الله أَكْبَر
(Allāhu Akbar
Allah is the Great(est)
)
This is one of the
simplest, straight forward, yet most concise and precise definition of God is
revealed in the following sacred Islamic declaration called تَكْبِير (Tekbir),
where الله (Allāh –God) is defined as the Greatest Superlative Being,
Today, I would
like to share my humble thoughts on the glory of Holy حج (hajj - pilgrimage). Holy حج (hajj - pilgrimage) is considered to be
one of the Five main pillars of Islam. This fact is testified in the sacred verses
from the Holy Quran itself.
وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ
بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ
بَعْضٍ ۚ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ
وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاَةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَيُطِيعُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ~ُ ۚ أُوْلَائِكَ
سَيَرْحَمُهُمُ ال
Wa Al-Mu'uminūna Wa Al-Mu'uminātu Ba`đuhum'Awliyā'u Ba`đin Ya'murūna Bil-Ma`rūfi Wa Yanhawna `Ani Al-Munkari Wa Yuqīmūna Aş-Şalāata Wa Yu'utūna Az-Zakāata Wa Yuţī`ūna Al-Laha Wa Rasūlahu 'Ūlā'ika Sayarĥamuhumu Al-Lahu 'Inna Al-Laha `Azīzun Ĥakīmun
(
The believers, men and
women, are Auliyā' (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another,
they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma'rûf (i.e. Islāmic Monotheism and all that
Islām orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism
and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islām has forbidden); they perform
As-Salāt (Iqāmat-as-Salāt) and give the Zakāt, and obey Allāh and His
Messenger. Allāh will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allāh is All-Mighty,
All-Wise.
) - Holy Qurān (9.71)
حج (hajj - pilgrimage) taken up every year during
the sacred month of ذو الحجة (Ḏū l-Ḥiǧǧah)
the last month of the Arabic calendar. In fact, literally the term means “Possessor of the Pilgrimage”. During this period, several millions
of Muslims gather around the sacred الكعبة (al-Kaʿbah – the cube), the
holiest site for Muslims, in the sacred city of Mecca, to pay salutations and homage to their beloved
God الله (Allah - God) – the Great.
In Islam, the الله (Allāh)
is the
ultimate formless monotheistic God. The term الله (Allāh) is etymologically
derived from the Arabic roots ‘al’ meaning ‘the’ and ‘illāh’, meaning ‘God’ and the term Akbar means ‘Superlative’. Prophet Muhammad – the messenger of God, is one
of the greatest spiritualists, to whom Divnity was revealed. He preached to the
masses, the absolute God – the one and only ALLAH, who is not bound by any
limitations of form as declared in the Holy doctrine of Oneness known as the Kalima Tawheed, which declares the
nature of God thus,
LAILAHA ILLALLAHA WAHDAHU LA SHARIKA LAHU
LAHUL MULKO WALAHUL HAMDO YOHYI WAYOMEETO WA HOWA HAYYUL LA YAMUTO ABADAN
ABADA;
ZUL JALALE WAL
IKRAM BEYADEHIL-KHAIR WA HOWA ALA KUILE SHAIN QUADIR
(
There is no god but Allah. He is alone has no partner,
He is only the one controls and manage the universe. All praise and
glorification are for Allah, only Allah (gives life to all His creatures and
only He put them to death), ALLAH is everliving
and will never die. Allah possesses greatness (awe and reverence) all good is
in His hands he can easily do whatever He wills.
) -Tawheed
In fact, the الكعبة (al-Kaʿbah – the cube), which is believed to be constructed by
Abraham and later consecrated under the direct commandment of God, is
considered the Axis Mundi – the spiritual
center of the cosmos. The Ajar al
Ashwath (Black Stone),
which is installed in one of the corners of the الكعبة (al-Kaʿbah – the cube) was originally brought down by Gabriel – Gods
Messenger Angel.
