Essence of the Hajj and Benefits of Islamic Unity

By:Kayhan Int’l

The grand annual assembly of the Hajj pilgrimage in Holy Mecca around the Sacred Ka’ba – the Symbolic House of the Unseen but Omnipresent Creator of the universe – and around its environs, has a special message for not just the monotheists but for all humanity.

It is not merely a Muslim or Abrahamic festival that is limited to the religious rites in the holy land and on the global stage to the special Eid al-Adha Prayer that is performed all over the world in the morning, followed by exchange of visits between family members and friends.

Neither is it a ritual slaughtering of a sheep, cattle or a camel to commemorate the miraculous saving of the young Prophet Ishmael from certain death, as God Almighty, having tested the firm and unflinching faith of the lad’s father, Prophet Abraham substituted a ram before the knife could come down on the neck of the son. 

Nor is it a time of leisure to be enjoyed in a holiday mood, without enlightening fellow humans, especially children, of the spiritual aspects of the Hajj, the Day of Arafah, and the Eid, feeling unconcerned about neighbours and the poor sections of the society.

As a matter of fact, the message is global and transcends all superficial barriers, whether geographical, political, cultural, ethnic, or lingual, by inviting mankind to assemble on the platform of unity in all its rich diversity. 

It  teaches us how to sacrifice our desires on the altar of obedience to our Loving Creator, to Whose Will we ought to fully submit ourselves if we really intend to be human beings in the correct sense of the term.

In other words, a true human being controls his/her carnal intentions so at to develop the spirit of moral ethics and resistance against temptations of the devil, by rising above divisive and destructive tendencies including hatred of fellow humans on the superficial basis of skin colour, ethnicity, languages spoken, social status, and beliefs.

This was the gist of the message to the pilgrims in Mecca by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution that was read by his representative at the Plain of Arafah to the Iranian and other pilgrims observing the Qur’anic commandment of “Disavowal of Disbelievers” to awaken Muslims to the benefits of solidarity and the dangers posed by the enemies of humanity.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said in his message: “My brothers and sisters who are performing the Hajj. Take advantage of the opportunity that Hajj provides to contemplate and ponder on the secrets and mysteries of this unparalleled obligatory action and make it a provision for the rest of your life.

“At this juncture, more than at any time in the past, unity and spirituality are subject to the enmity and sabotage of the Arrogant Powers and Zionism. The US and other centres of Arrogance are strongly opposed to the unity of Muslims, to the understanding between nations, countries, and governments of Muslim states, and to the religiosity and commitment to religion of the younger generation in these nations. They are intensely opposed to these and they will fight with any means they can. It is the duty of all of us, the duty of all nations, and the duty of our governments to stand against this evil scheme of the US and the Zionist regime.

“The Ka’ba, as the focal point and the main focus of attention of all Muslims, and also the Hajj pilgrimage as a small example of the unity in diversity of the Islamic world, can serve to elevate human society and improve the health and security of all people. Hajj can bless all humanity with spiritual and moral elevation, and this is the vital need of humankind today.”

“It should be recalled that the Divine Commandment of “bar’at min-al-mushrikeen” or “disavowal of disbelievers” is a fundamental principle of the Hajj and essential to promoting Islamic unity by highlighting the devilish nature of the enemies of humanity. 

This was long neglected by the Hajj pilgrims until its revival in 1980 by the decree of the Father of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Seyyed Ruhollah Khomeini (RA) – a descendant of the Prophet through his 7th Infallible Heir, Imam Musa al-Kazem (AS) – with clear instructions to Iranian pilgrims to preach Islamic unity, while proclaiming in an organized manner the repudiation of the disbelievers, especially the present archenemies of the Ummah. 

This is indeed a firm indication of the spirit of harmony and brotherhood of the Ummah, and the intention of Muslims worldwide to interact peacefully with the rest of mankind, in the otrue Abrahamic spirit.