Dimensions of Hajj
| Khatib : |
Sadullah Khan |
| Khutbah No: |
220 |
| Khutbah Date: |
12/15/06 |
وَأَذِّن فِي النَّاسِ بِالْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِجَالًا وَعَلَى كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ يَأْتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍلِيَشْهَدُوا مَنَافِعَ لَهُمْ [i]Proclaim the pilgrimage to humanity, and people will come from every part of the earth, by every means of transport; to witness the benefits of pilgrimage. [Qur’an 22:27] [/i]Annual Convention of the FaithfulThe 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 spiritually swirling in human waves around the Ka'bah in
tawaaf. Each individual pilgrim is a drop in that ocean; a drop that always yearns to be part of that ocean. An ocean that knows no barrier of race, nor language, nor colour, nor gender, nor age, nor time. The Hajj ... [list][*]demonstrates universal Islamic fraternity [/*][*]acquaints pilgrims with historical and spiritual environment of Prophet Ibrahim, Hajirah, Prophets Isma'il and Muhammad (peace be upon them) [/*][*]re-enacts fundamental aspects of our history [/*][*]reminds of the ‘Grand Assembly’ on the Day of Judgment [/*][/list]
Legacy of PilgrimageThe performance of prescribed rites (
manaasik), at specified times, at particular places in a recommended manner is aimed at …[list][*]reflecting a wholesome demonstration of Muslim brotherhood and sisterhood [/*][*]familiarizing the pilgrim with the historic, spiritual and physical environment of Adam and Hawa/Eve, of Ibrahim, Isma'il and Hajirah and of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon all of them). [/*][*]re-enacting some of the significant elements/moments/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 thereby symbolically declaring war against evil), … [/*][/list] … all this identifies us with the best of our past and the lessons we need to learn from our great legacy. All of these dimensions of hajj are to be understood by every Muslim; and needs to be realized by those hujjaaj /pilgrims these coming days.
Reflecting on the Lessons of Hajj Performance of religious acts at prescribed times at particular places in a specific manner where each act at each place has a purpose and serves as ... [list][*]reminder to the mindful [/*][*]lesson to the heedful [/*][*]exhortation to the faithful [/*][*]instruction to the dutiful [/*][*]source of reflection for the wise [/*][/list]
Hajj, Hajirah & Ibrahim (peace be upon him) Prophet Abraham was the first to “announce the pilgrimage” [Qur'an 22:27], while most hajj rites also focus on Prophet Abraham and his family. Pilgrims circle the Ka’bah, the simple stone building Muslims believe was originally established by Prophet Abraham and his son Prophet Isma’il [Qur'an 2:127]. The Ka’bah is viewed as the first sanctuary on earth dedicated solely to the worship of the One God [Qur'an 3:96]. It is a symbol of unity for Muslims because all prayers, wherever they are performed, are oriented in its direction/
qiblah [Qur'an 2:144]. Pilgrims also perform the
sa'iy/hastening between two small hills of Safa and Marwa [Qur'an 2:158] near the Ka’bah, to commemorate Hagar's desperate search for water to offer her beloved son Ishmael. After the circumambulation /
tawaaf of the Ka’bah, believers pray at the
maqame-Ibrahim/station of Abraham [Qur'an 2:125] at the sacred mosque in Makkah. Many of the well-known supplications that Muslims read today are prayers uttered by Abraham as documented in the Qur’an [Qur'an 2:127; 6:79; 6:162; 14:38-41]. Abraham is considered the first known international personality; having been born in Ur/Urfa, traveled throughout the Middle East, established in Jerusalem, ventured to Makkah and lies buried in Hebron, Palestine. Each of these places still of historic, religious and spiritual significance today.Through hajj, Prophet Abraham’s call has united Believers from all over the world for more than 14 centuries. The real challenge for all of Abraham's children - Muslims, Christians and Jews - is to co-operate on righteousness and justice, for the common good of human kind; to serve as the voice of conscience for humanity, and be models of excellence like Abraham and his family.
Reality in the Holy LandsIn the Holy Land and its surrounding; there are, as we speak; diabolical acts being perpetrated …[list][*]In Makkah and Madinah, much of the historic legacy has been destroyed by the Saudis. (Those who are able to visit any of the few remaining sites must do so, for it may the last time any one sees them) [/*][*]In Jerusalem; there is the on-going occupation and the inhuman holocaust of the Palestinian Christians and Muslims) [/*][*]In Baghdad, there is the on-going senseless, unwarranted, inexcusable sectarian fighting where Muslim is killing Muslim; and ALL those directly involved perpetrating or promoting this are guilty. [/*][/list]
Dire Need for Expression of FraternityThe pilgrimage / Hajj is largest annual convention of faith and is indeed a demonstration of human equality and a manifestation of the universal Islamic fraternity. It was at the Hajj that the Prophet (pbuh) gave his Farewell Sermon wherein he highlighted the need for goodness, justice, respect and reiterated the rights of one another. It is essential that we reflect on the message of Hajj, especially at a time in our history when goodness is not the norm, justice is not paramount, respect is waning and rights are trampled upon.
Inexhaustible Source for Spiritual Rejuvenation 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. 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.
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