Love of Allah is deep in the heart of Muslims. This love- which resides in the heart- must be translated into actions. A love when resides only in heart, and which gets accumulated must be released by performing actions. It is like a volcano which relaxes after exploding. Allah has made a mechanism for worshippers and lovers to explode this love and respect to Allah through the actions in Hajj. This spiritual journey towards a sacred land and place, associated with various physical actions to satisfy the heart of a lover, when performed in perfect manner cleanses all forms of Sins, and a Muslim returns from this journey clean and clear like a new born. Let’s us delve deep into some of such spiritual acts which tightens the bond between Allah and His slaves. These scenes are adapted from the wonderful poem of Ibnul Qayyem which is known as al-Meemiyyah.
Starting a Special Journey
The lovers set forth for pilgrimage towards His house. They wore this garment [1] and repeated the Talbiah [2]. They exposed their head in humiliation towards their lord [3] who is High and Exalted. They march forward repeated this Talbiah : Coming O our Lord, all praise to You, You are the King. Allah called [4], so they answered with love and satisfaction, and when they answer, Allah became closer to them [5] and His response was faster than their response to the Call of Allah. They proceed towards Makkah with tired body and exposed heads riding over weak camels, yet their heart is full with joy and love. These pilgrims willingly left their countries and families and no lust, pleasure or bounty could hold them from this journey. In this journey, they cross the harsh path through plains and mountains and valleys on foot or riding, and to Allah they surrender.
Vision of Kaba’
And when they reached Makkah and first saw the Kabaa [house of the Lord] – a house for which the hearts of mankind burn out of Love- immediately their tiredness and fatigue disappeared, as if they were never been tired. This is the moment where the eyes started to pour tears, a drop after another, to an extent that the lover started to see a distorted view of Kabaa because of the screen of tears in his vision. The moment an eye views this house, it’s darkness disappears, and also the anxiety of a depressed heart disappears also. You will find a viewer never quitting glancing towards Kabaa, when he finishes watching, goes for another watch [6]. This is not strange, because the Lord himself attached this house to Him [7], so this house became the Leading among houses. The Lord dressed this house with a garment of adoration and excellence, this is why all the hearts admire it, and stand in front of it with respect and honor.
Moving Towards Arafat
Then they went to the field of Arafat seeking the blessings and forgiveness from their Lord who is oft-forgiving and Merciful. What an amazing gathering is that gathering which resembles the gathering on the Day of Judgment in front of Allah [8], but this later gathering is even greater. On that day, the Almighty descends down and shows-off His slaves in front of the Angels: “O my angels, look how my slaves came rushing for my love, they know I am the Generous, and I make you witness that I have wiped-out their sins, and granted them what they ask me for” [9]. O Pilgrims! What a glad tidings you receive where you expiate your sins and receive the blessings of your Lord. In this day, so many slaves of Allah are freed from Hellfire, and many others are trying hard toward this goal, and your Lord is the Merciful.
The Devil at Nadir
Satan never seen so angry and humiliated than on this day. It is so because he observed the generous bounty of Allah towards the pilgrims, and out of frustration he started to pour dust over his head [10]. This Satan worked hard to erect this house of falsehood –by deviating sons of Adam- and Satan thought that this house is very firm now, and all in a sudden, your Lord smashed this project from it’s base, so it all collapsed. What height a building would rise, if one attempts to rise it, and your Lords starts to demolish it! [11]
Proceeding Towards Mujdalifah and Then Mina
And then they proceed towards Mujdalifah, and stay until after Fajr prayer. Then they proceed toward the Greatest Jamrah [stonning] at the time of Eid prayer. Then they prepare for slaughtering the sacrificial beast, reviving the practice of Prophet Ibrahim.
Sacrifice To Show the Obedience and Love of Allah [12]
They start to slaughter sacrifical beasts, but if Allah wanted them to slaughter themselves as sacrifice for Allah, they would compete towards this order. As they sacrifice their soul for the sake of Allah in the field of Jihad against the enemies of Allah and they shed their blood for His sake. To indicate complete obedience and submission, they shaved their head for Allah.
Ready to Visit the House of Allah
And when they removed the dirt from their body (shaving hair, clipping nails, etc.), and slaughtered their beast, your Lord found it the proper time, so He called them to visit His House, Welcome O noble visitors!Those visitors are now witnessing the distribution of prizes from their Lord, in terms of blessings, bounty, generosity and Ihsan.
Returning to Mina
And then they returned to their tents at Mina and enjoyed their stay for a day and a day and a third. Then, the caller announced their departure. So, they went to stone the Jamarat after noon, with their repeated takbir: “Allahu Akbar” – Allah is Greater, and Allah is with them. If you see them in that state, when they raised their begging hand approaching the blessings of their Lord, calling “Ya Rabb! Ya Rabb! Ya Rabb - O Lord, O Lord O Lord-, we are your slaves, hoping none but You and You know that! And in this moment we seek what you deserve to be sought, you give enormously and bless a lot.
