Hajj Essay Flashcards
Intro
Islam teaches that “rewards are based on intention” (Hadith), emphasising the path to submission prescribed in the Qur’an as “whatever good ye do, Allah knoweth”. Hajj, fard for those physically and financially capable, is an integral path to submission as, prescribed in Sura 22 Al Hajj, Muslims who “undertake that duty” are rewarded in Jannah. Hajj is only fulfilled when outer (zahir) and inner (tariqa) paths are equally directed, highlighting the importance of niyyah when submitting to Allah to “undertake the duty therein” of Hajj. Assisting adherents to engage in the ultimate form of worship (ibidah) through the guidance provided in kutabullah, Hajj unites all Muslims (tahwid), both Sunni and Shia, act as one ummah, overcome nafs and the greater jihad, “let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj”, submitting in both the inner (tariqa) and outer (zahir) path as “whatever good ye do, be sure Allah knoweth”, allowing for Jannah.
Ihram, Circambulation (Unity of Islam)
Hajj assists adherents’ submission and obedience to Allah, by connecting them to a deeper truth revealed in Kutabullah, the most potent form of Allah’s will for humanity (al-qadr) through both zahir and tariqa paths. Zahir refers to the outer dimension of the Islam faith. These form part of Sharia, while tariqa is the spiritual dimension of undertaking these - knowing everything must be for the sake of Allah with the right intention. By entering into a state of ihram when adorning white clothing, adherents are stripped of any “obscenity … wickedness, nor wrangling” when symbolising the equality of mankind before Allah, “equal as teeth of a comb” (hadith). This is significant for the Muslim community as both Sunni and Shia Muslims extoll the ethic of unity (tawhid) when submitting to Allah as one ummah. Muslim Aid every year provides a guide for pilgrims on the significance of Ihram - highlighting how “Ihram clothing removes all societal representation of wealth or social differences and ensures that both men and women renounce the temptations of vanity and the world”, their guide serves the global Muslim community and includes a means to make Qurbani for those who cannot attend. However, while Shias are expected to do the zahir act of going to Hajj at Makkah, the holy city where Muhammad established Islam, they also make pilgrimage to Shia shrines such as Karbala and Najaf. Shias believe they are brought closer to submission when receiving the grace of Imams. Furthermore, the significance of the unity of Muslims as a form of submission is demonstrated through the circumambulation of the Ka’ba (tawaf), “the house of worship” (Qur’an 3), believed to be the last remaining piece from the House of God built by Abraham and Ishmael, is symbolic of tawhid as well as the Shahada, “there is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger” when uniting all Muslims whom face towards it when engaging in worship. When one enters the circumambulation, they surrender to the fate Allah has laid out for them in the universe, emulating the belief in al-qadr, “and it is he who created the night and the day, the sun and the moon, earth in an orbit floating” (Sura 21:33). This is further significant for adherents as they emulate Russullah when imitating the example of the Prophet Muhammad whom sought to mirror this tawhid in everyday life “humanity is but a single brotherhood” (Qur’an 9).
Talbiyah (individual significance)
Circumambulating whilst praying Talbiyah is an integral aspect of Hajj, affirming AL Qadr as the essence of submission through the recitation of “At Allah’s service”, reinforcing that Allah is the central power in life. The importance of Ibidah as a form of submission for both the individual and community can be seen through Muslim women run organisation, “RABATA Pilgrims at Home” who launched their “Ibidah App” in 2023. This app allows women all over the world to not only engage in Hajj through the recitation of the Talbiyah at home but also provides guidance on daily prayer, an integral aspect of Shariah law. In 2023 they saw almost 5000 users and 23 million global Dhikr collected. Pilgrims at Home serves as an incredible opportunity for women from around the world to uplift themselves spiritually in the blessed days of Dhul-Hijjah, expressed by founder Dr Tamara Gray whom emphasised the importance of Hajj in cultivating the ummah, “It was a wonderful experience for all of us. Some of us have read more Qu’ran than ever and it has been a nice adventure. During all those ten days we have felt Barakah and sisterhood”. Thus, Hajj clearly assists Muslims in their path towards submission, being the most ritualistic obligation and emulating all the central beliefs of Islam.
