CONTENTS:

About the Author

Foreword by the Translators

Preface by the author

Introduction

Rejecting an Empty Philosophy

Reaching toward Allah

Entering Miqat and becoming One

Declaring your Intention (Niyat)

Praying in Miqat

Avoiding Certain Actions (Moharemmat)

The Kaaba

Circumbulating (Tawaf)

Allegiance and the Black Stone

Ibrahim's Position

Between Tawaf and Sa'y

The end of Sa'y (Taqsir)

The Greater Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Arafat

Mashar

Mina

The Battle Front (Ramie Jamarat)

Sascrifice

The Sacrifice of Ismail

The Dialogue between Father and Son

The Three Idols

The 'id

The Delay in Mina

Consequent Attacks after the Id' (Ayyam at Tashrig)

The Last Message

Conclusion

A More Important Lesson

Epilogue - Poem by Naser Khosrow

Efforts to translate this book began two and one half years ago. Its

completion was delayed due to the difficulties in finding appropriate

words for Dr. Shariati's unique and sophisticated language which

conveys his important message. This translation is not the most

perfect translation of the original text. However, the purpose is to

transmit the author's views and understanding of Hajj and not to

produce a literary replica of the original.

It is highly recommended that this book be completed in one

reading and not in intervals so as to maintain continuity in one's train

of thoughts. The essence of the book will be more easily projected

and comprehended if this approach is used.

The Quranic verses and Hadith from the original text have been

translated into English for the benefit of the reader. Marmaduke

Pickthall's translation of the Quran is the source for translation of

Quranic verses. Also, in some instances the author's opinions have

been further explained by the translator in the form of footnotes.

Because of its universal message, this book will be appealing to all-

-Muslims or non-Muslims! Its subject matter deals with issues and

teachings which relate to mankind. The contents will be useful to all

in their pursuit to understand the concept of mankind as he/she

"should be" in contrast to what he/she "is" today.

Ali Behzadnia & Najla Denny

As a person who is "knowledgeable about religion" and whose field of study

is "the history of religions", I reached the following conclusions as a

result of my study and research of the historical evolution of each faith

whereby I compared what the faiths were in the past and what they are now

as well as a comparison in the differences between the "truth" and the

"reality" of the faiths. My conclusion is not based on personal religious

feelings nor prejudices:

If we study and evaluate the effectiveness of each religion in terms of

the happiness and evolution of mankind, we will discover that there is

no prophecy which is as advanced, powerful, and conscious as the prophecy

of Mohammad (PBUH) (i.e. Islam and it's role in man's social progress,

self-consciousness, movement, responsibility, human ambition and struggle

for justice; Islam's realism and naturalness, creativity, adaptability

with scientific and financial progress and orientation toward civilization

and the community). Contemporaneously, we will discover that there is no

prophecy which has deteriorated and been transformed into a completely

different representation as much as the prophecy of Mohammad (PBUH)!

It seems that some power composed of all physical facilities as well as

knowledgeable advisors, openly or secretly has hired a group of the most

educated and intelligent philosophers of history, social scientists,

sociologists, social psychologists, politicians, human scientists,

theologists. orientalists, experts in Islamic studies, Quranic interpreters

and people who are familiar with Islamic literature, the social relations of

Muslims, the traditions of Muslims, the personalities of Muslims, the

weaknesses and strengths of Muslims, the interests of Muslims, the socio

economic behavior of Muslims, the roles of special people ... to completely

change the Islamic doctrine through the pursuit of cautious and scientific

research of Islam and Muslims!

As far as I know, from the practical and conceptual point of view, the most

important pillars of the Islamic doctrine which motivate the Muslim nation

and makes it's citizens conscious, free, honorable and socially responsible

are:

Unfortunately, the teaching of the concept of TAWHEED is limited only to

elementary schools. Beyond that, it may be spoken of at the philosophical

and theological discussions held by religious leaders; but such discussions

are totally foreign and inapplicable to the lives of the people. In other

words, only the existence and oneness of God are considered - not TAWHEED

in it's real sense! As for the concept of JIHAD, it is absolutely forbidden

and buried in the graveyard of history. The fundamental principle of JIHAD,

"encouraging people to do good deeds and to avoid wrong deeds" is only

applied when blaming the friends instead of when correcting the wrongdoers.

