Hajj
and It's Intention
The pilgrimage (Hajj) is
1) One of the most important pillars of Islam.
2) A principal means of obtaining proximity to the Almighty.
3) One of the most difficult physical forms of worship.
4) So, vital that one who does not perform Hajj will be barred from
Heaven.
The main aim of human creation is to
recognize God and attain a stage of acquaintance and love for Him and
this depends on the purity and loftiness of the human soul. i.e. The
purer the soul becomes the more love will it have for the Almighty.
This stage of love can be attained by
abstaining from desires and refraining from worldly pleasures and
distractions, and by exerting oneself in the rigorous self-training
activities for the sake of God, and, remembering him continuously. For
this purpose the Almighty has legislated certain forms of worship (Ibadat).
a) Those involving the expenditure of
wealth for His sake e.g. Zakaat and Khums which serve to sever the deep
attachments to worldly possessions.
b) Those involving abstinence from desires and pleasures e.g. fasting.
c) Those related to His remembrance and diverting total attention
towards Him e.g. Salat/Namaaz.
But Hajj involves all these and more,
such as,
i) Leaving one's hometown.
ii) Physical exertion.
iii) Expenditure of wealth.
iv) Renewal of the covenant with God.
v) Circumambulation (Tawaaf).
vi) Supplication (Dua).
vii) Prayers (Salat/Namaaz).
And others like throwing pebbles, running between Safaa and Marwah etc.
Those who wonder at these actions do
not realize that when we do not know the hidden meanings and reason of
certain commands, we manifest more complete obedience and total
submission to the Absolute Master in carrying out those orders. Those
actions whose secrets we have been successful in understanding, our
soul, besides obeying the Master's commands, is also inclined and
pleased in performing them. Thus, it is only for Hajj that the Holy
Prophet (S.A.W.) is reported to have said,
"O Almighty, I have responded to your call
for Hajj with complete submission and humility."
Furthermore, the Hajj constitutes the
congregation of people from all parts of the world, in the place where
revelation was repeatedly sent down to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), where
the beloved (Khaleel) of God resided, where angles used to descend every
now and then. In fact, it is the holy place, which has been the abode of
the majority of the Prophets.
Here the leader of the Holy Prophet
(S.A.W.) was born, his holy feet walked; and the Almighty has chosen it
for His house so that people should pray towards it. He has sanctified
its surroundings and has kept Arafah in the beginning of the Holy Land.
He has prohibited hurting animals and uprooting vegetation there in as a
mark of respect to the holiness of the land. He has designed it to be
like the throne of Kings so that visitors from far off lands, disheveled
and dusty, should remain there in humility to the Absolute Monarch
realizing the fact that He is above all needs of time and space. While
such a congregation leads to new acquaintances, meeting with virtuous
personalities and stimulates quicker response to supplications (Dua), it
invariably reminds of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) and his efforts at
spreading the Word of God. In this way one attains purity of the soul.
The intention for Hajj
1. The intention (Niyyah) must be pure
and sincere for the sake of God only, but not for any other worldly
motives, such as,
1) Showing off (Riyaa).
2) Avoiding rebukes for not performing Hajj.
3) Fear of poverty for it is known that one who does not perform Hajj is
afflicted with poverty.
4) Business prospects, etc.
All these other motives destroy the sincerity (Ikhlaas) of the deeds and
deprive one of the promised rewards. It is foolish to undertake all this
rigor and expense only to end up in Damnation because the motive was
adulterated.
2. One should sincerely repent of past
sins and clear all the dues, (Huquq-un-Naas), and cleanse himself of all
distractions so that the mind is easily turned towards God. One should
write his will and prepare for the journey to the Hereafter as he leaves
his house, relatives, friends, and possessions behind.
3. One should remember the majesty of
the House and the Absolute Owner, and that one has chosen to leave
family, friends, and possessions for the lofty and noble purpose of
visiting a House, which the Almighty has designed as a sanctuary for all
people. Hence this journey differs from all other worldly journeys. The
pilgrim is one of those who have responded willingly to the invitation
made by the Almighty's messenger.
4. The pilgrim should free himself of
all matters, which tend to worry him so his total attention is towards
the Almighty.
5. Any financial loss or physical
affliction in this journey should be greeted happily, for, it is a sign
of acceptance of Hajj.
6. The Pilgrim should ensure his
earnings are acquired through lawful means and he should be liberal in
expenditure, not extravagant (Israaf) though. But spending for the needy
and deserving is not extravagance as it has been reported that there is
no goodness in extravagance and no extravagance in goodness!
7. He should behave courteously towards
his fellow travelers, smiling and talking gently with them, avoiding
harsh words, abuses or vain talk. He should be humble to the other
guests of the Almighty. Magnanimity does not only mean not to hurt
others but also to endure when others hurt.
8. He should be disheveled and dusty,
avoid cosmetics or any cause of pride and beauty, and if possible,
travel on foot, especially from Makkah to Mina, Masher and Arafah, not
as a means to avoid extra expenses (in which case, transport is better!)
rather for exerting oneself for the sake of God, except if it affects
other worship (Ibadat) or supplication (Dua). |