Hajj: A Way To Amity And Global Peace

By  Khandaker Nazneen Sultana    

Hajj or pilgrimage to Makkah in Saudi Arabia is one of the five pillars of Islam. Hajj is a compulsory act of worship like other four pillars. While Iman or faith is to be constantly present in the Muslims, Salat is to be performed five times a day, Sawm (fasting in the month of Ramadan) and Zakat (compulsory giving out a portion of wealth) take place once a year, Hajj is to be performed at least once in lifetime for those who have the wherewithal to make way to Makkah and live there for several days.

It is a visit to the Ka’ba, the house of Allah in Makkah to perform certain rituals. Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) built Ka’ba being ordered by Allah for the purpose of worshipping Him. Allah asked Ibrahim (AS) to call out all people to gather in Makkah at the call of Allah.

Allah made Ibrahim (AS)’s voice heard by every soul created by Him. Those who responded positively to the call of Allah are the ones who make pilgrimage to Makkah.

That is why the constant refrain during Hajj is: Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik – we present ourselves, Oh Allah! we present ourselves to you. As the pilgrim utters the words of Talbiyah, he should bear in mind that this signifies a response to the summons of Allah, Most High, as it is stated in the Al Quran, “And proclaim the pilgrimage among men: they will come to thee on foot and (mounted) on every kind of camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways.” (Al-Hajj: 27)

Hajj was made compulsory in the 9th year of Hijra.  Ka’ba is the holiest place for Muslims and represents the direction that Muslims pray five times a day, from all around the world.

Muslims from all over the world gather in Makkah in the last month of Muslim calendar (Jil-Hajj) and worship Allah.

Hajj is a special worship that lasts for several days.

 This is an occasion that brings Muslims of all countries, colors, and races to one place – the Ka’ba. This is a unique opportunity of worshipping Allah collectively in a large gathering at one place.

Reduced to bare minimum, the compulsory element (Fard) of Hajj is being present at the open space of Arafat. But there are other elements, some of them essential, that make a complete Hajj.

 The  list of the rituals during Hajj stands like this:  Ihram at Miqat (putting on the special white pieces of cloths; Talbiyah (Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik.); Tawaaf (Circling of ka’ba),  Istlam (Kissing the Hajjjr-e-Aswad, the black stone at one corner);   Nawafal  Salat at Muqam-e-Ibrahim, Sa’ee (Running between mountains Safa’ and Marwah);  Arriving at Mina,  Arriving and staying at Arafat, Arriving at Muzdalifah, throwing stones at the Shaitan (Devil) Return to Makkah after sacrifice and hair cut; Perform Taawaf-e-Afaza,  Return to Mina after Tawaf-e-Afaza; Return to Ka’ba and Farewell. Pilgrims also make it a point to visit Medina, perform Ziarat, which is special du’a or offerings at the Rowdha or grave or Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and stay there for about eight days.

Let us first bring out the religious and spiritual significance of Hajj. In Surah Al-Baqarah verse no 125 Allah says: “Remember We made the House a place of assembly for men and a place of safety; and take ye the station of Abraham as a place of prayer; and We covenanted with Abraham and Isma'il, that they should sanctify My House for those who compass it round, or use it as a retreat, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).”(2:125)

About Sa’ee (Running between Safa’ and Marwah) Allah says in the Holy Quran: “Behold! Safa and Marwa are among the Symbols of Allah. So if those who visit the House in the Season or at other times, should compass them round, it is no sin in them. And if any one obeyeth his own impulse to good,- be sure that Allah is He Who recogniseth and knoweth.” (2:158)

The performance of Hajjj and Umrah are the best of deeds that should be done by those Muslims who have ability in physically and economically. Prophet Hazrat Muhammed (SAW) said: “Allah, Most High, boasts before the angels about the pilgrims, saying, ‘Look at My servants; they came to Me, disheveled and dusty, from every deep ravine. I make you witness that I have forgiven them.’” (Reported by Ibn Khayzamah).

 Prophet Muhammed (SAW) also said that,“Performance of Umrah is a compensation of the sins committed between it and the previous Umrah, and the reward of the Hajj which is accepted by Allah, the Most High, is nothing but Paradise.-- (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim).

In another Hadith, Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that Muhammad (SAW) said: “Allah Ta’ala accepts the dua of one who performs Hajj and Umrah and if he seeks forgiveness. Allah Ta’ala forgives him.” -- (Mishkaat).

  Hazrat Ibn Umar (RA) narrates that Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) said: “The one who after Hajj visits me after my death (i.e. the Holy Raudah) is like one who has visited me while I was alive.” -- (Mishkaat).

If one follows closely the preparation and performance of Hajj, one can realize what great effects are produced in the heart and mind of man at the end. The process entails sacrifice of time, sacrifice of money, sacrifice of comfort, sacrifice of several worldly affairs as well as sacrifice of many carnal desires and pleasures; and all this is simply for the sake of Allah, with no selfish end.

One cannot do certain things which are otherwise permissible in normal circumstances. Then, together with piety and virtuousness, the incessant remembrance of Allah and the longing and love of Him pervade the mind of the pilgrim, leaving a firm impression on him which lasts for years to come.

