JEDDAH, 9 February 2003 — Pilgrims must imbibe the spirit of Haj to make their once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey more eventful and inspiring, says Sheikh Mohammed Karakkunnu, director of Islamic Publishing House in the south Indian state Kerala.
Mohammed, who has authored 47 Islamic books and translated 14 others, said Haj not only reinforces spirituality and the belief in God but also fosters universal brotherhood.
“Before setting out for Haj, a Muslim must fulfill his obligations toward society. Thus the Haj enhances social relations,” he said.
“By wearing ihram, a pilgrim abandons his personal, national and racial characteristics and joins the group of the faithful,” he pointed out. Ihram also symbolizes Islamic unity and equality.
When the pilgrims chant Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik (O God, here I am answering the call), they are responding to the call for Haj made by Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) centuries ago. “This again links the faithful across generations,” said Mohammed, who leads the Kerala Haj Group, this year.
The circling of the Holy Kaaba reflects the unity of humanity.
Saay or brisk walk between Safa and Marwa hills in Makkah is an important ritual for both Haj and Umrah. “It reminds pilgrims of Hager, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), who was a black slave.”
After the Makkah victory, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), urged Bilal, a black slave, to call for the prayer standing on top of the Holy Kaaba. This again highlights the dignity Islam has given to human beings, regardless of his/her position in society, he points out.
Arafat, where about two million stand in prayer on Monday at the climax of Haj, is another major symbol of Muslim unity. In a spiritually surcharged atmosphere, the pilgrims cleanse their minds of sins and seek God’s forgiveness.
The daylong Arafat standing also reminds the pilgrims of the final judgement, he said.
“After cleansing their sins in Arafat, pilgrims sleep in Muzdalifa peacefully,” Mohammed said. They collect stones from Muzdalifa to combat the satan, who always tries to deviate them from the righteous path. “Mina is the valley of hope where the pilgrims sit in meditation seeking paradise.”
After completing major rituals, the pilgrims have their hair shaved off. “It is like shaving the hair of a newborn baby.” (A pilgrim returns home with the purity of a newborn baby, according to a Hadith).
When they sacrifice animals, it shows their readiness to sacrifice anything precious in the way of God, like Prophet Ibrahim did by offering his son Ismail to God.
After performing Haj in the true form, a pilgrim returns to his society as a new person.
