all other forms of worship.
The performance of the obligations of Hajj centres around the House of God (Baytullah), which is located in Makkah. The House of God serves as a reminder of the life of a true believer, beginning with the history of Prophet Ibrahim, Khalilullah (the Friend of God) and concluding with the history of Prophet Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets. The House of God stands as a commemorative symbol of how a believer sacrifices everything for Him, shapes their life according to God’s will, and dedicates themselves wholly to God’s mission until they pass away in that state.
The Journey Towards God
Hajj is a journey towards God, representing the closest proximity one can achieve with their Lord during worldly life. While other acts of worship serve as reminders of God, Hajj stands as a unique journey of drawing closer to Him. If general worship can be seen as the worship of God at the level of the unseen, then Hajj represents the worship of God at the level of profound realization.
When a pilgrim stands before the Ka‘bah, they feel as though they are standing directly before the Lord of the Ka‘bah. The circumambulation of the Ka‘bah symbolizes the reality that the believer, having found their Lord, circles Him in a state of thrilling devotion. When the pilgrim clings to the Multazam and prays, it feels as though they have grasped the hem of their Master, to whom they desperately cling, eager to pour out all their supplications.
This unique characteristic of Hajj is due to the fact that its rituals are performed at a place where divine manifestations descend, a place chosen by God to be the centre of the religious practices of Prophet Ibrahim, the great proponent of a God-worshipping life. This is where the history of Islam, as established by Prophet Ibrahim, is inscribed. The surrounding area bears traces of the exemplary divine revolution that occurred fourteen centuries ago under the guidance of the Seal of the Prophets, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Such traditions and characteristics have bestowed extraordinary historical and spiritual significance upon the Sanctuary. This is why anyone who goes there cannot remain unaffected. A person returning from Hajj is like someone drenched in dust, who has washed in a clean river.
Hajj is of unique importance among Islamic acts of worship. In one Hadith, it is referred to as the most superior act of worship. However, the special significance of Hajj lies in its spirit, not merely in its external form. In other words, Hajj is not just about physically visiting the holy sites and returning; it is about attaining the spiritual states for which this duty has been ordained. The superiority of Hajj as an act of worship means that for the one who performs it with its true spirit and proper etiquette, Hajj will become the greatest act of worship in their life.
The Supreme Act of Worship
When a person undertakes the journey and reaches the sacred sites of Hajj, they are enveloped in unique divine experiences. It feels as though they have left “their world” and entered the “world of God.” They feel as if they are touching their Lord, circling Him, running towards Him, journeying for His sake, offering sacrifices in His presence, casting stones at His enemies, asking Him for whatever they desire, and receiving from Him whatever they should receive.
The Ka‘bah is one of the signs of God on earth. It is where lost human souls are embraced by God, where parched hearts are made to flow with the waters of servitude, and where blind eyes are shown the divine light. However, all of this is for the one who comes with the capacity to receive it. For those who lack this capacity, Hajj is merely a form of sightseeing. They go there only to return as they were before.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Hajj is Arafah” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 55), emphasizing the significance of standing in the plain of Arafat. During Hajj, the plain of Arafat presents a scene reminiscent of the Day of Judgment. On a specific day, the believers are seen arriving from all directions in caravans.
It is a truly remarkable sight. Everyone is dressed in the same simple attire (Ihram). Each person has shed their distinguishing features. The same phrase is on everyone’s lips: “Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk” (Here I am, O Allah, here I am; Here I am, O Allah, here I am). Observers are reminded of the Quranic verse: “The trumpet will be blown and, at once, they will rise up from their graves, and hasten to their Lord.” (Quran 36:51) That is when the trumpet is blown, everyone will suddenly emerge from their graves and start moving towards their Lord.
The presence in Arafat serves as a reminder of standing before God on the Day of Judgment. It is a chance for one to mentally and spiritually prepare themselves for what will physically occur in the future.
In reality, Hajj holds the highest position among all acts of worship, just as the Ka‘bah occupies a central place among all mosques.
