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Mecca: Hajj Medina: Prophet saw; Lady Fatima; Imams Hasan, Sajjad, Baqir, Sadiq (as) Najaf: Imam Ali Karbala: Imam Hussain Baghdad/Kazmain: Imams Kadhim, Muhammad Taqi (as) Samarra: Imam Ali Naqi, Hasan Askari (as), Sirdaabh (Imam Mahdi) Mashad: Imam Ali Reza (as) Damascus: Lady Zainab, Lady Khultoom

Salaam brothers and sisters, this thread is about your travels including past travels. I have traveled only once. And that was when I traveled to India back in late 2007 and that was for only 2 weddings. My parents are from India so I am technically Indian but I was born in Canada so I am Canadian. Now recently, my father planned to take me to Mecca for umrah, and to India twice and to Iraq for ziyarat. It's going to be a great trip, it has been 9 years since I last traveled.

Salam, Well my Mom left for the airport a while back. She will be doing Hajj this year inshallah. So this molana who is going with their group issues two jurisprudential laws at the last minute. 1. She told my mom and everyone else that they have to pay khums on all the clothes they are taking with them on Hajj. I was like what....??? My understanding is everyday clothes shoes etc are exempted from khums provided you haven't been lavish. My mother didn't even get any new clothes made for Hajj.Does she need to pay khums on those clothes?? 2. Second law issued: everyone going on Hajj will sacrifice an animal in Makkah, but according to him, everyone should pay for another animal back here in home country too since the meat from the animals in Saudia Arabia never reaches the poor so that animal doesn't count. He stressed that if anyone didn't follow these two rules their Hajj would be invalid. Anyone heard of these rulings before?? Why is following religion getting more and more complicated? :( Why don't the Ayatullahs revise the khums laws and so they are practically applicable on the monetary system today and easily understood by all?? I could be wrong but my feeling is that Molana wanted to create a last minute panic about people's Hajj being invalid and it worked. Quite a few people shuffled to their feet quickly and handed over the sacrificial animal and khums money to that Molana, lest their Hajj becomes invalid.(he is authorised to collect khums) I feel so many people confused about khums laws. I know some people who want to pay khums but find the rulings too difficult to decipher. Anyway, my Mother didn't give him any money. I told mom I will confirm and if she needs to do these extra things I will take care of them before the day of Hajj.

Salam alaykom dear brothers and sisters. Insha'Allah I'm going to Hajj this year. I dont know anything about it. I need som advice and maybe a to-do-list before going, Insha'Allah. I even have another question about hajj. I want to take my grandmother to Hajj but, she might not be able to go because of her passport. Can I do tawaf and everyting for her or can you only do that for people who has passed away? Thank you and Ramadhan Mubarak to you all!

I remember this man in Afghanistan who could not write his own name, he was cruel to his own wife and children and mother, he displeased his brother, he usurped the property of his orphan nephew, he usurped some of our land. Yet he is a Hajji, the people in his local area, his relatives, they are poor and in need. He does not let his children go to school because he wants them to work for money. What was the reason for his Hajj? so he could get involved in the decision making of his tribe, when he became Hajji, he was then invited to be one of the "elders" in the local community because he was a Hajji now. So it makes me wonder if these kinds of Hajj are even accepted? There are also other people in Afghanistan and some in the UK, who are the most untrustworthy and deviant individuals yet they are still Hajji, they go around using their name to mislead people and gain their trust so that they may loot them. Should we even give credit to anyone for being a Hajji? Hajj is an act of worship, shouldn't it be for Allah and not for people? If it is for Allah then why praise Hajjis so much and give them special places in society? So now when I hear praises saying "Oh Hajji Fulan" I just think "even Shabnam Suraya has become a Hajji". :lol: ( I didn't know Shabnam Suraya until one friend of mine made fun of Hajjis and used this person as an example, just Google or Youtube her name and you will see what kind of a person she is.

(salam) As far as I was taught, performing Hajj negates all past sins (giving that they are not with another human) Considering that the statement above is true, does this mean it will also negate the need to pray missed prayers? (wasalam)

Thought of the day … How Architects Are Killing Arabs … & They Keep Buying >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8O6Lj1eOZY Agree?

