Komashisha
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and it is the largest Muslim assembly in the world. It is a spiritual assembly of humanity for the benefit of mankind. Each year, about three million Muslims from around the world gather at Makka. Every adult Muslim with physical and financial abilities is required to perform Hajj at least once during his/her lifetime. Allah revealed about the obligation of Hajj: “Hajj thereto is a duty mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the journey, but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures”. (Sura Ale Imran: Ayat 97).
Hajj and its rituals were first ordained by Allah at the time of the Prophet lbrahim (AS) and he was the one who was entrusted to build the Ka`ba, the House of Allah. Allah ordered Ibrahim (AS), the father of Muslim nationality to build Ka’ba saying: “And remember when We showed Ibrahim the site of the (sacred) House (saying), ‘Associate not anything with Me and purify My house for those who circumambulate it (to perform tawaaf) and those who stand up for prayer and those who bow down and make prostration.” (Sura Hajj: Ayat 26).
Greatest Mufassir (explanatory of Holy Qur’an) Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas (Ra.) said that, “After completing the structure of the Ka’bah, Ibrahim (AS) said, ‘O Allah I have built the Ka’ba. Please accept my building. Allah accepted Ibrahim’s construction and ordered Ibrahim (AS) to proclaim to mankind the Hajj saying, ‘And proclaim the Hajj among mankind. They will come to thee on foot and (mounted) on every camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways.’” (Sura Hajj: Ayat 27). Ibrahim (AS) pleaded, “O Allah! How will my voice reach all of those people?” Allah told him that his duty was only to give the call and it was up to Allah to make it reach to the people. Ibrahim (AS) asked again, “O Allah! What is the system of proclamation?” Allah replied, “Say O mankind! To protect you from Hell and to admit you into Paradise Allah has required Hajj for you.” When Ibrahim (AS) invited mankind through these words, all inhabitants of Heaven heard the voice of Ibrahim (AS). (Tafsir Kurtubi: 12/37).
Ikrimah (Ra.) reported that Prophet Ibrahim (AS) climbed on Abu Qubays (a mountain near the Ka’bah) and put his fingers on his ears. Then he called out in his loudest voice, “O people! Verily Allah has prescribed upon you Hajj, so come to perform Hajj.” Even those who were not born yet, were still in their mothers’ wombs and their fathers’ loins heard the call and responded saying ‘Labbaik’. (Tafsir Ruhul Ma`ani: 13/48).
Sayeed Ibn Jubair (Ra.) narrated that Prophet Ibrahim (AS) stood at his Maqaam, or (it was said on the stone) or on al-Safa, (a mountain near the Ka’bah) and he said:, “O, people! Allah has built a House, so come to perform Hajj to it.” It was said that the mountains lowered themselves so that his voice could reach all corners of the earth, and those who were still in (their mothers’) wombs and (fathers’) loins heard, and everything that heard him, rocks, cities and trees responded and those whom Allah had predestined to perform Hajj said, “Labbaik O, Allah! Labbaik (a devotional expression chanted at certain times during Hajj and `Umrah).” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 5/414).
Mujahid (Ra.) reported that whoever performed Hajj, he/she certainly answered Ibrahim’s (AS) call. Those who did not answer him will not perform Hajj till the Day of Resurrection, even if they possess heaps of gold and silver. Whoever said ‘Labbaik’ once, will perform Hajj once in his/her lifetime. Whoever said ‘Labbaik’ for two or more times will perform Hajj for two or more times as his/her response. (Tafsir Kabeer, Imam Fakhruddin Raji: 11/102).
Nowadays, Hajj celebrates the reunion of the worldwide Muslim community. It is the most powerful reminder of Islamic ideals of unity and equality. The Ihram (two special clothes) is the symbol of equality and humbleness before Allah. Ihram situation oblige every one to only wear simple white clothes and this equates the black and white, the rich and the poor, the governor and the governed. May Allah give us physical and financial abilities to perform Hajj and accept us all as his guests to the yard of Ka`ba! Ameen!
Jubayer Ahmad
The writer is an Islamic thinker and Khatib, Baitush Shafique Mosque, Board Bazar, Gazipur.
