By Faisal Kutty

SECTION: ISSUES & IDEAS; December 29, 2006 Friday, Pg. A18, The National Post

Thousands of Canadians are in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, this week for the annual rites of Hajj. They will retrace the footsteps of millions who have made the spiritual journey to the valley of Mecca since the time of Adam.

Hajj literally means “to continuously strive to reach one’s goal.” It is the last of the five pillars of Islam (the others being a declaration of faith in one God, five daily prayers, offering regular charity and fasting during Ramadan). It is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for those who have the physical and financial means.

The Hajj is a re-enactment of the rituals of the great prophets and teachers of the faith. Pilgrims symbolically relive the exile and atonement undergone by Adam and Eve after they were expelled from Heaven, wandered the Earth, met again and sought forgiveness in the valley of Mecca. They also retrace the frantic footsteps of Abraham’s wife, Hagar, as she ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa searching for water for her thirsty baby (which according to Muslim tradition, God answered with the well of Zam Zam). Lastly, pilgrims also commemorate Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son for God. (God later substituted a ram.)

Yet the Hajj is more than these elaborate rituals. The faithful hope for a deep spiritual transformation, one that will make them better people. If such a change within does not occur, then it was merely a physical exercise devoid of any spiritual significance.

The current state of world affairs, both within and outside the Muslim world, greatly increases the relevance of some of the universal messages inherent in the Hajj. As the American Islamic scholar Ebrahim Moosa rhetorically asks, “After paying homage to the two women Eve and Hagar in the rites of pilgrimage, how can some Muslims still violate the rights and dignity of women in the name of Islam? Is this not a contradiction?”

Indeed, the Koran teaches: “I shall not lose sight of the labour of any of you who labours in My way, be it man or woman; each of you is equal to the other” (3:195). One would hope that the ocean of men and women, side by side performing tawaf (circling) around the Kaaba (the stone building Muslims believe was built by Adam and rebuilt by Abraham and his son Ishmael) should lay to rest any claim that Islam–as opposed to some Islamic cultures –degrades women.

The fact that millions — transcending geographical, linguistic, cultural, ethnic, racial, economic and social barriers — converge in unison on Mecca attests to the faith’s universality. The Hajj plants the seed to celebrate the diversity of our common humanity.

Pilgrims return home enriched by a more pluralistic and holistic outlook, and with a new appreciation for themselves and their surroundings.

The most celebrated North American Hajji (one who has performed the Hajj) is none other than El-Hajj Malik El Shabbaz, more commonly known as Malcolm X. A man who was renowned for preaching that whites were “devils” profoundly reassessed his views during the Hajj in 1964. This transformation sealed his break with the black nationalist Nation of Islam. Contrary to the Nation’s teachings, Malcolm concluded that Islam encompassed all of humanity and transcended race and culture. He said, “In my 39 years on this Earth, the holy city of Mecca had been the first time I had ever stood before the Creator of all and felt like a complete human.”

Upon his return, he embarked on a mission to enlighten both blacks and whites. Malcolm understood that in order to truly learn from the Hajj, its spiritual lessons must extend beyond the fraternal ties of Muslims to forging a common humanity.

Humility to God and acceptance of His supremacy and control over all are other messages of Hajj. The multitude of people and their inner beliefs and practices are to be judged by God alone in His infinite wisdom. As the Koran proclaims, “Let there be no compulsion in matters of faith, truth stands out clear from error” (2: 256).

A successful Hajj breeds a rich inner peace, which is manifested outwardly in the values of justice, honesty, respect, generosity, kindness, forgiveness, mercy and empathy. And it is these values — all attributes of God almighty — that are indispensable to us if we are all just to get along in this world.

Tags: Five Pillars, Islam, Mecca

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