I was watching some videos on Hajj last night and started to become turned off on the idea of performing Hajj to Mecca for several reasons. 1. Cost: at $10,000 a head I'm sure this money could be used for a lot of other useful things to uplift our ummah. And why does it cost so much? Even with the expensive packages you are still just getting the bare minimum. 2. Crowds: I hate crowds. Even with the new additions made by the Saudi government, it just looks like it has gotten worse. I think it has had the opposite affect and now they are packing in more pilgrims. 3. Saudi Government: I hate them. Even the leaders in my own masjid say that the Saudi government is not Islamic and are causing harm by breeding radicalism. I did some searching on ShiaChat and came across this... http://www.shiachat.com/forum/topic/234992812-ziyarah-of-imam-al-husseinas-is-better-than-hajj/?hl=%2Bhajj Then I came across this thread on another forum from 2007.... http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/showthread.php?50680-Should-we-boycott-Hajj

Asalam o alaikum I am from Lahore, Pakistan. Have you heard of "Valima" dinner given in honor of people returning from Hajj? is it Mustahib? is this custom prevalent in Pakistan only? Is it given by the people returning from Hajj themselves? or is it the friends and family of the returning "Hajjis" who host the feast? Walaikum Asalam

I just got news that I am lucky enough to be able to go to Hajj this year. Now that the excitement at the surprise has worn off I'm left with anxiety. I leave in 6 days and the truth is I have no idea what to pack. What type of clothes, what are the best books, what duas are best? I know absolutely nothing about hajj, but I know that I'm meant to go because God has blessed me enough to allow me to easily go. I plan to do my best in the next couple of days to prepare myself and have started researching, but I need help. So whatever anyone has, big advice or small please share it. Thanks in advance!!

Salams all I am planning to go for Umrah in a few weeks - pray it is successful, iA. Quick question - where is the meeqat beginning when going from Madina to Makkah? I have been told that it is roughly 8 miles out of Madina, but others have said Masjid Ayesha. Also, how many rakkats must be prayed upon donning Ihram? Hope you can help. Mr. Mehdi

Salamun Alaykum, Shaikh Hasanayn Kassamali demonstrates how you can perform Wudu with a 100 ml spray bottle. This is especially usefull for those who are on Hajj or Ziyarat. Hope you find the video to be beneficial, Inshallah. As always, please do like and subscribe to our channel. Wasalam, KautharWaNahr

Top notch article! http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/the-photos-saudi-arabia-doesnt-want-seen--and-proof-islams-most-holy-relics-are-being-demolished-in-mecca-8536968.html

