Hajj

Quoted from the late Professor. Ali Shariati's Book "Hajj":

What has the experience of Hajj taught me? First one must ask - what does Hajj mean? In essence, Hajj is man's evolution toward Allah. It is a
symbolic demonstration of the philosophy of Creation of Adam. To further illustrate this, it may be stated that the performance of Hajj is a simultaneous show
of many things; it is a "show of creation", a "show of history", a "show of unity", a "show of the Islamic ideology" and a show of the Ummah.

The following conditions prevail in this "show". Allah (God) is the stage manager. The theme portrayed is the actions of the people involved. Adam,
Ibrahim, Hajar, and Satan are the main characters. The scenes are Masjid-ul Haram, the Haram area, Masa, Arafat, Mashars and Mina. Important symbols
are the Kaaba, Safa, Marwa, day, night, sunshine, sunset, idols and ritual of sacrifice. The clothing and make up are Ihram, Halgh and Taqseer. Lastly,
the player of the roles in this "show" is only one; and that is YOU!

Regardless of whether you are a man or a woman, young or old, black or white, you are the main feature of the performance. The role of Adam, Ibrahim and
Hajar in the confrontation between "Allah and Satan" is played by you. As a result, you, individually, are the hero of the "show". Annually, Muslims from all over the world are encouraged to participate in this great "show" (Hajj). Everyone is considered equal. No discrimination on the basis of race, sex, or social status is made. In accordance to the teachings of Islam, ALL ARE ONE AND ONE IS ALL.

The one who restores somebody's life, has restored the life of all and the one who kills one, has killed all. Yet the enemies of Islam continue to deliberately wage a campaign against Islam. They attack it by denying that Islam recognizes the human being as an individual endowed with special rights and values. In terms of the concept of Hajj, it is relegated to the status of a duty which has very little significance. As Imam Ali, the son of Kaaba says:

As if Islam is a lamb fur-coat' that is put on inside out. What have I personally learned from Hajj-me being so "little" and Hajj being so "great" in meaning? How far and what could I see from this experience? The following pages are the product of my humble efforts to answer these questions. My purpose is not to inform the reader what must be done during Hajj. This can be attained by referring to the book of rituals. Instead, I want to share with you my perceptions of the significance of Hajj. They should help you to understand why it is incumbent upon Muslims to perform this duty, or at least motivate you to think about Hajj.
Rejecting an Empty Philosophy Life today (not life as it should be carried on) is an idle cyclical action a movement with no goal! A meaningless pendular action starts with the day only to end at night and night starts only to disappear at dawn. In the mean time, man is busy watching the play of these black and white "rats" who chew the strings of our life until we die.

Life (as we live it) is like a theater. Man watches these aimless nights and days. Indeed, what foolish play is conducted! When you are in need, you hope and struggle to overcome your needs. Yet once you achieve this, you view your past efforts humorously. What a senseless philosophy to live by! Living on a day to day basis, the person lacks direction. His aim is only to live. What exists is a dead spirit in a living body. However, the Hajj experience alters this unhealthy condition! Once you decide to perform Hajj and take the necessary steps, you are on the road to the actualization of Hajj. Before going to Hajj you reside in your home calm and reposed. Upon entering the state of mind for Hajj, you arise and move away from your routine environment.

Hajj is the antithesis of aimlessness. It is the rebellion against a damned fate guided by evil forces. The fulfillment of Hajj will enable you to escape from the complex network of puzzles. This revolutionary act will reveal to you the clear horizon and free way to migration to eternity toward the Almighty Allah. Depart from your home. and visit "Allah's house", or the "house of the people"! You, whoever you are, you are a man, Adam's son, and a representative of Allah on earth! You are a relative of Allah, Allah's trustee, His master of nature and a student of God. Allah taught you the names. He made you from His spirit and endowed you with special qualities. You were praised by Him; His angels even prostrated to you. This earth and everything in it was made available to man. God became your "home mate", with you at all times and watching all of your actions. Are you living up to His expectation?

