The Pilgrimage (fifth pillar)

 

Hajj (The Pilgrimage) (L-241)

وَأَتِمُّوا الحَجَّ 196a.

196a.  Wa  ‘atimmul-Hajja

196a.  And carry out the Hajj

‘Al-Hajja – (Pilgrimage) is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is duty of every such Muslim to perform the Pilgrimage once in the life; who is able to do it. Otherwise he/she will be the sinner. The Pilgrimage is performed on Ninth Zul-Hajjah (the last month) of Islamic/lunar Calendar year. At first, the entire Muslims gather in Makkah Township to visit the Inviolable Place of Worship (the Squire Building), then unite in the Arafat Field.

The matters relating to the Fighting and Striving have been discussed before the Commands regarding Pilgrimage and after the verses of the Pilgrimage in this Surah. It has been revealed clearly that ‘how much deep relationship have these both matters with each other’. There is no such Pillar of Islam in which the aim of the National Social Welfare, Improvement and Prosperity, and Exaltation has not been mentioned in addition to Personal Goodness and Purity.

Especial thing, which belongs to the Pilgrimage, is that all Muslims from the entire world gather once a year in the Centre of Islam. There is no difference among ups and downs. Black and White, Rich and Poor, King and Beggar, Scholar and Uneducated, Young and Old, they all stand at the same place by bringing together their shoulders with shoulders and saying the same words with one tone, 

“Lab-baika  ‘Allaahumma  Lab-baika  Lab-baika  Laa  Shariika  laka Lab-baika  ‘Innal  Hamda  wan-na’-mata  Laka  wal-Mulk  Laa Shariika lak”  

(I am present, O God! I am present, I am present – there is no partner of You, I am present. Lo! Praise and Blessing is of You, and Sovereignty, there is no co-sharer of You).

Every Pilgrim makes a vow of Pilgrimage (preparatory to entrance into Makkah). It (Ihram) contains two un-sewn (cotton) sheets – for each Pilgrim. This, the same kind of dress shows equality, simplicity, friendship and Love for God. During the days of Pilgrimage, getting shaved the head, cutting the nails; hunting and intercourse with one’s wife are prohibited. As though, the object to abstain from own wishes, physical elegance and dressing is to get a permanent training. 

The entire Pilgrims unite at the stipulated time in Arafat Field on the day of Pilgrimage, listen to the sermon (Address of the Pilgrimage), Pray in the Court of God, get forgiven their sins and collect treasures of the Mercy and Kindness of God.

Then they sacrifice the cattle in Minaa’,  throw pebbles at Jamaraat, go round the Holy Shrine (the Inviolable Place of Worship – BaytUllaah), Kiss the Black Stone (Hajri- Aswad), quench the thirst with Aabi Zamzam (the water of a sacred well in the boundary of Masjidil Haraam), perform the Endeavour (Sa-‘ii) between Safaa’ and Marwah (hills), stop all kinds of evildoing, sins and ill-manners, as though; after getting forgiven their sins, they are going to start their lives’ accounts with effect from the beginning today.  

Lucky are those people who are bestowed with the chance of Pilgrimage and they performed it, understood its objects and passed their remaining lives with goodness and chastity. https://youtu.be/cjP3omjUTU0