MAKKAH - Walking thousands of miles through six countries on foot, a 47-year-old Bosnian Muslim has finally reached the holy city of Makkah to fulfil his life-time dream of performing hajj. I wanted to perform Hajj but I had no money, Senad Hadzic was quoted as saying by Emirates 24/7 on Monday, October 22 I decided to walk to Saudi Arabia, having only 200 euros. “I arrived on Saturday in Makkah. I am not tired, these are the best days of my life,” Senad Hadzic, 47, said when reached by phone on a Saudi mobile number. He said he had covered some 5,700 kilometres in 314 days of walking through Bosnia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Syria and Jordan to the Muslim holy city in south-western Saudi Arabia, with a backpack weighing 20 kilos. He charted his progress on his Facebook page, where he posted a picture apparently of an entry/exit card for foreigners issued by the Syrian interior ministry. “I passed through Syria in April. I walked some 500 kilometres in 11 days. I went through Aleppo and Damascus and passed dozens of check-points held by pro-government and rebel forces alike, but I was never detained,” Hadzic said. “At a check-point held by [President Bashar] Al Assad’s forces the soldier ordered me to empty my backpack ... When I showed them my Quran and explained I was making the pilgrimage on foot, they let me go,” he told AFP. “I walked in the name of Allah, for Islam, for Bosnia-Hercegovina, for my parents and my sister,” he added. On his Facebook page he said God had shown him the way in dreams, including to go through Syria instead of Iraq. During the pilgrimage, Hadzic faced temperatures ranging from minus 35 degrees Celsius in Bulgaria to plus 44 degrees Celsius in Jordan. He said he had to wait in Istanbul for several weeks to get permission to cross the Bosphorus Bridge on foot and two months at the border between Jordan and Saudi Arabia to obtain an entry visa. The Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken at least once in a lifetime by all Muslims who are able to.Aspiring to perform hajj, Hadzic started his lengthy trip from his hometown Banovici in northern Bosnia in December. During his journey, the Muslim man walked for nearly 3,600 miles (5,900 km) on foot from his Bosnian village to the holy city of Makkah. Covering between 12 to 20 miles a day, Hadzic managed to cross six countries, including Turkey, Jordan and Syria before entering Saudi Arabia this week. In his back bag, he carried his copy of the Noble Qur'an wrapped in plastic to protect it from weather elements. He also carried a bible, maps and flags of the six countries he plans to cross. Hadzic said in a You-Tube film that he walked all that distance because he had no money. I slept at mosques, schools and other places, including houses offered to me by good people, he said in the You-Tube video. Some people asked me whether I was scared when passing through wild places and I told them why should I? God is with me. The majority of pilgrims have already arrived in Saudi Arabia for hajj, the world's largest annual gathering. Muslims from around the world pour into Makkah every year to perform hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam. Hajj consists of several rituals, which are meant to symbolize the essential concepts of the Islamic faith, and to commemorate the trials of Prophet Abraham and his family. Every able-bodied adult Muslim who can financially afford the trip must perform hajj at least once in a lifetime.Hajj starts on the eighth day of the lunar month of Dhul Hijjah, which falls this year on October 24. http://blog.iloveall...1b2sxs.facebook

Hello everybody, I would like to inform you about Mecca Hajj Live Wallpapers for Android phone. I was involved in this project and I would be glad if you tell me your impressions about it. It is free so you don't have to worry about it. Please let me know if you like it. Thanx in advance :) Mecca Hajj Live Wallpaper https://lh3.ggpht.com/b6gMMNpNbjKJhTHt9VO6drAFkbSTSHGfX_1-YWIR2AkDApQTLsdAr3vg10pJynJ0goI=h230 If you prefer static you can check Makkah Wallpapers https://lh6.ggpht.com/jAQZwitXOzO-2H8uS08C_mZBzFKplgcCAn6ZhdLHixELrZCiMQOSTKTwdYuIO7Wj2iA=h230 May Allah be with you!

Salaam, I was hoping to go to Hajj this year and in preparation was trying to make a collection of books and media to take with me on my phone so that I wouldn't need to take masses of paper books. As I couldn't find it on the web, I have created two ebook out of works on Ayatullah Sistani's website. Hajj Ritual and Hajj Made Easy. These are simple copied and pasted texts from najaf.org but in ebook format. As it might be useful to others I have placed them on Dropbox(link below) in both .mobi and epub format. As far as I know .mobi is for kindle and the kindle app and epub if for ipad/iphone. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8scusilscartbk2/rt0jjh8GvW If anybody else has some electronic materials that they found useful during Hajj or intend to take with them on Hajj, I would be grateful if you could let me know and hopefully we can use this thread as a collection point for useful Hajj books and media.

(salam) I wanted to ask whether someone knows Hajj for Persian speaking people to go on Hajj with a group? Some of my family members want to go this year. Can someone give me different persons and if possible with price and at least telephone number. Departure from either Netherlands, Belgium, Germany or otherwise France. Including food and hotel would be best. Thanks in advance, wassalam :)

Starts 26th January 2012 Examining the extraordinary travel logistics involved and how the wider operation of the event has changed over time, the exhibition compares how pilgrims over the centuries negotiated this often monumental undertaking and how it continues to be experienced by people from all corners of the globe today. Beautiful objects, including historical and contemporary art, textiles and manuscripts, bring to life the profound spiritual significance of the sacred rituals that have remained unchanged since the Prophet Muhammad’s time in the 7th century AD. http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/exhibitions/hajj/introduction.aspx

