Haj: a journey towards world Muslim unity

By A.H.G. Ameen

Muslims from all over the world assemble in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia this week to perform Haj ' the fifth pillar of Islam. It is a unique occasion to see millions of pilgrims ' the ruled and the rulers, the rich and the poor, blacks and whites ' dressed in the same white cotton cloth, stand equal before the creator in the sandy desert with a devout cry 'Labbyka! Labbyka! (Here I come Lord! Here I come!)'

The pilgrimage to Mecca ' at least once in a lifetime ' is compulsory on every Muslim if he or she has the financial and physical ability to do so. In the early period, when there were no advanced modes of transport, pilgrims left for Mecca without the hope of returning. They settled all their debts and transactions and made known their last will before leaving on this pilgrimage.

Historian Philip K. Hitty in his book. 'History of the Arabs' describes how the practice originated:

'Pilgrimage to holy places was an ancient Semitic institution. Echoes of it survived to Old Testament days (Ex 23: 14, 17; 34; 22-3; Islam 1:3). Originally it may have been a feature of a solar cult, the ceremonies of which coincided with the autumnal equinox and constituted a kind of farewell to the harsh rule of the burning sun and a welcoming to Quazah, the thunder-god of fertility.

'In pre-Islamic days the annual fairs of North Arabia were followed by a pilgrimage in Dhul-al Hijjah {the month of Haj} to the Ka'ba and Arafat. In the seventh year of the Hijrah, Muhammed adopted and Islamized the ancient pilgrim rites centering on the Ka'ba and Arafat. In these, Islam entered upon its largest share of heritage from pre-Islamic Arabia. A constant trek of pilgrims \c9 some on foot, others on camel-back. The majority are men but a few are women and children. Many fall by the wayside and are martyrs, those who survive finally strike a western Red Sea port whence they are transported across by dhows.'

Ibn Batuta, the famous Arab traveller of Tangier attempted the circumambulation of the Ka'ba barefoot. He failed because of the 'flames'. The area was so hot that Ibn Batuta found it difficult to walk round.

But, today all facilities are available not only to travel to the holy city but even in the performance of rituals there.

The Ka'ba is the holy mosque situated in the heart of Mecca. Muslims offer their prayers turning towards the Ka'ba. It is the symbol of Muslim unity.

When the people were idol worshippers this was the first mosque built with a view to directing their thoughts to the oneness of God. This mosque was rebuilt by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham).

In the centre of the great mosque yard stands a massive structure, a cube like edifice of stone and mortar, 40 feet long 34 feet wide and 50 feet high, veiled in blue-black cloth that contains verses embroidered with gold thread. But this structure is not an object of worship.

It only symbolises the direction which Muslims must face in their prayers. It signifies that Muslims all over are like the circumference of a circle which has one centre.

Near the Ka'ba is situated the famous historic well or Zam Zam where Ismail and Hajara, son and wife of Prophet Ibrahim, panted for water in the desert of Arabia. Through this well is built up the prosperity of Mecca. This well never runs dry, though every pilgrim takes home Zam Zam water and keeps it for several years.

There are five essential elements of the pilgrimage.

The Ihram: Once the pilgrims reach Jeddah for the performance of Haj they wear a simple, white, unsewn garment draped across the body which leaves the right arm and shoulder bare. Male pilgrims wear a garment known as 'Azar' round their waist, 'Rida' over his shoulder and unsewn sandals.

The female covers her entire body, except the face and hands. Once they are in Ihram there is no distinction and in the eyes of God all are equal. The intention to perform Haj is made at this stage. Ihram is the outward action of the intention of Haj.

Tawaf: This is a sevenfold circumambulation of Ka'ba.

The walk between Safa and Marwah: Sevenfold walk between adjacent Safa and Marwah hills in Mecca. This ritual is performed to commemorate the running between the two hills by Hajara, mother of Prophet Ismail, in search of water.

Halt on mount Arafat: The place of 'recognition' or 'knowing'. Prophets, including Prophet Moses, had offered prayers in the Mosque at Mina. There is a legend that when Adam and Eve were banished from paradise they were separated. They fruitlessly searched the earth for each other for 200 years until the angel Jibreel (Gabriell) descended and led Adam to Eve. They came together again on the descent of mountain Arafat.

Act of head shaving or hair-cutting.

'If one of these five elements is omitted, the pilgrimage is wholly void and this error cannot be made up for by any expiatory sacrifice' - Minhaj Et- Talibin (A Manual of Muhammadan Law 1992) page 118.

The Sacrifice

The pilgrims after prayers spend the night in an isolated sanctuary known as Muzdalifa, a sacred spot in the wilderness between Arafat and the valley of Mina. They then move to Mina where Prophet Ibrahim tried to sacrifice his beloved son Ismail. They pelt stones at the Jamrat-al-Uqba ' the three crude stone and mortar monuments marking the places in Mina where Satan appeared.

It is said that Prophet Ibrahim threw stones at Satan when he tried to tempt the youth Ismail to revolt against his father on their way to Mina ' the site of sacrifice. Thousands of sheep, goat and camel are kept ready for sacrifice and the pilgrims perform the last ritual.

Following this they celebrate, the festival of Haj, the literal meaning of which is to set out towards a definite objective.

In Islamic law it means to set out for the Holy Ka'ba, the sacred House, and to fulfil the pilgrimage rites.

What is important is the strong belief Prophet Ibrahim had in God. Thus, we see that the obligatory performance of Haj is the declaration of faith in the Almighty.

May the Eid-ul Adha bring the cherished peace we all yearn for ' Eid- Mubarak!

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