Below are my reflections on the verses from Surah Al-Baqarah, pertaining to Hajj… (Ayah 197 to 203)…after listening to the online lecture from Canada….
I got a little late in joining the class but Alhamdulillah I managed to listen to quite a bit in spite of the slow net and breaking of voice from time to time. Today’s lesson made me realize the real purpose of Hajj, which is to acquire the awareness of Akhirah through a series of rituals and Allah’s remembrance. I think it’s a great lesson in balancing duniya and Akhirah. On one hand you take along the zaad-e-rah (provisions) for your worldly needs but the more important thing to take along is taqwa….fear of Allah/fear of Akhirah. Doing business is allowed but remembrance of Allah should be the topmost thing. Asking for the fulfillment of worldly needs is okay but asking for the blessings of Akhirah is more important. You see the coming together of millions of people from the whole world, but actually it’s a glimpse of the Hashr of Akhirah……
This is what our life is all about: to live and work in this world for the success of the hereafter…….this is our present but our focus is on our future….the everlasting life……
I have not done Hajj yet but I have a feeling that if done with the proper state of heart….it must be the closest encounter with Allah on this earth……and it must be the total cleansing of the heart and soul from all the pollution of our sins which we collect in our lives…..thus enabling a Momin to begin a new life with a clean record……No wonder their faces are glowing with peace and pleasure…….today I have understood…..
How clear are the instructions from Allah…..that if you are coming to my house then you must know the discipline……and how can we expect to suddenly turn a new leaf…..our behaviour on that journey will be according to our characters……so I think we should learn and apply these lessons now and start developing this discipline in our lives so that when we go to Hajj……we should be able to do it in the best manner.
So from now on:
1—No breaking of limits……(Wa La fusuqa)
2—No fighting/no arguments……(wa la jidala)
3—And fear Allah if you are intelligent…….(wattaquni Ya Ulil-Albaab)
4—If you have knowledge of religion don’t be arrogant…….because Allah has given you guidance and remember that before His guidance you were so lost in confusion…..
5—Be grateful for all the knowledge…..
6—Don’t be over involved in asking Allah for the worldly needs….remember to ask for the Akhirah as well…
7—your duas are the true reflection of your heart!!
8—and fear Allah in the knowledge that we will all be gathered before Him.
May Allah help us all in learning and acting on the guidance of Quran.
The Seekers Path 