And lastly, HAJJ is viewed as the ugliest and most illogical action that

Muslims perform yearly.

The enemies of Islam were successful in bringing about changes by

implementing a unique policy. The "prayer book" was brought from the grave

yard into the city while the Holy Quran was taken away from the citizens in

the city and given to those at the graveyard who read for the souls of the

dead. A similar approach was used in the theological schools (madresah). The

Holy Quran was seized from the hands of students who studied Islam and put

away on the shelf; it was replaced by the book of principles and

philosophical discussions. So, it is obvious what the enemies can do to

us when the Quran is absent from the lives of Muslims and not included in

the curriculum of Muslim students!

Does the intellectual individual who feels a responsibility towards his

people and a Muslim whose faith endows him with a responsibility or an

intellectual Muslim who has this dual responsibility feel at ease by

sitting passively? Does he think resorting to a western ideology will save

his people and solve their problems?!? NO!! ! Oh my intellectual friend and

my Muslim brother - either you feel a responsibility toward the people or

toward Allah. It does not matter; we are in the same boat and are endowed

with the same responsibility. In order to liberate ourselves and regain our

honor, it is best to employ the same tactics that our enemy used. We must

return to the path from which we were abducted! Therefore, we have to bring

the Holy Quran from the graveyard back to the city and read it to those who

are alive (not deceased)! We have to remove the Quran from the shelf, open

it before the eyes of the students and let them study it. Since our enemies

could not destroy the Quran, they closed it and left it in a corner to be

respected as the HOLY BOOK! It is our duty to re-use it as a "book" - a

"book to study" - as is designated by the name QURAN!

May we hope that one day the Quran will be accepted as the classic book of

our Islamic school and used for our Islamic teachings! May we hope to see

the day when Quranic study will be required in order to qualify for a

degree in Ijtihad. If we return to the Quran and make it part of our lives, we

will realize the essence of Tawheed. If we consider the Quran as the structure

of our system, we will realize the creativitv and efficacy of such duties as:

Hajj, Jihad, Imamat, Shahadat ... and the meaning of our lives!!!!

Now let us look at one of these duties - Hajj - and search for its

significance from a monotheistic point of view. This book is a summary of

my personal experience and uriderstanding after performing the Hajj three

times and touring Mecca once. It is only the comments and interpretations

of the rites by a humble servant of God. No Muslim has the right to view

the rites on the basis of this writing since it is not a book on "religious

jurisprudence" but rather a paper to make you think! I have attempted to

interpret the ceremonies as a Muslim Hajj who is entitled to talk about the

Hajj when he returns home. I can discuss my views with others; this has

been a "tradition" too. Every year the minority who were able to participate in

the Hajj will share their views with the majority who did not have this

opportunity. If there was a responsible leadership who demonstrated as much

interest in teaching more than a million Muslims from various parts of the

world (ie. from the least developed villages and least trained natives) as

they do in their meals, health, souvenirs and luxurious but ugly shows of

aristocracy (which contradicts Hajj) and if they were only a bit concerned

about realizing the meaning of the rites rather than being meticulously

obsessed and prejudiced about performing the rites themselves then the Hajj

could have been a yearly course of practical and theoretical teachings of

the Islamic doctrine given to more than a million Muslim representatives

from all over the world! They could learn the purpose of the Hajj, the

meaning of the prophecy, the importance of unity and the fate of the Muslim

nation. With a reserve of knowledge and information they could return to

their countries and their individual lives to teach their community. As a

result, all his life a Hajj could remain a guide in the darkness of his

society - like a glittering beam m the darkness!

What has the experience of Hajj taught me? First one must ask - what does

Hajj mean? In essence, Hajj is man's evolution toward Allah. It is a

symbolic demonstration of the philosophy of Creation of Adam. To further illustrate

this, it may be stated that the performance of Hajj is a simultaneous show

of many things; it is a "show of creation", a "show of history", a "show of

unity", a "show of the Islamic ideology" and a show of the Ummah.