On standing at Arafat, when the pilgrim beholds the thronging crowds, hears the loud voices speaking in many tongues, and sees the various groups following their Imams through the ritual observances, the site of the day of Resurrection flashes in his/her mind, the gathering of the communities with their Prophets and leaders, each community following its Prophet, aspiring after the intercession, all wavering with equal uncertainty between rejection and acceptance.

Through the circumambulation of Ka`bah (tawaaf), the rehearsal of a Muslim’s life consisting of the rites (Manaasik) of Hajj (such as running between two points, and repeated departures and halts), which are combined with Salat, fasting and Zakat, one will realize that these processes constitute a training or some big task which Islam wants Muslims to execute.

In short, Hajj brings a transformation in mindset, attitude and perception of Muslims who performs Hajj.

Does this transformation have any spin-offs in inter-personal and societal relations, at the micro level and global peace, at the macro level? Arguably at least, the ground for amity, fraternity and global peace is laid through the spirit and rituals of Hajj.

If one truly performs the obligations of Hajj, the gathering of Muslims all around the world helps us to realize that we are all Muslims and worshippers of Allah and that we are all brothers and sisters in Islam.

 That we are Allah’s creation, we are dependent on Him for his mercy in this very world and the world hereafter brings in us a sense of unity, removes from our inner self the elements of this otherwise stratified society.

 In fact, stratification, inequality and hierarchies in this world are the source of most of the conflicts, deprivation, poverty and inequality.

Each year, more than two million Muslims from all over the globe gathered in Makkah to perform Hajj. The gathering of such a large number of people of different creed / color, speaking different languages and having a diverse cultural background at a small place for few days is an event that is unprecedented in any religion or even in the political culture of the world. The beauty of this event is its simplicity, candor and discipline.

The participants, rich or poor, with highest status or from a common back ground, are dressed in the same attire which consists of two pieces of un-stitched cotton cloth, one worn along the lower part and the other covering upper part of the body.

The women also participate wearing their own specified dress.  Participation of women all along is a proof of the fact how Islam gives equal rights to women.

 The wearing of such a modest dress is meant to display the humbleness and docility of a person. All the pride, the pomp and show and the protocols are disdained in this place.

Secondly, Hajj broadens our mental horizon. While the fundamentals of Islam are the same and uniform, at the level of details, diversities in worships including salat (five times prayers) and other offerings makes one realize the reality of diversity and variations.

 These make the Muslims sensitized about tolerance rather than rigidity, pragmatism rather than dogmatism.  The message of this gathering is unity and peace for the world. Unity is displayed by the diversity of color, race, language and culture.

Peace is manifested by the fact that the participants neither carry any weapon nor do they need to. Non violence is exhibited symbolically by imposing restriction on hunting within the limits of Makkah.

 Only the animals are slaughtered and used for supper. The participants do not indulge in any immoral or negative activity during their stay.

Thirdly, we can learn about different nations and we can see that, though all Muslims in the world are not joined together on the basis of colour or race, but they are joined together on the basis of belief in Allah and His Messenger.

 This strengthens the spirit of unity, equality and brotherhood. This is, as if, the real observation of creation of one Ummah in different races, colour and ethnic groups. Feelings of fraternity and brotherhood grows, the wall of identity consciousness breaks into sense of larger identity.

These are the values on which Islam builds the human society and it will continue in this way until the Day of Judgment, insha’Allah.

The prayers that are recited related to the well being, peace and prosperity of the people. The gathering is not aimed against any nation, country or even the concept.

 The participants only pray for the welfare and safety from Allah. The scholar leading the prayers clearly denounced the terrorism, terming it totally against Islam. He quoted the famous verse from the Quran, which means that killing of one human being unjustly is equivalent to killing of the whole mankind, and that saving the life of one person is equivalent to saving the whole mankind.

There is much wisdom behind Hajj. Among these wisdoms is the wisdom that Almighty Allah prepares man to have the perfect form of servitude to Him.

 There are many acts of Hajj whose significance man cannot conceive by his limited intellectual powers. However, a Muslim accepts these acts and fulfills them out of his obedience and surrender to Almighty Allah.

Hajj has been made a pinnacle of worship in order that Muslims who gather to perform Hajj can praise their Allah, be thankful for His blessings, and humbly pray to Him for the removal of their difficulties.

 Muslims living in various parts of the world get to know each other in Hajj, lay the foundation of social culture, give advice to each other, and provide opportunity for collective struggle.

One who intends to perform Hajj should first make Tawbah (repentance to Allah), settle his debts, prepare sufficient provision for his journey and for his family until his return, give back trusts to their rightful owners, and meet his expenses by lawful means.

 He is recommended to accompany righteous men to help each other in their journey. If there are a group of people going out for Hajj, they should choose one of them to be their leader during their journey so as to set their affairs in order.

The pilgrim should stick to the Islamic good manners in all aspects, ask righteous people to make Du`a’ (supplication to Allah) for him, and say the authentic Prophetic supplications that the Prophet, (peace and blessings be upon him), is reported to have said on his journey and making Hajj.

Wrirter Khandaker Nazneen Sultana is a journalist at The Independent andChairman: ‘Shadow Foundation for Women and Children’

(This article have published in the magazine ‘Faith of ‘The Independent’ on

Sunday, 16 January 2011)