Guest Writer for The Ocean’s Ink
My colleagues had to work through the night and into the early hours to contact registrants on our Hajj System so as to offer the additional places to perform this year’s Hajj. The Saudi Hajj Ministry had kindly reinstated our annual quota over the reduced 407 places initially offered to Singapore. Those who accepted the offer had to purchase their packages and complete all formalities within two days. I personally cannot image the rush on their part and the frantic rush of adjusting family arrangements, applying leave from work and undergoing medical checks. The anxiety of PCR tests remains hanging over our heads. To inject certainty, I reminded colleagues that whoever Allah has inscribed their names at the plain of Arafah will make their way despite all challenges. I am extremely pleased to learn that some younger brothers and their spouses, as well as colleagues, had departed to perform their Hajj. May Allah accept their Hajj and reward them with His forgiveness.
The Significance of Hajj
The Hajj is a significant act of worship. It has a chapter (Surah Al-Hajj) named after it in the Quran. The obligation is stated in verse 27-29 translated as follows:
And proclaim the Hajj among people so that they should come to you on foot, and on every camel, lean (on account of journeys) through deep and distant highways. That they may witness the benefits (provided) for them, and celebrate the name of Allah through the days appointed, over cattle which He has provided for them (for sacrifice). So, eat thereof and feed the distressed, the poor. Then let them complete the rites prescribed for them, fulfil their vows, and (again) circumambulate the ancient House.”
Surah Al-Hajj, 27-29
Various reasons have been mentioned in the verses for the call. However, at the foremost and significantly is ‘that they may witness the benefits (provided) for them’. These benefits are neither specified nor quantified. It may infer the spiritual and physical for the individual and the group and could be of varying degrees and nature to different persons or groups. Each and every pilgrim will have their personal “benefits” from the Haj. I had the privilege of performing Hajj in 1997 when I was a doctoral student in Liverpool, and more recently in 2019 as the Head of Delegation for Singapore Pilgrims and our Hajj mission. Needless to say, the 1997 no-frills shoestring budget experience was a diametric contrast to the 2019 HOD official travel and protocol. The lessons and significance of Hajj remain the same for me despite my different stations in life.
What Hajj Teaches Us
For the Muslim activists, the Hajj signifies the life and struggle of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH). His life was dedicated for the struggle to eliminate false deities and establish the true worship of Allah. He left his home and family for the sake of Allah. He was always on the move from (what is now) Iraq to Egypt, then to Syria and then the Arabian Peninsula. He fought evil with his heart, tongue and hand and, together with his son, built the foundations of the Ka’abah (Al-Baqarah, 2:127). Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) was indeed a model, devoutly obedient to Allah, true in faith and he was not among those who associate partners with Allah (An-Nahl, 16:120).
The second significance is that Hajj is a form of jihad (loosely translated as ‘struggle’) as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had categorically mentioned it in many hadith, such as “the best jihad (for women) is a Hajj Mabrur,” (Bukhari). The Prophet (PBUH) made many parallels between Hajj and jihad, including the treatment of the shaheed and the one who dies while performing Hajj. However, the most striking connection between the two is in the Quran, where the mention of the duties of Hajj always come before or after the mention of jihad. In fact, one of the verses calls for a group who enjoin good and forbid evil, comes a few verses after, but closely relatedly to the verse on the obligation of Hajj (Surah Al-Imran, 3:104). The link between Hajj and jihad can easily be seen. Both require material and physiological sacrifice, discipline and patience. Both Hajj and jihad have been described as ‘fi sabilillah’ by the Prophet (saw). In Hajj are rehearsed all the pre-requisites of a successful jihad, both in its form and in its history.
Hajj and Important Events in Islamic History
The Hajj season marks important turning points in the history of the first ‘Islamic movement’ of this ummah. It was during Hajj that the significant allegiance of Al-Aqabah (bai’atul aqabah) was made that led to the establishment of the Islamic state in Madinah. The famous declaration of immunity (bara’ah) which marked the final state of relationship between the Islamic state and the disbelievers, and the final declaration that the Deen of Allah has come to stay, were some significant historical moments that happened during the Hajj season.