The following conditions prevail in this "show". Allah (God) is the stage

manager. The theme portrayed is the actions of the people involved. Adam,

Ibrahim, Hajar, and Satan are the main characters. The scenes are Masjid-ul

Haram, the Haram area, Masa, Arafat, Mashars and Mina. Important symbols

are the Kaaba, Safa, Marwa, day, night, sunshine, sunset, idols and ritual of

sacrifice. The clothing and make up are Ihram, Halgh and Taqseer. Lastly,

the player of the roles in this "show" is only one; and that is YOU!

Regardless of whether you are a man or a woman, young or old, black or

white, you are the main feature of the performance. The role of Adam, Ibrahim and

Hajar in the confrontation between "Allah and Satan" is played by you. As a

result, you, individually, are the hero of the "show".

Annually, Muslims from all over the world are encouraged to participate in

this great "show" (Hajj). Everyone is considered equal. No discrimination

on the basis of race, sex, or social status is made. In accordance to the

teachings of Islam, ALL ARE ONE AND ONE IS ALL.

The one who restores somebody's life, has restored the

life of all and the one who kills one, has killed all.

Yet the enemies of Islam continue to deliberately wage a campaign against

Islam. They attack it by denying that Islam recognizes the human being as

an individual endowed with special rights and values. In terms of the

concept of Hajj, it is relegated to the status of a duty which has very little

significance. As Imam Ali, the son of Kaaba says:

As if Islam is a lamb fur-coat' that is put on inside out.

What have I personally learned from Hajj-me being so "little" and Hajj

being so "great" in meaning? How far and what could I see from this experience?

The following pages are the product of my humble efforts to answer these

questions. My purpose is not to inform the reader what must be done during

Hajj. This can be attained by referring to the book of rituals. Instead, I

want to share with you my perceptions of the significance of Hajj. They

should help you to understand why it is incumbent upon Muslims to perform

this duty, or at least motivate you to think about Hajj.

Life today (not life as it should be carried on) is an idle cyclical action

a movement with no goal! A meaningless pendular action starts with the day

only to end at night and night starts only to disappear at dawn. In the

mean time, man is busy watching the play of these black and white "rats" who

chew the strings of our life until we die.

Life (as we live it) is like a theater. Man watches these aimless nights

and days. Indeed, what foolish play is conducted! When you are in need, you

hope and struggle to overcome your needs. Yet once you achieve this, you view

your past efforts humorously. What a senseless philosophy to live by!

Living on a day to day basis, the person lacks direction. His aim is only

to live. What exists is a dead spirit in a living body. However, the Hajj

experience alters this unhealthy condition!

Once you decide to perform Hajj and take the necessary steps, you are on

the road to the actualization of Hajj. Before going to Hajj you reside in your

home calm and reposed. Upon entering the state of mind for Hajj, you arise

and move away from your routine environment.

Hajj is the antithesis of aimlessness. It is the rebellion against a damned

fate guided by evilforces. The fulfillment of Hajj will enable you to

escape from the complex network of puzzles. This revolutionary act will reveal to

you the clear horizon and free way to migration to eternity toward the

Almighty Allah.

Depart from your home. and visit "Allah's house", or the "house of the

people"! You, whoever you are, you are a man, Adam's son, and a

representative of Allah on earth! You are a relative of Allah, Allah's

trustee, His master of nature and a student of God. Allah taught you the

names. He made you from His spirit and endowed you with special qualities.

You were praised by Him; His angels even prostrated to you. This earth and

everything in it was made available to man. God became your "homemate",

with you at all times and watching all of your actions. Are you living up

to His expectation?

Prophet (PBUH):

Allah is in the hearts of the believers

Quran XXIX:3

Thus Allah knoweth those who are sincere, and knoweth those who feign

Quran LVII: 25

And that Allah may know him who helpeth Him and His messenger, though

unseen.

