YOU ARE AT A GOLD MINE
Greetings of love, sincerity and affection to my brothers who are not present and who cannot see me and I cannot see them.
You are very fortunate indeed, as Allah has placed you at a gold mine, or rather at a new mine of jewels. This is the mine of searching human souls, agitated hearts and restive minds that are looking for a path, a way that will restore to them faith and certitude, establish their link with the Creator of the Universe, make them understand his qualities and attributes and his unique relationship with his creation. A way that can create in them the inspiration to grasp the expanse of the cosmos, the depth of the human soul and the flights of the human spirit. Allah has given you this opportunity which was not accessible to many scholars and pious figures before. They used to long that Allah Ta’ala would give them the opportunity through which they could ignite the spirit of Islam and thereby enhance their own connection with Allah. They used to pass ages without finding such an opportunity.
DISCOVER THE ‘NEW WORLD’
Allah has sent you into that land. I do not subscribe to the logic of incidental occurrence. My mind cannot accept that anything in this world can happen without the will and plan of Allah Ta’ala. I believe that Allah has chosen you to live in that
land so that you may discover that ‘new world’. It is time now that the ‘new world’ be rediscovered. Columbus was not the only one to have this honour, it is time that every one of you seek the discovery of a ‘new world’. The ‘new world’ that l am talking about is not a continent, but a world of humanity, human progress and human perfection. Whosoever will discover this ‘new world’ will do a favour to humanity greater than what Columbus claimed. To discover a new continent for the exploitation of one’s nation and its conquests is not a favour to humanity.
INCREASE YOUR FAITH
You have a golden opportunity to discover a ‘new world’. You must protect your own faith. The word ‘protect’ however, I consider below the rank of a Muslim. A Muslim is the protector of the faith of the nations of this earth. He protects their relationship with Allah Ta’ala. To tell a Muslim to protect his own faith is below the rank of a Muslim. But the winds of faithlessness that are blowing and the new mental and spiritual unrest that is prevalent, especially in America, makes me believe that you must protect your faith there. You must in fact increase your faith. The failure of western culture and the inadequacy of science and technology to fulfil those objectives of life that bring peace and satisfaction should urge you to present to them the noble message of Islam.
‘NARROWNESS’ OF THIS WORLD
As the Arab envoys said long ago, we came to free men from being slaves of other men to becoming the servants of Allah and to free them from the narrowness of this world to the vastness of the world. Today, this mission is as important as it was in the seventh century after Christ. Indeed, it has become even more important now. It is possible to fulfil this mission today as it was in the sixth and seventh centuries.
This mission was accomplished by human beings then, by the members of this Ummah. The desert dwellers of Arabia, the camel riders and tent makers went to the courts of Caesar and Khusro and presented this message to them. They entered Rustam’s palace which was especially decorated for that occasion and when they were asked, “Why did you come here, and what has brought you here”? Their terse bold answer was without hesitation.” Allah has sent and appointed us that we may, by his leave, liberate mankind from being slaves to each other to being the servants of Allah and from living in the narrowness of this world to living in the vastness of the world.”
‘VASTNESS’ OF THIS WORLD
I always say that if those Arabs would have said that, “We came to take you out from the narrowness of the world to the vastness of the hereafter,” there would have been nothing surprising about this. They had the right to say this because they had truly understood and recognised the hereafter. But what made them say that we came to bring you out from the narrowness of the world to the vastness of the world. They themselves were living in a land where even sufficient food was not available. They had little knowledge or awareness of the vast regions of the world. They were living in isolation almost separated from the rest of the world. But they meant to say that what you consider as the world is very small and narrow. Your world is only the world of food and drink, of luxuries of fulfilment of material needs. Your world is limited to some families, some factories, or to some fun places, but the real world is much
bigger and greater than that. It is the world of spirit of Iman, of divine love, of human compassion, of universal brotherhood of man, and the world of effort and labour - to bring happiness to the hearts and souls of others. This world is greater than your continents. If your continents were to be thrown in the ocean of this vast world, it would be no more than a small pebble.
AMBASSADORS OF ISLAM
This is our message to all Muslims. One of your brothers without seeing you but trusting your faith asks you that when Allah has sent you to this new land, you become the ambassadors of Islam there. You are the unofficial ambassadors. You are not paid any salaries or have any formal contract with the government, but you are the direct ambassadors of Islam; its ambassadors of faith, morality and goodness. Wherever you are and whatever social or economic levels of life you are in, you must consider yourself as the representatives of Islam and its religious ambassadors.
HOPE IN MY GOOD WISHES
I have said these words in a hurry at the request of my friend Muzammil Siddiqi. I do hope that the sincere feelings that are at work behind these words and my good wishes for you will add meaning to them. With the grace of Allah Ta’ala, these words, whilst spoken in India in a corner of the city of Lucknow, will reach thousands of Muslims and will find a way to their hearts. Please accept my salaams and my sincere affection for you. I pray for you and ask you not to forget me also in your prayers.”
