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Hajj: The Best Symbol for Our Universal Brotherhood!
By Zia H Shah MD, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times
Epigraph: And remember the time when We assigned to Abraham the site of the House and said, ‘Associate not anything with Me, and keep My House clean for those who perform the circuits, and those who stand up and those who bow down and fall prostrate in Prayers; And proclaim unto mankind the Pilgrimage. They will come to thee on foot, and on every lean camel, coming by every distant track.’ (Al Quran 22:27-28)
Kaaba the very first house of God, according to the Holy Quran
Millions of pilgrims arrived this week in Mecca, called in the past as Becca, for Islam’s annual Hajj (pilgrimage), which officially started on Wednesday, October 24, 2012. Around four million were heading to Mina, where they will spend their night before heading to the Mount of Arafat in the early hours of Thursday. The dates of Hajj are determined by lunar calendar and therefore move by approximately ten days against the solar calendar, every year.
Many pilgrims began leaving for Mina on Tuesday night after circumambulating the Holy Kaaba, the first house of worship on Earth, built by the Prophet Adam. The Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael rebuilt it some 4,000 years ago. Most Hajj rituals are related to the Prophet Abraham, his wife Hager and his son the Prophet Ishmael, and thus reflect the unity of humanity. Just by focusing on the Prophet Abraham, the Hajj symbolizes the unity and common origin of all the Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. When the Holy Quran talked about Kaaba, it did not label it as a blessing for the Muslims alone, but, called it a great blessing and a boon for the whole of mankind, thus symbolizing our Universal Brotherhood & Sisterhood. The Quran announced more than 1400 years ago:
“Surely, the first House founded for mankind is that at Becca, abounding in blessings and a guidance for all peoples. (Al Quran 3:97)”
As four million have converged on Mecca for the annual rituals of Hajj, this year, let us remember that Hajj is a very powerful symbol of Universal Brotherhood & Sisterhood. The Muslims and mankind at large, not only have to profess our common human heritage, but, live it in our daily lives. Remembering that actions speak much louder than words.
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Categories: Ahmadiyyat: True Islam, Highlight, Universal Brotherhood