The noted author, Karen Armstrong, in her phenomenal work “Islam, - A short History” has
very clarly summarized the whole proces of the
sacred حج(hajj
- pilgrimage) in the
following words, “Muslims continued to
perforn the customary rituals at the Kabah, the cube-shaped shrine at the heart
of Mecca, the most important centre of worship in Arabia. …They would circle
the shrine seven times, following the direction of the Sun around the Earth;
kiss the Black-stone embedded in the wall of the Kabah…These rites (known as
the Umrah) could be performed at any time, but during the hajj pilgrims would
also run between the steps of al-Safa beside the Kabah across the valley to
al-Marawah, where they prayed. They then moved to the environs of Mecca: on the
plains of Arafat, they stood all night in vigil; they rushed in a body to the
hollow of Muzdalifah; hurdled pebbles at
a rock in Mina, shaved their heads, and on Id al Adha, the final day of the
pilgrimage, they performed the animal sacrifice.”
According to Islam, it
is highly recommended for every able-minded person to take up this पुन्य यात्र (punya yātra – sacred pilgrimage) atleast
once in his life time. The Holy Qurān very categorically
declares thus,
Feehi ayatun bayyinatun
maqamu ibraheema waman dakhalahu kana aminan
walillahi AAala alnnasi hijju
albayti mani istataAAa ilayhi sabeelan waman kafara fa-inna Allaha
ghaniyyun AAani alAAalameena
(Pilgrimage to the House is incumbent upon men for the sake of
Allah, and [upon] everyone who is able to undertake the journey to it
)
Holy Qurān
- Surah Aal-Imran 3:97
According to subject
matter experts, the حج (hajj - pilgrimage) consists of the following three esoteric
milestones namely
1.
The First Stage: Cutting oft affinity from all things
with the exception of الله (Allah - God)
in order to reach to الله (Allah - God).
2.
The Second Stage: Continuing towards الله (Allah - God) and strengthening the
alliance (with Him), until one reaches to Allah and (the true) essence of worship
3.
The Third Stage: Once a person has reached to the level
of perfection and has arrived at the stage of (true) worship, he then returns
(to the people) to guide the creations of الله (Allah - God) towards Him
It is estimated that
roughly around 2 million pilgrims make it to the Holy cities Mecca & Madhina in a year, gathering
together from different parts of the world (from around 60 countries). Muslims
from all over the world, annually gather near the الكعبة (al-Kaʿbah – the cube) at Mecca
during the last month of Islamic calendar (Dhu’l-Hijja). This practise which
was originally called as the “Hajjatul Wida” was initiated by none other the Holy Prophet
Muhammed himself. His followers continued the same as a
mark of replication and commemoration of his actions – follow the
leader principle
I am spellbound
thinking of the kind of divine environment that will prevail, when such an
ocean of humanity engages in joint prayers. Wow, just imagine the kind of
energy waves it would be produced at such massive gatherings where every body’s
thought, word and deed is concentrated focusing and meditating in divine
contemplation. As far as I know, حج (hajj - pilgrimage) gathering is one of
the largest gatherings of humanity focused on a common divine goal.
Before proceeding
further, I would like to reflect here the esoteric message underlyng the حج (hajj - pilgrimage) as summarized by Imam Junayad, the
renowned Sufi Saint from Bhagdad , explains the supreme wisdom through a simple
dialologue between him and another hajj (pilgrim). Junayad
asked him:
"Where are you coming from?
"Sir, I
have returned after performing Hajj of the House of Allah", was the
reply.
"So,
have you actually performed Hajj?"
"Yes,
Sir, I have performed Hajj ", said the man.
"Did you
pledge that you would give up sins when you left your home for Hajj?"
asked Junaid.
"No, Sir, I never thought of that", said the man.
"No, Sir, I never thought of that", said the man.
"Then,
in fact, you did not even step out for Hajj. While you were on the sacred
journey and making halts at places during the nights, did you ever think of attaining
nearness to Allah?"
"Sir, I
had no such idea."
Then you did
not at all travel to the Ka’bah, nor did ever visit it. When you put on the
Ihram garments, and discarded your ordinary dress, did you make up your mind to
abandon your evil ways and attitudes in life as well ?"
"No,
Sir, I had no idea of that."
"Then,
you did not even don the Ihram garments!" said Junaid ruefully. Then he
asked; "When you stood in the Plain of Arafat and were imploring Allah
Almighty, did you have the feeling that you were standing in Divine Presence
and having a vision of Him?"
"No,
Sir, I had no such experience.
Junaid then
became a liltle upset and asked: "Well, when you came to Muzdalifah, did
you promise that you would give up vain desires of the flesh?"
"Sir, I
paid no heed to this."
