Hajj for Human Dignity and Unity: Explore the Profound Impact of Hajj as a Catalyst for Dignity and Unity Amongst Humanity” Abu Uthman al-Sabani al-Shafii (d 449) in his book Kitab ul Maitain narrates Prophet Muhammad by saying “towards the close of the period there will be four major types of people will converge around the Kaaba for the Hajj the powerful rulers for fun or to take advantage of the occasion the rich to promote their business while the poor solicit financial assistance and the Recipters (or the scholars) to display their expertise.”
Al-Sabuni wasn’t a typical scholar. He was able to narrate the Hadith after making sure that the text or matan and the isnad or chains are solid. He once stated “I never read any Hadith or non-Prophetic reports in a gathering unless I had the transmission chain and I never visit the library, unless I was in the state of ritual purity or speak of Hadith or hold any gathering or lecture only in the state of purity in ritual.”
Are we in the time that was prophesied by the prophet? Does Hajj been transformed into a kind of ritual without significance? Are you sure that Hajj an individual Ibada (worship) that demands a person to devote time and money to come closer to an omnipotent and ever-present God? Is the Hajj been transformed into a business in these times? It has also become something of a holiday?
It was once a time where people would take months and months getting ready spiritually and financially to experience the true significance of Hajj. Nowadays, Hajj is available as a gift for Christmas.
A lot of Hajj agencies around the world provide value-priced packages that include premium programs, super programs and a short executive program. These programs provide the finest and most comfortable accommodations within Makkah and Medinah as well as the most delicious food and the most ideal position possible at your position in the House of Allah.
Based on the amount you pay you will be able to get the most luxurious accommodation within Makkah or Medinah. If you are the guest of a royal most likely nobody will ever beat your position within the mosques. When the Prophet made his sole Hajj The only rule that he carried was a maximum of four dirham, as stated in various books of Ahadith.
Hajj was intended to instill the pilgrims with the endurance and determination to pursue higher goals, but it has turned into an exercise to be used for convenience. Hajj was designed to demonstrate the greatest humility before humanity in declaring
“Here is I, here I am I will never make anyone Allah’s companion. Allah is the only one who has the power to control everything, and He is is the sole source of all praise and blessings.” But, in the present, Hajj, for many has become an emblem, a badge of arrogance in the spiritual realm.
Hajj is a place which is meant to reassure those in need that cultural, ethnic and linguistic, geographic wealth-based, race, and colors that people have created for themselves are not real in the eyes of God.
Everyone is one, and the goal of the whole is to follow God’s direction to build a common humanity that is a blessing to the wellbeing of all. Hajj is intended to be a promise to live the example that of Hajj over and above the Hajj. It’s an opportunity to establish a persona that is not confined by any dimension or space.
However, due to the manipulation of social structures and the resources available, Hajj is rapidly adapting social factors that differentiate wealthy from poor and is the very thing it was supposed to destroy. The divisions between Hujjaj due to their race and wealth are evident throughout the Hajj travels.
The hujjaj from less developed regions around the globe may have accommodation far from the Haram however, the ones who have a good income are able to find accommodations within the proximity to the Kaaba.
The Quran defines Kaaba as a place of direction for humanity. “Indeed that the initial House of Worship open to all was created within Kaaba, the Noble Makkah. In fact, this House is the central point of direction for everyone.” (3:96) The location was not just a space to bring together all people, but it also serves as an important place for peace. (2:145). It was a location which was designed to assist humanity discover its universality instead of divisions (5:97)
To fulfill this noble goal to help humanity achieve its goal of eliminating any divisions and differences within the community, the institution Hajj provides a obvious example of letting us see that the unity of humanity is possible.
To achieve this, the Quran demanded the Prophet Ibrahim the people of Islam to bring them to Hajj in order that they could see the splendor and beauty of the direction of Allah.
Hajj is like a unified nation in the real sense with no five elite powers. Without any hidden agendas and the security council’s privileges every nation and community gathers at Makkah with the sole purpose to serve God and reaffirming their covenant with Him.
Hajj allows all people to experience the shared connections among all people, regardless of their differences. Hajj encourages the concept of human dignity for all regardless of gender young or old, both rich and poor.
Hajj also allows spaces for ideas to be shared among people to ensure that they focus on their primary mission of helping humanity by following the direction of God.
It was the attitude of Hajj that was prevalent during the time of the Prophet as well as the companions he trusted. This the spirit of Hajj that is currently being challenged by the contemporary commercial society and the asymmetry of culture both rich and poor.
In all of this noise, there are those who come to Hajj to get the inspiration to change their lives for better prospects for themselves and others. They are those who don’t want the size of hotels or better facilities. They stay for their entire lives with their families in Mina, Arafat, Muzdalfa, Makkah and Medina.
They keep in mind the covenant Allah signed with prophet Abraham the creator of Kaaba. Prophet Abraham was informed that by God, Almighty, “I have made you the foundation of inspiration and balance (The Quran uses the word Imam which literally translates to the tool construction workers use to level the building) for all mankind,” (2:124).
In awe of this honor, the Prophet questioned: “Is this covenant for my descendants too?” It was not” declared Allah, “Those who deviate from my path will not be eligible for this honor,” (2:124)
In these few words, was outlined the actual intent and the purpose behind the Hajj as well as all other religious institutions. The respect and dignity of the Hajj does not require purchasing this or that product. It comes from determination and devotion to the values of God and living up to them.
In the future someday, it is possible that the Hajj will be returned to its original purpose by those largely unknown and unrecognized faces that travel from all over the world with no fuss and are able to spend their entire presence in the sanctuaries of noblest and on the pilgrimage route with a determination to follow their authentic prophets who are Prophets Ibrahim, Prophet Ismail and Prophet Muhammad, peace be on them in all aspects of this prestigious institution.
Reenactments of events that took place at the time of Hajj are attributed to prophets Ibrahim as well as Ismal along with Mother Hagar. They are mostly intended to remind people that, in order to unite people God’s direction is recognized, acknowledged, and accepted as a tiny number of people who might not physically observe the fruition from their work.
Prophet Ibrahim established that foundation for constant improvement in human behavior. And for this he was praised with the blessings of God and was declared An Imam (role model) for the entire human race.
The inspiration that led Prophet Ibrahim to realize the idea of a single people living under God into reality can be found in its most crystal-clear pure, crystal-like format found in the Quran. It is ironic that despite the advice that many are still misguided, including the ones who assert that they’ve comprehended and understood the divine guidance.
Categories: PRAYER (Salat), ALMS (Zakat), SAWN (Fasting) HAJJ (Pilgrimage) & DUA (Supplications), Hadith and Tafseer, The Holy Quran, Quran Jaz 1- 114
Topics: Ushr and Zakat, Hijab, Arabic Corner, Faith, Islamic History, Biography, Sirat ul Nabi PBUH, Islamic Studies, Halal & Haram
Hajj:
- What is Ihram Haji ? | Hajj and Umrah-Quranmualim
- Importance of The Days of Zil Hajj | The Day of Arafah
- Define Menses during Hajj and Umrah | Mina in Makkah
- The Holy pilgrimage of The Messenger | The Rituals of Hajj
- 3 Types of Hajj | Tamattu | Ifrad | Hajj Qiran – Quranmualim
