Hajj, or the pilgrimage to Makka, is the fourth basic lbadah.
Makka today stands at the site of a small house that the Prophet Abraham (God's
blessings be upon him) built for the worship of Allah. Allah rewarded him by calling it
His own House and by making it the center towards which all must face when saying
prayers. He also made it obligatory on those who can afford it to visit this place at least
once in a lifetime. This visit is not merely a courtesy call. This pilgrimage has its rites
and conditions to be fulfilled which inculcate in us piety and goodness. When we
undertake the pilgrimage, we are required to suppress our passions, refrain from
bloodshed and be pure in word and deed. God promises rewards for our sincerity and
submissiveness.
The pilgrimage is, in a way, the biggest of all 'lbadah. For unless a man really loves
God he would never undertake such a long journey leaving all his near and dear ones
behind him. And this pilgrimage is unlike any other journey. Here his thoughts are
concentrated on Allah, his very being vibrates with the spirit of intense devotion. When
he reaches the holy place, he finds the atmosphere filled with piety and godliness; he
visits places, which bear witness to the glory of Islam, and all this leaves an indelible
impression on his mind, which he carries to his last breath.
Then there are, as in other lbadah, many benefits that Muslims can derive from this
pilgrimage. Makka is the center towards which Muslims must converge once a year,
meet and discuss topics of common interest, and in general create and refresh in
themselves the faith that all Muslims are equal and deserve the love and sympathy of
others, irrespective of their geographical or cultural origin. Thus the pilgrimage unites
the Muslims of the world into one international fraternity.
Makka today stands at the site of a small house that the Prophet Abraham (God's
blessings be upon him) built for the worship of Allah. Allah rewarded him by calling it
His own House and by making it the center towards which all must face when saying
prayers. He also made it obligatory on those who can afford it to visit this place at least
once in a lifetime. This visit is not merely a courtesy call. This pilgrimage has its rites
and conditions to be fulfilled which inculcate in us piety and goodness. When we
undertake the pilgrimage, we are required to suppress our passions, refrain from
bloodshed and be pure in word and deed. God promises rewards for our sincerity and
submissiveness.
The pilgrimage is, in a way, the biggest of all 'lbadah. For unless a man really loves
God he would never undertake such a long journey leaving all his near and dear ones
behind him. And this pilgrimage is unlike any other journey. Here his thoughts are
concentrated on Allah, his very being vibrates with the spirit of intense devotion. When
he reaches the holy place, he finds the atmosphere filled with piety and godliness; he
visits places, which bear witness to the glory of Islam, and all this leaves an indelible
impression on his mind, which he carries to his last breath.
Then there are, as in other lbadah, many benefits that Muslims can derive from this
pilgrimage. Makka is the center towards which Muslims must converge once a year,
meet and discuss topics of common interest, and in general create and refresh in
themselves the faith that all Muslims are equal and deserve the love and sympathy of
others, irrespective of their geographical or cultural origin. Thus the pilgrimage unites
the Muslims of the world into one international fraternity.