Author: M. Asim Ismail Zahi
The Wisdom and Philosophy of Hajj and Its Hidden Secrets (Part Three)
The Affection and Passion of Muslims Through the Kaaba and Hajj:
Imam Al-Ghazali, (MABH), with his unparalleled intelligence and profound understanding of the secrets of Shari’ah, realized that passion is an inherent instinct and necessity of human nature. A healthy and alive human is always in search of something that satisfies their needs and quenches their thirst. The Kaaba, its surrounding rituals, Hajj, and its rulings are the best means to fulfil this longing and calm the heart’s love and affection.
Allah Almighty says: «وَإِذْ بَوَّأْنَا لِإِبْرَاهِيمَ مَكَانَ الْبَيْتِ أَنْ لَا تُشْرِكْ ِبي شَيْئًا وَطَهِّرْ بَيْتِيَ لِلطَّائِفِينَ وَالْقَائِمِينَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ. وَأذِنَ فِي النَّاسِ بِالْحَجَ يَأْتُوكَ رِجَالاً وَعَلَى كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ يَأْتِينَ مِنْ كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ لِيَشْهَدُوا مَنَافِعَ لَهُمْ وَيَذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللهِ فِي أَيَّامٍ مَعْلُومَاتٍ عَلَى مَا رَزَقَهُمْ مِنْ بَهِيمَةِ الْأَنْعَامِ فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْبَائِسَ الْفَقِيرَ ثُمَّ لْيَقْضُوا تَفَثَهُمْ وَلْيُوفُوا نُذُورَهُمْ وَلْيَطَوَّفُوا بِالْبَيْتِ الْعَتِيقِ». Translation: “And [recall] when We designated for Ibrahim the site of the House [saying], ‘Do not associate anything with Me and purify My House for those who perform Tawaf, and those who stand in prayer and those who bow and prostrate. And proclaim to the people the pilgrimage; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, coming from every distant pass, that they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on known days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. so, eat of them and feed the miserable poor. Then let them end their untidiness and fulfill their vows and perform Tawaf of the ancient House.’” (Al-Hajj 22:26-29)
Imam Muhammad Ghazali, (MABH), says: “Undoubtedly, the desire to meet Allah, (SWT), draws one toward the means of this meeting. The lover, passionate and yearning, seeks everything that is connected to the beloved, and the House of the Kaaba is linked to Allah Almighty. Therefore, in addition to obtaining the immense rewards promised by Allah, it is only fitting to yearn for it due to this connection.”
Sheikh Islam Ahmad ibn Abdulrahim Dehlawi, (MABH), also pointed out this fundamental philosophy of Hajj, saying: “Perhaps a person yearns for the meeting of their Lord and seeks something to fulfill that desire, and nothing but Hajj can satisfy it.”
It is fitting for a Muslim to fulfill this longing and express this love, pouring their heart into the prayers they perform, comforting their soul, quenching their thirst for affection, calming the restlessness of their hearts, and easing the intense passion within them. However, these are limited drops that may manifest in humility or a few tears—drops that may not extinguish the fiery passion within nor fulfill the need.
A Great Leap from a Narrow Prison to a Vast World:
Thus, the Muslim is in need of a spiritual leap that quenches their soul’s thirst, fulfills their yearning for affection, calms their turbulent soul, and cleanses them of their attachments to old habits and routines. They seek to purify their soul, especially through fasting in Ramadan, yet Ramadan offers only limited hours, with actions like overeating at night, excessive rest, and the distractions of a society steeped in modern comforts weakening the power of the fast. It is like a small island surrounded by turbulent seas. Therefore, a Muslim needs a great leap to become free from the chains and be liberated from the narrow, old, and decayed world—one that is restricted, programmed, and monotonous—into a new world filled with excitement, affection, longing, and devotion. A world where they are freed from all forms of servitude, rejecting idolatry, and embracing the unity of Allah, the oneness of humanity, and the unity of belief and purpose. Then, all people will raise their voices in unison, saying: «لبیک اللهم لبیک، لبیک لا شریک لک لبیک، إن الحمد والنعمة لک والملک، لاشریک لک» Translation: “Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, you have no partner, here I am. Verily, all praise, grace, and sovereignty are Yours; you have no partner.”
Once a Muslim has completed their daily prayers, fasted during Ramadan, and paid the Zakat due on them after a full lunar year, they need to attend the season that is the spring of affection, the meeting place for the people of love and sincerity.
A Challenge for Rationalists, Materialists, and Da’wah to Faith in the Unseen and Complete Submission to Divine Command:
The Muslim needs to challenge their restrained intellect, their adherence to materialistic and man-made systems, and experience life without the usual resistance and control of rational thought. What joy is there in a life devoid of passion and defiance?
They need to break free from the cycle of daily habits, human-made laws, and the rigid structures of society, leaving the chains behind, and handing the reins of control over to the heart and emotions. These will then lead them into new, passionate, and rebellious directions, just as lovers do. A society and civilization that dominate and control a person’s every action give them no freedom. The one bound by customs, desires, and habits does not know true monotheism, and one who always relies on reason to guide their actions without considering the unseen, or without following the divine command, is not truly obedient.
Hajj, with its exacting structure and its mysterious nature, conflicts with the logical reasoning of rationalists, materialists, and those trapped in human-made systems. It invites for belief in the unseen (Ghaib), complete submission to divine commands, and temporarily setting aside reason, asking humans not to question the wisdom or logic of the rituals at every moment. Imam Al-Ghazali, (MABH), in his explanation of the true meaning of Hajj, emphasized faith in the unseen and absolute obedience. He painted a beautiful picture of Hajj and understood it as the core, essence, and spirit of Islam, which many scholars, past and present, have overlooked.
He says: “Placing the Kaaba is like standing in the presence of kings, where people from every corner gather with their disheveled, dusty appearance, submitting humbly before the majesty and glory of the One who is above all. This humbling process is more effective in their complete submission than any other form of worship.”
Thus, Allah Almighty has prescribed actions in Hajj that are unfamiliar to the soul and incomprehensible to the intellect—such as the stoning of the (Jamarat) and running between the hills of Safa and Marwah. Through such actions, the ultimate submission to Allah is realized, as they are not driven by any personal benefit or understanding. These are acts of pure obedience to the divine command.
Imam Ghazali further explains the stoning of the (Jamarat), saying: “The stoning signifies obedience to the divine command, a symbol of submission and utter obedience to Allah’s will. Just as Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) stoned the devil when he appeared to him, Muslims, through this act, display their defiance against the forces of evil.”
Regarding the sacrifice (Qurbani), Imam Ghazali says: “Know that the sacrifice is an act of drawing closer to Allah by fulfilling His command. Complete the sacrifice with sincerity, hoping that Allah will redeem a part of you for every part of the animal you sacrifice, as promised in the hadith.”
Continues…
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