Prophet (PBUH): Allah is in the hearts of the believers

Quran XXIX:3



Thus Allah knoweth those who are sincere, and knoweth those who feign

Quran LVII: 25


And that Allah may know him who helpeth Him and His messenger, though unseen.

Quran XVII: 7



LO! We have placed all that is in the earth as an ornament thereof that we may try them: which of them is best in conduct.

Quran LXVII: 2



Who hath created life and death that He may try you, which of you is best in conduct; and he is the Mighty, the Forgiving, With the passage of time and the influence of various forces of the social system which disregard human rights and duties, your character has been changed. The vicissitudes of life have affected you to the degree that you became alienated and neglectful. Originally, with Allah's spirit in your heart, you were supposed to shoulder the responsibility of being Allah's trustee on earth. You were granted time as a means for fulfilling this task but you failed because the gift was used carelessly!


Quran CIII: 2-3



By the declining day, LO! man is in a state of loss, This is what is called life! But realistically speaking what has been accomplished? What constructive contributions have you made? What have you gained? So many precious years have been lost, yet who are you? Oh trustee and vicegerent of Allah on earth, you have turned to money, sex, greed, aggression, and dishonesty. You have regressed to the inferior status that you occupied before almighty Allah blew His spirit into you. Where is the spirit of Allah now? Oh man, rise out of this decadent situation! Divorce yourself from this gradual death. Leave your surroundings and go to the pure land. There you may face Almighty Allah under the inspiring sky of Mashar. The estrangement which you have experienced will be overcome. At last, you will find yourself! Reaching towards Allah

Hajj occurs during the highly respected month of Zul-Hijjah'. The land of Makkah (Mecca) is tranquil and peaceful. Instead of fear, hatred, and war, the desert is characterized by security and peace. An atmosphere for worship where people are free to face Almighty God is prevalent.

Do you not hear Ibrahim's command:

Quran XXII: 27



And call upon the people for Hajj. They will come to you on their bare feet or riding any weak camel and they come to you from every far desert. You, oh Mud, search for and follow the spirit of Allah! Accept his invitation; leave your home in order to "see" Him. He is waiting for You! Human existence is frivolous unless one's aim is to approach the spirit of Allah. Separate yourself from all those needs and greeds which distract you from Allah. Therefore, join the eternal human migration to Hajj. "See" Almighty Allah!

Before departing to perform Hajj, all of your debts should be paid. Your hates and angers toward relatives or friends must disappear. A will must be drawn. All of these gestures are an exercise in the preparation for death (which will overtake everyone some day). These acts guarantee your personal and financial clearance. The last moments of farewell and the future of man are symbolized. Now you are free to join eternity. On the day of resurrection, when "you can do nothing" in Allah's court, where "your eyes, ears, and heart are the best witnesses of what you have done,"

Quran XVII: 36



You and every organ of your body are responsible for your deeds. While you are in this "house of correction" get ready for the "house of justice". Exercise death before you die-go to Hajj! Hajj represents your return to Allah, the absolute, who has no limitations and none is like Him. To return to Him signifies a definite movement toward perfection, goodness, beauty, power knowledge, value, and facts. On your way toward the eternal, you will NEVER approach Allah. He is to guide you in the right direction and not to be your destination! Islam is different from Sufism. A Sufi lives "in the name of Allah", and dies "for the sake of Allah". But, a Muslim strives to approach Almighty God To Allah we belong and to Him is our return.


Quran II:156 & XLII:53



All affairs tend toward Allah.  Our goal is not to "perish", but to "bloom". This is done not "for Allah" but rather to bring us "toward Him". Allah is not so far away from you; therefore, try to reach Him! Allah is closer to you than yourself!

Quran L:16



We are nearer to him than his jugular vein. On the other hand, everyone beside Allah is too far to be reached! Oh man, all the angels prostrated to you; yet, through the passage of time and societal influence you have changed greatly. You have not abided by your promise to worship none but Almighty Allah. Instead, you have become a slave to idols, some of which are man-made.

