ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Message Chapter 59: The Farewell Haj Amongst the congregational articles of worship of Islam the ceremonies of Haj are the greatest and most magnificent worship performed by the Muslims, because the performance of these ceremonies and that too once in a year is the sublime manifestation of unity and fellowship, a perfect sign of freedom from belongings and place, a prominent example of equality between different classes, a source of strengthening relations between Muslims etc.

Now if we Muslims make little use of the opportunity afforded by Haj for our betterment and convene this annual Islamic congress (which can undoubtedly solve most of our social problems and can bring about far-reaching changes in our lives) without deriving proper benefit from it, it is not because the law is defective but the fault lies with the Muslim leaders who do not, make proper use of this grand ceremony.

Since the day Prophet Ibrahim had constructed the Ka'bah and invited the monotheists to perform its pilgrimage, this place has always been the centre of attraction, where tawaf was done by the godly peoples and every year groups of pilgrims came from different parts of Arabia and from all corners of the world for the pilgrimage of this House and performed the ceremonies taught by Prophet Ibrahim.

However, as a consequence of the passage of time and also because of the people of the Hijaz being deprived of the guidance of the Prophets, the selfishness of Quraysh, and the rule of idols over the Arab world, the ceremonies of Haj fell prey to change and alteration from the viewpoint of time and place and lost their real features.

For these reasons the Prophet was ordered by Allah in the tenth year of migration to participate in the Haj ceremonies personally so that he might practically teach the people their obligations and might discard the old and unwanted practices of this article of worship and also instruct the people about the limits of 'Arafah and Mina and tell them about the time of departure from those places.

As compared with its political and social aspect, therefore, this journey carried a greater educational aspect. In the eleventh Islamic month (Zil Qa'dah) the Prophet got it proclaimed in the city as well as amongst the tribes that he intended to perform the pilgrimage of the Ka'bah that year. This news inspired great interest in the Muslim ummah.