When I watched the intro video of the ‘Hajj: from Ritual to Spiritual’ course it reminded me of my Hajj. I never saw a course like this, focused on understanding Hajj. I only watched some ‘prep videos’ online, you know, the ones telling you what to pack and what to say when you’re there.
It was 2008. I had just become Muslim and soon after Allah chose me to perform the Journey of Journeys, what a blessing!
So, it’s time to bring the lessons from Hajj to YOUR life, right here and right now, whether you already went, never went or are about to go!
1- The Travel vs. the Journey to the Hereafter
When you travel to carry out the rituals of Hajj, you are reminded of your journey to Allah and the Hereafter. When you travel, you leave behind your family and homeland, and the journey to the Hereafter is like that.
Traveling is a kind of torment, just like the journey to the Hereafter, only much more so. Ahead of you are your dying, death, the grave, the gathering, the accounting, the scales and al-Siraat, followed by either Paradise or Hell.
2- Packing Bags vs. The Provision of Taqwa
You equip yourself with enough provision to reach the sacred land. But do you remember the importance to pack your days of life with taqwa? Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness, etc.). (Quran 2:197)
3- Ihraam vs. Shroud
When you put on the two garments of your ihram, you cannot help but be reminded of the shroud in which you will be wrapped [after you die].
Daily remembering death helps you to fight disobedience and sins. Just like you have given up your regular clothing [for Hajj] and put on two clean, white garments, you have to make your heart clean and white [pure], by polishing it daily by dhikr and seeking forgiveness.
4- ‘Labbayk Allahumma labbayk’ vs. Watching your Tongue
As when we say Labbaik, we intend to speak only of obedience to Allah and avoid talk of disobedience. Allah watches us and our speech all the time, so we daily have to watch our tongue and avoid the two biggest problems we have with this muscle: gossiping and excessive talking!
5- Haram vs. Halal
When you are in your ihram you give up things which are normally halal for you but which Allah has forbidden to you at this time [during his ihram], so how can you violate the prohibitions of Allah by doing things which are haram at all times and in all places?
6- The Sacred House of Allah vs. The Day of Resurrection
When you enter the Sacred House of Allah, which He has made a sanctuary for mankind, you remember the sanctuary of the Day of Resurrection, which no one can reach without striving hard. The greatest thing which will keep a person safe on the Day of Resurrection is Tawheed and avoiding Shirk (associating others with Allah).
7- The Sunnah vs. Reasoning
Kissing the Black Stone, which is the first ritual to be undertaken, and the following tawaf teaches you to honor the Sunnah and not to oppose the laws of Allah with your feeble reasoning.
This is a daily life lesson; you recognize that there is wisdom and goodness behind the laws and rituals prescribed for mankind, and you train yourself to submit yourself totally to your Lord, may He be exalted.
8- Zamzam vs. Water
When you drink the water of Zamzam you are reminded of the blessing which Allah has bestowed upon mankind in the form of this blessed water, which has never dried up.
Water plays a central role in our daily life. In fact you are made from water! And what about the daily amount of water which you so easily drink at home? Recognize and thank Allah daily for the blessing of water in general.
9- Sa’i vs. Daily Life Trials
Sa’i means effort. When you do al-Saa’i, running between al-Safaa’ and al-Marwah, you are reminded of the trial of Hajar, a mother who was patient in the face of adversity. She didn’t just sit down but trusted her Lord AND got into action!
10- The Holy House vs. The Lord of The House
When you leave the Ka’bah in the direction of ‘Arafah to begin your Hajj, you are moving away from The House to meet The Lord of The House. ‘Arafah is outside the boundary of the Holy Land (Haram), signifying that The Lord of The House is everywhere, and is closer to man than he is to his own jugular vein.
The standing (wuqoof) in ‘Arafah reminds you of the throngs of people on the Day of Gathering. If you feel tired from being in a crowd of thousands, how will it be in the crowds of barefoot, naked, uncircumcised people, standing for fifty thousand years?
11- Pebbles vs. Satan’s Daily Attacks
When you throw the pebbles at the Jamaraat, you realize that Ibraaheem knew that the one who was preventing him from obeying the Orders of Allah the Almighty was the devil as he was embodied for him three times to prevent him from slaughtering his son.
Ibrahim threw seven pebbles at him three times and told him, “You will be thrown by me.”
So, the devil was disappointed and turned on his heels. We are dealing with devils from mankind and jinn daily who want to prevent us from getting closer to Allah. KNOW your enemy and be motivated by Ibrahim to fight the attacks with certainty!
12- Limited Hajj Time vs. All Other Days
Hajj teaches us to get used to utilizing time. Time is our capital, you either waste it or invest it. During Hajj, you do great deeds in a period of time that might not exceed four days in different places that are far from each other and crowded.
This shows that humans have great potential and latent energy. This is a great lesson for you that teaches you to get used to utilizing time and not wasting it in your daily life!
13- Sacrifice vs. Emotions
When you slaughter your sacrifice, you are reminded of the great event when our father Ibrahim submitted to the command of Allah to sacrifice his only son Ismail, after he had grown up and become a help to him.
You remind yourself that there is no room for emotions which go against the commands and prohibitions of Allah.
And very important; we have to work hard every day to instill sabr in our children like Ismail, who said (interpretation of the meaning):
‘O my father! Do that which you are commanded. In shaa Allah (if Allah wills), you will find me of al-saabireen (the patient ones).’” (37:102)
14- Hardship vs. Ease
When you come out of your ihram and things that had been forbidden become permissible again, teaches you a lesson of life: the consequences of patience and that after hardship comes ease.
The one who responds to the call of Allah will taste the sweetness of obedience, which cannot be tasted through anything else. Like the joy you feel when you break your fast or when you pray qiyaam at night, after you have finished praying.