Where am I?
 More than 2 million people surround me. We all have
one common goal, one purpose for being here together. I do not stand out from
anyone else. There are no signs of wealth or greatness upon me. No Rolex
watch or Nike shoes to mark me as a rich person. I am one person alone, in a
sea of humanity. I am black or white, yellow or brown, the colour of my skin is
not important. I am from Europe or Asia or South America, my homeland is any
corner of this wide earth. The people around me are young and old, male
and female, rich and poor. We represent humankind in our
diversity, yet we are united. We are unity in diversity.
I am at Hajj
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims declare that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger; they pray, they fast, they pay
obligatory charity, and they go to Hajj. Hajj is a pilgrimage to the city of
Makah in Saudi Arabia. At the mosque and in the surrounding area, Muslims
perform prayers and rituals. Hajj is an obligatory act performed
once in a lifetime by all mentally, physically, and financially able Muslims.
“And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makah) to the House (Kaba) is a duty
that mankind owes to God, those who can afford the expenses (for one’s
conveyance, provision and residence) ; and whoever disbelieves then God stands
not in need of any of mankind, jinn and all that exists” (Quran 3:97)
This year, 2010, Hajj is in the middle of November. Muslims from all over the world will gather to worship God. They
arrive in Saudi Arabia, by plane, bus, car, etc. Some endure
great hardship, others merely buy a first class ticket, but they come as
equals. People make this journey prepared to stand at the House of God (or
Kaba) and affirm their love for God and His religion of Islam.
“And proclaim to humankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will
come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and
distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj)” (Quran 22:27)
The Hajj is several days of total devotion
to the One God. Muslims come together to celebrate His praises, ask for His
forgiveness and demonstrate unity for His sake alone.
Throughout the Muslim world, Hajj has come
to symbolise unity. Although Muslims may be disunited due to many outside
influences, such as money, politics, border disputes or other worldly
concerns. Hajj is the great leveller. At Hajj, all Muslims are equal; nothing
about the rituals they perform makes one person better than another.
More than 2 million Muslims stand in one
place, wearing the same simple clothing, following the same rituals and saying
the same words. They are united in their devotion to God. The black man
stands next to the white man and they call on God with one voice. The king
stands beside the pauper and they declare their submission to the will of God
using the same words.
Muslims from every corner of the globe are
united in their submission to the will of God. They cry out as if with
one voice, “Here I am O God, here I am at your service, and You have no partner.
Here I am. All praise, grace, and dominion belong to You. You have no partner”. This supplication is said repeatedly by the
pilgrims. It is their answer to God’s call for the Muslims to perform
Hajj.
These words are repeated with joy and reverence
by all, regardless of status or class. Some people are so overcome with
emotion that they weep, others feel elated and happier then they have ever felt
before. Every person there feels that he is one person, alone among millions
answering God’s call and God hears his supplication and sees his arrival. The
pilgrims feel amazed that they are the guest of the most Merciful God. He or
she attends this gathering by the invitation of God, not at the invitation of a
government or an organisation, nor at the request of a family member or friend.
Hajj is performed because God has invited
the believers to congregate together. Regardless of place of birth,
nationality, ethnicity, gender, or status, all are welcome, and all are equal
in the sight of God. The Muslims gather to meet one another and
demonstrate to each other, and the world that they are united. Unity
in diversity. They are united by their worship of One God.
“O humankind! We have created you from a male
and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one
another. Verily, the most honourable of you with God is that (believer) who
has At-Taqwa (piety, God consciousness). Verily, God is All-Knowing,
All-Aware.” (Quran 39:13)
Islam is the religion of unity. Repeatedly throughout
the Quran God reminds the believers that they must remain united and seek strength through unity. Hajj epitomises this unity. People from
every race and colour come together in submission to the will of God. Muslims are
one brotherhood and they come together with a sense of purpose and a desire for
peace.
“The believers are nothing else but brothers (in Islam). So
make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear God, that you may receive
mercy.” (Quran 39:10)
“And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of God (this
Quran), and be not divided among yourselves, and remember God’s Favour on you,
for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so
that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islam), and you were on the brink
of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus God makes His Ayat (proofs, evidences,
verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.,) clear to you, that you may be
guided.” (Quran 3:103)
Hajj is the largest annual gathering of Muslims; it is
the largest gathering of people united by the peacefulness and serenity that is
Islam. Anything that disturbs the peacefulness of Hajj is prohibited. No
matter what is happening in the material world at Hajj, peace prevails.
Muslims gather together and their diversity is a wonder
to behold. The old stand with the young, the rich stand with the poor, people
of all colours and nationalities stand shoulder to shoulder in prayer, and
perform rituals side by side. Prophet Muhammad, may God praise him, said, “In
their love, kindness, and compassion for each other, the believers are like a
human body. Muslims at Hajj are one people, they are a soothing sea of
humanity, gathered together to worship One God. Muslims turn
their faces in one direction and submit to the will of God. They are united
by their love of God, and united in their diversity.
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