There are four dimensions associated with this great act of worship - each one more deep-rooted and beneficial than the other. 1. The Ethical Dimension The most important philosophy of hajj is the ethical transformation which it induces within man. The ritual of ‘ihraam’ entirely removes man from material ostentations, external distinctions, extravagant apparels and ornamentations, and by prohibiting pleasures and engaging him in self-rectification - one of the duties of a ‘muhrim’ 1 , it distances him from the material world and engrosses him in a world of light, purity and spirituality, consequently causing those, who, in ordinary circumstances, find themselves to be weighed down by the burden of make-believe distinctions, ranks and honours, to suddenly feel light, easy and relaxed. Subsequently, the performance of the other rituals of hajj, one after the other, continually brings man closer to his Lord, strengthens his spiritual connection with Him, distances him from his gloomy and sinful past, and guides him towards a bright, luminous and pure future. In view of the fact that every step of the hajj-rituals is reminiscent of the events associated with Ibrahim, Ismaai’l and his mother Haajar, and personifies before man their self-sacrifice, altruism and struggle (in the path of God), and also given that the city of Mecca - in general - and the Masjid al-Haraam, the Ka’bah and the place of circumambulation - in particular - bring to mind the memories of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny), the holy Imams (peace be upon them) and the struggle of the Muslims during the period of early Islam, this ethical transformation tends to be deeper and more profound such that in every corner of Masjid al-Haraam and the city of Mecca, man visualizes the faces of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny), Ali (peace be upon him) and the other holy Imams (peace be upon them), and hears the enthusiastic slogans of their mission. Indeed, all these together pave the way for an ethical revolution within hearts that are receptive and in a manner that is indescribable, and causes man to turn over a new leaf and opens up a new chapter in his life. And it is not without reason that we read in our traditions that one, who performs hajj, completely and perfectly… (Becomes free of sins just as he was on the day when his mother gave him birth)2. Truly, hajj is a second birth for the Muslims - a birth which is the beginning of a new human life. It is needless to mention that these effects and benefits, and those that we shall mention later, are neither for those who only content themselves with its exterior leaving aside its core, nor for those, who only view it as a means for recreation, tourism, pretension, dissemblance and acquiring personal material items - never acquainting themselves with its spirit and essence. Their share would only be that, which they had set out to achieve! 2. The Political Dimension: As has been stated by one of the renowned Islamic jurisprudents, the hajj rituals, apart from putting on display the most sincere and profound acts of worship, are also the most effective means for advancing the political objectives of Islam. The essence of worship is attention towards God, while the essence of politics is attention towards the ‘creation of God’ - and these two aspects are observed to be as closely intertwined in hajj as the yarns in a fabric! hajj is an effective factor in establishing unity amongst the ranks of the Muslims. hajj is an instrument to combat nationalistic and racial fanaticism, and oppose confinement (of the Muslims) within their geographical boundaries. hajj is a means for eliminating the shackles of censorship and breaking the stranglehold of the oppressive leaderships prevalent in the Islamic nations. hajj is a tool for transferring news of political affairs of the Islamic nations from one corner of the globe to another, and finally, it is an effective means for breaking the fetters of captivity and colonialism, and liberating the Muslims. And it is for this reason that, during the period when oppressive tyrants like those belonging to the Umayyad and the Abbasid dynasties ruled over the Islamic regions and kept every kind of interaction between the various segments of the Muslims under close scrutiny in order to crush any kind of liberty-seeking uprising, the advent of the season of hajj was an opening towards freedom, interaction between various segments of the great Islamic society and discussion of various political issues. And it is on this basis that Amirul Mu"mineen (peace be upon him), expounding the philosophy that lay behind every act of worship, in connection with hajj states: (Allah has ordained (the rituals of) hajj for the purpose of strengthening the religion)3. Again, it is not without reason that an eminent non-Muslim statesman has stated: Woe unto the Muslims if they do not perceive the meaning (and significance) of hajj and woe unto their enemies if they (the Muslims) ever happen to perceive it. Even in the Islamic traditions hajj has been regarded as the jihad of the feeble ones – one, in which even the old and weak men and women can join in and have a contribution in exhibiting the greatness and grandeur of the Islamic ummah and, by standing in circles around the holy Ka’bah and attesting to God’s unity and greatness, cause the hearts of the enemies of Islam to palpitate in trepidation. 