Hajj – A Pillar of Islam
Hajj, a the pilgrimage to Makkah is the fifth and last of the acts of worship. prescribed by Islam. The literal meaning of the word Hajj is the will and desire to visit. In religious terminology, it means the performance of certain acts of worship in the prescribed manner, during the prescribed time, that is, the month of Zilhajj, at the prescribed places that is Makkah, Arafat and Muzdalifah.
The Holy Quran says:
“And pilgrimage to the House is a duty men owe to Allah, those who can afford the journey. (3:97)
According to this verse, Hajj is compulsory for every Muslim, once in his lifetime, provided he is an adult, is in good health and has enough means to meet the expenses of the journey while maintaining his family during his absence.
For those people who fulfill theses obligations, yet do not perform Hajj, the Holy Prophet(sal lal la ho alai he wa salam) said: “If a person is not hindered by any disease, real necessities or a tyrannical ruler and yet does not perform Hajj, his death and the death of a Jew or a Christian are the same.’
Hajj is a form of worship with the entire being of a Muslim, with his mind, body and soul, with his time, money and the sacrifice of all comforts of life to assume for a few days, the condition of a pilgrim totally at Allah’s disposal. Hajj is the only pillar of Islam which requires both physical and financial sacrifices. Prayer and Fasting are physical worship and nothing is spent in their performance. Zakat is only financial worship, it does not require any physical labour.
But in performing Hajj, both physical and financial sacrifices are required. It is the most difficult and time and money consuming acts of worship. That is the reason the performance of Hajj is obligatory upon a Muslim only once in his lifetime.
Pilgrims come for Hajj from all parts of the world.As they approach Makkah, they enter into the state of Ihram, which means divesting oneself of all marks of status to assume the humble dress and condition of a pilgrim devoted wholly to Allah. The pilgrims are to abstain from marital relations,
quarrelling or from using bad language. They are also prohibited to harm any living thing within the boundary of Makkah.
The Holy Prophetpbuh is reported to have said that anyone who performs Hajj, does not quarrel and obeys Allah, will become as pure from sins as a child. At another place, he said: “Hajj which is free from sins and defects is rewarded with Paradise.”
The various ceremonies of Hajj are an expression of complete surrender and submission to Allah. They also serve as an example of devotion and obedience to Hazrat Ibrahim(alai his salam) who was ready to sacrifice even his own son, Hazrat Ismail(alai his salam) at Allah’s command.
Each ceremony performed by the pilgrims imparts moral and spiritual training.
When a person leaves his home and all the comforts and pleasures of the world, puts on the Ihram and says: “Here I am at your service, O Allah, here I am at your service,” it symbolizes the journey which one will take to the Hereafter.
Hajj is an exhibition of brotherhood, equality, unity, punctuality and discipline among the Muslims. The gathering of the pilgrims at one place every year wearing the same dress and uttering the same words presents the greatest show of unity and discipline on earth. It also affords an opportunity to the pilgrims from various countries of the world to discuss common problems facing the Muslim community.
The importance of Hajj has been described by Imam Abu Hanifa who said that Hajj is the greatest of all worships enjoined in Islam. Its importance lies in the fact that it strengthens faith in Islam.
