By: Dr. Maqsood Jafri
Prophet Abraham in a dream was asked by God to sacrifice his son Ishmael in the name of God. It was a great test. How a father can slaughter his son? Is it possible? When prophet Abraham told his son about the dream and wish of God, the son said; “ father do as instructed, God willing, you will find me patient”.
So patience and obedience to the ordination of God and to father are the basic messages of this event. A lamb became a ransom for the sacrifice of Ishmael. The Quran says:” O; Abraham, you proved true your dream. We have postponed this (sacrifice) for the last ( Ummah). And likewise, we reward the benifactors”.
In the Holy Quran in Surah Hajj( pilgrimage) from verse 26 to 29, there are instructions about the performance of pilgrimage and offering sacrifice. In other verses, also the mention of pilgrimage rituals is mentioned. So many books have been written on Pilgrimage.
on a traditional style. Most of them depict traditional concept of this event. The book of Dr. Ali Shariatti titled “ Hajj”( Pilgrimage) is very authentic book on this subject that discusses the real and revolutionary mission of this ritual.
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He was impressed by the poetry and philosophy of Dr Allama Iqbal, who also presented the Real Mission of pilgrimage and discarded the narrow ritualistic concept of pilgrimage, even branding the Eid of the Muslims as a throng and multitude of Slaves.
During the life time of Dr. Iqbal, most of the Muslims were under the slavery and subjugation of the Western imperialism. Dr. Iqbal said that pilgrimage if for freemen; not for slaves. He also criticized the Arab monarchy and propounded Islamic democracy.
Because of monarchic states in Arab world, the purpose of pilgrimage is only the atonement of sins. This is like a Christian concept of salvation and redemption, which says that the person who converts to Christianity, his sins will be pardoned and he will enter into heaven.
Actually, the concept of heaven and hell is the basic gravitating concept that when misconstrued, and misunderstood is the apple of discord between all religions. In my opinion, besides, the matter of heaven and hell, the Islamic prayers and rituals are to maintain justice and establish a welfare state.
This is the only mission of Islam. Undoubtedly, the aims of pilgrimage are to seek the pleasure of God, atonement of sins, achievement of purity, human equality, patience, sacrifice and forbearance but according to modern approach some things are also required.
When during the performance of pilgrimage, we proclaim: “ اللہ ھم لبیک”( O; God, we are present). It means we are at your disposal to lay down our lives for your mission. What is the mission which was assigned to Muslims by God, through Prophet Mohammad? The mission is “ جہاد فی سبیل اللہ” ( Crusade for the mission of God).
What is the mission of God. The Holy Quran says: “ we sent the prophets to establish justice”. The establishment of justice on earth is the only mission of Islam. Nearly about 44 times the word justice has been used in the Holy Quran.
Are the states and courts in the Muslim world providing justice? The situation is bleak and bizarre. Our heads are lowered with shame. The Arab states are under the stone wall of monarchy and some non- Arab Muslim states are in the tight cliches of military dictatorship.
The Muslims claim to be the followers of Touhid( monotheism)which means obedience to none except God. But practically, the Muslims are obedient to monarchy and Western Imperialism. We only pay lip service to God during pilgrimage.
Besides, there are two potent and vital points to be pondered upon. First; the Arabic word “ مشعر” means the place of consciousness and intellect. When performing pilgrimage rituals, we stay at Mashar, it symbolizes that the pilgrims are supposed to be the men of intellect and consciousness.
Islam in the Holy Quran and in the sayings of the Holy Prophet stresses much on education. Vicariously, the Muslims are exhorted to be the men of wisdom and sense. It is a lesson for Muslims to be educated and keep pace with modern scientific advancement.
Second; the stay of the pilgrims at “ منیٰ” ( Mina), is also a message. The Arabic word Mina is derived from “ ایمان”( faith). It means that the pilgrims must be the men of faith. What is faith? The Holy Quran says that some people claim to be the men of faith; Prophet tell them that they are Muslims, faith has not, yet entered into their hearts. This verse shows that when we recite Kalima, we become Muslims. When we become practicing Muslims we become Momin.
There is difference between a Muslim and a Momin. Muslim, only announced in Kabah, that he is ready to lay down his life for the Grand Mission of humanity assigned by God, but a Momin faces tests, tribulations and trials like Imam Husssin and refuses to accept and cooperate with a tyrant, drunkard and debauch like Yazid.
Imam Hussain dauntlessly embraced martyrdom with his kith and kin but did not accept the monarchic and un- Islamic regime of Yazid. At the plain of Karbala, he said:” I have accepted the orphanage of my kids in the love of God.”
According to Imam Hussain to attain the love of God, you have to say a big “No” to the dictators. Islam does not need yes-men and yeomen. The people who bow before kings and dictators, are they Momin( The men of faith)? They only pay lip service and perform pilgrimage as a religious ritual. Unless, we challenge the undemocratic governments and topple them down, we are not performing our duty assigned to us by the Holy Quran. This is the spirit of pilgrimage that I want to promote in the traditional Muslims.
