Category: Faith & Spirituality, Featured, Highlights, Middle East Topics: Allah, Hajj Channel: Hajj - Day 1 Views: 19333
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Hajj: Reaching Toward Allah
The season of Hajj is upon us. The honorable month of Zul-Hijjah is approaching. The land of Makkah is tranquil and peaceful. Instead of fear, hatred, and war, the desert is blessed with security and peace. There is a feeling in the air, a desire to be the guest of Almighty God, a yearning to worship Him in His own house.
Do you not hear Allah's command to His Prophet to declare:
And call upon the people for Hajj. They will come to you on their bare feet or riding any weak camel and they come to you from every far desert. (Quran 22:27)
You! who has been created from mud, search for the spirit of Allah! Accept his invitation; leave your home in order to "see" Him. He is waiting for You!
Human existence is frivolous unless one's aim is to approach the spirit of Allah. Separate yourself from all those needs and greed which distract you from Allah. Join the eternal human migration of Hajj. "See" Almighty Allah!
Before departing to perform Hajj, all of your debts should be paid. Your hates and angers toward relatives or friends must disappear. A will must be drawn. All of these gestures are an exercise in the preparation for death (which will overtake everyone some day). These acts guarantee your personal and financial clearance. The last moments of farewell and the future of man are symbolized.
Now you are free to join eternity. On the day of resurrection, you will be able to do nothing in Allah's court. Your eyes, ears, and heart will be a witness of what you have done.
You and every organ of your body are responsible for your deeds. While you are in this "house of correction" get ready for the "house of justice". Exercise death before you die-go to Hajj!
.. for every act of hearing, or of seeing or of (feeling in) the heart will be enquired into on the Day of Reckoning. (Quran 17:36)
Hajj represents your return to Allah, the absolute, who has no limitations and none is like Him. To return to Him signifies a definite movement toward perfection, goodness, beauty, power knowledge, value, and facts. On your way toward the eternal, you will never approach Allah by yourself but if you sincerely desire His pleasure, He will guide you in the right direction!
It is not enough to live "in the name of Allah", and die "for the sake of Allah", you must strive to approach Almighty God.
To Allah we belong and to Him is our return. All affairs tend toward Allah. Our goal is not to "perish", but to "bloom". This is done not "for Allah" but rather to bring us "toward Him". Allah is not so far away from you; therefore, try to reach Him! Allah is closer to you than yourself!
.. "To Allah We belong, and to Him is our return". (Quran 2:156) The Way of Allah, to Whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth. Behold (how) all affairs tend towards Allah. (Quran 42:53) .. We are nearer to him than his jugular vein. (Quran 5:16)
On the other hand, everyone beside Allah is too far to be reached! Oh man, all the angels prostrated to you; yet, through the passage of time and societal influence you have changed greatly. You have not abided by your promise to worship none but Almighty Allah. Instead, you have become a slave to idols, some of which are man-made.
Remember that only the sincere and righteous will be in the assembly of truthful and in the presence of the sovereign omnipotent.
As to the Righteous, they will be in the midst of Gardens and Rivers . (Quran 54:54)
Your nature is characterized by loyalty to other individuals, self devotion, cruelty, ignorance, a lack of direction, fearfulness, and greediness! This life has caused you to acquire animalistic traits. You have reduced yourself to the likeness of an animal like a "wolf", "fox", "rodent", or a "sheep".
Oh man! return to your origin. Go to Hajj and reignite your friendship with your creator who created you as the best of creation. He is waiting to see you! Leave the palaces of power, the treasures of wealth and the misleading temples. Detach yourself from the flock of those animals whose shepherd is the wolf. Join the flock of those who are going to see the house of Allah built for His guests.
Adapted from a section of the book "Hajj" by Dr. Ali Shariati. Translated by Dr. Ali A. Behzadnia
Category: Faith & Spirituality, Featured, Highlights, Middle East
Topics: Allah, Hajj Channel: Hajj - Day 1
Views: 19333
Topics: Allah, Hajj Channel: Hajj - Day 1
Views: 19333
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Older Comments:
IDRIS FROM NIGERIA said:
Jazaqumullahu Khairan.
