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Hajj
is the greatest Islamic conference Muslims attend from all over
the world in a fixed time and a fixed place, after which the
pilgrims are affected greatly. It is really a school in which
pilgrims learn many of the rulings and ethics of religion. That is
because every year Hajj brings forth good fruits of high moral
standards by which pilgrims are characterized because of their
attendance in the sacred places, and their observing of the
rituals of Hajj according to the honorable Sunnah of the Prophet.
These result in the good conduct and the high morals pilgrims
acquire from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) who
said “I have been sent to perfect the high moral standards”
and “Learn your rituals from
me.”
Among
the most important ethics the pilgrims should acquire during Hajj
are the following:
1.
Harmony and brotherly association
In spite of the short time pilgrims spend together, they deal as
if they were the children of one father; they treat one another in
a cooperative, supportive, and altruistic way despite their
different nationalities and distant countries. This shows the
great wisdom Allah Almighty put in the acts of worship He
prescribed. The Almighty puts in the pilgrims’ hearts the
feelings of tenderness and mercy which every pilgrim should in
fact enjoy.
2.
Sincere advice to every Muslim
As religion is based on sincere advice, when a pilgrim sees
another Muslim doing a mistake, committing a sin, or violating a
legal rule, he or she should advise the other and clarify what is
right and what is wrong concerning such matters. This should be
observed especially during performing the rituals of Hajj and
`Umrah in order to keep Muslims away from what may decrease their
reward in such acts of worship.
3.
Avoidance of obscenity, disobedience, and dispute
Since the pilgrim is keen on performing a blessed and accepted
Hajj, he or she should be aware that the blessed and accepted Hajj
is that which is free from such things.
4.
Submissiveness and compliance before Allah Almighty
This is, in fact, what Muslim should observe when worshiping
Allah, as it is not becoming that a Muslim shows arrogance or
considers such an act of worship a favor he or she has done for
Allah. Allah Almighty is the Most Beneficent Who has guided us to
the true religion, Islam.
5.
Solidarity and equality
Both are among the honorable ethics Muslims are to observe. The
pilgrim provides for the needy Muslim brothers and sisters,
especially if such are from distant countries and thus are
considered stranded travelers who are entitled to receive charity.
Whoever pays such charity will surely receive great reward from
Allah Almighty. There are, in fact, so many persons who come from
poor countries seeking Allah’s help and then that of the
pilgrims who are considered their brothers and sisters in Islam;
all constitute one entity. Needless to say that Allah helps those
as long as they help their brothers and sisters.
6.
Altruism
It is the best quality a Muslim can be characterized by. Allah
Almighty says: [but (they) prefer (the fugitives) above
themselves though poverty become their lot] (Al-Hashr 59:9).
Complying with such Islamic teachings, we see pilgrims preferring
their Muslim brothers and sisters to themselves when eating,
drinking, riding, and so forth. This is the real representation of
Muslims as one entity. It is Allah’s favor, through which
Muslims have attained such advantage. Islam has created mutual
affection and mercy, so only to Allah is praise due for such great
favors.
To
conclude, the great ethics of cooperation, solidarity and
brotherly association Muslims enjoy are all a natural result of
Islamic assemblies in which Muslims meet every day, every week, or
every year. Allah Almighty says: [The believers are naught else
than brothers] (Al-Hujurat 49:10).
*Associate
professor in the Faculty of Shari`ah, Al-Imam University, Riyadh. |
