Philosophy underlying the Hajj

How do these acts assist in obtaining spiritual purity? The performance of Haj without having understood the values and meanings of its rituals would be a mere waste.

Circuiting the Ka'aba

The first ritual is Tawaf. From the day a Haji enters Mecca upto the last day of Tawaf, he performs the circuit of the Ka'aba. He does seven circuits each time. What do these seven circuits symbolize?

The Ka'aba is the spiritual sanctuary of mankind, which is therefore the direction adopted by Islam for prayers. Ka'aba or the Kibla is his spiritual destination. In other words, the Ka'aba is the physical representation of the spiritual distinction aimed at; which is an abode described as the seventh heaven. The Holy Quran states:

"Vasakkalil Mahfool...." It is a very lofty and blessed platform.

It is on this platform that the most Sacred House is situated, where the Holy Prophet (PBUH), during his spiritual journey, led the rest of the prophets in prayer. The seven heavens mentioned here are not the physical heavens above us, nor is the Bait, a house indeed.

These are but spiritual demarcations representing progress. In such a spiritual world, when a person shows willingness to sacrifice his entity, he attains a sort of death and is reborn in the next spiritual world. It is at the seventh heaven of such sacrifices that he becomes eligible to be accepted as qualifying to vouch for Islam as did the Prophet Ebrahim (a.s). Therefore the seven circuits of the Ka'aba, represents the willingness of the Haji to selfless sacrifice for the sake of mankind and religion along the lines of the sacrifice of Prophet Ebrahim (a.s).

Running between the Safa and Marwa hills

The Holy Quran says: "Surely Al-Safa and Al-Marwah are among the signs of Allah". (2:159) Why do the Hajis run between these two hills? The usual explanation offered to this is that it is in remembrance of the experiences of Hajara while she was stranded in the desert with an infant, and had no means of support. Her frantic search for water is commemorated by the sa'i. However, this theory offers no explanation as to how this memory would benefit the Haji spiritually.

Allah Almighty has declared that this place has been witness and recipient to many of Allah's blessings. Safa is the hill upon which Hazrath Adam (a.s) received his Prophethood. The hill received its name, which means pure, because of this. Hazrath Ebrahim (a.s), Hazrath Ismail (a.s) and Hazrath Muhammad (PBUH) all initiated their Prophethood at the foot of this hill. Hazrath Muhammed (PBUH), after having been informed of being selected as a prophet, was instructed by Allah Almighty to address his family and clan.

This is the valley where water that would sate the spiritual thirst of the world that was to come, first erupted to the surface. This was the valley at which the first person to declare having accepted the Prophethood of Hazrath Muhammed (PBUH) stood forth. This is therefore the valley where the Hajis run to and from in search of that spiritual water. It is for this water which could sate their thirst for knowledge, and with the knowledge being put to practice thus purify one's body and soul, that the Hajis run along the valley in between Safa and Marwa.

The next is the most important ritual of the Haj, viz. assembling at Arafa on the 9th day of Zul Haj, the eve of Eid-ul-Azha. As was explained above, the declaration and propagation of Islam commenced at Safa; and its conclusive consummation was at Arafa on the 9th day of Zul Haj, the 9th year of Hijra.

That day, Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) addressed more than a hundred thousand believers, while delivering the famous speech, which is known as "Hajjatul Vida" sermon. Every aspect of a believer's code of conduct, the way he should behave with his family, with his parents, with his children, with his neighburs, with travellers, was addressed.

It is therefore the duty of the Hajis to remember the advice the Holy Prophet had delivered on that auspicious day, and make a change in their life in such a manner that they become living examples of the life of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH).

Throwing stones at Mina

Stones are thrown at three places. The Hajis stop for the night at Muzdalifah and from there proceed the next day to the three places, viz. Jumrat'al Ula, Jumrat'al Usta, and Jumrat'al Akaba where they throw seven stones each. It is explained that the stones are aimed at Satan, who tried to dissuade Prophet Ebrahim (a.s) from offering his son as sacrifice. But when asked as to how the stones are being thrown at Mina while the sacrifice was intended at Arafa, they have no answer.

Man has seven relations to the earth. They are his love for his mate, for his children, for heaps of gold (ornamental wealth), for heaps of silver (money), for horses (vehicles) and cattle (business) and crops (agriculture). Allah points out these relationships and states that these are but provisions for this petty life, and it is with Him that the excellent home is.

The Haji shows his willingness to sever his ties with worldly bonds which number seven by throwing seven pieces of earth, which symbolize the seven bonds, away from him. Each stone thus represents each tie the Haji has with the earth. Throwing them away, he says aloud "Labaik Allahumma Labaik" "Labaik La Shareika Laka Labaik" (Here I am, my Lord, here I am. Here I am, There is no associate with Thee.)

The Holy Quran says: "Their flesh reaches not Allah, nor does their blood, but it is your righteousness that reaches Him". (22:38) The sacrifice is the practical consummation of all the intentions that have been built up in him through the rituals that preceded it. He shows his willingness to be sacrificed; to shed his blood for the sake of God, as is shed the blood of the sacrificed animal. Life, which is considered dear, is sacrificed for the sake of others.
May Allah Almighty bless us all with this sort of a Haj.