Every year in the twelfth month of the Hijri calendar millions of Muslims congregate in the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia. They come from every corner of the universe (therefore, from each continent). They are bound only by their strong belief in one God. They have a deep reverence for Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and their firm desire to complete the Haj.
"And proclaim unto mankind the pilgrimage. They will come unto thee on foot and every lean camel; They will come from every deep ravine."
(Surah 22; Verse 27)
Haj actually means "to undertake a journey". It refers to the annual pilgrimage that the followers of Islam make to Makkah with an ardent faith and an intention to carry out certain religious practices. Each person who is of responsible age, in good health, is financially capable and confident must make this expedition for at least one time in his or her life. It is undertaken at a specific time of the year. In the last Islamic month, known as Dul Hijjah and one week during this period is very significant. The procedure starts in Makkah and continues to its surrounding areas. It is a ritual that lasts for several days, and it contains within itself a detailed sequence of events. All worshipers should be physically fit and be able to move from place to place to perform these rituals.
The pilgrimage to Makkah is built on a solid foundation of several layers of traditions extending back in time, from the records of Abraham, Hagar, and Ishmael and of Adam, the first prophet and the first man to descend on the earth. It is believed that God told Adam to build a house of tribute like the one he had seen in heaven. Adam wandered through the Arabian Peninsula looking for a suitable place. After a long and lengthy search he came to a small hill set in a valley in the middle of several mountains. On the hill was a radiant white stone, a heavenly symbol. This is where he began his craftsmanship and started to recreate the heavenly house of precious jewels, with stones from various places. Adam completed the project and worshipped his creator there. Thus, the Kaaba was established in Makkah.
Years and years passed through the sands of time. Noah came afloat in his ark and sailed over the land that is now the desert of Arabia. His massive ark passed over the place where the Kaaba was once built by Adam to fulfill God’s command. The vessel in fact circled the sunken Kaaba seven times, without the knowledge of its existence. When life became normal and the flood subsided, God promised Noah that the earth would not be destroyed by water.
After years had elapsed Prophet Abraham came to the same hills and the hidden valley, with Hagar and their son Ishmael. To the will of Allah he left his family in the remote valley and departed. In a short period, the provisions of a handful of dates and a skin of water were consumed. Hagar left her baby in the shade of the mountains and ran between the hill of Safa and the mount Marwah seven times in search of water but there was no trace of it. Near the mountains, Ishmael kicked his heels on the sand weeping with thirst and hunger. Miraculously, he caused a spring of water to appear, it just bubbled out of the ground. The spring is called Zam Zam, and it is believed to possess spiritual healing powers. Zam Zam continues to flow to this day and its water has been drunk by pilgrims for centuries.
Hagar and Ishmael settled by the spring and were given cattle in return for allowing nomadic peoples to water their flocks. Later, Abraham returned but sadly Hagar died. He was pleased to be reunited with his son and together they began to rebuild the house of God on exactly the same spot as Adam’s Kaaba. Abraham placed the splendid white stone within. Yet, today, the sacred stone has been blackened and it is believed that this is due to the unethical behavior of some of the followers.
"And remember when we prepared for Abraham the place of the Holy House, saying: Ascribe thou nothing as partner unto Me and purify My house, for those who make the round and those who stand and those who bow and make prostration."
(Surah 22: Verse 26)
When the construction was completed Prophet Abraham came to Makkah to perform Haj annually. After he passed away, this was continued by Ishmael, his son. The family of Ishmael defended the Kaaba for a long time but it had to withstand a large number of trials. Before his death, Prophet Abraham prayed to Allah asking for a messenger to be sent to guide his son’s people.
Through the corridors of time, both the style and the object of the Haj rituals were changed. Idolatry spread throughout Saudi Arabia. The Kaaba lost its purity as hundreds of idols were placed in and around it. Even the walls of the House of God of Adam and Abraham were covered with poems, paintings and pictures. Immorality spread amongst the people and in the region. In this fashion the nation had completely forsaken the teachings of their predecessors and Prophet Abraham, their counselor. The pagans dramatically altered the holy place that he had created for God and the culture that he had established were totally misrepresented by them. This tragic situation continued for over a thousand years.
At last, time came when God answered Prophet Abraham’s invocation.
"Our Lord! And raise up in their midst a messenger from among them who shall recite unto them Thy revelations and instruct them in the scripture and in wisdom. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Mighty, Wise."
(Surah 2: Verse 129)
In exactly the same city where Prophet Abraham prayed to God such a long time ago, Abdul Muttalib received wonderful news. Amina sent word that a grandson had been born to him. When the granddad saw the baby, he was overjoyed and took the infant straight to the Kaaba. After going around it seven times with the baby, he said, "Blessed child, I will call thee Muhammad." On the seventh day of Muhammad’s birth, the son of Amina and Abdullah, his grandfather gave an enormous feast according to the Islamic custom.
For over two decades Muhammad ibn Abdullah tried to spread the teachings that Prophet Abraham and other prophets before had done. He would experience hostility, corruption in men and rejection, but had immense strength, courage to endure for the sake of the truth and his total devotion for Allah.
