Performing Haj is a Learning Experience
All forms of obligatory worship in Islam can be performed in one's own home or neighbourhood - with the exception of Haj. It is the only religious duty which requires a believer to leave his hearth and home and journey to Mecca in order to perform it. Haj has evolved into a rite that mobilises believers on a universal scale. The Qur'an says: "Exhort all men to make the pilgrimage. They will come to you on foot and on the backs of swift camels from every distant land: They will come to avail of its benefits and to pronounce the name of God on the appointed days over the cattle He has provided for them". 'Benefits' here are of the spiritual kind. Such benefits as one gains on the occasion of Haj are what are called in the Qur'an 'signs of God'. These serve as a reminder of the one and only God. When believers set out on Haj. they encounter many different situations. Most will travel thro ugh places they have never seen before; they will have many new experiences. In this manner the journey itself becomes a kind of spiritual learning process. It amounts to entering into the realm of real experience, leaving behind a world which by comparison seems static and beset by inertia. With about three million pilgrims leaving their homes for Mecca, the Haj becomes a vast international gathering. The interaction between these pilgrims could be both unpleasant and pleasant, but the spiritual purpose and the atmosphere of the holy place makes one adopt the ways of tolerance and patience. In this way, the pilgrim learns to unite with his fellow believers, despite the differences. It is an accepted principle in Islam for people to leave behind their routine lifestyle, environment or workplace once in a while. Haj is one such occasion on which people can 2become absorbed in a whole new world of experiences. When the pilgrim enters the environment of Haj, he leaves mundane thoughts behind him and comes to this new sphere with a fresh mind. In this way, he can fully grasp new thoughts and reflect. The donning of 'ihram' or pilgrim's dress- two plain unstitched lengths of cloth-in Islam symbolises leaving behind the material world and entering into a state of godliness or spirituality. Then, by performing the ceremonial journey between the two hillocks called Safa and Marwa, the Haji pledges, or renews his pledge to devote himself to the call of God. as Ismail and his mother did. By throwing pebbles at the pillars of Jamarat, the pilgrims confirm symbolically that he will chase Satan away, as the prophets did. By sacrificing an animal, he pledges that he will detach himself from worldly life and lead a God-oriented life. By assembling in the Plains of Arafat, the pilgrims will think of the time when they will be brought together on Doomsday by God Almighty, at which point they shall have to account for the deeds they committed in this world. Finally, the pilgrim comes back with the message delivered by the Prophet Muhammad at the historic Plains of Arafat 1,400 years ago: that God had sent him for all mankind and so we should convey the message on his behalf to all human beings.. Haj teaches us to devote ourselves totally in thought, word and deed to this mission of peace and spirituality. Haj is a complete and compact form of worship in the performance of which one learns about the spiritually vital aspects of life. However, these benefits are reserved only for those who perform Haj in its true spirit
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The views expressed in the Article above are Farida Khanam kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Farida Khanam Speaking Tree, Times of India
Performing Haj is a Learning Experience
All forms of obligatory worship in Islam can be performed in one's own home or neighbourhood - with the exception of Haj. It is the only religious duty which requires a believer to leave his hearth and home and journey to Mecca in order to perform it. Haj has evolved into a rite that mobilises believers on a universal scale. The Qur'an says: "Exhort all men to make the pilgrimage. They will come to you on foot and on the backs of swift camels from every distant land: They will come to avail of its benefits and to pronounce the name of God on the appointed days over the cattle He has provided for them". 'Benefits' here are of the spiritual kind. Such benefits as one gains on the occasion of Haj are what are called in the Qur'an 'signs of God'. These serve as a reminder of the one and only God. When believers set out on Haj. they encounter many different situations. Most will travel thro ugh places they have never seen before; they will have many new experiences. In this manner the journey itself becomes a kind of spiritual learning process. It amounts to entering into the realm of real experience, leaving behind a world which by comparison seems static and beset by inertia. With about three million pilgrims leaving their homes for Mecca, the Haj becomes a vast international gathering. The interaction between these pilgrims could be both unpleasant and pleasant, but the spiritual purpose and the atmosphere of the holy place makes one adopt the ways of tolerance and patience. In this way, the pilgrim learns to unite with his fellow believers, despite the differences. It is an accepted principle in Islam for people to leave behind their routine lifestyle, environment or workplace once in a while. Haj is one such occasion on which people can 2become absorbed in a whole new world of experiences. When the pilgrim enters the environment of Haj, he leaves mundane thoughts behind him and comes to this new sphere with a fresh mind. In this way, he can fully grasp new thoughts and reflect. The donning of 'ihram' or pilgrim's dress- two plain unstitched lengths of cloth-in Islam symbolises leaving behind the material world and entering into a state of godliness or spirituality. Then, by performing the ceremonial journey between the two hillocks called Safa and Marwa, the Haji pledges, or renews his pledge to devote himself to the call of God. as Ismail and his mother did. By throwing pebbles at the pillars of Jamarat, the pilgrims confirm symbolically that he will chase Satan away, as the prophets did. By sacrificing an animal, he pledges that he will detach himself from worldly life and lead a God-oriented life. By assembling in the Plains of Arafat, the pilgrims will think of the time when they will be brought together on Doomsday by God Almighty, at which point they shall have to account for the deeds they committed in this world. Finally, the pilgrim comes back with the message delivered by the Prophet Muhammad at the historic Plains of Arafat 1,400 years ago: that God had sent him for all mankind and so we should convey the message on his behalf to all human beings.. Haj teaches us to devote ourselves totally in thought, word and deed to this mission of peace and spirituality. Haj is a complete and compact form of worship in the performance of which one learns about the spiritually vital aspects of life. However, these benefits are reserved only for those who perform Haj in its true spirit
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Farida Khanam kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Farida Khanam Speaking Tree, Times of India