‘Allah has made the Ka'aba, the Sacred House, as a
means of support and uplift for mankind and (has sanctified) the sacred months
and the sacrificial animals and the garlands (by which they are identified).
That is so that you may know that Allah knows what is in the heavens and what
is in the earth, and that Allah knows all things well.’ (5:98)
‘We made the House a resort and a sanctuary for people, saying, ‘Take the spot where
Abraham stood as your place of prayer.’ (2:125)
‘Let them worship the
Lord of this House: who provides them with food to ward off hunger, safety to ward off fear.’ (106: 4-5)
‘Therein are clear signs, the station of Abraham; and whoever enters it is in security. It is the duty of people towards God to make the pilgrimage to the House, all who are able to make their way there. As for the one who disbelieves, God is Independent of all the worlds.’ (3:97)
Pilgrimage to Makkah enables a believer to experience
the physical and spiritual ambience of Al Masjid Al Haram, including the honoured
Kaaba- the Qiblah or the very direction of our five daily prayers. An emotional
journey of faith; the believers flock to Makkah from every part of the world to
enjoy the serenity of the place, performing various religious rites of great, sacred
antecedents going back to the days of Hazrat Hanif Ibrahim (as) and his noble
family. ‘We commanded Abraham
and Ishmael: ‘Purify My House for those who walk round it, those who stay
there, and those who bow and prostrate themselves in worship.’ (2:126)
While
faith is rooted in the heart of the believer, the worship of God is completed
through performing rites and rituals of the Divine Way as they are prescribed.
The believer’s heart-felt respect for certain sacred symbols and spaces are
only manifestations of the inner faith in God and His commandments. Pilgrimage
to Makkah is such an obligation of faith in Islam, with the duty incumbent on
all able Muslims to perform the spiritual journey at least once in a life time.
Qur’anic verses and sacred teachings of the Holy Prophet (sa) encourage the
devout believers to perform the Hajj or the Umrah.
‘And pilgrimage to the House is a duty which men
owe to Allah, (especially) those who are able to accomplish it’. (3:98)
‘Accomplish the Hajj (- the Greater Pilgrimage to Makkah) and the ‘Umrah (- the minor pilgrimage)
for the sake of Allâh.’ (2:197)
‘The Safâ and the Marwah (- the two eminences near Ka‘bah) are certainly (two)
of the symbols of Allâh, so he who is on Pilgrimage to the House or performs ‘Umrah (- a visit to Ka‘bah), there is no blame
on him to perform Tawâf (- to run between) the two (eminences), and he who remains thoroughly
dutiful and chooses to do good deeds spontaneously, then surely (he will find)
Allâh is Appreciative and rewards every good deed done. Surely, Allâh is All-Knowing.’ (2:159)
