Surah al-Hajj ,...On Hajj

Recitation surah al-Hajj, ayat 26 - ayat 38, by Shaykh Mishari Rashid al-Afasy,

Within the context of justifiable war and self defense, comes a passage introducing the topic which gives the surah its title: Hajj, or pilgrimage to Makkah. The surah gives a description of the main rituals of hajj with the aim, it seems, of showing the Arabs how much they had distorted and deviated from the true religion of Abraham which they had  professed to follow. How should they make such a claim when Abraham epitomized tawhid and they were practising sheer unmitigated paganism? The truth is that, despite their assertions to be its custodians, the Arabs had betrayed their religious heritage. This was made worse by their vicious hostility and opposition to the new call of tawhid proclaimed by Muhammad.

Lo! those who disbelieve and bar (men) from the way of Allah and from the Inviolable Place of Worship, which We have appointed for mankind together, the dweller therein and the nomad: whosoever seeketh wrongful partiality therein, him We shall cause to taste a painful doom. (25) 

To fight against such aggressors and violators would be considered justified and laudable.

When one looks closely at the rituals of hajj, performed once a year, it becomes immediately clear that it is a magnificent and inspiring demonstration of man's devotion to God. It is a mass celebration of tawhid, bringing people together from all corners of the globe. This excellent and worthy tradition was established many centuries ago by Abraham. The surah says: "And (remember) when We prepared for Abraham the place of the (holy) House, saying: Ascribe thou no thing as partner unto Me, and purify My House for those who make the round (thereof) and those who stand and those who bow and make prostration "(26). It has been suggested that the Hajj is no more than a set of irrational and chaotic rituals that meant to test people's stamina and endurance and do not call for any understanding. This is a gross misapprehension. There is nothing in the Hajj rituals that is without a purpose or religious significance.

Let us take the tawaf, or circumambulation of the Ka'bah. It is a form of prayer and an occasion for praising and glorifying God Almighty. Tradition and convention in religious practice, like in anything else , have their intrinsic value and significance. Rationality and logic are not the only factors that determine such value and significance. The Ka'bah is venerated for its universal symbolism as the first house built on earth exclusively for the  worship and praise of the One God. It is a citadel of tawhid.

The surah goes on to introduce the hajj rituals in more detail.

And proclaim unto mankind the pilgrimage. They will come unto thee on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every deep ravine, (27) That they may witness things that are of benefit to them, and mention the name of Allah on appointed days over the beast of cattle that He hath bestowed upon them. Then eat thereof and feed therewith the poor unfortunate. (28) 

Modern technology and advanced means of meat processing and distribution have made it possible to feed millions of people in Makkah and all over the world with the meat slaughtered during Hajj.

And the camels! We have appointed them among the ceremonies of Allah. Therein ye have much good. So mention the name of Allah over them when they are drawn up in lines. Then when their flanks fall (dead), eat thereof and feed the beggar and the suppliant. Thus have We made them subject unto you, that haply ye may give thanks. (36)

These rituals have a very real and strong human side to them. They are festival for the celebration of tawhid on a communal scale.

That (is the command). And whoso magnifieth the sacred things of Allah, it will be well for him in the sight of his Lord. The cattle are lawful unto you save that which hath been told you. So shun the filth of idols, and shun lying speech, (30) Turning unto Allah (only), not ascribing partners unto Him; for whoso ascribeth partners unto Allah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky and the birds had snatched him or the wind had blown him to a far-off place. (31)


A strong community must be built on a powerful mix of history and religious practices which combine nostalgia, emotions, and sound cultural roots. "....And whoso magnifieth the offerings consecrated to Allah, it surely is from devotion of the hearts, "(32).


" A Thematic Commentary On The Qur'an "
Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazali






Spiritual Secrets of Hajj : Shaykh Ninowy,

Reflection and commentary by Shaykh Abdul Nasir Jangda :


ayat 26 to ayat 27
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSLTGy3GNnc


ayat 28 to ayat 29
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNtJtLI0gcw



ayat 30 to ayat 33
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-75JFuVTCI