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In
order for the Muslim nation to reunite and continue its righteous
path, it is to develop awareness of the importance and status of
the Muslim sanctified places and values, call to mind the
principles and ethics of Islam, and revive hearts and souls with
realizing the significance of the days of Almighty Allah. Allah
Almighty says:
[We
verily sent Moses with Our signs, saying: Bring thy people forth
from darkness unto light. And remind them of the days of Allah.
Lo! therein are signs for each steadfast, thankful
(heart).]
(Ibrahim 14:5)
The
“days of Allah” refer to the days when Almighty Allah bestows
mercy and blessings on people in abundance. On top of the
blessings that Almighty Allah has conferred on people is guiding
them to the true religion and right path.
Hajj
is a divine ordinance that brings to the memory of the Muslim
nation the need and importance of unity, revives energy into
Muslims’ hearts, and makes them yearn for spiritual uplifting.
On
performing Hajj, pilgrims not only pay attention to the Sacred
House of Almighty Allah, they also visit Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah
and bring into mind Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and Al-Aqsa Mosque. These
three places have special status in Muslims’ hearts owing to
their sanctity and their having witnessed special events in the
history of Islam.
The
sanctified Ka`bah is the place to which Muslims turn on performing
Prayer, and head for and circumambulate on making Hajj. Allah
Almighty says:
[And
when We made the House (at Makkah) a resort for mankind and a
sanctuary, (saying): Take as your place of worship the place
where Abraham stood (to pray). And We imposed a duty upon
Abraham and Ishmael, (saying): Purify My house for those who
circumambulate it and those who meditate therein and those who
bow down and prostrate themselves (in worship).]
(Al-Baqarah 2:125)
Regarding
Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, it is the place where the Muhajirun (the
Muslims who migrated with the Prophet to Madinah) and the Ansar
(the dwellers of Madinah who supported the Prophet) entered into a
bond of brotherhood, and the land which Allah Almighty has made
the final resting place of the Prophet’s body in this world.
As
for Al-Quds and Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Prophet’s Night Journey and
Ascension was the event that related Makkah, Al-Quds, and Sinai.
This blessed journey started from Makkah, and during it the
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and angel Gabriel passed
by Sinai, and Al-Quds was the destination. From there the Prophet
(peace and blessings be upon him) ascended to the Heavens, and
then returned to Makkah. That miraculous event took place only in
a little part of the night. Allah Almighty says:
[Glory
to (Allah) who did take his servant for a journey by night
from the sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts
we did bless, in order that we might show him some of Our
Signs: for He is the one who heareth and seeth (all things).]
(Al-Israa’ 17:1)
Besides,
Allah Almighty swore by Makkah, Sinai, and Al-Quds in the
Qur’an. He Almighty says in this regard:
[By
the Fig and the Olive, and the Mount of Sinai, and this City
of security.] (At-Tin 95:1–3)
“The
Fig and the Olive” [the fig referring to Damascus and the olive
to Al-Quds, according to some scholars’ explanation of this
verse] implies mention of Al-Quds where Prophet Jesus (peace and
blessings be upon him) was born and where he called to worshiping
Almighty Allah alone.
“The
Mount of Sinai” refers clearly to Sinai where Almighty Allah
spoke directly to Prophet Moses (peace and blessings be upon him).
“The
City of Security” refers to Makkah, where Prophet Muhammad
(peace and blessings be upon him) was born, sent to people to call
them to Islam, and sincerely strove in Allah’s cause.
Mentioning
these three places indicates, in fact, mention of the messages of
monotheism whose light spread all over the world.
The
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also referred to the
sacred places in Islam—Makkah, Madinah, and Al-Quds—together
in one hadith: “Do not set out on
a journey except for three mosques (the Sacred Mosque [Allah’s
Sacred House], the Prophet’s Mosque, and the Mosque of
Al-Aqsa.)”
These
three mosques have special importance in Islam and offering Prayer
in them is of multiplied rewards. They are really worthy of
getting all attention and care of Muslims.
The
Muslim nation needs to implant into the minds of the Muslim
generations the awareness of the significance and sanctity of
these sacred places. These places are, in fact, trusts in
Muslims’ hands, which they must preserve and defend with all
possible means. Should Muslims cede Al-Quds, this would mark the
beginning of losing their honor and all other of their sanctified
places.
The
occasion of Hajj revives Muslims’ awareness of this matter.
Sincere pilgrimage molds the Muslim pilgrims anew, uplifts their
spirituality, and helps them improve their behavior. It reawakens
in them loyalty to Almighty Allah and His Messenger, adherence to
the teachings of Islam, and earnestness of preserving and
defending their honor and the sanctity of the sacred places.
Reciting
the Qur’an, this time in the places where it was revealed,
pilgrims experience a new feeling and deeply contemplate the
occasions and events of the revelation of its verses, especially
the verse that says:
[As
to those who have rejected (Allah), and would keep back
(people) from the way of Allah, and from the Sacred Mosque,
which We have made (open) to (all) people, equal is the
dweller there and the visitor from the country and any whose
purpose therein is profanity or wrongdoing them will We cause
to taste of a most grievous penalty.] (Al-Hajj 22:25)
It
is this new mode of spirituality that affects the life of true
pilgrims and helps them keep steadfast on the right path until the
Day of Judgment.
*
Professor of Islamic creed and philosophy at Al-Azhar University |
