ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Hajj (The Pilgrimage) Conclusion The time for staying in Mina is over and the ceremonies end near the border of Mecca. There is one more Tawaf and Sa'y that you can do anytime toward the end of Zul-Hijjah and if necessary you can do it before leaving for Arafat. Hajj ceremonies are over and this is all you are supposed to do. Oh Hajj who is leaving Mina, the last stage of Hajj - you accepted Ibrahim's invitation.

You escaped the vicious cycle of your individual life. You came on time to Miqat; you listened to the revelation; you took off your clothing and put on the white Kafan. You left your home and homeland and came as a guest to the house of God and the land of Jihad. You made a promise to God by shaking his right hand. You entered the Tawaf circle and were lost amongst the people of Taef. You denied self- centeredness. You purified yourself.

You tried your best to search for "water" on top of the mountains. Then you descended to Arafat from Mecca and from stage after stage (going to Mashar and Mina), you returned to Allah (returned to Mecca). You gained "consciousness" in the sunshine of Arafat. You collected your arms in the darkness of Mashar. Simultaneously, with others you passed the border of Mina. Satan was defeated by your first attack. You became free and saved the land of faith and love.

You held the position of Ibrahim and ascended to the peak of honor - the stage beyond Shahadat. Finally, you sacrificed a sheep at the end of this effort! Where do you arrive at the end of this greatest holy trip and highest degree of human ascension after going through the most dangerous and fearful passages of creation - Tawheed (unity), Ithar, Jihad (struggle), Shahadat (martyrdom), fighting with Eblis (Satan) and conquering the land of love? What do you do? Sacrifice: kill a "lamb"! Why?

What is its philosophy? What is the mystery? What does killing a lamb at the end of Hajj mean? I cannot say! Let Allah himself answer this question: Eat thereof and feed the beggar and the suppliant . Qur’an 22: 36 He repeats again: Then eat thereof and feed there with the unfortunate poor (i.e. To fight with poverty. At the end of this trip, give a piece of what you eat to relieve a hungry man and help an oppressed person. That's all!) Qur’an 28: 28 Oh Hajj - where are you going now?

Back home to your life and to your world? Are you returning from Hajj the same way you came? Never! Never!