Quran XVII: 7

LO! We have placed all that is in the earth as an ornament thereof

that we may try them: which of them is best in conduct.

Quran LXVII: 2

Who hath created life and death that He may try you, which of you is

best in conduct; and he is the Mighty, the Forgiving,

With the passage of time and the influence of various forces of the social

system which disregard human rights and duties, your character has been

changed. The vicissitudes of life have affected you to the degree that you

became alienated and neglectful. Originally, with Allah's spirit in your

heart, you were supposed to shoulder the responsibility of being Allah's

trustee on earth. You were granted time as a means for fulfilling this task

but you failed because the gift was used carelessly!

Quran CIII: 2-3

By the declining day, LO! man is in a state of loss,

This is what is called life! But realistically speaking what has been

accomplished? What constructive contributions have you made? What have

you gained? So many precious years have been lost, yet who are you?

Oh trustee and vicegerent of Allah on earth, you have turned to money, sex,

greed, aggression, and dishonesty. You have regressed to the inferior status

that you occupied before almighty Allah blew His spirit into you. Where is

the spirit of Allah now? Oh man, rise out of this decadent situation!

Divorce yourself from this gradual death.

Leave your surroundings and go to the pure land. There you may face Almighty

Allah under the inspiring sky of Mashar. The estrangement which you have

experienced will be overcome. At last, you will find yourself!

Reaching towards Allah

Hajj occurs during the highly respected month of Zul-Hijjah'. The land of

Makkah (Mecca) is tranquil and peaceful. Instead of fear, hatred, and war,

the desert is characterized by security and peace. An atmosphere for

worship where people are free to face Almighty God is prevalent.

Do you not hear Ibrahim's command:

Quran XXII: 27

And call upon the people for Hajj. They will come to you on their bare

feet or riding any weak camel and they come to you from every far desert.

You, oh Mud, search for and follow the spirit of Allah! Accept his

invitation; leave your home in order to "see" Him. He is waiting for You!

Human existence is frivolous unless one's aim is to approach the spirit of

Allah. Separate yourself from all those needs and greeds which distract you

from Allah. Therefore, join the eternal human migration to Hajj. "See"

Almighty Allah!

Before departing to perform Hajj, all of your debts should be paid. Your

hates and angers toward relatives or friends must disappear. A will must

be drawn. All of these gestures are an exercise in the preparation for death

(which will overtake everyone some day). These acts guarantee your personal

and financial clearance. The last moments of farewell and the future of man

are symbolized.

Now you are free to join eternity. On the day of resurrection, when "you can

do nothing" in Allah's court, where "your eyes, ears, and heart are the

best witnesses of what you have done,"

Quran XVII: 36

You and every organ of your body are responsible for your deeds. While

you are in this "house of correction" get ready for the "house of

justice". Exercise death before you die-go to Hajj!

Hajj represents your return to Allah, the absolute, who has no limitations

and none is like Him. To return to Him signifies a definite movement toward

perfection, goodness, beauty, power knowledge, value, and facts. On your way

toward the eternal, you will NEVER approach Allah. He is to guide you in

the right direction and not to be your destination!

Islam is different from Sufism. A Sufi lives "in the name of Allah", and

dies "for the sake of Allah". But, a Muslim strives to approach Almighty

God

To Allah we belong and to Him is our return.

Quran II:156 & XLII:53

All affairs tend toward Allah.

Our goal is not to "perish", but to "bloom". This is done not "for Allah"

but rather to bring us "toward Him". Allah is not so far away from you;

therefore, try to reach Him! Allah is closer to you than yourself!

Quran L:16

We are nearer to him than his jugular vein.

On the other hand, everyone beside Allah is too far to be reached! Oh man,

all the angels prostrated to you; yet, through the passage of time and

societal influence you have changed greatly. You have not abided by your

promise to worship none but Almighty Allah. Instead, you have become a

slave to idols, some of which are man-made.

Quran LIV: 54

In an assembly of truth, in the presence of a sovereign omnipotent.

