Trust in God unconditionally. The Strength to resist temptation. Infinite forgiveness. Unity regardless of all our differences. These are beautiful concepts, but also ones that sometimes seem to have lost their position in daily life. Hajj is that one time each year when they are brought to reality again.
Hajj is the Islamic pilgrimage, and the largest annual gathering on Earth. Over 2 million people converge on Makkah to perform the centuries-old rituals that commemorate the deeds of Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham), his wife Hajar, and Prophet Muhammad. This 5-day journey is one that many will perform only once in their lives, but that 1.6 billion Muslims each year turn their minds towards.
The first stop in Hajj is the Ka’bah, the simple cube structure that is the first House of God and towards which all Muslim face in prayer. It was built by Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham) and his son, Prophet Ismaeel (Ishmael). It is an awe-inspiring moment to physically see the point towards which one faces in prayer and to know that loved ones in Canada, separated by thousands of kilometers, are facing that same spot.
Pilgrims then head to the second stop: the mountains of Safa and Marwa, moving between the two seven times before stopping to drink from the Well of Zamzam. This commemorates Hajar and her baby son, the Prophet Ismaeel, who were left by Prophet Ibraheem there while he went on Allah’s Command. The mother of the thirsty baby searched in vain for water for her son, all the while trusting that Allah/God was watching over them. She was rewarded with the Well of Zamzam springing forth from beneath the kicking feet of her crying baby.
Pilgrims now head to the third significant stop: the plains of Arafah. This is the focal point of Hajj and a day dedicated to the forgiveness of any wrongdoings whatever they may be. Allah/God descends from above the heavens to the sky of this world and grants forgiveness to all who seek it. Those in Arafah stand in prayer all day, while those around the world join them in fasting as each seeks the benefits of this blessed day.
The fourth stop is Muzdalifah where pilgrims will rest for the night. It is an open-air camp where people of every race and nationality, rich or poor, will lie side by side on the dirt floor without any shelter, praying to Allah/God. It is here also where pilgrims will collect little stones if possible for the next stop.
From here, pilgrims head to the fifth stop: the tent city of Mina. The largest tent city in the world, the pilgrims stay here for the next three to four days. This place commemorates the moment when Ibraheem was tested to follow the orders of Allah/God and sacrifice his son. Shaitaan/Satan goaded him to do this but Allah/God gave him a sheep from heaven instead. In this spirit, pilgrims stone the pillars symbolizing the Devil with the pebbles and sacrifice a sheep, cow, or camel to be distributed to the pilgrims and the poverty-stricken around the world.
Hajj is a week-long spiritual retreat that is anything but easy, yet it leaves pilgrims washed clean off all their sins and enveloped in a sense of peace. It is difficult amidst the ups and downs of daily life to hold onto the concepts of complete trust, forgiveness, strength, and unity as a people. Allah/God knows how difficult it is. But Hajj is one of His Mercies to bless us with a yearly renewal of faith and to show us the blessings of these concepts.
Maryam Baksh is a recent graduate of the University of British Columbia. She is a member of the Muslim community in Vancouver.
