Hajj (Pilgrimage)
Purpose, lessons and value of Hajj
Glory be to Allah for making the Ka'bah the meeting of the ummah, for making Hajj the key
expression of solidarity among Believers and as a manifestation of the bond of fraternity and mutual affinity.
The Hajj is that largest annual Convention of Faith where millions of Muslims gather in the holy land,
merging as streams of devotees from every corner of the earth to become part of the sea of Believers swirling
in spiritually dancing waves around the Ka'bah in tawaaf. Each individual pilgrim, a drop in that ocean;
a drop that always yearns to be part of that ocean. An ocean that knows no race, no language, no colour, no gender,
nor time. All praise is due to Allah for making this unique, international gathering of Hajj an inexhaustible
source for spiritual revival and as a continuous re-affirmation of faith.
The performance of prescribed rites (manaasik), at specified times, at particular places in a recommended manner
is aimed at reflecting a wholesome demonstration of Muslim brotherhood and sisterhood. It familiarizes the pilgrim
with the historic, spiritual and physical environment of Adam and Hawa, of Ibrahim, Isma'il and Hajirah and of Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon all of them). By copying some of the fundamental aspects of the best of our history (Hajirah's
running in search for water, Prophet Ibrahim's preparedness to sacrifice his willing and obedient son Isma'il or Abraham's
pelting of the shaytaan), all this identifies us with the best of our past and the lessons we need to learn from our great history.