JUMUAH MUBARAK!!!!
LIFE'S A JOURNEY … ENJOY THE RIDE.
LABAIK ALLAH HUMMA LABAIK!!!!
This is the cry that will soon echo throughout the land and beyond… for wherever there are muslims … their will be pilgrims preparing themselves for the sacred journey of Hajj.
Each preparation is different… each experience unique.
The intentions have been made. The greetings have been said. Apologies have been expressed … and forgiveness have been sought.
Tears will flow, and hugs will be the order of the day.
Emotions are high … Loved ones gather to say farewell … so long … and the proverbial sentiment " remember us in your duas" it will be said.
Some see the need for travel gifts to follow … what a noble tradition … the community and family coming together to ensure that their friends and family have all that they need. If we ponder a bit on this point … this is Allah ta'aalahs power in motion.
His mercy … and when He says … He is the keeper and giver of Rizq … He knows what He is talking about… "Take a step towards Allah swt and He runs towards you" … my weak attempt to paraphrase a hadith [May Allah swt forgive me] … save a cent in His remembrance and he will multiply it beyond our comprehension. This is faith.
In the end all the prospective hujajj must do is make the intention… and the rest will follow…
Another reason why people give "slaavatjies" is of course they believe that in some way they too are going with the hujaaj … that even though they are left behind … that the "slaavats" will be utilized to make the trip a little bit easier for the guest of Allah swt… and in that way they too will be rewarded.
At time it is not easy… we are human after all.
Patience is key … faith is vital.
Belief is non negotiable.
This Journey is immense!
Traveling in itself is not easy … thus this pillar, unlike any other pillar carries a heightened sense of anxiety for it embodies not only a physical movement to be made but one that is intrinsically spiritual. At its root, it is the humanity behind it all that gives this ritual the added spice and zest that makes people want to take it. For within our humanity we realise the generosity of the Almighty and this catapults us on a journey to seek out the One who is most Merciful ... To express our gratittude to the One who is Most Beneificent ... to feel the prescence of the One who is all Powerful ... to be thankful to the One most worthy of Praise
It is these sequence of events that is all the motivation one needs that gets you out of bed in the morning... and that which spurs you on to earn that living and to save the next Rand. Nothing comes without a little bit of effort and the journey of hajj, with all its symbolism, is no different… in a sense … whether we know it, or not ... whether we made intention, or not …
We are all working towards a common goal.
What makes it exciting is the day we realize it ... the day we decide not to buy that 'extra pair of shoes' … because instead we going to save it … we sacrifice not for us … but we make the noble decision to sacrifice for Allah SWT … We slaughter our pride … in a bid to follow the commands of Allah swt … For we are commanded to go on Hajj to the holy precincts of Arabia … if we are by the means. Similarly, as we are commanded to establish salaah or to stay away from wine and swine … these are commands of Allah SWT … commands that we adhere to… going on hajj is no different.
Hajj… whether you enjoy it, or not… whether we take benefit from it, or not … is not the point.
If we say we believe and are by the means… then it becomes incumbent upon us.
For as a muslim … we can travel the world … but should we stand in front of our LORD without our HAJJ … its as if we would have been nowhere. [And Allah swt knows Best]
Even though the actual experience of the hujjaaj is very individualistic, individuals are not the sole recipients of this process … families … friends … neighbours … communities … they all share the joy and despair of the Hujjaaj … and it is this globalization of the process … that is the foundation of this phenomenal experience… one that lives in your heart forever.
What separates it from other forms of worship is the fact that it effects not only those who are leaving on Hajj but those who are left behind… longing to take this journey.
And then there are those that have been, and who long to return.
I am one of those.
Having been on hajj … and can unashamedly mention that that the journey of hajj …gave me perspective. It gave me a deeper appreciation for the Kalima shahaadah:
[ Pause] - take a moment ... and say it with me ... Ashadu illah illah ha illal lah wa asha hadu an na muhamadarasoolullah ... let it sink in ... and flow through your veins... let it enter your hearts... breathe ...
By no means I'm I perfect… I have many faults and trials which rage within me … but I battle it. In my own way… I fight it … and one verse from the Noble Quraan has been my ally, my partner in equipping me for life's up's and down's … "Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find content…" [quraan - 13:28]
In the end… we as an Ummah must realize that our individual Hajj journeys have already begun … we OWE it to ourselves to see it through.
And when we do… we will have a greater appreciation of this life … and a new perspective on preparing for the next.
Think. Ponder. Reflect.
PS: TO ALL THE HUJAAJ… TRAVEL SAFELY… AND REMEMBER US IN YOUR DUAS.
PS2: Its been a helluva long time since I last sent an email … a lot has happened since then … this feels good
PS3:DID YOU KNOW: THAT The Antarctic ice sheet that forms and melts over the ocean each year is nearly twice the size of the United States
Wii: A police recruit was asked during the exam, "What would you do if you had to arrest your own mother?"
He said: "Call for backup."
ifone4s: A person can live about a month without food, but only about a week without water. If a human does not absorb enough water dehydration is the result.
[If i have offended any one then i ask forgiveness and if you take benefit from these few paragaphs then know it is from Allah Swt and He knows Best!!!]
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