THE ESSENCE OF THE HAJ

Many years ago before the advent of Islam, or Christianity, or even Judaism as we know of these religions today, Allah gave the command to His chosen prophet Ibrahim (AS): 'And proclaim to (among) the people of the haj (pilgrimage).' (Holy Quran, 22:27). He followed up this command with the reassuring promise that it (the call) will be answered by the response of people coming from far and wide, literally from the furthest corners and deepest valleys of the earth-walking and riding every possible beast available for travel. This, in a time and age when no such commodity or technological aid such as microphones and speakers existed. This, in a time and age in man's history when methods of determining the passage of time, in terms of months and years, had not yet been deciphered by man. This, in a time and age when there was not yet discovered such devices for providing comfort such as refrigeration for cooling water and preserving food, or air conditioning or even tents-all providing comfort and ease for today's pilgrims. This, at a time and age in which it took many months-even years-to pass over the land and through the hardships it took for the people to reach their destination of the sacred spot known as "Makkah'.

As a great honor of commemoration to Ibrahim (AS) and even greater honor to Allah, millions of people now answer this age-old call. The conveniences of modern travel and accommodation coupled with a major rise worldwide in the monetary station of people has enabled such masses of over 2 million pilgrims to attend the pilgrimage yearly.

This is no small feat, and something which we should not take lightly by forgetting to thank Allah for this great blessing.

Many hardships and tragic obstacles have scarred the pilgrimages of the past. But those associated with the responsibility of ensuring the safety and comfort of the pilgrims-the honored guests of the Most Merciful-have learned the hard lessons of those tragic events. And they have worked long and diligently in making the proper corrections to ensure the safety and comfort of all. Great strides have been taken in this direction by the Saudi Government:

As a precautionary method to preventing the wildfires that have previously taken over the tent city of Mina, gas and even electric cookers have been prohibited, and a system of bringing in food prepared outside or in assigned kitchens to the pilgrims has been established and enforced. Even the very tragic incidents of the stampedes at the jamarat areas (the sites where the pilgrims toss the stones in imitation of Ibrahim's stoning the devil when he was tempted by him) have been eliminated by the construction of multiple-level bridges and enforcement of one-way traffic for this procedure, as well as an enforced orderly admittance from the lanes of tents into the jamarat region.

Nowhere in the world will you witness any such gatherings of nearly 3 million pilgrims gathered at one spot, at one time, dressed in the same bland simple cloth, facing the same direction at one time, all praying essentially for one thing: forgiveness. All asking of One God for admittance into heaven by His Mercy. Pauper, beggar, king, businessman, lower laborer, all standing shoulder to shoulder on the same standing--none outshining the other in the sight of Allah by anything other than their piety held within the depths of their hearts.

Such a beautiful spot and time--the mountain of Mercy on the Day in which He lowers His vast Mercy on the masses!

To repeat the words the pilgrims so humbly and hopefully repeat: 'Labaik Allahumma labaik' (I am here, O Allah-I am here in answer to Your call).

Allah has extended the invitation, and the humble, hopeful pilgrims have answered. They have accepted Allah's invitation to be His honored guests. He is by sure the Most Generous and Beneficial! He has promised His Mercy and forgiveness for those who come to Him, and He never relinquishes on His promise. His only stipulation is that His slaves answer His call.

On this Day of Mercy-the Day of Arafat-we have many multitudes of yearning pilgrims answering His call.

May He shed His Everlasting Mercy upon us all!