Your nature is characterized by loyalty to other individuals, selfdevotion,

cruelty, ignorance, a lack of direction, fearfulness, and greediness! This

life has caused you to acquire animalistic traits. Now you are like a

"wolf", "fox", "rat", or "sheep".

Oh man, return to your origin. Go to Hajj and visit your best friend who

created you as the best creature. He is waiting to see you! Leave the

palaces of power, the treasures of wealth and the misleading temples.

Dismember yourself from the flock of those animals whose shepherd is the

wolf. Join the flock at Miad who is going to see the house of Allah or the

house of the people.

Entering Miqat and becoming One

The show begins at Miqat. At this point, the actor (mankind) must change

his clothes. Why? Because one's attire covers the person as well as his

character. In other words, an individual doesn't wear clothes, but rather,

the clothes cover him!

Clothes symbolize, pattern, preference, status, and distinction. They create

superficial "borders" which cause "separation" between people. In most

cases, "separation" between people, gives birth to "discrimination".

Furthermore the concept of "I" not "we" emerges! "I" is used in the context

of my race, my class, my clan, my group, my position, my family, my values,

and not "I" as a human being.

So many "borders" have been created in our lives. The descendants of Cain,

the executioners and the cruels split Adam's family and mankind's unity

into many parts and factions. What resulted were the following relationships:

master and servant, oppressor and oppressed, colonialist and

colonialized, exploiter and exploited, strong and weak, rich

and poor, nourished and malnurished, honored and dishonored,

happy and unhappy, noble persons and lay persons, civilized

and uncivilized, Eastern and Western, Arab and Ajam and etc.

Humanity is divided into races, nations, classes, subclasses, groups, and

families. Each one has its own distinct status and values, names and honors.

And-for what? All this just to show "ones-self-but under so much "make-up"!

Now take off your clothes. Leave them at Miqat. Wear the Kafan which

consists of plain white material. You will be dressed like everyone else. See the

uniformity appear! Be a particle and join the mass; as a drop, enter the ocean.

Don't be proud, you are not here to see somebody, but be humble. You

will be seeing Allah. Be the one who realizes his mortality or a mortal

who feels his existence.

At Miqat, regardless of your race or tribe, you must doff all the covers

you wore in your daily life as:

- a wolf (symbolizing fierceness and oppression),

- a rat (symbolizing slyness),

- a fox (symbolizing craftiness),

- or a sheep (symbolizing slavery).

Leave all these in Miqat and assume your original shape as a "man" - just

one "Adam" as you will be at the end, as one "dead"!

Wrap yourself in two pieces of cloth. One covers your shoulders and the other

goes around your waist. No special style or material is used. It is made of

very plain and simple fabric. Everyone is wearing the same outfit (Ihram).

No distinctions in appearance are visible.

The caravans from all over the world which are traveling to Hajj will

congregate at Miqat. They will meet at the same time and at the same place!

On his way to Allah, man is not just "to be" but he is "to become" what he

should be!

Quran XXIV:42

And unto Allah is the journeying.

How wonderful! Everything is moving - evolution, death and life, life and

death, contradiction, change, and direction.

Quran XXVIII:88

Everything will perish save His countenance.

And Allah is the "absolute" - being, perfect, and eternal!

Quran LV:29

Everyday He exerciseth (universal) power.

Hajj is also a movement. Man decides to return toward Allah. All of his egos

and selfish tendencies are buried at Miqat (Zu-halifa). He witnesses his own

dead body and visits his own grave. Man is reminded of the final goal of his

life. He experiences death at Miqat and resurrection afterwhich he must

continue his mission in the desert between Miqat and Miad.

The scene is like the day of judgment. From one horizon to the other, a

"flood of whites" appears. All the people are wearing the Kafan. No one

can be recognized. The bodies were left in Miqat and the souls are

motivated here. Names, races, nor social status make a difference in this great

combination. An atmosphere of genuine unity prevails. It is a human show

of Allah's unity.

Fear and pleasure, excitement and charm, perplexity and rapture all appear

as minute particles in a magnetic field. Allah is in its center (qibla')!

Only man shows himself. He is situated in one direction which is toward

Allah. In this desert all the nations and groups merge into one tribe. They

face one Kaaba.