Quran LIV: 54



In an assembly of truth, in the presence of a sovereign omnipotent. Your nature is characterized by loyalty to other individuals, self devotion, cruelty, ignorance, a lack of direction, fearfulness, and greediness! This life has caused you to acquire animalistic traits. Now you are like a "wolf", "fox", "rat", or "sheep". Oh man, return to your origin. Go to Hajj and visit your best friend who created you as the best creature. He is waiting to see you! Leave the palaces of power, the treasures of wealth and the misleading temples. Dismember yourself from the flock of those animals whose shepherd is the wolf. Join the flock at Miad who is going to see the house of Allah or the house of the people.



Entering Miqat and becoming One

The show begins at Miqat. At this point, the actor (mankind) must change his clothes. Why? Because one's attire covers the person as well as his character. In other words, an individual doesn't wear clothes, but rather, the clothes cover him! Clothes symbolize, pattern, preference, status, and distinction. They create
superficial "borders" which cause "separation" between people. In most cases, "separation" between people, gives birth to "discrimination". Furthermore the concept of "I" not "we" emerges! "I" is used in the context of my race, my class, my clan, my group, my position, my family, my values, and not "I" as a human being. So many "borders" have been created in our lives. The descendants of Cain, the executioners and the cruel split Adam's family and mankind's unity
into many parts and factions. What resulted were the following relationships: master and servant, oppressor and oppressed, colonialist and
colonialized, exploiter and exploited, strong and weak, rich and poor, nourished and malnourished, honored and dishonored, happy and unhappy, noble persons and lay persons, civilized and uncivilized, Eastern and Western, Arab and Ajam and etc. Humanity is divided into races, nations, classes, subclasses, groups, and families. Each one has its own distinct status and values, names and honors. And-for what? All this just to show "ones-self-but under so much "make-up"!
Now take off your clothes. Leave them at Miqat. Wear the Kafan which consists of plain white material. You will be dressed like everyone else. See the uniformity appear! Be a particle and join the mass; as a drop, enter the ocean. Don't be proud, you are not here to see somebody, but be humble. You will be seeing Allah. Be the one who realizes his mortality or a mortal who feels his existence.

At Miqat, regardless of your race or tribe, you must doff all the covers you wore in your daily life as:

- a wolf (symbolizing fierceness and oppression),

- a rat (symbolizing slyness),

- a fox (symbolizing craftiness),

- or a sheep (symbolizing slavery).


Leave all these in Miqat and assume your original shape as a "man" - just one "Adam" as you will be at the end, as one "dead"! Wrap yourself in two pieces of cloth. One covers your shoulders and the other goes around your waist. No special style or material is used. It is made of very plain and simple fabric. Everyone is wearing the same outfit (Ihram). No distinctions in appearance are visible. The caravans from all over the world which are traveling to Hajj will congregate at Miqat. They will meet at the same time and at the same place! On his way to Allah, man is not just "to be" but he is "to become" what he should be!

Quran XXIV:42


And unto Allah is the journeying. How wonderful! Everything is moving - evolution, death and life, life and death, contradiction, change, and direction.

Quran XXVIII:88


Everything will perish save His countenance. And Allah is the "absolute" - being, perfect, and eternal!

Quran LV:29


Everyday He exerciseth (universal) power. Hajj is also a movement. Man decides to return toward Allah. All of his egos and selfish tendencies are buried at Miqat (Zu-halifa). He witnesses his own dead body and visits his own grave. Man is reminded of the final goal of his life. He experiences death at Miqat and resurrection after which he must continue his mission in the desert between Miqat and Miad. The scene is like the day of judgment. From one horizon to the other, a "flood of whites" appears. All the people are wearing the Kafan. No one can be recognized. The bodies were left in Miqat and the souls are motivated here. Names, races, nor social status make a difference in this great combination. An atmosphere of genuine unity prevails. It is a human show of Allah's unity.