Alas! The Farewell
When the pilgrims obtained all they wanted from Mina, they marched towards the House of Allah and circled the House seven time and prayed there. And when the time of farewell approached, and they knew that this stay will not continue forever, they are left with only a very short period of farewell, at that moment, their tears started to flow. Then, the heart of believers started to blaze with the flame of passion. Their breathe was so hot, as if it would melt down the beloved. In that context, you will find none except someone who is speechless of sock, and others murmuring their hear feeling (trying to lessen the shock)!
I Left My Memories There!
I left physically those places, but my heart and love are still there, and I am suffering the heat of the passion all the time. I am now riding back, but the zeal is holding me back, and my heart still wants to stay the night within your tents. On this moment, a lover must be excused if he expressed openly some of the feelings which he used to hide.
Footnotes:
[1] Wearing the Garments of Ihram:Very simple two pieces of cloth color in white is what all pilgrims are supposed to wear. The rich and poor wear the same dress, representing the unity of this Ummah and creating a sense of belongingness. Soldiers, workers, students, employees wear uniform to create this unity in their workplace.
[2] Talbiah: Coming O LordAll pilgrims immediately after wearing Ihram moves towards Makkah repeating loudly this Talbiah: “O Lord I am coming answering your call. O Lord you have no associates. All bounties and blessing are from you, O Lord you have no associates”. The heart feeling of love and zeal while the pilgrims are marching toward Makkah –chanting this Talbiah- is beyond description.
[3] It is a practice in human society to cover the head of Kings and people of high-rank with crown, cap, etc. However, pilgrims are prohibited to cover the head to show their humiliation in front of the King.
[4] This is referring to the Call to Hajj by the Prophet Ibrahim following the instruction from Allahوَأَذِّن فِي النَّاسِ بِالْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِجَالًا وَعَلَى كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ يَأْتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ (27)And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj). [Surah 22 al-Hajj: 27]
[5] Allah says:وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُواْ لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُواْ بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ (186)And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright. [Surah 2 al-Baqarah: 186]
[6] These pilgrims have been praying towards this house since early childhood, and now came the moment to physically see the house towards which their prayer and their heart was always inclined. Allah says: “And (remember) when We made the House (the Ka'bah at Makkah) a place of resort for mankind and a place of safety” [Baqarah 125]. Ibn Abbas explained the meaning of this verse by saying "They do not remain in the House, they only visit it and return to their homes, and then visit it again”.
[7] referencing verse 26 in Surah Hajj: “and sanctify My House”. Also Surah Baqarah 125.
[8] On the Day of Judgement all will be present in front of Allah naked, and no distinction between the rich and poor. They all will be assembled in one place. No King except Allah.
[9] Referencing Hadith no. 1348 in Muslim, and the descent of Lord is mentioned in hadith no. 2840 Ibn Khuzaimah, and 1349 in al-Baqhawi (sharh as-Sunnah) with a weak chain (al-Albani)
[10] Referencing Hadith no. 245 in Moatta of Malik.
[11] This is the nature of Satan, he tries hard to divert men from the straight path, and once he thinks he has converted a person, this person goes to Hajj (or repents) and all his project went fruitless!
[12] This practice started from the time of Prophet Ibrahim, who used to love his son Ishmael very much. Allah wanted to test whether Allah or Ishmael is more beloved to Ibrahim. The test was then to slaughter Ishmael. Ibrahim loved Allah more, and started to slaughter Ishmael. He passed the exam and a lamb was brought as a symbolic sacrifice to indicate this meaning.
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Indeed, We have sent down for you (O mankind) a Book, (the Qur'ân) in which there is your reminder (and Honor). Will you not then understand? [Quran al-Anbiay (21):10]
Love of Allah is deep in the heart of Muslims. This love- which resides in the heart- must be translated into actions. A love when resides only in heart, and which gets accumulated must be released by performing actions. It is like a volcano which relaxes after exploding. Allah has made a mechanism for worshippers and lovers to explode this love and respect to Allah through the actions in Hajj. This spiritual journey towards a sacred land and place, associated with various physical actions to satisfy the heart of a lover, when performed in perfect manner cleanses all forms of Sins, and a Muslim returns from this journey clean and clear like a new born. Let’s us delve deep into some of such spiritual acts which tightens the bond between Allah and His slaves. These scenes are adapted from the wonderful poem of Ibnul Qayyem which is known as al-Meemiyyah. 
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