Once you remove your clothes and all the signs which distinguish "you" as

An individual, you may enter into the heart of the crowd. In the state of

Ihram', try to forget the things that remind you of your life.

Everyone "melts" himself and assumes a new form as a "mankind". The egos

and individual traits are buried. The group becomes a "people" or an "Umma".

All the l's have died in Miqat; what has evolved is "We".

By the time you leave Mina you should have integrated into the Umma. This

is what Ibrahim did. You are also supposed to act like Ibrahim.

Quran XVI: 120

Lo Abraham was a nation obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was

not of the idolators.

At last, one is all and all is one! Everyone is equal. The society of

polytheism is converted into one of monotheism or Tawhid. This is the

Umma or the society which is onto the right path. It should be a society

which is perfect, active and led by Islamic leadership (Imamat).

Everyone performing Hajj has turned away from himself to face Allah. He has

been endowed with the spirit of Allah. You have gone from an exile to the

hereafter. You have been exposed to the absolute facts. You have overcome

ignorance and oppression and have been enlightened by consciousness and

justice. You have rejected polytheism and adopted monotheism.

Previous to the performance of Hajj, the people neglected their human

quality. They were alienated by power, wealth, family, land, and race.

Their life was only in the context of mere "existence". Finally, the

experience of Hajj allowed them to achieve self-discovery. Now they

perceived each other collectively as "one", and individually as a "man"

NOTHING ELSE!

Declaring your Intention

NIYAT

Before entering Miqat, which is the beginning of a great change and

revolution, you must declare your intention. What does this encompass? It

is the intention of a "transferral" from your house to the house of people,

from life to love, from the self to Allah, from slavery to freedom, from

racial discrimination to equality, sincerity and truth, from being clothed

to being naked, from a daily life to an eternal life and from selfishness

and aimlessness to devotion and responsibility. In summary, it is a

transferral into the state of "Ihram" .

Therefore, your intention must be strongly asserted. You will grow out of

your "shell" as do the seeds of dates. Being extremely conscious, you must

have faith in your heart. Enlighten your heart with the flame of love;

"shine" and "shine". Forget all about yourself! In the past, your life was

characterized by "negligence" and "ignorance" You were helpless in all

aspects of existence. Even in the realm of your job, you became a slave,

working either as a habit or by force! Now, shed this pattern of life!

Become genuinely "conscious" of Almighty Allah, the people and yourself!

Choose a new job, a new direction and a new "self"!

Praying in Miqat

When at Miqat and ready to start the Hajj, you are aware of what must be

done and why. In the Ihram attire you will perform the prayer of Ihram,

presenting yourself to the Almighty Allah. Say - Oh Allah, I No More

worship the idols, and No More am I the slave of Nimrod'.

Oh Allah, I am standing in front of you with the gesture of Ibrahim not as

an oppressor (wolf), not as a cheater (fox), not as a hoarder(rat). Nay, I

face you as a "man" wearing the same clothes that I will wear when I see

you in the hereafter. This means that you willingly and consciously want to

obey Allah and become His slave. You will rebel against anyone and anything

beside Allah. Your readiness to exercise necessary duties is expressed.

Such a position is not different from the regular prayer, but at this time it is

like a more intimate talk to Allah. It is as if Allah's presence can be

felt.

Say:

Oh the most gracious and the most merciful, whose glory and mercy go

beyond the limits of friends and enemies, the righteous and the sinful,

the believers and non-believers ... Oh Allah, I worship you since you are

the only one who deserves to be worshipped. I choose no master, but you,

the master and owner of the day of judgment". Quran I:2-4.

Quran I:5

Thee (alone) we worship; thee (alone) we ask for help.

Oh our only love, Oh our only help! See how we are lost by our ignorance!

See how we are misled by the oppressors! See how we are limited by our

weakness!

Quran I:6

Show us the Straight Path - the path of truth, consciousness, fact,

beauty, perfection, love, and goodness.

Quran I:7

The path of those whom thou hast favored, Not (the the path) of those

who earn thine anger nor of those who go astray.