3. The Cultural Dimension The interaction between the various segments of the Islamic society during the season of hajj can turn out to be the most effective factor for cultural exchanges and transfer of thoughts and ideas. This is especially so in view of the fact that the grand gathering of hajj is in reality, a true and natural representation of all the segments of the Muslims of the world (since there is no forced, forged or artificial factor involved in the selection of those proceeding for hajj, the Pilgrims are individuals that come from all segments, races and languages associated with the Muslims all over the world, who have gathered under one roof). And this is why we read in the traditions: One of the benefits of hajj is the spread of the traditions of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) throughout the entire Islamic world. Hishaam Ibn Hakam, one of the learned companions of Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) says: I questioned the Imam (peace be upon him) about the philosophy that lay behind the performance of hajj and the circumambulation of the Ka’bah whereupon he (peace be upon him) replied: “God created the servants … and for the welfare of their worldly and religious affairs, He sent down His commandments for them - one of them being the congregation of the people from the East and the West (for the hajj rituals). This, in order that the Muslims become acquainted with one another, become aware of the states of each other, and (so that) every group transfers its business investments from one city to another … and in order that the memories and traditions of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) become known, and the people bring them to mind and do not forget them.”4 And it was on this basis that the Muslims, during the suffocating eras in which the tyrannical caliphs and rulers had prohibited them from spreading these rulings, made use of this opportunity (of hajj) to interact with the Imams (peace be upon them) and eminent religious scholars for solving their problems, understanding the rulings of Islam and comprehending the traditions and customs of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny). On the other hand, hajj possesses the ability to be transformed into a gigantic cultural assembly in which scholars and intellectuals of the Islamic world, coming together for a few days in Mecca, propound their thoughts and exhibit their creativity before the others. Essentially, one of the great catastrophes is that the boundaries between the Islamic nations become reason for them to become separate from each other, culturally. As a consequence, Muslims of each nation only reflect upon their own selves and their own state of affairs, and this is something that effectively works towards dismembering and dissecting the single Islamic society; indeed, hajj has the ability to stem this evil outcome. And how beautifully has Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) stated in that tradition of Hishaam Ibn Hakam when he said: If all the people were to be concerned only about their respective countries and the problems existing therein, all of them would suffer destruction, their countries would face ruination, their benefits and welfare would be lost, and realities would become obscured and concealed. 4. The Financial Dimension Contrary to what some people imagine, utilizing the great assembly of hajj for strengthening the financial foundations of the Islamic nations is not only not inconsistent with the spirit of hajj but, according to the Islamic traditions, constitutes one of the philosophies for it, instead. What is the harm if the Muslims, in that great gathering, were to lay the foundations of a common and associated Islamic market, and pave the way for commercial transactions amongst themselves in a manner such that neither do their profits enter the pockets of their enemies nor does their economy become dependent upon the others; and if such is the case, not only is this not ‘craving for the world’ but rather, an act of worship and jihad (in the way of God). And it is for this reason that in that tradition of Hishaam Ibn Hakam from Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him), an express reference has been made towards this aspect that one of the objectives of hajj is strengthening the commerce of the Muslims and facilitating economic association and cooperation amongst them. In another tradition, Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him), interpreting the verse... (There is no blame on you in seeking bounty from your Lord)5 says: The meaning of this verse is ‘seeking livelihood’. (And when a person comes out of his ihraam and completes the hajj, he should conduct