The year Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) planned to make the pilgrimage thousands and thousands of people began to flock from various areas toward Madinah to accompany him. He also asked his family members to join. All came to worship in modesty and perform the rites of Haj behind a leader they honored and cherished. On the day of Arafat he addressed the mass crowd of mankind and made a most appealing speech. He emphasized that they should take care of their deeds, be kind to their women and stressed that the public must, "fear for your religion from the satan," and abide by the, "Book of Allah and the way of His messenger." Preceding the afternoon prayers, he recited then, newly revealed verses of the Qur'an.
"This day I have perfected your religion, and completed my favor unto you, and have chosen unto you as religion, Al-Islam."
(Surah 5: Verse 3)
Listening to these words Abu Bakr wept, as he knew that this was a sign from the Prophet to indicate his farewell to the community and the rest of the world.
Only with the arrival of Muhammad (pbuh) and his absolute purifying of the Kaaba in about 630 AD did the Sacred House of glory resume its holy tasks. By promoting the Haj, Muhammad was not preaching new religious practices. However, he accomplished with tremendous drive, to bind Muslims of the present and the future to their forefathers in one faith, one God and one religion of Islam.
During pilgrimage, Muslims begin their journey to Makkah where they are reinstating Adam’s search and remembering the prayer of Noah who had made a supplication as he began his cruise in the ark. Above all, they are recreating Hagar’s raging search for water for her infant. Furthermore, the believers pray to the Almighty for themselves and their families with a hope that it will cleanse them of their sins and strengthen their faith.
The process and the methods followed through Haj are quite long. Nonetheless, brief mention is made on the subject. The first act is to put on a clean white unstitched robe that is obligatory for men; men do not cover their heads. Women wear modest clothing and keep their heads covered. On their arrival in Makkah the pilgrims set out to perform the rituals. People from non-Arabic areas of the world are assisted by guides who advice and provide information in carrying out the tasks in a precise manner. The group ceremonies are carried out in an order during the five- to-seven-day period of Haj. From Makkah, they all make their way to a small village of Mina, a few miles from Makkah where they gather and spend the night. It is just a moving experience to be together in such an atmosphere.
On the 9th of Dul Hijjah, millions of worshipers make their way to the plain of Arafat that lies at a distance from Mina. They are required to be present here from noon to sunset. This is the climax of Haj, when the massive gathering of a sea of white robed followers in an unforgettable, inexpressible image of the solidarity of Muslims, is exhibited. In Arafat, they attend a sermon and the midday prayer. There is a small hill called Mount of Mercy where people prefer to pray. During the rest of the day, people stand and sit in prayer until sunset asking God for his mercy and forgiveness.
Pilgrims then travel to a little valley of Muzdalifa. They recite the evening prayers and worship throughout the night and collect pebbles to stone ‘Iblees’ (satan). On the following day, a journey is made to Mina that brings them to the stone pillars that represent ‘Iblees,’ where the pebbles are thrown in a systematic order. Then the trimming of hair or the shaving of heads takes place. This is continued by the slaughter of sheep or camels and the celebration of Eid Al-Adha begins. During Eid Al-Adha the pilgrims partake in three days of festivities. Later, they return to Makkah for the final circling of the Kaaba. The combination of these elements with an intensively moving experience of unity of the Muslims, their commitment and eager submission to the will of their creator, makes this a most unforgettable journey.
Remarkable commendation goes to the government of Saudi Arabia, some families and individuals, who together make it possible for nearly three million visitors to perform Haj every year. Most of the time, this difficult task of taking care of their needs is successful. The government organizes and pays for security, health and welfare requirements whilst maintaining a high standard of hygiene in all the holy places. The sacrificed meat is methodically frozen and exported to several nations around the world.
Eid Al-Adha or the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’ is of much importance. In the Islamic version of the story (also mentioned in the Bible), Prophet Abraham was asked by God to reveal his love and devotion for Allah by sacrificing something beloved to his heart. He related this to his dearest son and Ishmael agreed to be sacrificed. Abraham blindfolded himself to carry out this act, but upon removing the blindfold after the sacrifice he was overwhelmed to see his son alive and unharmed next to him, as God had replaced his son with a ram. Therefore, the celebration of Eid Al-Adha is even more enhanced. This signifies the intense dedication and adoration of Prophet Abraham for Allah and God Almighty’s mercy and favors for his believers.
"Which is it, of the favors of your Lord, that you deny?"
(Surah 55: Verse 16)
Haj is an absolute illustration of the totality of Islam and the companionship and equality of the Muslims. From all walks of life, and from every corner of earth, the pilgrims accumulate at Arafat in response to the call of Allah. Each one of them is robed in a simple way, in white. Regardless of their background or class, they utter the identical prayer, standing together making the invocation to the same God. In His presence there is no royalty but loyalty of all to Allah. There is no materialistic display but submissive piety. Above all, it is a path of spiritual refinement including morality, generating self-control and inspiring knowledge, all of which is entwined together in one superb association by the name of Islam.
Arab News Features 9 February 2003