Author: M. Asim Ismail Zahi
The Wisdom and Philosophy of Hajj and Its Hidden Secrets (Part Two)
Divine Rites (Sha’a’ir) and Their Philosophy
For this reason, Almighty Allah has chosen tangible, visible acts that are sacred to Him—acts associated with His name, enveloped in His mercy, and specially honored by Him. When witnessed, these acts direct hearts toward the remembrance of Allah the Exalted. They are linked to events, experiences, and states that evoke the memory of His blessings, the days of His decree, the truth of His religion, the essence of Tawhid (monotheism), and the perseverance of the prophets (peace be upon them) through trials.
Allah has named these sacred acts “Sha’a’ir Allah” (Divine Rites) and declared that honoring them is a form of honoring Him, while neglecting them is tantamount to neglecting Him. He has not only permitted people to fulfill their innate spiritual longing and natural desire for closeness to Him through these rites but has also actively encouraged it, saying: «ذَلِكَ وَمَن يُعَظِّمْ شَعَائِرَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِن تَقْوَى الْقُلُوبِ» Translation: “That [is so]. And whoever honors the symbols of Allah—indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.” (Quran 22:32)
And He said: «ذَلِكَ وَمَن يُعَظِّمْ حُرُمَاتِ اللهِ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُ عِندَ رَبِّهِ» Translation: “That [is the command]. And whoever honors the sacred ordinances of Allah—it is best for him in the sight of his Lord.” (Quran 22:30)
The Element of Love and Devotion in Human Nature: Its Role in Life and Religion
Man is not a mere intellect or a rigid entity that blindly submits to law or tyranny. Nor is he a mechanical device that operates within fixed limits. Rather, man is composed of both reason and heart, faith and emotion, obedience and humility, passion and tenderness, love and devotion. This is the secret of his nobility, honor, strength, genius, creativity, sacrifice, and selflessness. It is because of this that he has been able to solve the most complex problems, achieve wonders, perform extraordinary feats, and become worthy of bearing the Divine Trust—a trust that the heavens, the earth, and the mountains refused to bear out of fear, yet man undertook it and attained a status no angel, animal, plant, or inanimate object could reach.
Man’s relationship with his Lord is not merely legal or transactional—as if he must fulfill duties, pay dues, bow in submission, and obey commands. Rather, it is a bond of love and devotion, necessarily infused with longing, passion, sacrifice, and selflessness—where these emotions dominate the connection. Islam does not discourage this bond; rather, it calls to it, nurtures it, and strengthens it.
Thus, the Quran sometimes describes the believers with these words: «وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِلّهِ» Translation: “And those who believe are stronger in love for Allah.” (Quran 2:165)
And at other times, it addresses them directly: «قُلْ إِنْ كَانَ آبَاؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَاؤُكُمْ وَإِخْوَانُكُمْ وَأَزْوَاجُكُمْ وَعَشِيرَتُكُمْ وَأَمْوَالُ اقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا وَتِجَارَةٌ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسَاكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَا أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَجِهَادٍ فِي سَبِيلِهِ فَتَرَبَّصُوا حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ اللهُ بِأَمْرِهِ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِينَ» Translation: “Say, [O Muhammad], ‘If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, wealth which you have obtained, commerce wherein you fear decline, and dwellings with which you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and jihad in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.'” (Quran 9:24)
The Holy Quran also recalls the prophets and messengers, highlighting their love and devotion to Allah, speaking of their yearning and self-sacrifice in His path. Regarding Prophet Yahya (PBUH), it says: «وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْحُكْمَ صَبِيًّا. وَحَنَانًا مِنْ لَدُنَّا وَزَكَاةً وَكَانَ تَقِيًّا» Translation: “And We gave him judgment while yet a boy, and affection from Us and purity. And he was fearing of Allah.” (Quran 19:12-13)
And it narrates the story of His intimate friend (Khaleel), Ibrahim (PBUH), who prioritized divine love and obedience over the love for his own son, placing the knife on his throat to sacrifice him—until Allah testified to his sincerity and success in this divine trial, saying: «وَنَادَيْنَاهُ أنْ يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ. قَدْ صَدَّقْتَ الرُّؤْيَا إِنَّا كَذَلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ. إِنَّ هَذَا لَهُوَ البلاء المُبِينُ» Translation: “And We called to him, ‘O Abraham, you have fulfilled the vision.’ Indeed, we thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the clear trial.” (Quran 37:104-106)
And for this reason, Allah describes Ibrahim (PBUH) as: «إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ لَحَلِيمُ أَوَّاهُ مُّنِيبُ» Translation: “Indeed, Abraham was forbearing, grieving [in prayer], and repeatedly turning [to Allah].”(Quran 11:75)
Divine Attributes Evoke Love and Devotion
For this reason, the Quran extensively emphasizes Allah’s attributes, His actions, His blessings, and His favors—because these divine qualities ignite love, devotion, and longing in the hearts of believers. If not for these sublime attributes and beautiful names—recounted in the Quran, mentioned in Hadith, adored by lovers of Allah, sung by the mystics, glorified by those who praise Him, and explored by the seekers of divine depth—this religion would have become rigid, lifeless, and dry.
Without this spiritual dimension, faith would not stir emotions, inspire passion, or bring forth humility in prayer, tears in the eyes, fervor in supplication, or self-sacrifice in jihad. The relationship between man and his Lord would become a dead, limited transaction—devoid of life, spirit, flexibility, and expansiveness. Life itself would turn barren and mechanical, stripped of all feeling, longing, tenderness, and devotion—to the point where there would be no difference between life and death, or between man and inanimate objects.
“What Worth Has a Cup That Does Not Overflow?”
The Muslim heart needs nourishment, and the soul needs sustenance. Man must continually quench his thirst, fulfill his longing, and let his cup overflow—for what value has a cup that is merely full but does not spill over? And once it overflows, it must flow outward—for what worth has a cup that overflows but does not pour forth?
Continues…
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