business transactions during the season of hajj (for not only it is not a sin but on the contrary it carries rewards.))6 This meaning is also witnessed in a tradition 7 from Imam Ali Ibn Musa al-Ridha (peace be upon him) which explicitly enumerates the philosophies and objectives underlying the rites of hajj; in the tradition, the Imam (peace be upon him) recites the following verse of the holy Qur"an: (That they may witness advantages for them)8, a reference to the fact that the verse alludes to the spiritual benefits as well as the material ones - although both of them, from one perspective, can be looked upon as being spiritual in nature. In short, if this great worship were to be utilized correctly and perfectly, and the Pilgrims of the House of God, at a time when they are active and their hearts are emotionally ready in that holy land, were to make use of this great opportunity for solving the various problems that plague the Islamic society by establishing various political, cultural and mercantile assemblies, it would surely serve to untie the knots and solve the problems; and perhaps this is why Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) has said: (The religion shall continue to stand for so long as the Ka’bah continues to do so)9 Imam Ali (peace be upon him) too has said: (Fear Allah in the matter of His House (Ka’bah)! Do not desert it for if it is deserted, divine reprieve shall be taken away from you)10 And it is due to the immense significance of the above issue that in the Islamic sources of traditions a separate chapter has been devoted to it that if it were to ever happen that in a particular year the Muslims decide to refrain from going for hajj, it would become obligatory upon the Islamic government to send them to Mecca by means of force!11, 12 1.One, who has worn the ihraam. (Translator’s comments). 2.Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 99, pg. 26 3.Nahjul Balaghah, sayings 252. 4.Wasaail al-Shia’h, vol. 8, pg. 9. 5. Holy Qur’an, ch. Al-Baqarah (2), vs. 198. 6.Tafseer A’yyaashi, as stated by Tafseer al-Mizaan, vol. 2, pg. 86. 7.Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 99, pg. 32 8.Holy Qur"an, ch. Al-hajj (22), vs, 28. (Translator’s comments) 9.Wasaail al-Shia’h, vol. 8, pg. 14 10.Nahjul Balaghah, letter 47. 11.Wasaail al-Shia"h, vol. 8, pg. 15 (The Chapter of ‘Obligation Upon The Governor To Compel The People For hajj’) 12.Tafseer-e-Namunah, vol. 14, pg. 76. There are four dimensions associated with this great act of worship - each one more deep-rooted and beneficial than the other. 1. The Ethical Dimension The most important philosophy of hajj is the ethical transformation which it induces within man. The ritual of ‘ihraam’ entirely removes man from material ostentations, external distinctions, extravagant apparels and ornamentations, and by prohibiting pleasures and engaging him in self-rectification - one of the duties of a ‘muhrim’ 1 , it distances him from the material world and engrosses him in a world of light, purity and spirituality, consequently causing those, who, in ordinary circumstances, find themselves to be weighed down by the burden of make-believe distinctions, ranks and honours, to suddenly feel light, easy and relaxed. Subsequently, the performance of the other rituals of hajj, one after the other, continually brings man closer to his Lord, strengthens his spiritual connection with Him, distances him from his gloomy and sinful past, and guides him towards a bright, luminous and pure future. In view of the fact that every step of the hajj-rituals is reminiscent of the events associated with Ibrahim, Ismaai’l and his mother Haajar, and personifies before man their self-sacrifice, altruism and struggle (in the path of God), and also given that the city of Mecca - in general - and the Masjid al-Haraam, the Ka’bah and the place of circumambulation - in particular - bring to mind the memories of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny), the holy Imams (peace be upon them) and the struggle of the Muslims during the period of early Islam, this ethical transformation tends to be deeper and more profound such that in every corner of Masjid al-Haraam and the city of Mecca, man visualizes the faces of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny), Ali (peace be upon him) and the other holy Imams (peace be upon them), and hears the enthusiastic slogans of their mission. Indeed, all these together pave the way for an ethical revolution within hearts that are receptive and in a manner that is indescribable, and causes man to turn over a new leaf and opens up a new chapter in his life. And it is not without reason that we read in our traditions that one, who performs hajj, completely and perfectly… (Becomes free of sins just as he was on the day when his mother gave him birth)2. Truly, hajj is a second birth for the Muslims - a birth which is the beginning of a new human life. It is needless to mention that these effects and benefits, and those that we shall mention later, are neither for those who only content themselves with its exterior leaving aside its core, nor for those, who only view it as a means for recreation, tourism, pretension, dissemblance and acquiring personal material items - never acquainting themselves with its spirit and essence. Their share would only be that, which they had set out to achieve! 