Hajj and the Legacy of Abraham
| Khatib : | Sadullah Khan |
| Khutbah No: | 132 |
| Khutbah Date: | 01/14/05 |
[Qur’an 22:26]
All prophets are said to have spoken with divine authority; but only those who have been given a major revelation or message are called rasul/messenger. Notable rusul/messengers include prophets Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them).
The Status of Prophet Ibrahim/Abraham
Abraham /Ibrahim is mentioned by name 69 times in the Qur'an with an entire chapter (14) titled Ibrahim. Muslims consider Abraham the khalil/friend of God as Allah states: “Who can be better in faith than one who submits his whole self to God, does good and follows the way of Abraham, the true in faith? For God did take Abraham for a friend.” [Qur'an 4:125]
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. Abraham is referred to as … inspired [Qur'an 4:163], most truthful [Qur'an 19:41], a prophet [Qur'an 19:41], mild, imploring, penitent [Qur'an 11:75], soft-hearted and long-suffering [Qur'an 9:114], upright [Qur'an 3:67,95; 16:120,123]. Believers are called "millat-Ibrahim"/the people/community of Abraham throughout the Qur'an [Qur'an 2:130, 135; 3:95; 4:125; 6:161; 12:37-38; 16:123; 21:73; 22:78]. Another verse in the Quran portrays Abraham as the ab/father of all believers. “Strive in the way of God as you ought to strive with sincerity and discipline. He has chosen you and has not laid upon you any hardship in the observance of your faith - the faith of your father Abraham.” [Qur'an 22:78]
Yet another verse confirms that Abraham is part of the fraternity of God's prophets. “(O Muhammad), We have sent revelations to you just as We sent to Noah and the Prophets who came after him. We also sent revelations to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, his descendants, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the Psalms.” [Qur'an 4:163] Abraham’s logical attitude in his search for truth [Qur'an 5:75-79]; his respectful debate with his unbelieving father [Qur'an 19:41-49] and his loving relationship with his son [Qur'an 37:102] are all timeless examples of excellence. True Believers are those who follow the way of Abraham [Qur'an 2:258; 16:123; 6:162-163]. Faithful worshippers send (darud-Ibrahim) salutation on Abraham and his family along with the Prophet Muhammad and his family in everyone of their daily prayers.
Ibrahim, Hajirah and Isma’il
Abraham was the first to “announce the pilgrimage” [Qur'an 22:27], while most hajj rites also focus on Abraham and his family. Pilgrims circle the Ka’bah, the simple stone building Muslims believe was originally established by Abraham and his son Ishmael [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].
So we note that all three figures; Ibrahim, Hajirah and Isma’il, played a major role in the re-establishment of tawhid/monotheism in Makkah and much of the annual pilgrimage/hajj undertaken by believers are symbolic re-enactments of significant phases in their life; and this include the tawaaf (circumambulation of the Ka’bah), the sa’iy (running between the hills of Safa and Marwa), the udhiyah (sacrifice of animals).
Dimensions of Hajj
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 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 ...
- demonstrates universal Islamic fraternity
- acquaints pilgrims with historical and spiritual environment of Prophet Ibrahim, Hajirah, Prophets Isma'il and Muhammad (pbut)
- re-enacts fundamental aspects of our history
- reminds of the ‘Grand Assembly’ on the Day of Judgement
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/Eve, of Ibrahim, Isma'il and Hajirah and of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon all of them). By 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), 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 realized by those hujjaaj /pilgrims these coming days and next Thursday we will be celebrating with them the manasik/prescribed rites of Ibrahim, Hajirah and Ismail … as passed on to us by Prophet Muhammad (pbut).
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 ...
- reminder to the mindful
- lesson to the heedful
- exhortation to the faithful
- instruction to the dutiful
- source of reflection for the wise
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.
Through hajj, Abraham has united Muslims 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 for the common good of human kind, serve as the voice of conscience for humanity, and be models of excellence like Abraham and his family.