At Miqat in the white dress of the hereafter, each bow denies and asks

forgiveness for the wrong deeds which were motivated by fear and greed.

They were committed during your life. Each prostration asks forgiveness

for those which were done in the Courts of Powers.

The prayer at Miqat is a promise to Allah that there will be no prostration

nor bowing to anyone other than Him!

Peace be upon you Oh Mohammad, His slave and Messenger

Peace by upon you and those obedients of Allah and the good doers.

Peace be upon you ...

All these are phrases which refer to the "near ... not the far".

Allah, Ibrahim, Mohammad, people, heaven, the hereafter, salvation, freedom,

love and etc. are all present at Miqat. Dressed in the colorless clothes of

Ihram, you experience a new birth - a resurrection! No longer will Satan,

who rejected Allah's command, cheat you. No longer will you feel like a

stranger. Shameful and apologetic, you return to Allah. But now you are

free and responsible!

There are certain things which you are expected to avoid while in the state

of Ihram. These include any sort of reminders of your business, position,

social class, or race. In essence, all worldly matters belonging to the

life before Miqat, are tabooed. The following is a list of specific actions

which must not be undertaken:

- Do not look in a mirror in order not to see your image. Therefore, forget

the "self" temporarily.

- Do not use nor smell perfume in order not to recall the enjoyable times

of the past. You are now in an environment of spirituality. Therefore,

smell love!

- Do not give orders to anyone. Therefore, exercise a sense of brotherhood!

- Do not harm animals or insects. Therefore, for a few days live as Jesus!

- Do not break or uproot plants. Therefore, kill the tendencies of

aggression by being peaceful toward nature!

- Do not hunt. Therefore, be merciful to others!

- Do not indulge in love making and intercourse, therefore, be inspired

by real love!

- Do not marry or participate in marriage ceremonies.

- Do not use make up. Therefore, see yourself as you are!

- Do not be dishonest, argumentative, curseful, (i.e. swear), or arrogant.

- Do not sew your Ihram. Therefore, evade self - distinction!

- Do not carry weapons, but if it is necessary place it under your Ihram.

- Do not stay in the shade. Therefore, be exposed to the sun

- Do not cover your head (males).

- Do not cover your face (females).

- Do not wear shoes or socks. Therefore, let your feet be bare!

- Do not use ornaments.

- Do not cut your hair.

- Do not clip your nails.

- Do not use creams.

- Do not allow blood to flow (example cut yourself).

Hajj has begun; hurry toward Allah! In the state of Ihram Say: Labbaika!

"God has called upon you. You are here to answer His invitation and be

completely obedient to Him."

Praise, blessings, and the Kingdom, are for you. There is none like you.

Denying the dishonest, exploitative, and despotic super-powers of the

world,

the people shout: "Labbaika, Allahomma Labbaika". Everyone, everywhere is

addressing Almighty Allah! Imagine, Oh man, you are like an iron particle in

a magnetic field! It is as if you are among a million white birds flying

above the sky on your way to the Miraj.

You are approaching the Kaaba. The closer you get, the more excited you

become. As if it were a wounded wild animal trying to escape from its cage,

your heart beats against the wall of your chest. You feel as if your skin

is too tight for you!

As the whole atmosphere is full of spirit of Allah, you cannot restrain your

tears. The glory of Allah is felt in your heart under your skin, in your

mind, in your senses, in the face of each rock and particle of sand, in the

valley, in the desert and in the vague horizon.

You see nobody but Allah! He is the only one wno "exists"; others are like

waves and foam. He is the only truth; all beside Him are unreal!

While pursuing the different aspects of Hajj, you feel a digression away

from yourself and a movement toward Allah. In a mood of excitement, you

feel forced to move in one direction only. You have no right to turn back.

The world appears as a beating heart. Allah is seen everywhere.

Next, you will enter the vicinity of Mecca. There is a sign designating the

Haram Area. You feel a sense of security as you arrive. No fighting,

hunting,

killing, or uprooting of plants is allowed in the Haram section. This

regulation was set forth after the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) conquered Mecca

(in order to free the Kabba from the idols). Since then, the tradition has

been enforced whereby certain acts are prohibited in the area.

