Praise be to Allah, Who, out of His bounty, has granted us seasons of goodness, in which sins and misdeeds are expiated. Among these seasons is a great pillar of Islam, which is the Hajj to The Sacred House of Allah. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said – explaining the reward of the pilgrim: "Indeed, when he leaves his home: his mount does not take a single step but a good deed is written for him, or a sin is removed from him. And when he stands at Arafah: indeed, Allah, The Almighty and Majestic, descends to the lowest heaven and says: "Look at My servants, disheveled and dusty! Bear witness that I have forgiven them their sins, even if their number were as the drops of the sky and the sands of Aalij (a vast desert)." And when he stones the Jamarat: no one knows what he will receive until he is fully compensated on the Day of Resurrection. And when he shaves his head: for every hair that falls from his head, there will be a light for him on the Day of Resurrection. And when he completes his final circumambulation of the House: he emerges from his sins like the day his mother gave birth to him." This Hadith was narrated by Al-Tabarani in "Al-Mu'jam Al-Kabeer" and Ibn Hibban, and the wording is his.
The rituals of Hajj are replete with profound lessons and wisdom. Here are some key takeaways:
- The Ihram garments serve as a profound preparation for the soul, symbolizing a detachment from worldly desires and an exclusive turning towards Allah Alone. They represent a spiritual cleansing of the heart, emptying it of all beloved things except for The love of Allah. Wearing the Ihram is also a declaration of readiness for the day of departure (death), a testament to our faith in Allah's Words (What means): "Who are certain that they will meet their Lord and that they will return to Him." [Al-Baqarah/46].
- The Talbiyah, recited from the Miqat (the designated points for pilgrims to enter the state of Ihram), is a profound spiritual act. It involves adorning the physical senses with the remembrance of Allah and intimate supplication to Him. This declaration marks the official beginning of the Hajj rituals and the entry into its sacred state. It's akin to the opening Takbir (Takbirat Al-Ihram) in prayer, signaling the commencement of a profound act of worship. Through the Talbiyah, pilgrims loudly proclaim the Oneness of Allah (Tawhid), His absolute Transcendence from any partners, and offer immense praise to Him, Glorified Be He.
- Circumambulating the Kaaba (Tawaf) is considered a form of prayer, as stated by the truthful Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). In this ritual, pilgrims emulate the angels who continuously circumambulate the Throne of the Most Merciful. Therefore, it is essential to perform Tawaf with full heartfelt presence, filled with reverence, awe, hope, and deep love for Allah, The Almighty and Majestic. It is a time to earnestly supplicate to Allah, asking for the best in this World and The Hereafter, and seeking protection from the Hellfire. As Allah Says (What means): "And among them are those who say, 'Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire." [Al-Baqarah/201].
- The ritual of Sa'i, the brisk walk between the hills of Safa and Marwah, deeply connects pilgrims to the story of Hajar (peace be upon her). It commemorates her desperate, yet hopeful, search for water for her infant son, Isma'il (PBUH), all while earnestly supplicating to Allah. This act beautifully illustrates the virtue of patience in pursuing one's needs and the profound lesson that Allah Loves a servant's persistent and fervent supplication. Since, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "Indeed, Allah does not grow weary until you grow weary." [Al-Bukhari].
- Spending the night in Mina on the eve of the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah is an act of emulation of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). This night serves as a preparation for the pivotal standing on Arafat. This act is a clear demonstration of our love for the Prophet (PBUH), and we are commanded to obey and follow him in all circumstances. Allah Says (What means): "Say, [O Muhammad]: "If you should love Allah, then follow me, and Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." [Al-Imran/31].
- Standing at Arafat is often referred to as "the greater Hajj" (Al-Hajj Al-Akbar) and is considered the most significant pillar of the pilgrimage. Here, pilgrims should contemplate that they are in a scene resembling The Day of Judgment, with people from all nations gathered together. As Allah Says (What means): "That Day, you will be exhibited; not a secret of yours will be hidden." [Al-Haqqah/18]. In this immense gathering, the worshiper deeply feels their profound need for The Mercy of Allah, The Almighty and Majestic, and the intercession of the Master of Creation, peace and blessings be upon him. As they pray to be among those emancipated from the Hellfire on this great and blessed day. The best supplication on this day, is stated by the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), is: "The best of supplication is the supplication on the Day of Arafat. And the best of what I and the Prophets before me have said is: "There is no deity except Allah Alone, without any partner. To Him Belongs all sovereignty and to Him Belongs all praise, and He is Over all things Competent." [Al-Tirmidhi, who said: This is a Hasan Strange/Unfamiliar Hadith].
- Spending the night in Muzdalifah after the momentous standing at Arafat serves as a crucial time for pilgrims to reflect. It's a moment to ponder whether they have returned from Arafat with their sins forgiven, hopefully falling under Allah's Declaration to His angels: "Bear witness that I Have Forgiven them their sins." [Ibn Hibban].
- Rami Al-Jamarat/Throwing pebbles while walking/riding, the ritual of stoning the pillars, is an act that emulates Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him). It symbolizes a declaration of war against Satan, recalling when Satan appeared to Ibrahim at the sites of the Jamarat, attempting to deter him from fulfilling Allah's Command to sacrifice his son, Isma'il (peace be upon him).This ritual serves as a profound pledge between us and Allah to consider Satan as an enemy, just as He Has Commanded us, Saying (What means): "Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him as an enemy." [Fatir/6]. And as we seek refuge in the following verse (What means): "And say: "My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the incitements of the devils, and I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they be present with me." [Al-Mu'minun/97-98].
- Sacrificing the Hady (the animal offered during Hajj) is an act performed with a deep hope in Allah that, for every part of the sacrificed animal, a corresponding part of us will be freed from the Hellfire. Furthermore, it is hoped that for every single hair of the animal, we will be granted a good deed (Hasanah).
- Shaving or shortening the hair (Al-Halq or Al-Taqsir) marks the end of the state of Ihram. It is akin to the "Taslim" (salutation) that concludes the prayer, signifying the pilgrim's complete release from all the prohibitions imposed by Ihram. This act is a powerful declaration of the completion of the rituals of this magnificent worship, which Allah Has Ordained upon us in response to the supplication of the father of the Prophets, Ibrahim, peace and blessings be upon him and our Prophet.
It is crucial to understand that we are not required to seek the reasons or hidden wisdom behind every act of worship (Ibadah). A Muslim's performance of worship should not be contingent upon understanding its underlying reasons. Rather, it is about responding to Allah's Command by performing the act. If one does come to understand the wisdom or reason, which is a blessing. However, even without such understanding, the fundamental principle is one of obedient Submission to Allah, just as a servant obeys their master. Allah, The Almighty and Majestic, Has the right to Command us in any way He Wills. As Allah Says (What means): "He is not questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned." [Al-Anbiya'/23]. This very concept is the ultimate purpose of our creation, as Allah States (What means): "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me." [Adh-Dhariyat/56].
And our final prayer is: All Praise is Due to Allah, Lord of all creation.