2. The Political Dimension: As has been stated by one of the renowned Islamic jurisprudents, the hajj rituals, apart from putting on display the most sincere and profound acts of worship, are also the most effective means for advancing the political objectives of Islam. The essence of worship is attention towards God, while the essence of politics is attention towards the ‘creation of God’ - and these two aspects are observed to be as closely intertwined in hajj as the yarns in a fabric! hajj is an effective factor in establishing unity amongst the ranks of the Muslims. hajj is an instrument to combat nationalistic and racial fanaticism, and oppose confinement (of the Muslims) within their geographical boundaries. hajj is a means for eliminating the shackles of censorship and breaking the stranglehold of the oppressive leaderships prevalent in the Islamic nations. hajj is a tool for transferring news of political affairs of the Islamic nations from one corner of the globe to another, and finally, it is an effective means for breaking the fetters of captivity and colonialism, and liberating the Muslims. And it is for this reason that, during the period when oppressive tyrants like those belonging to the Umayyad and the Abbasid dynasties ruled over the Islamic regions and kept every kind of interaction between the various segments of the Muslims under close scrutiny in order to crush any kind of liberty-seeking uprising, the advent of the season of hajj was an opening towards freedom, interaction between various segments of the great Islamic society and discussion of various political issues. And it is on this basis that Amirul Mu"mineen (peace be upon him), expounding the philosophy that lay behind every act of worship, in connection with hajj states: (Allah has ordained (the rituals of) hajj for the purpose of strengthening the religion)3. Again, it is not without reason that an eminent non-Muslim statesman has stated: Woe unto the Muslims if they do not perceive the meaning (and significance) of hajj and woe unto their enemies if they (the Muslims) ever happen to perceive it. Even in the Islamic traditions hajj has been regarded as the jihad of the feeble ones – one, in which even the old and weak men and women can join in and have a contribution in exhibiting the greatness and grandeur of the Islamic ummah and, by standing in circles around the holy Ka’bah and attesting to God’s unity and greatness, cause the hearts of the enemies of Islam to palpitate in trepidation. 3. The Cultural Dimension The interaction between the various segments of the Islamic society during the season of hajj can turn out to be the most effective factor for cultural exchanges and transfer of thoughts and ideas. This is especially so in view of the fact that the grand gathering of hajj is in reality, a true and natural representation of all the segments of the Muslims of the world (since there is no forced, forged or artificial factor involved in the selection of those proceeding for hajj, the Pilgrims are individuals that come from all segments, races and languages associated with the Muslims all over the world, who have gathered under one roof). And this is why we read in the traditions: One of the benefits of hajj is the spread of the traditions of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) throughout the entire Islamic world. Hishaam Ibn Hakam, one of the learned companions of Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) says: I questioned the Imam (peace be upon him) about the philosophy that lay behind the performance of hajj and the circumambulation of the Ka’bah whereupon he (peace be upon him) replied: “God created the servants … and for the welfare of their worldly and religious affairs, He sent down His commandments for them - one of them being the congregation of the people from the East and the West (for the hajj rituals). This, in order that the Muslims become acquainted with one another, become aware of the states of each other, and (so that) every group transfers its business investments from one city to another … and in order that the memories and traditions of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) become known, and the people bring them to mind and do not forget them.”4 And it was on this basis that the Muslims, during the suffocating eras in which the tyrannical caliphs and rulers had prohibited them from spreading these rulings, made use of this opportunity (of hajj) to interact with the Imams (peace be upon them) and eminent religious scholars for solving their problems, understanding the rulings of Islam and comprehending the traditions and customs of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny). On the other hand, hajj possesses the ability to be transformed into a gigantic