In the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent
When We assigned to Abraham the site of the (Sacred) House, (We said), "Do not associate anything as partner with Me. Purify My House for those who will walk around it, and those who will stand before it, and those who will bow down and prostrate themselves in prayer."
"Proclaim to all people the duty of pilgrimage. They will come to you on foot and on every kind of fast mount. They will come from every far-away quarter, so that they might experience much that shall be of benefit to them, and that they might extol the name of God on the days appointed (for sacrifice), over whatever heads of cattle He may have provided for them. Eat, then, of such (sacrificed cattle) and feed the unfortunate poor.
Thereafter let them complete the rites prescribed for them, fulfill their vows, and again walk around the Ancient House. (The Pilgrimage, Al-Haj: 22: 26-29)
When Abraham fulfilled God’s order to build the Kaaba, God’s Sacred House, it was clear to him that it must always remain a place where God’s oneness is maintained at its purest. When Abraham completed its building as instructed, he was ordered to declare the duty of pilgrimage as binding on all people, and to call on them to fulfill this duty. He also promised him that people will respond to his call, and that they would come from all corners of the globe, walking on foot, or using every kind of fast mount that has become thin as a result of long travel: "Proclaim to all people the duty of pilgrimage. They will come to you on foot and on every kind of fast mount. They will come from every far-away quarter."
God’s promise to Abraham continues to be fulfilled, even today and well into the future. People’s hearts aspire to visit the Kaaba, passionately longing to see it and walk around it. A person of good means will use some form of transport, while a poor person will come, even though he may have no way of reaching it other than walking on foot. Tens of thousands come from far away corners of the earth, every year, in response to Abraham’s proclamation of this duty made thousands of years ago.
The surah then mentions some aspects and objectives of the pilgrimage: "So that they might experience much that shall be of benefit to them, and that they might extol the name of God on the days appointed (for sacrifice), over whatever heads of cattle He may have provided for them. Eat, then, of such (sacrificed cattle) and feed the unfortunate poor. Thereafter let them complete the rites prescribed for them, fulfill their vows, and again walk around the Ancient House."
The benefits that pilgrims receive are manifold. The pilgrimage is a season of trade and worship, and a conference where people get to know one another and establish close cooperation. It is a religious duty in which objectives pertaining to this life converge with those that pertain to the life to come. Near and distant memories of true faith are also grouped together. Business people find the pilgrimage to be a high season for their merchandise. Fruits of every type are brought to the sanctified city of Makkah from all corners. Pilgrims come from every country and area of the world bringing with them their best goods that have different seasons. Thus, in Makkah all these are found in the same season, making of the pilgrimage an all-embracing exhibition and an annual international market.
It is at the same time a season of worship, when souls feel their purity as they sense that they are close to God in His Sacred House. People’s spirits roam around the House, recalling memories that are associated with it, and see near and distant images.
The memory of Abraham as he abandons his little child, Ishmael, born to him in old age, yet leaving him alone with his mother. As he turns away to leave, he addresses to God a prayer issuing from an apprehensive heart: "Our Lord! I have settled some of my offspring in a valley without cultivation, by Your Sacred House, so that they may establish regular prayers. So cause people’s hearts to incline toward them, and provide them with fruits, so that they may give thanks." (14: 37)
We remember Hagar as she tries to find water for herself and her little child in that exceedingly hot place where the House was yet to be built. We see her dashing to and fro between the two hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah, feeling exceedingly thirsty, weighed down by the strenuous effort and her fear for her child. She comes back after she had covered the distance seven times, feeling something approaching despair, only to find water springing up between the blessed child’s hands. That water was the well of Zamzam, a spring of mercy in the middle of a barren desert.
We recall the memory of Abraham and his vision: how he had no hesitation to sacrifice his first son. He carries a believer’s submission to its highest standard: "He said: ‘Dear son! I have seen in a dream that I should sacrifice you. Consider, then, what would be your view." (37: 102) And he is answered with equal obedience that demonstrates self-surrender to God in its clearest sense: "He answered: ‘Father! Do as you are bidden. You will find me, if God so wills, one who is patient in adversity." (37: 102) But then God’s grace is bestowed and the son is released with a sacrifice sent by God: "We called out to him: ‘Abraham, you have already fulfilled that dream-vision! Thus indeed do We reward those who do good. All this was indeed a trial, clear in itself. And We ransomed him with a tremendous sacrifice." (37: 104-107)
We also see the image of Abraham and Ishmael as they raise the foundations of the House, praying to God with submission and humility: "Our Lord, accept this from us; You are all-hearing, all-knowing. Lord, make us subservient to You and make out of our descendants a nation that will submit to You, and show us our rites of worship and accept our repentance. You are the One who accepts repentance, the compassionate." (2: 127-128)
Further images and memories spring to mind when pilgrims are at the Sacred House, offering their worship, until they reach the time shortly before the birth of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). We will highlight these next week, God willing.