2013-09-24
BABANDI A GUMEL FROM U.K said:
He who believes in Allah and the Last Day must not harm his neighbour and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day must show hospitality to his guest and he who beklieves in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silet.It is lesson for all the Hujjaj and the Ummah in general. As we have neigbours we must not do anything that may harm them and for the hosts of the hujjaj Alhamdu Lillahi they are trying there best but they shuld continue with the good work Allah would reward them.For the Ummah in general we either speak something good or remain silent is a lesson for us to ponder and reflect.
2012-10-25
ABUBAKAR MUHAMMAD FROM NIGERIA said:
Jazakumullahu khairun ya DoctorJazakumullahu khairun ya Doctor
2011-09-24
SALMAN MUHAMMAD GALADIMA FROM NIGERIA said:
Alhamdulillah Doctor,u have certainly spoken well covered with related Quran verses and Sahih Ahadith from the holy Prophet, MUHAMMAD [SAW]. Insha Allah, myself and many others have been encouraged and so shall be on our way to the sacred House of Allah soon. May Allah reward u with bountiful of knowledge and time to share more with us,and may He give us the opportunity to worship Him there,amin Ya Rabbi.
2011-09-23
K.HASAN FROM USA said:
As Salaamu Alaikum, Mr/Ms Lahim, By Allah, our speech should be "beautiful", even when correcting our fellow muslim. Hajj may be just the thing you need to experience, to remember how Allah,Lord of the Alamin, asks us to treat each other. Kind to the believer, harsh to the disbeliever. Allahu Alim, May He give us His mercy and forgiveness,amin. K.H.
2006-12-25
AZIZA FROM USA said:
I leave for hajj in 2 days...Thank you for your inspirstional words.
2006-12-19
SAHR LAMIN FROM USA said:
The am actually appauled by this article because of the languaged used and the mis-interpretation of the verses. The word "Best friend" should not be mixed when talking about the Lord of the Alamin. He is our Lord and we are His slaves. To Him submits whatever is in the heavens and on earth with obedience in worship to Him willingly or unwillingly.
2006-12-13
SAHR LAMIN FROM USA said:
Thank you Dr. Ali Shariati for inspiring some of our brothers and sisters to perform Hajj. Inshallah i will go soon, the only thing holding me back is money. So when Allah is ready for me to go i will go Inshallah.
Surah 5 Al-Maidah
15. O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Now has come to you our Messenger (Muhammad) explaining to you much of that which you used to hide from the Scripture and pass over much. Indeed, there has come to you from Allah a light (Prophet Muhammad) and a plain Book (this Qu'ran).
16.Wherewith Allah guides all those who seek His Good Pleasure to ways of peace, and He brings them out of darkness by His Will unto light and guides them to the Straight Way (Islamic Monotheism).
S. Muhammad: what Dr Ali meant was that Allah is nearer to us then our own jugular vein. In the Qu'ran Allah states many times that He is All-Knower, All-Hearer, All-Seer, All-Wise, Well-Acquiented with All things, He knows what we reveal and what we conceal. I think Dr. Ali just mis-wrote it (Allah knows best).
Here is a similar verse to what Dr. Ali might have meant.
Surah 2. Al-Baqarah
186. And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then answer them, I am indeed near to them by My Knowledge. I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.
That verse eliminates the lie that the people of the Scripture (Jew and Christians) invent, saying: In order to reach God you must go through Jesus.
Surah 5 Al-Maidah
15. O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Now has come to you our Messenger (Muhammad) explaining to you much of that which you used to hide from the Scripture and pass over much. Indeed, there has come to you from Allah a light (Prophet Muhammad) and a plain Book (this Qu'ran).
16.Wherewith Allah guides all those who seek His Good Pleasure to ways of peace, and He brings them out of darkness by His Will unto light and guides them to the Straight Way (Islamic Monotheism).
S. Muhammad: what Dr Ali meant was that Allah is nearer to us then our own jugular vein. In the Qu'ran Allah states many times that He is All-Knower, All-Hearer, All-Seer, All-Wise, Well-Acquiented with All things, He knows what we reveal and what we conceal. I think Dr. Ali just mis-wrote it (Allah knows best).
