ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Hajj, Manifestation of Unity The Wali, the Kabah of Tawhid ================================ Just as the baťin and esoteric aspect of prophethood (nubuwah) is the tradition of initiation (imamah), the inner reality of tawhid is walayah. This itself can be seen from two perspectives. Looking inwardly more emphasis is put on the “vertical” walayah in its aspect of truth.

As al-Wali, is also al-Haqq, the Truth permeates and hence unites - walayah being the dynamic principle of the Truth. The human Wali symbolizes this and acts as the “Pole” and “Ka’bah” around which and through which humanity can unite, in their journey to the One. The second perspective is more outward and more importance is paid to the “horizontal” wilayah - the one that human beings have with one another through love, assistance, brotherhood and the other valid and true human relations.

To begin with the second, it can be said that the clearest and most obvious manifestation of this idea in the context of Islam is the Ummah. The political and practical unity of the community of Muslims is of paramount importance. Was it not for this very reason that Imam ‘Ali (‘a) refused to fight for his right after the death of the Prophet (S).

(Qur’an 9:71) The meaning of both these verses is imperative - a command from Allah. As such it is the duty of Allah’s trustee and guardian to enforce this law. Hence the great and overwhelming task that is at hand for the Imam (‘a) and his representatives and followers to try to unite the Muslim Ummah, with all its many divisions and differences. The outward symbol of this coming together of all Muslims, with their various schools of thought, races, tongues and cultures, is the Hajj.

It is the focal point of the unity of the Ummah. Now to return to the fist perspective - the one in which the vertical walayah in its aspect of truth and connection to the Truth predominates - it can be said that this is the essence of the other perspective.