Previous years Hajj message of Supreme Leader of Muslim Ummah
Ayatullah Khamenie
Hajj Message
2004
Asrar e Hajj
Hajj - E - Baytullah
"In it are Signs
Manifest; (for example), the Station of Abraham; whoever enters it
attains security; pilgrimage (hajj) thereto is a duty men owe to
Allah,- those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith,
Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures. " (3:97)
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.
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...Read more
Hajj:
Spiritual aspect: by Imam Khomeini : The Spiritual degrees of
Hajj, being the assets for eternal life which bring man close to
the horizons of monotheism and doxologies may not be attained
unless the Hajj rituals are observed and performed properly and
precisely and the honorable Hajjis and clergymen of the caravans
must make their concerted efforts to teach and be taught the Hajj
rituals and the learned men are bound to be watchful lest their
companions.
Hajj:
Social aspect: by Imam Khomeini : All Muslim brothers and
sisters must bear in mind that one of the important elements of
the philosophy of Hajj is creation of mutual understanding and
consolidation of brotherhood among the Muslims. It is therefore,
incumbent upon the Ulema and clergymen to discuss their essential
political and social problems with other brothers in order to
devise plans for the elimination of such problems so as to enable
the other brothers to pose these resolutions to their own.
Hajj:
Political aspect: by Imam Khomeini : The philosophy of
Hajj,
i.e. one of the major philosophies of Hajj, lies in its political
dimensions, for the suppression of which criminal hands are at
work from all around. Their extensive propaganda, have,
regretfully, affected the Muslims, so much so, that many consider
this Hajj pilgrimage as an austere worship regardless of the
interests of the Muslims. The important aspect of Hajj has not
been less than its devotional aspect, since its very beginning.