It also reminded us the significant episode that our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) experienced at the plain of Hudaibiyah. The Prophet saw in his dream that he went to the Ka’abah with his companions to offer their worship and that some of them shaved their heads there while other cut their hair. Together with some 1400 companions, he marched to the Holy City to visit the Ka’abah but upon arrival at the plain of Hudaibiyah, the Prophet’s she-camel sat down and refused to move. What happened subsequently was a remarkable lesson on discontentment on the part of the companions and the implicit wisdom that were not obvious to them. The companions, including Sayidina Abu Bakar and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them), felt that the Prophet (PBUH) was humiliated by the Quraysh and the treaty agreed at Hudaibiyah was not in their favour. In fact, it was at Hudaibiyah that the companions, for the first time ever, did not heed the Prophet’s instructions to shave and remove their ihram. Contrary to logical and human understanding of the outcome of the treaty, Allah granted the Prophet and his companions a manifest victory (Surah Al-Fath 48:1).
There are many lessons to be learnt from Hajj. The first lesson is the importance of tarbiyah and effective preparation. Hajj demands high spiritual, emotional and physical quotient. It is also a constant reminder of the hereafter. It is a rehearsal to the imminent journey – the farewell, the ihram (shroud), the wukuf at Arafah, and the witnessing of the clear signs of Allah’s greatness that abound in the ‘First House’ as the Quran has told us (Surah Ali-Imran, 3:96). The Hajj, apart from it being the fifth pillar of Islam, must also be viewed as a holistic tarbiyah programme that encompasses all spheres of development for Muslim activists.
The second lesson is the imperative for absolute submission and surrender to Allah SWT. Many scholars have asserted the Hajj is unique compared to other forms of ibadah (worship). It involves not only the material (wealth) and physical (body) but also many of the rites are not within the realm of human reasoning. For example, we are asked to hit the syaitan with pebbles even though we know it is a pillar of stone or concrete. Sayidina Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was quoted to saying to the black stone, “if not that the Prophet (saw) kissed you, I would have not kissed you.” For me the reason most apparent is that it is a test of unquestionable submission and surrender to the orders of Allah SWT, akin to the life of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH). He was ordered to do several tasks, namely to leave home, father and relatives; to take his family including a child from the blessed land to the barren place – and he did. Furthermore, Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) was asked to slaughter that only son, and he did submit without an iota of contemplation. This is what Hajj is set to remind and teach us. No effort, group or movement, can succeed without the absolute commitment to the cause as well as the absolute submission to the commands to Allah SWT. The companions (may Allah be pleased with them) experienced the bitter lesson of the Battle of Uhud. Their greatest fear was not the enemy but the presence of somebody disobeying Allah SWT and His messenger (PBUH) in their midst.
Finally, there is a reminder to us on the Sunnah of Allah with regards to victory. This is an important lesson we should always remember when we perform or reflect on Hajj. We start with Hajar, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim who roamed the barren mountains of Makkah for water to give her child – an episode we re-enact during sa’ee (between Safa and Marwa). Her victory was Allah’s gift of a spring that continues to flow to the day this earth is folded up. As we are aware, Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) travelled nearly the whole civilised world of him calling his people. Yet, he neither established a state nor acquired a large following though he never slackened. His victory was Allah’s testimony that “We gave him his reward in this world and in the hereafter, he is among the righteous”. Prophet Ibrahim could easily be said to be the most victorious of all Prophets before Prophet Muhammad (saw). Prophet Ibrahim is remembered by Muslims during their daily prayers till the last day. This is the real victory – a befitting reward for a hard work well blessed.
It is very insightful to note that two significant successes were recorded during the life of the Prophet (PBUH) in the Hajj season. These are important breakthroughs in the history of da’wah. The first success refers to the Hijrah:
If you do not help him, (it makes no difference to the Prophet, because) Allah has already helped him when the disbelievers expelled him …”
At-Taubah (9:40)
and the second refers to the treaty of Hudaibiyah:
Verily, We have granted you a manifest victory.”
Al-Fath (48:1)
I have reflected the meaning of victory and asked myself what is the purpose of victory. Is victory the goal? Allah SWT taught us that victory is a means and the purpose of victory is forgiveness. This is clearly evident in the beginning, the middle and at the end of Surah Al-Fath. Let us discover the connection between victory and forgiveness, and work towards achieving the goal of Islam, that is to open the doors of Allah’s forgiveness for humanity!
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the articles on The Ocean’s Ink are the authors’ own, written in their personal capacity. They may not reflect the view of The Ocean’s Ink or IMSGP as an organisation.