Here is a similar verse to what Dr. Ali might have meant.
Surah 2. Al-Baqarah
186. And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then answer them, I am indeed near to them by My Knowledge. I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.
That verse eliminates the lie that the people of the Scripture (Jew and Christians) invent, saying: In order to reach God you must go through Jesus.
2006-12-12
SAHR LAMIN FROM USA said:
Thank you Dr. Ali Shariati for inspiring some of our brothers and sisters to perform Hajj. Inshallah i will go soon, the only thing holding me back is money. So when Allah is ready for me to go i will go Inshallah.
Surah 5 Al-Maidah
15. O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Now has come to you our Messenger (Muhammad) explaining to you much of that which you used to hide from the Scripture and pass over much. Indeed, there has come to you from Allah a light (Prophet Muhammad) and a plain Book (this Qu'ran).
16.Wherewith Allah guides all those who seek His Good Pleasure to ways of peace, and He brings them out of darkness by His Will unto light and guides them to the Straight Way (Islamic Monotheism).
S. Muhammad: what Dr Ali meant was that Allah is nearer to us then our own jugular vein. In the Qu'ran Allah states many times that He is All-Knower, All-Hearer, All-Seer, All-Wise, Well-Acquiented with All things, He knows what we reveal and what we conceal. I think Dr. Ali just mis-wrote it (Allah knows best).
Here is a similar verse to what Dr. Ali might have meant.
Surah 2. Al-Baqarah
186. And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then answer them, I am indeed near to them by My Knowledge. I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.
That verse eliminates the lie that the people of the Scripture (Jew and Christians) invent, saying: In order to reach God you must go through Jesus.
Surah 5 Al-Maidah
15. O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Now has come to you our Messenger (Muhammad) explaining to you much of that which you used to hide from the Scripture and pass over much. Indeed, there has come to you from Allah a light (Prophet Muhammad) and a plain Book (this Qu'ran).
16.Wherewith Allah guides all those who seek His Good Pleasure to ways of peace, and He brings them out of darkness by His Will unto light and guides them to the Straight Way (Islamic Monotheism).
S. Muhammad: what Dr Ali meant was that Allah is nearer to us then our own jugular vein. In the Qu'ran Allah states many times that He is All-Knower, All-Hearer, All-Seer, All-Wise, Well-Acquiented with All things, He knows what we reveal and what we conceal. I think Dr. Ali just mis-wrote it (Allah knows best).
Here is a similar verse to what Dr. Ali might have meant.
Surah 2. Al-Baqarah
186. And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then answer them, I am indeed near to them by My Knowledge. I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.
That verse eliminates the lie that the people of the Scripture (Jew and Christians) invent, saying: In order to reach God you must go through Jesus.
2006-12-11
JAY FROM PHILIPPINES said:
salam! Allahu akbar!! this is a great message to invite MUslims to Al-hajj...post more interesting topoic such as prohibition of smoking and alcoholic beverages..Shukran
2006-12-11
MGHENI ABDU FROM TANZANIA said:
The article has touched my heart today as im preparing myself for Hajj. It has made me think as if im already in Makkah and Madina.
Thanks for making my thoughts come together.
Thanks for making my thoughts come together.
2006-12-10
S. MUHAMMAD FROM US said:
as-salaam alaykum,
bismillah ar-rahman ar-rahim,
Dr. Shariati, thanks for a beautiful article. I feel less intimidated about the possibility of making hajj in my lifetime.
I hope that you'll explain surah 5:16 more clearly, as I checked M. Muhammad Ali and A. Yusuf Ali's English translations of the Qur'an and can't connect the quote referenced in the article with the verse as they've translated it.
masalaam
bismillah ar-rahman ar-rahim,
Dr. Shariati, thanks for a beautiful article. I feel less intimidated about the possibility of making hajj in my lifetime.
I hope that you'll explain surah 5:16 more clearly, as I checked M. Muhammad Ali and A. Yusuf Ali's English translations of the Qur'an and can't connect the quote referenced in the article with the verse as they've translated it.
masalaam
2006-12-09
USMAN GARBA SANTURAKI FROM NIGERIA said:
The article serve as an eye opener for first timers to Hajj.
2006-12-08