"You did
not then come to Muzdalifah at all." Then he asked: 0"Tell me, did
you happen to catch glimpses of Divine Beauty when you moved round the House of
Allah?"
"No,
Sir, I caught no such glimpses." "Then, you did not move around the
Ka’bah at all." Then he said: "When you made Sa’i (running) between
the Safa and the Marwa, did you realize the wisdom, significance and objective
of your effort?"
"Sir, I
was not at all conscious of this."
"Then
you did not make any Sa’i!" Then he asked: "When you slaughtered an
animal at the place of sacrifice, did you sacrifice your selfish desires as
well in the way of Allah?"
"Sir, I
failed to give any attention to that!"
"Then, in fact you offered no sacrifice whatever."
"Then
when you cast stones at the Jamarahs, did you make a resolve to get rid of your
evil companions and friends and desires?"
"No,
Sir, I didn’t do that."
"Then,
you did not cast stones at all", remarked Junaid regretfully, and
said:
"Go back and perform Hajj once again, giving due thought and attention to all the requirements, so that your Hajj may bear some resemblance with Prophet Ibrahim’s Hajj, whose faith and sincerity has been confirmed by the Qur’an :
"Go back and perform Hajj once again, giving due thought and attention to all the requirements, so that your Hajj may bear some resemblance with Prophet Ibrahim’s Hajj, whose faith and sincerity has been confirmed by the Qur’an :
Ibrahim who carried out most faithfully the Commands
(of his Lord)."
Interestingly, in the sacred tradtion of Islam accounts of a vertical
ascent of the soul to Heaven is refferred to in the sacred scripture كتاب المعراج (Kitab al Miraj - Book of the Ascension). Even the سُورَة الإسرَاء (Sūrat Al-'Isrā – The Night Journey') section of the Holy Quran reveals the such a spiritual ascent of every true Islamic pilgrim from the Sacred Mosque to the pinnacle of spiritual consciousness,
refferred as the Farthest Mosque,.widely
believed to indicate Masjid al-Aqsai at Jerusalem
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ
(
Subĥāna Al-Ladhī 'Asrá
Bi`abdihi Laylāan Mina Al-Masjidi Al-Ĥarāmi
'Ilá Al-Masjidi Al-'Aqşá Al-Ladhī Bāraknā
Ĥawlahu Linuriyahu Min
'Āyātinā'Innahu Huwa As-Samī`u Al-Başīru
Glory
to Him who journeyed His servant by night, from the Sacred Mosque, to the
Farthest Mosque, whose precincts We have blessed, in order to show him of Our
wonders. He is the Listener, the Beholde.r
.
) -Holy Qurān 17:1
In physical
terms, the سُورَة الإسرَاء (Sūrat Al-'Isrā – The Night Journey'), refers
to the pilgrimage episode in the life of Prophet Muhammed from Masjid al-Haram at Mecca to Masjid al-Aqsai at holy city of Jerusalem. The esoteric significance of
this episode is beautifully summarized by the eminent Professor Victor Danner
in his book "The Islamic Tradition" by saying thus, "The
movement horizontally from Mecca to Jerusalem at night has relations with self
extinction, 'the dark night of the soul', that proceeds the upward, vertical
ascension of the Spirit. Indeed, the descent (tanzil, which also means
'revelation' of the Quaran is with the view to the eventual 'ascension' of the
believers from this world to the celetial abodes, which is what the process of
salvation (najah) involves. For the contemplatives of Islam, Ascenion of the
Prophet was the protype of the mystics's ownspiritual ascension to Allah via
the ray of the Spirit connecting his soul to the Divinity."
Again, in Islam, the
ritual of صلاة (ṣalāh - prayer) includes a three step poses of self-surrendering viz. qiyam (standing), ruku (bowing) &
sajdab (prostration) The esoteric significance of these are
beautifully summarized thus by Shayakh Fadalla Haeri in his book,
The Elements of Islam, from which I quote here “While one stands in wonderment and adoration, one is calling
upon the mercy of God. When one realizes the immensity of divine power, one is
so awe-stuck that one bows in the face of such majesty. And finally, one
disappears from existance – all that is other than Allah – by prostrating
oneself. In prosteration, one’s individual profile and locus of sensory
experience (the face) is obliterated in the dust of the earth. As all sensual
awareness recedes, inner awareness is enhanced. ”
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