On the road to Mecca
One of the remarkable features of Mecca (and the holy Ka’aba) is that it represents a direction and a definite end which all Muslims face in their prayers. It is also, a direction and end for their entire life. A Muslim will work all his life trying to reach Mecca. He may have the means and his wish may be granted if his health permits. He may not manage to go on pilgrimage due to insufficient means or ill health. But even when he fails he will always have the prayer in his heart that Allah may give him the opportunity, and if not, the reward of one who has been to Mecca.
The road to Mecca and the procedure of Hajj are full of symbolic significances that go back to the time of Abraham. It is in this place that he and Ismail built the house of God, cleared it of all signs of idols and made it a place of worship. It is also the place where Abraham offered his prayer and made a pact with God that God would grant his children all his benefit and that people from far away places would come to worship there.
Muslims from all parts of the world come for Hajj. Some travel from remote villages and endure great hardships as they cross the land and sea. The history of these journeys has been recorded, over the centuries, in a massive literature of Rihlat, (stories of journeys) such as Ibn Jubair’s. This Rihlais is full of details of Hajj. Ibn Jubair was a scholar and a man of letters who stayed in Mecca for eight months. He saw the preparations for Hajj, the actual Hajj and then the departure of the pilgrims. For example, when he saw the Iraqi caravan, he said that whoever has not seen it has seen nothing. One should contrast that with recent years!
Hajj is a renewal, reaffirmation of repentance, a seeking of forgiveness and a promise to stay with God for the remaining years of one’s life. One aim is to reach peace internally and to be at peace with other Muslims (and humanity). It is highly advised on this occasion to live the speech of the Prophet on his last pilgrimage when he said that it is forbidden to shed a Muslim’s blood or unlawfully take his wealth.
The reader will find more reflection on hajj and the last pilgrimage by the Prophet in this issue. I wish all Muslims a blessed, peaceful Hajj and Happy Eid that follows. Please send us your responses to (islamictourism.com). They are always welcome.
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