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The
advent of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him,
marked the end of severe wars, conflicts and relentless attacks
that were spread like wild fire among Arabs of the Pre-Islamic
Period. Malevolence, grudge and envy were the normal feelings that
ruled the hearts at that period. Prophet Muhammad, peace and
blessings be upon him, came and brought with him mercy, love, unity
and affection. For more strengthening of the ties of Muslims with
one another and for a better binding of their hearts together, the
Divine Legislator established this obligation of Hajj in which all
Muslims meet in a great conference, know one another and exchange
benefits. Once this occurs, their sense of belonging to one
religion will be realized and all barriers of time, distance,
color, race will be cast aside.
In
addition to this spiritual benefit, there are many worldly benefits
such as knowing the wealth of one another’s country and make
industrial and agricultural projects together for the benefit of
the whole Muslim Ummah. Furthermore, if there is any oppressed
group of Muslims in any country, their Muslim brothers will be able
to know their condition and help removing this oppression and
saving this group.
A
person may say that Hajj has existed before Islam and goes back to
the days of the Prophet Ibrahim, then we say that Hajj that existed
before Islam was totally different from that introduced by Islam.
Moreover, pagan Arabs added things to the rituals of Hajj that had
never been there during the days of Ibrahim. It is also noteworthy
that Muslims are the real heirs of Ibrahim and Islam is the true
religion of Ibrahim, peace and blessings be upon him. Allah the
Almighty says: “A right religion, the community of Abraham, the
upright, who was no idolater.” (Al-An`am: 161)
Unfortunately,
the Westerners grasped the wisdom behind this great Divine
obligation while we, Muslims are still heedless of this greatest
Islamic conference of Hajj. They comprehended that Hajj is somewhat
a reinforcement for the Muslim Ummah or universal community and
thus they were and still are cautious about it and put it in their
consideration all the time. As for common Muslims, they perform
that great ritual as if it is a religious obligation only, heedless
of all the other benefits and gains they can get from such an
annual and international conference. May Allah show all Muslims the
right path and guide them to His upright track. Ameen!
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