cultural assembly in which scholars and intellectuals of the Islamic world, coming together for a few days in Mecca, propound their thoughts and exhibit their creativity before the others. Essentially, one of the great catastrophes is that the boundaries between the Islamic nations become reason for them to become separate from each other, culturally. As a consequence, Muslims of each nation only reflect upon their own selves and their own state of affairs, and this is something that effectively works towards dismembering and dissecting the single Islamic society; indeed, hajj has the ability to stem this evil outcome. And how beautifully has Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) stated in that tradition of Hishaam Ibn Hakam when he said: If all the people were to be concerned only about their respective countries and the problems existing therein, all of them would suffer destruction, their countries would face ruination, their benefits and welfare would be lost, and realities would become obscured and concealed. 4. The Financial Dimension Contrary to what some people imagine, utilizing the great assembly of hajj for strengthening the financial foundations of the Islamic nations is not only not inconsistent with the spirit of hajj but, according to the Islamic traditions, constitutes one of the philosophies for it, instead. What is the harm if the Muslims, in that great gathering, were to lay the foundations of a common and associated Islamic market, and pave the way for commercial transactions amongst themselves in a manner such that neither do their profits enter the pockets of their enemies nor does their economy become dependent upon the others; and if such is the case, not only is this not ‘craving for the world’ but rather, an act of worship and jihad (in the way of God). And it is for this reason that in that tradition of Hishaam Ibn Hakam from Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him), an express reference has been made towards this aspect that one of the objectives of hajj is strengthening the commerce of the Muslims and facilitating economic association and cooperation amongst them. In another tradition, Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him), interpreting the verse... (There is no blame on you in seeking bounty from your Lord)5 says: The meaning of this verse is ‘seeking livelihood’. (And when a person comes out of his ihraam and completes the hajj, he should conduct business transactions during the season of hajj (for not only it is not a sin but on the contrary it carries rewards.))6 This meaning is also witnessed in a tradition 7 from Imam Ali Ibn Musa al-Ridha (peace be upon him) which explicitly enumerates the philosophies and objectives underlying the rites of hajj; in the tradition, the Imam (peace be upon him) recites the following verse of the holy Qur"an: (That they may witness advantages for them)8, a reference to the fact that the verse alludes to the spiritual benefits as well as the material ones - although both of them, from one perspective, can be looked upon as being spiritual in nature. In short, if this great worship were to be utilized correctly and perfectly, and the Pilgrims of the House of God, at a time when they are active and their hearts are emotionally ready in that holy land, were to make use of this great opportunity for solving the various problems that plague the Islamic society by establishing various political, cultural and mercantile assemblies, it would surely serve to untie the knots and solve the problems; and perhaps this is why Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) has said: (The religion shall continue to stand for so long as the Ka’bah continues to do so)9 Imam Ali (peace be upon him) too has said: (Fear Allah in the matter of His House (Ka’bah)! Do not desert it for if it is deserted, divine reprieve shall be taken away from you)10 And it is due to the immense significance of the above issue that in the Islamic sources of traditions a separate chapter has been devoted to it that if it were to ever happen that in a particular year the Muslims decide to refrain from going for hajj, it would become obligatory upon the Islamic government to send them to Mecca by means of force!11, 12 1.One, who has worn the ihraam. (Translator’s comments). 2.Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 99, pg. 26 3.Nahjul Balaghah, sayings 252. 4.Wasaail al-Shia’h, vol. 8, pg. 9. 5. Holy Qur’an, ch. Al-Baqarah (2), vs. 198. 6.Tafseer A’yyaashi, as stated by Tafseer al-Mizaan, vol. 2, pg. 86. 7.Bihaar al-Anwaar, vol. 99, pg. 32 8.Holy Qur"an, ch. Al-hajj (22), vs, 28. (Translator’s comments) 9.Wasaail al-Shia’h, vol. 8, pg. 14 10.Nahjul Balaghah, letter 47. 11.Wasaail al-Shia"h, vol. 8, pg. 15 (The Chapter of ‘Obligation Upon The Governor To Compel The People For hajj’) 12.Tafseer-e-Namunah, vol. 14, pg. 76.

Salam Everyone :) I really want to go to Hajj and start wearing a 3abaya but a lot of my friends say that I'm too young and its hard to wear an 3abaya in the US . What do you guys think ? ( I'm 18) :donno: