Hajj - The Journey of Hearts
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Creator: Muhammad Alshareef
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Identifier: http://www.khutbah.com/en/ramadan_hajj/hearts.php
Language: en
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Subject: hajj
Title: Hajj - The Journey of Hearts
Created on: Tue Jan 29 11:03:05 -0500 2008
Updated on: Tue Jan 29 11:03:05 -0500 2008
Version: 1
Abstract: ... a ‘aala turns the attention of His slaves to another journey and a different kind of provision. Allah ‘azza wa jall turns our attention to the journey to the Hereafter, to Paradise or Hell, and the provision is taqwa: And take sustenance (with you) for the journey; verily the best sustenance is taqwa (Al-Baqarah 2/197). On the day Buhaym Al-‘Ajlee set out with his companion for Hajj, he looked toward the endless desert awaiting them both and wept, his chest soaking from the tears. “This is something,” said Buhaym, “that has made me understand the most certain journey I must one day take to Allah ‘azza wa jall!” The Provider There is debate over whether someone who performs Hajj should be called a Hajji. It is not something found in the Sunnah; rather it has an interesting background in our cultural history. In antique days, when someone decided to perform the journey for Hajj, it was synonymous with bidding farewell to life on earth. This was due to the treacherous obstacles of traveling in the desert – trials such as sickness, starvation, and the struggles of the separate situations. An entire village might gather to bid those people farewell. When someone would go through such a remarkable journey and return alive, he would dedicate his life to the worship and obedience of Allah ‘azza wa jall. Gone was the cheating, or the lying, or the missed salah; he was now a Hajji. Today, with the jumbo jets, ocean liners, and Mercedes busses, the facilitation of performing Hajj has taken away the luster of the title Hajji. Some might complain that there are no queen-size mattress beds in Mina, or that the air conditioning motor is a tad too loud. But dear brothers and sisters, who is it that provided us with all the blessings that we are living in? It is the same Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala that has tests us on the plains of Arafah. The slave of Allah can only truly understand the favor of Allah upon him when it is taken away. There is no blame upon you for seeking bounty from your Lord (during Hajj). But when you depart from Arafat, remember Allah at Al Mash’ar Al Haram. And remember Him as He has guided you, for indeed you were before that among those astray. Alhamdulillaah. Indeed the greatest blessing that Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala has favored us with is Islam, and it alone suffices as favor. Allah knows we are going to get dusty during Hajj, Allah knows it. So don’t be surprised when that dust blows, instead turn to Allah and hit back with patience and a whisper of gratitude to Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala. Then let them end their untidiness, fufill their vows, and perform Tawaf around the ancient House (Al- Hajj 22/29). Ibn Al-Qayyim wrote a poem about this journey of the hearts, here is only a glimpse of some of the Arabic verses: He says, my slaves have come to me (for Hajj) out of love for me And I am merciful to them, bounteous and loving. Glad tidings, O participants of that stand (on Arafah), A moment when Allah forgives all sins and showers His mercy. Abu Hurayrah radi Allaahu anhu narrates: I heard the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam say, “Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or transgression, he returns free from sin as the day his mother bore him” (Bukhari). Getting the Heart in Shape Many years ago, as the Hujjaj swept through the valley of Muzdalifah, a man remarked out loud, “My! Look at the number of Hujjaj!” A wise man replied, “Nay, the passengers are many, but the Hujjaj are few.” I once heard the story of a man who was blessed with the opportunity to join the caravan for Hajj regularly. However, his shortco... [Full Article...]