Fear and pleasure, excitement and charm, perplexity and rapture all appear as minute particles in a magnetic field. Allah is in its center (qibla')! Only man shows himself. He is situated in one direction which is toward Allah. In this desert all the nations and groups merge into one tribe. They face one Kaaba. Once you remove your clothes and all the signs which distinguish "you" as An individual, you may enter into the heart of the crowd. In the state of Ihram', try to forget the things that remind you of your life. Everyone "melts" himself and assumes a new form as a "mankind". The egos and individual traits are buried. The group becomes a "people" or an "Umma". All the l's have died in Miqat; what has evolved is "We". By the time you leave Mina you should have integrated into the Umma. This is what Ibrahim did. You are also supposed to act like Ibrahim.

Quran XVI: 120



Lo Abraham was a nation obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the idolaters. At last, one is all and all is one! Everyone is equal. The society of
polytheism is converted into one of monotheism or Tawhid. This is the Umma or the society which is onto the right path. It should be a society which is perfect, active and led by Islamic leadership (Imamat). Everyone performing Hajj has turned away from himself to face Allah. He has been endowed with the spirit of Allah. You have gone from an exile to the hereafter. You have been exposed to the absolute facts. You have overcome ignorance and oppression and have been enlightened by consciousness and justice. You have rejected polytheism and adopted monotheism.

Previous to the performance of Hajj, the people neglected their human quality. They were alienated by power, wealth, family, land, and race. Their life was only in the context of mere "existence". Finally, the experience of Hajj allowed them to achieve self-discovery. Now they perceived each other collectively as "one", and individually as a "man" NOTHING ELSE!



Declaring your Intention

NIYAT



Before entering Miqat, which is the beginning of a great change and revolution, you must declare your intention. What does this encompass? It is the intention of a "transferral" from your house to the house of people, from life to love, from the self to Allah, from slavery to freedom, from racial discrimination to equality, sincerity and truth, from being clothed to being naked, from a daily life to an eternal life and from selfishness and aimlessness to devotion and responsibility. In summary, it is a transferral into the state of "Ihram" . Therefore, your intention must be strongly asserted. You will grow out of your "shell" as do the seeds of dates. Being extremely conscious, you must have faith in your heart. Enlighten your heart with the flame of love; "shine" and "shine". Forget all about yourself! In the past, your life was characterized by "negligence" and "ignorance" You were helpless in all aspects of existence. Even in the realm of your job, you became a slave, working either as a habit or by force! Now, shed this pattern of life! Become genuinely "conscious" of Almighty Allah, the people and yourself!
Choose a new job, a new direction and a new "self"!


Praying in Miqat


When at Miqat and ready to start the Hajj, you are aware of what must be done and why. In the Ihram attire you will perform the prayer of Ihram, presenting yourself to the Almighty Allah. Say - Oh Allah, I No More worship the idols, and No More am I the slave of Nimrod'. Oh Allah, I am standing in front of you with the gesture of Ibrahim not as an oppressor (wolf), not as a cheater (fox), not as a hoarder (rat). Nay, I face you as a "man" wearing the same clothes that I will wear when I see you in the hereafter. This means that you willingly and consciously want to obey Allah and become His slave. You will rebel against anyone and anything beside Allah. Your readiness to exercise necessary duties is expressed. Such a position is not different from the regular prayer, but at this time it is like a more intimate talk to Allah. It is as if Allah's presence can be felt.

Say: Oh the most gracious and the most merciful, whose glory and mercy go beyond the limits of friends and enemies, the righteous and the sinful, the believers and non-believers ... Oh Allah, I worship you since you are the only one who deserves to be worshipped. I choose no master, but you, the master and owner of the day of judgment". Quran I:2-4., Quran I:5

Thee (alone) we worship; thee (alone) we ask for help. Oh our only love, Oh our only help! See how we are lost by our ignorance! See how we are misled by the oppressors! See how we are limited by our weakness!