Significance of Hajj and its Significant Benefits
Hajj-The Fifth Pillar of Islam
Allah Ta'ala says in the Noble Qur’an: "And announce to humanity, (O Ibrahim), the pilgrimage, and people will come from every part of the world by every means of transport – so that they may witness the benefits for them …” (Surah Hajj – Verse 27)
Hajj is one of the five Pillars of Islam and a religious obligation for able-bodied Muslims who can financially afford it. The actual days of Hajj is from 8 to the 12/13 of Zul-Hijjah.
Hajj is an important calendar event for Muslims as it brings to life the teachings and legacy of Nabi Ibrahim (Alayhis Salam) and an annual revision and performance of the rites of Hajj taught by Nabi Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). Hajj is a time of spiritual reflection, development, and unity for Muslims from all over the world who come together to fulfill this religious obligation.
Performing Hajj is considered a transformative experience for fostering a sense of unity and equality among believers. It is also an occasion for Muslims to seek forgiveness, purify their souls, and strengthen their relationship with Allah and their fellow Muslims.
In all acts of worship including Hajj, there is the outward act and an inner deeper meaning. Hereunder some of these great benefits of Hajj are mentioned;
Hajj as a Picture of Death
A person leaves his home, bids farewell to near and dear ones and departs on the journey alone. As how he boards the plane as a conveyance, in death his conveyance will be the bier carried on people's shoulders.
Just as how family and friends normally accompany the Haji to the airport, friends and family accompany one in death to the edge of the grave. Just as the passenger boards the flight, leaving family behind, in death, a person leaves behind his home, family and undertakes this journey alone.
A Haji wears two white sheets to cover his body. In death a person is also wrapped in white sheets of the Kafan which serve as his shroud.
A source of comfort that a Haji enjoys in Hajj, comes from the money and provisions, which he carries with him before leaving. Likewise, the greatest comfort one enjoys in the life after death is that which comes from the good deeds he performed before his death.
Transformation and Tarbiyyah
The journey of Hajj is designed to test the commitment, resilience, patience and faith of a person. The tests and sacrifices experienced during Hajj show a person a true picture of the self and provide the opportunity for reflection, repentance and reformation.
International Conference
There are times when different classes of people gather to dialogue, share information and discuss issues and possible solutions. In Hajj representatives from all over the globe, from all spheres of life and from all ranks gather at Makkah for a great annual international conference.
Networking
What better place can there be for networking than at Makkah at the time of Hajj; for discussions and deliberations between rulers, ministers and ambassadors of various countries; for improving relations; for the forming of unity and co-operation among them.
At the headquarters of Islam, with the added influence of the spirit of goodwill and brotherhood at the time of Hajj, it is the best opportunity to network, to build ties and to strengthen unity.
Diversity
So many are the different tongues and dialects spoken and the various cultures at Hajj. Every language and country is present. What a grand expose of the cosmopolitan nature of Islam! This builds a mind-set of accepting diversity of the human race, which eliminates racism and prejudice.
Unity and Discipline
Nowhere else can a person see a better exhibit of the soldier like uniformity as on the Haj journey. This uniformity is a special and unique symbol and badge of Islam. Hence, we see all the Hajis in the same dress, following the same prescriptions and commands, avoiding the same prohibitions, doing the same actions at the same time. It is an unimaginable display of cohesion and discipline.
Equality and Brotherhood
It is a fact that no better demonstration for the teaching and propagation of equality between the various classes can be seen, than in Hajj. Here at the same time; and at the same places; for a substantial period of time, the rich and the poor, the Arab and the Turk, the Englishman and the African, all dressed in the simple pilgrim’s garb present themselves for a common purpose and goal. All barriers of rank, class, wealth and status are set aside. Racism and prejudice is removed.
Physical benefits
A change of climate is good for health, and Haj provides a good opportunity for this. Hajj entails much walking and physical activities which contribute to bodily health and well-being.
Education and Knowledge
From an educational point of view, Hajj is most beneficial. Many learned scholars from a great number of countries from numerous educational institutes come together; which leads to worthy discussions on educational topics. One gets to know the views, progress, decline and achievements in different countries and societies. All this definitely affords an opportunity of learning from others.
Spiritual Benefits
Great saints attend the Hajj gathering annually; whereby an opportunity is offered to derive spiritual benefit from their esteemed presence, by being in their company and listening to their discourses and advices.
May Allah Ta'ala grant all the Hujjaj Hajj Mabroor and accept their good deeds and supplications.
Mufti Zubair Bayat Ameer of Darul Ihsan Humanitarian Centre
