Pilgrimage (Hajj)
The pilgrimage to Makkah in Saudi Arabia constitutes the fifth and last of the acts of worship prescribed by Islam .The Quran says:
"pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah-those who can afford the journey. " (3:97)
To make the meaning of this verse clear ,it is necessary to read the whole verse:
"Certainly the first House appointed for men is at Makkah, the Blessed and a Guidance for all nations. In it are signs evident-whoever enters it attains security .Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah-those who can afford the journey. " (3:96,97)
The literal meaning of the word Haj is the will and desire to visit, but in the terminology of the Shariah,it means the will to visit the Holy Ka'aba which was the first structure built by Hazrat Adam for the worship of Allah .Then about 4500 years ago, Hazrat Ibrahim and Hazrat Ismail ,at the commandment of Allah ,rebuilt it. The story of the rebuilding of the Ka'aba is thus related in the Holy Quran :
"And remember, Ibrahim and Ismail raised the foundation of the house (saying), 'O Lord ,accept it from us-Our Lord , make us those who submit to Thee and for our descendants a people who submit to Thee and show us our rites and forgive us ' " (2:128)
From the words of this prayer, the purpose for which the Ka'aba was built, becomes clear and we come to know that its completion was ordained at the hands of the children of Hazrat Ismail who settled at this spot and from them , the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was raised for the perfection of this purpose .
Pilgrimage to the Sacred House is not an obligation . It is compulsory only on those who are sound of mind ,adults and having the provisions of travel once in a lifetime. All those persons who fulfill the obligations and yet abstain from performing Haj give a lie to their being Muslims. A Hadith of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) states:
" If a person is not hampered by any disease, real necessities or a tyrannical ruler and yet does not perform Haj, his death and the death of the Jew or a Christian are the same. "
Haj constitutes 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.
Haj is the only pillar among the fundamental pillars of Islam which requires both the physical and financial sacrifices. Prayer and fasting are only physical worships and nothing is spent in their performances. Zakat is only financial worship; in it no physical labor is required.
The rites if Haj centre on complete submission and devotion to Allah. At the same time, they serve as an example of total submission and obedience of Prophet Ibrahim, especially his willingness to sacrifice what he loved the most in the world, his son Ismail, at Allah's Command.
Pilgrims come for Haj from all parts of the globe. As they approach Makkah, they enter into the state of Ihram, which means divesting oneself of all marks of status to assume humble dress and conditions of a pilgrim devoted wholly to Allah. The pilgrims are to abstain from marital relations, quarrelling or from using bad language ,in short, anything which displeases Allah. They are also prohibited to harm any living thing in the boundary of Makkah.
Haj is one of the fundamental religious institutions of Islam. It is the greatest of all acts of worship; it is in fact, the culmination of worship. It is an exhibition of brotherhood, equality, punctuality and discipline. It affords an opportunity to Muslims from various countries of the world to become acquainted with one another and of discussing common problems facing the Muslim community.
According to Abu Hurairah, the Holy Prophet said that anyone who visits the house of Allah, does not indulge in foul language and avoids the disobedience of Allah, will become as pure and free from sins as a child.
At another place, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said:
"Haj which is free from sins and defects is rewarded with paradise."
The importance of Haj has been well described by Imam Abu Hanifa who said that haj is the greatest of all worship , Ibaadat , enjoined in Islam. its chief importance lies in the fact that it strengthens one's faith in Islam.