Pilgrimage

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must get out; you are banished.” (15:34)

From Muzdalifah, pilgrims go to Mena to spend a few days.

You shall commemorate God for a number of days (in Mena); whoever hastens to do this in two days commits no sin, and whoever stays longer commits no sin, so long as righteousness is maintained. You shall observe God, and know that before Him you will be gathered.(2:203)

The pilgrims commemorate God’s intervention to save Ismail and Abraham from Satan’s trick, by offering an animal sacrifice on the first morning at Mena.

We ransomed (Ismail) by substituting an animal sacrifice. (37:107)

We should remember that one of the duties of the Messenger of the Covenant was to proclaim that God never ordered Abraham to kill his son. As a true submitter, Abraham was willing to sacrifice his only son, when he believed the dream which was inspired by Satan.

They both submitted, and he put his forehead down (to sacrifice him). We called him: “O Abraham. You have

believed the dream.” We thus reward the righteous. (37:103-105)

After the stoning of the ceremonies, the pilgrims go back to Mecca to walk seven times around Ka’aba as the last step in Hajj pilgrimage. Throughout Hajj, the pilgrims continue praising God while following specific rules according to God’s teachings in the Quran.

...Whoever sets out to observe Hajj shall refrain from sexual intercourse, misconduct, and arguments throughout Hajj. Whatever good you do, God is fully aware thereof. As you prepare your provisions for the journey, the best provision is righteousness. You shall observe Me, O you who possess intelligence. (2:197)

It is very important to know that these are the only steps for Hajj. Visiting Muhammad’s tomb in Medina during Hajj, as another Sacred Mosque, is an innovation added later. The Quran talks only about one Sacred Mosque.

God has appointed the Ka’aba, the Sacred Masjid, to be a sanctuary for the people, and also the Sacred Months, the offerings (to the Sacred Masjid), and the garlands marking them. You should know that God knows everything in the heavens and the earth, and that God is Omniscient. (5:97)

Whoever visits the prophet’s tomb as part of the religious ritual commits

idolatry, and may nullify his or her Hajj. Islam (Submission) is referred to in the Quran as the religion of Abraham. All practices of submission came to us through Abraham, and Muhammad was his follower. Therefore, we should submit to the Lord of the universe and uphold His teachings alone.

Who would forsake the religion of Abraham, except one who fools his own soul? We have chosen him in this world, and in the Hereafter he will be with the righteous. (2:130)

After God has pointed out the religion for us, we should not die except as submitters.

Hajj can be a great conference where Muslims (submitters) come from the farthest locations of different nations to respond to God alone. We should ask God to direct us to do the righteous works that please Him, and to admit us, by His mercy, to be one of His righteous servants. We should also ask Him to give us an opportunity to visit the Sacred Masjid (Ka’aba) for pilgrimage in our life time.

He is the One who sent His messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, to make it prevail over all other religions. God suffices as a witness. (48:28)

Ahmed Rayan