Hajj is the ritual pilgrimage of the Muslims to the holy city Makkah in Saudi Arabia. The word ‘Hajj’ literally means to make a vow. According to the Islamic tradition, after accomplishing some specific activities, paying a visit to the house of Kaaba, gathering in the plains of Mount Arafat, and finally making a vow to lead the rest of life on the basic teachings of Islam is called Hajj. The Prophet of the world Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) performed the only Hajj of his life in the 10th Hijri. It is called the farewell Hajj. While performing Hajj on 9th Jilhazz, he directed all the pilgrims to gather in the field of Arafat. Then, he described in detail the fundamental teachings of Islam to them and wanted to know if he had performed the duties assigned to him perfectly or not. All present there answered in the affirmative that he had done it perfectly. Then, a message was revealed on the Prophet (PBUH) saying,” Today I’ve perfected for you your religion and fulfilled my favour upon you.”[Sura:Mayeda;verse:3]

Performing Hajj is a mandatory religious duty for every solvent Muslim male and female. Those who are physically, mentally, and financially capable of traveling to Makkah should perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime. Hajj is a obligatory worship particularly for the rich Muslims, as they are excessively attached to worldly affairs. It has been made mandatory for them so that they can realize the futility of the transitory worldly life and turn towards religion. Through performing different rites of Hajj, a pilgrim can prepare himself physically and mentally to observe religion. For example, wearing two pieces of seamless clothes in Ihram, becoming baldly headed, and walking barefooted; all these activities take the pilgrim closer to a death-like feeling. Abandoning everything worldly in the state of Ihram makes a man think deeply about Allah, death, and the life hereafter.

The Prophet (PBUH) said, ”You experience another death before you die; behave with others as if you’re dead and free yourself from the worldly attachments.” A dead person can’t kill any living being. Similarly, a pilgrim can’t kill anybody when he is in the state of Ihram. Even though the pilgrims follow this prohibition fully, yet it doesn’t prove that their enmity has finished completely. To make it sure, they’re to sacrifice an animal which symbolically means they’re killing their enmity towards anybody. When the pilgrims perform Tawaf (circumambulation) of the house of Kaaba and gather in the field of Arafat, they remember about their sins as well as the sins of their forefathers. As a result of it, a strong feeling of repentance arises in them and they become restless to have the forgiveness of Allah. For the offense of tasting fruit from the prohibited tree, Hazrat Adam (As.) had to be in absolute isolation from Mother Hawa (As.) for a long time. He cried profusely for long 390 years to have forgiveness from Allah but in vain. Finally, when he sought the forgiveness of Allah with reference to the holy prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Allah instantly forgave him of his sin. Then, after burning in the fire of separation from Mother Hawa(As) for a long time, finally, Hazrat Adam(As.) had reunited with her in the field of Arafat. This historical event inspires the pilgrims to have forgiveness of Allah, when they gather in the field of Arafat. Hazrat Ibrahim (As.) built the house of Kaaba and lived in it. His followers, as a sign of reverence and allegiance, walked around it seven times. Our prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) also performed Tawaf (circumambulation) around the house of Kaaba while performing Hajj after the conquest of Makkah. As we’re the followers of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and Hazrat Ibrahim (As.) is the father of the entire Muslim ummah, we also perform seven times circumambulations of the house of Kaaba as a demonstration of reverence and devotion to our forefathers.

When the pilgrims move towards Mina to sacrifice animals, on the way they throw stones at Satan. It is also a sunnah of Hazrat Ibrahim (As.).As the story goes, when Hazrat Ibrahim (As.) was heading toward Mina to sacrifice his son Hazrat Ismail (As.), Satan provoked Hazrat Ismail (As.) as to he doesn’t give consent to be sacrificed. Then, Hazrat Ibrahim(As.) advised his son to throw stones at the satan to drive them away. Similarly, a man seeking proximity to Allah is confronted with different obstacles created by the Nafs (physical body) satan. He needs to overcome all these limitations with courage and complete reliance on his spiritual guide.

After accomplishing Qurbani (sacrifice) in Mina, the pilgrims pay a visit to the holy shrine of the beloved prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Medina. At this time, they become overwhelmed with the love of the Prophet (PBUH) and keep on crying profusely to have a didar (holy meeting) of him. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in the narrative of a Hadith, “The heart of a Mumin (believer) is the throne of Allah.” So, it becomes obvious from this Hadith that the heart of a believer is more valuable than the house of Ibrahim built of concrete.” Therefore, it is necessary to follow the instructions of the Awliya-e-Keram who are the possessors of the throne of Allah to perform Hajj effectively. Many people from around the world come to Sufi Emperor Shah Dewanbagi(Rh.) to take advice from him before going on pilgrimage. Following his instructions, they successfully perform Hajj that truly serves the purpose of Hajj