Quran I:6



Show us the Straight Path - the path of truth, consciousness, fact, beauty, perfection, love, and goodness.


Quran I:7

To be continued...

Iranian businessman awarded British honor


London, Dec 30, IRNA-- Iranian businessman Yousef Daneshvar Saturday was named amongst hundreds of recipients awarded for exceptional achievement in the annual New Year honors list.


Daneshvar, who is deputy chair of the British Iranian Chamber of Commerce (BICC), was bestowed with the quait title of Officer of the British Empire (OBE) "for services to British business interests in Iran."
He was among some 109 recipients on the Diplomatic Service and Overseas List drawn up by the Foreign Office and chosen by the British monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The highest honors of a knighthood were awarded to the recent UN deputy secretary general Mark Malloch Brown and Director of Royal Institute of International Affairs Prof. Victor Gerald Bulmer-Thomas.

Daneshvar, who has lived in the UK for 37 years, became a member of BICC in 1998, a year after it was founded with its counterpart in Tehran, the Irano-British Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines.

a corresponding Iranian-British Chamber of Commerce in Tehran.

He is also chairman of the Danlesco Group with operations in 14 Middle Eastern countries in the fields of electronic measuring systems, power and water plants and Lemax Engineering, which exports power generating machinery, welding equipment and desalination plants.

BICC, which was created to develop trade, investment and business between the UK and Iran, is currently chaired by former British Chancellor of the Exchequer Norman Lamont.

The New Year honors lists include awards for entertainers, sports personality, the police and military as well as people from all walks of life.

OBE awards were among a series of honorary titles originally created to reward the efforts by civilians at home and servicemen in support positions during World War one in 1917.

The distinctions have since been maintained to bestow mainly to civilians and service personnel for public service or other achievements.


Iranian Zurkhaneh to be Established in Hamburg


Tehran, 30 December 2006 (CHN Foreign Desk) -- According to representative of International Federation of Traditional Sports (Zurkhaneh) in Germany, the plan for construction of a gymnasium for the Iranian ancient sport of Zurkhaneh in Hamburg has been prepared and will be performed in a near future.

Zurkhaneh is an ancient Iranian sport whose origin goes back to nearly 2000 years ago. The word Zurkhaneh literary means ‘house of power’ and refers to both the sport itself and the place it is practiced.

“More than 3000 Euro has been spent so far for introducing the ancient sport of Zurkhaneh to the Germans. It is anticipated that with the support of the private sector and the International Federation of Zurkhaneh Sports, a Zurkhaneh will be launched in the Islamic Center of Hamburg in a near future,” said Ali Nejati, representative of International Federation of Zurkhaneh Sports in Germany.

Nejati further explained that since Hamburg’s Islamic Center is located in an area that is a popular tourist center, this part has been considered for constructing a Zurkhaneh to give foreigners and tourists the chance to become familiar with this ancient Iranian sport.

“Since two years ago, special gymnasiums for Zurkhaneh sports have been launched in some European countries including Germany. During this period, many Europeans, mostly young adults, have shown a lot of interest to learn this ancient sport. We believe that this sport would attract even more people if introduced properly,” added Nejati.

Zurkhaneh is the Iranian traditional gymnasium dating back to 2000 years ago. It is the place where rituals of Varzesh-e Pahlavani (heroic sport) are practiced. Zurkhaneh was originally an academy of physical training and a nursery for warriors against foreign invaders similar to Korean, Japanese and Chinese martial arts.

Throughout its existence, Zurkhaneh was enriched with different components of moral, ethical, philosophical, and mystical values of Persian civilization. As a result, Varzesh-e Pahlavani or Zurkhaneh emerged as unique institution having incorporated the spiritual richness of Sufism, traditional rituals of Mithraism, and heroism of Iranian nationalism.


Soudabeh Sadigh
foreigndesk@chn.ir