Jummah and Eid Mubarak
Jummah and Eid Mubarak sis! Don’t let anyone tell you this is a lesser Eid... how do you think Abraham (as) would feel about that? Hajj is connected to Abraham (as)’s legacy. Every Hajj ritual has specific meaning and purpose! When performing Hajj, you’re on a journey in the footsteps of Abraham (as) and walking in the shoes of how we should have trust, hope, and optimism in Allah (swt) . There is much symbolism of each act and most importantly Hajj creates a deeper connection with Allah (swt)
Al-Baqarah 2:186 (The Cow)
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِى وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِى لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ
“When My servants ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond ˹with obedience˺ to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided ˹to the Right Way˺.”
When in doubt, call to Allah swt. No matter the lowest point... Allah swt said he is near, so it‘s as simple as a dua. When Adam (as) slipped, he didn‘t go further into sin, he called to Allah swt and was forgiven. Ibrahim (as) experienced many lifelong hardships, but he didn‘t doubt or show ingratitude. Instead, he called to Allah swt in a beautiful dua and Allah swt heard him. This beautiful period of Hajj calls us to continue to strive to reach our fullest potential spiritually. It‘s a reminder that Allah swt is near no matter the circumstances or tribulations. The symbolic acts performed during Hajj takes the believer on a physical journey that parallels the spiritual awakening of our journey to Allah swt.
This experience cannot be compared to anything else in this world or by any other religious faith. We thank Allah swt for the blessings of this month, we ask Allah swt to accept the Hajj of those who made the journey this year, and we ask Allah swt to make us amongst the next to visit Hajj - Allahuma Ameen
The Farewell Hajj
There’s so much to say about the Farewell Hajj, like how Asma' bint Umais (as) gives birth at the miqat and proceeds to Hajj with the Prophet (saw) and his companions. Or how the Sahabahs described seeing seas of people from many countries and ethnic backgrounds, but the Prophet (saw) was amongst them, not set apart, on the same journey, wearing the same clothes. Or how on this journey, revelation was descending upon the Prophet (saw) while on camelback and all the Shabahs witnessing these moments of ayats coming down...Subhanallah... I mean, really picture this magnificent journey....
Everyone is doing exactly what the Prophet (saw) was doing...and for those in close proximity, they would describe what he (saw) was doing so all the pilgrims could perform the acts as well.
Or how about the sounds of everyone chanting monotheism:
“Labbayk Allahumma labbayk labbayk la sharika laka labbayk
inna alhamda wa alni'mata laka wa almulk la sharika lak”
Remember, these are people from all different backgrounds, who know different languages, all chanting monotheism in one sound...one voice...
Or how about the full circle moment, when the Prophet (saw) was standing on As-Safa. Now remember, this is the very place he (saw) gave sermons to his people who looked at him as a stranger rejecting his message, not to mention his Uncle cursing him (Surah Al Lahab was revealed). Now the Prophet (saw) stands on As-Safa with no idols with over 100,000 believers from all over, receiving and accepting the message of monotheism. Such a climatic moment, that although Ibrahim (as) was not able to see this in his lifetime, that his dream, hard work, and dedication was accomplished in this farewell Hajj. And his legacy continues today....
