Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. Basically Hajj means “to strive to reach one’s goal”. Hajj is obligation for those who have physical and financial ability to undertake the journey. The hajj is commanded in the Quran – “And pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto God for mankind, for him who can find the way thither”. Here financial ability means that a person who could easily afford should go for Hajj; there is no force in Islam. Good physical condition refers towards the health of a person because Hajj is effort. This refers to the event when wife of Hazrat Abraham, as she ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa searching for water for his baby. Allah replied him with the well of water known as Zam Zam. It also commemorates the willingness of hazrat Abraham to sacrifice his son for the sake of Allah. It is one of the biggest event in which Islamic teachings are presented in the biggest gathering of Muslims. Hajj is the form of symbols and rituals. Hajj refers to a gathering of Muslims Uma at one time and one place. Here are the words:
Here I am at your service, oh Lord, here I am – here I am. No partner do you have. Here I am. Truly, the praise and the favor are yours, and the dominion. No partner do you have
These words depict the beauty of Hajj when everyone is dressed up in the same white dress and appeared in front of Allah. Hajj also reminds us that our money is not our own but belongs to Allah and it should be spent in the way of Allah. Hajj is performed in the Islamic month of “Dhul-Hijjah”.
There are seven rights of hajj:
Ihram:
Wearing of ihram is important for men and women. It is the piece of white cloth.
Black stone:
Circumambulation of the Kabah with the kissing of the Black Stone.
Sa’y:
It is the running between hillocks Safa and Marwa remembers Abraham’s wife in search of water for his son Ishmael.
Sermon:
Listening to a sermon on fixed date given on the topic of hajj.
Valley of Mina:
Overnight stay in the valley of Mina, followed by a visit to the plain and hill of Arafat.
Sacrifice an animal:
Sacrifice of an animal in the remembers of hazrat Abraham, willingness to sacrifice his beloved son but it was replaced with lamb and he passed this exam for his love for Allah.
Throwing stone:
Casting stone at devil. Throwing pebbles at specific pillar.
Hajj gives us the lesson of human equality. Hajj is such pillar in Islam that every Muslim dreams to go and visit the place of Allah. It is the largest annual gathering of people on earth. Hajj teaches that it is the relationship with Allah to surrender in front of his will. It also promotes the love and brotherhood with other people. Struggle, which is of two types: struggle to fulfill basic material and psychological needs of at least oneself and one’s family and struggle against all forms of evil.
In this article I have discussed about hajj event. Keep visiting this site for more information on some other topic.
