ভূমিকা
Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Taqwa (Piety) Advice of Piety And the Hajj ====================== Although the Hajj is an important religious obligation, it is especially related to ‘Taqwa’, for it requires the suffering of a long journey by people who live in distant lands. It also requires money, health, and safe route in a way that some scholars have compared to Jihad; the greater Jihad in which people sometimes lose their lives.
Meeting with Muslims from other sects, taking part in world congresses of Muslims on trade and politics, visiting the holy city of Medina, taking off one’s ordinary clothes and getting into the state of Ihram (ritual consecration), observing all religious duties in the Shajarah (tree) Mosque, moving towards the secure city of Mecca, performing Tawaf (circumambulation around the Kaaba), sa’y (running) between the two famous hills of Safa and Marwah, Taqseer (clipping the nails and cutting the hair), going to Mash’ar al-Haram,[^1] Arafat, and Mina, returning to Mecca and performing religious obligations are all important and amazing.
Hence, Taqwa has to be observed in all that. In this relation, God says: “And accomplish the pilgrimage and the visit for Allah, but if you are prevented, (send) whatever offering is easy to obtain, and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches its destination, … and be careful (of your duty) to Allah, and know that Allah is severe in requiting (evil) … and make provision, for surely the provision is the guarding of oneself, and be careful (of your duty) to Me, O men of understanding.” [^2] On the importance of Taqwa, which is the spirit of offering sacrifice, God says: “There does not reach Allah their flesh nor their blood, but to Him is acceptable the guarding (against evil) on your part.” [^3] That is to say that the offering of sacrifice must be aimed at getting close to God and not to the wall of the Kaaba.