Arafat (individual + community)
During Hajj, rituals such as the Waquf Arafat and climbing up Mount Rammah are pivotal in connecting the tariqa path to the zahir path and drawing pilgrims closer to submission to Allah. On day three, the Waquf of Arafat occurs, and is considered the most important ritual for “it is an expiration of the sins for the preceding year and the current year” (Hadith). Adherents spend a day at Arafat looking for redemption of sin, fulfilling the belief in Rusullah as they prayers at Arafat were a crucial part of Muhammad’s pilgrimage, “Hajj is arafat, if arafat is missed, then the whole Hajj is missed” (Hadith), and reinforcing their belief in the wisdom and guidance of the messenger. This significance continues to be seen through the “Live Hajj Youtube Channel” which allows adherents all over the world to join in despite not being physically or financially capable by broadcasting the sermon at Waquf of Arafat. The recitation of Qur’anic verses and the individual supplication to Allah (dua), where Sunni and Shia Muslims divide, links Tawhid in recognising God and al-akhira with adherents remaining in their white gown (ihram) demonstrating communal submission in the hopes of Jannah, “the rewards of Hajj are nothing but paradise” (Hadith). The ritual recognises that Allah’s path enhances individuals’ relationship with God emphasising, “there is no blame upon you for seeking bounty from your lord (during Hajj) … Allah has guided you, for indeed you were among those astray” (Quran 4).
Arafat (individaul)
While Arafat ascertains an intense concentration of spiritual devotion and an enormous communal power of prayer, there continues to remain an individual focus on each person’s prayer and individual relationship with Allah. Thus, adherents are reminded that they are guests on this earth (dunya) and must focus on Jannah, made accessible through Baab Al-Hajj, a gate of paradise reserved for those who have completed Hajj once in their lifetime. The significance of this for individuals can be demonstrated by disabled Syrian Muslim, Daham Amara, who expressed to Al Jazeera in their 2023 article, “Disabled Syrians get ready Hajj , “this was my dream that after my disability I can go and visit Makkah .. this is what is in my heart, a chance to start afresh and celebrate the unity of Islam”. Hence, Arafat is clearly a significant step of Hajj allowing individuals to be absolved of sins and work towards maintaining their faith.
Sai (individual)
Hajj acts as a reconciliation between humankind and Allah, underpinning the foundations of submission and obedience, the central paradigm of Islam. Jamarat, the stoning of the devel, symbolic of the Garden of Eden and humanity’s struggle with the greater jihad, symbolises individuals’ expulsion of sins and ridding themselves of all nafs. This reinforces the belief in Tawhid as pilgrims attempt to absolve themselves of external pressures and focus solely on submission to Allah. Furthermore, Sa’i, the run between Safa and Marwa, can be regarded as journeying towards God and turning “away”, allowing pilgrims to reflect on their personal struggles with the greater jihad and nafs, and the centrality of their iman (faith) in Allah. Recalling the actions of Hajar in pursuit of water for her son Ishmael, Sa’i signifies the need for Amana in Allah, as Hajar remained steadfast in her Ibidah and Imaan in Allah. Furthermore, as Angel Jibrel struck his wing on the ground, creating the emergence of the Zam Zam well, Hajar was rewarded, highlight that Allah provides (al-qadr), and emphasis that “in the remembrance of Allah our hearts find rest” (Surah 13), the foundation of Tawhid which calls Muslims to enhance their faith through their Ibidan (love for Allah). Thus, through Hajj, Muslims recognise Allah as a binding force in the universe, teaching the importance of emulating unity and maintaining trust between Allah and humans (Amana) to complete the pilgrimage with correct intention (niyyah) throughout.
final circambulation
Returning after Arafat to circumambulate the Ka’ba anticlockwise seven times, symbolises the unity (tahwid) of Hajj and Allah’s predestination for humanity “he has created everything in perfect symmetry” (Qur’an 41). The significance of this unity and symmetry of Hajj in returning at the Ka’ba was expressed by Dr Zuley Hakeskin in 2024 in her youtube short titled, “Extraordinary Scene: Millions Gathered at Kaaba”. She noted, “As the Hajj season is coming to an end, many of the Hujjaj are coming to do their farewell tawaf … the Kaaba is a spiritual energy, it’s beyond the physical, there’s a spiritual energy that draws you to it as a Muslim. And also knowing that it’s the house of Allah, it has such significance that all these millions of people want to be here”. In this way, once Muslims have competed the fifth pillar they are named Hajji’s and Hajjah’s reflecting their individual submission to Allah as Caliph and bringing them closer to Al-Akhira and granting them access Baab Al-Hajj, a gate of paradise reserved for those who have completed Hajj once in their lifetime.
