WHAT IS HAJJ?

The pilgrimage (Hajj) is
1) One of the most important pillars of Islam.
2) A principal means of obtaining proximity to the Almighty.
3) One of the most difficult physical forms ofworship.
4) So, vital that one who does not perform Hajj will be barred from Heaven.
The main aim of human creation is to recognize God and attain a stage
of acquaintance and love for Him and this depends on the purity and
loftiness of the human soul. i.e. The purer the soul becomes the more
love will it have for the Almighty.
This stage of love can be attained by abstaining from desires and
refraining from worldly pleasures and distractions, and by exerting
oneself in the rigorous self-training activities for the sake of God,
and, remembering him continuously. For thispurpose the Almighty
haslegislated certain forms of worship (Ibadat).
a) Those involving the expenditure of wealth for His sake e.g. Zakaat
and Khums which serve to sever the deep attachments to worldly
possessions.
b) Those involving abstinence from desires and pleasures e.g. fasting.
c) Those related to His remembrance and diverting total attention
towards Him e.g. Salat/Namaaz.
But Hajj involves all theseand more, such as,
i) Leaving one's hometown.
ii) Physical exertion.
iii) Expenditure of wealth.
iv) Renewal of the covenant with God.
v) Circumambulation (Tawaaf).
vi) Supplication (Dua).
vii) Prayers (Salat/Namaaz).
And others like throwing pebbles, running between Safaa and Marwah etc.
Those who wonder at these actions do not realize that when we do not
know the hidden meanings and reason of certain commands, we manifest
more complete obedience and total submission to the Absolute Master in
carrying out those orders. Those actions whose secrets we have been
successful in understanding, our soul, besides obeying the Master's
commands, is also inclined and pleased in performing them. Thus, it is
only for Hajj that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) is reported to have said,
"O Almighty, I have responded to your call for Hajj with complete
submission andhumility."
Furthermore, the Hajj constitutes the congregation of people from all
parts of the world, in the place whererevelation was repeatedly sent
down to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.),where the beloved (Khaleel) of God
resided, where angles used to descend every now and then. In fact, it
is the holyplace, which has been the abode of the majorityof the
Prophets.
Here the leader of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) wasborn, his holy feet
walked; and the Almightyhas chosen it for His house so that people
should pray towards it. He has sanctified its surroundings and has
kept Arafah in the beginning of the Holy Land. He has prohibited
hurting animals and uprooting vegetation there in as a mark of respect
to the holiness of the land. He has designedit to be like the throne
of Kings so that visitors from far off lands, disheveled and dusty,
should remain there in humility to the Absolute Monarch realizing the
fact that He is above all needs of time and space. While such a
congregation leads to new acquaintances, meeting with virtuous
personalities and stimulates quicker response to supplications(Dua),
it invariably reminds of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) and his efforts at
spreading the Word of God. In this way one attains purity of the soul.
The intention for Hajj
1. The intention (Niyyah) must be pure and sincerefor the sake of God
only, but not for any other worldly motives, such as,
1) Showing off (Riyaa).
2) Avoiding rebukes for not performing Hajj.
3) Fear of poverty for it isknown that one who does not perform Hajj
is afflicted with poverty.
4) Business prospects, etc.
All these other motives destroy the sincerity (Ikhlaas) of the deeds
and deprive one of the promised rewards. It is foolish to undertake
all this rigor and expense only to end up in Damnation because the
motive was adulterated.
2. One should sincerely repent of past sins and clear all the dues,
(Huquq-un-Naas), and cleanse himself of all distractions so that the
mind is easily turned towards God. One should write his will and
prepare for the journey to the Hereafter as he leaves his house,
relatives, friends, and possessions behind.
3. One should remember the majesty of the House and the Absolute
Owner, and that one has chosen to leave family, friends, and
possessions for the lofty and noble purpose of visiting a House,
whichthe Almighty has designed as a sanctuary for all people. Hence
this journey differs from all other worldly journeys. The pilgrim is
one of those who have responded willingly to the invitation made by
the Almighty's messenger.
4. The pilgrim should freehimself of all matters, which tend to worry
him so his total attention is towards the Almighty.
5. Any financial loss or physical affliction in this journey should be
greeted happily, for, it is a sign of acceptance of Hajj.
6. The Pilgrim should ensure his earnings are acquired through lawful
means and he should be liberal in expenditure, not extravagant
(Israaf) though. But spending forthe needy and deserving is not
extravagance as it has been reported that there is no goodness in
extravagance and no extravagance in goodness!
7. He should behave courteously towards his fellow travelers, smiling
and talking gently with them, avoiding harsh words, abuses or vain
talk. He should be humble to the other guests of the Almighty.
Magnanimity does not only mean not to hurt others but also to
endurewhen others hurt.
8. He should be disheveled and dusty, avoid cosmetics or any cause of
pride and beauty, and if possible, travel on foot, especially from
Makkah to Mina, Masher and Arafah, not as a means to avoid
extraexpenses (in which case, transport is better!) rather for
exerting oneself for the sake of God, except if it affects other
worship (Ibadat) orsupplication (Dua).