Upon entering the vicinity of the Haram, the shouts of "Labbaik" will stop

immediately. Silence prevails everywhere; it signifies your arrival. Here is

the Host (Allah) and this is His house. Everyone is quiet but each person's

heart is ignited with love!

The city of Mecca resembles a huge bowl encircled on all sides by

mountains.

Every valley, street and alley faces the floor of this great house. Kaaba is

in the center. You Will see a homogeneous crowd flooding downhill to the

Masjid-ul-haram like a white river. Amidst all this, you will feel like a

drop! The closer you get to Kaaba, the more glories you experience. Upon

descending down the hills (toward Kaaba) you get closer to Allah. It is

only through humility and obedience that you can approach glory and dignity,

finally reaching eminence. In other words, you do not search for Allah in

the sky nor through metaphysics, but rather, the search is conducted on

this earth. He can be seen in the depth nf mattor anol rvrn in the stones.

Always remember that to see Him you must be on the right path. Therefore,

you must train yourself to see the right way! This "scene" refers to the

fate of mankind. It symbolizes his descension deep into the earth (being

buried) and his ascension toward Allah (rising for the hereafter).

Now you are still closer to Kaaba. The air is filled with silence,

pensiveness and love. Each step you take with each moment endows you with

more love and fear. The weight of Allah's presence seems to get heavier and

heavier. Your eyes grow wider and wider and are focused on the Qibla. It

becomes difficult to catch your breath. Your heart is filled with desires

while your lips are full of silence. You wonder how weak shoulders and

delicate heart membranes can endure the strain.

When descending the valley you may feel that you are going to collapse. But

then, the Kaaba appears! The Kaaba, toward which Muslims face when praying,

is the center of existence, faith, love and life. It is the direction in

which the beds of patients in agony are placed. It is also the direction in

which the dead are buried.

Made of dark rough stones laid in a very simple manner with white chalk

filling the fissures, the Kaaba is an empty cube - nothing else. You cannot

but shiver and wonder about what you see Here ... There is no one! There is

nothing to view! An empty room (cube) is visible. Is that all?!! Is this

the center of our faith, prayers, love, life and death?

Questions and doubts arise in your mind. Where am l? What is here? What you

see is the antithesis of your visual imaginations of the Kaaba. You might

have perceived it as an architectural beauty (like a palace) whose ceilings

covered a spiritual silence. Another possible portrayal was that of a high

tomb housing the grave of an important human being - a hero, genius, imam

or prophet! No - instead it is an open square, an empty room. It reflects no

architectural skill, beauty, art, inscription, nor quality; and no graves

are found there. There is nothing and nobody there to whom you can direct

your attention, feelings and memories.

You will realize that there is nothing and nobody there to disturb your

thoughts and feelings about God. The Kaaba, which you want to fly over to

come into contact with the "absolute" and "eternal", is the roof for your

feelings. This is something you were unable to achieve in your world of

fragmentation and relativity. You could only be philosophical, but now you

can see the "absolute", the one who has no direction - Allah! He is every

where.

How good it is to see the Kabba empty! It reminds you that your presence is

for the sake of performing Hajj. It is not your destination. Moreover, it

is a guide to show the direction.

Kaaba is only a cornerstone, a sign to show the road.

Having decided to move toward eternity, you begin the Hajj. It is an eternal

movement toward Allah not toward the Kaaba. The Kaaba is the beginning and

not the end - when no more can be done. It is the place where Allah, Ibrahim,

Mohammed and people will meet. You will be present there only if your mind

Is not preoccupied with self-centered thoughts. You must be one of the people!

Everyone is dressed in special garments. Being Allah's chastity and family

you are honored by him . He has more enthusiasm toward this family than any

one else. However, the Kaaba, His property and His house is called the

"house of people".

Quran III:96

Lo! The first sanctuary appointed for mankind was that at Bekka

(Mecca), a blessed place, a guidance to the people.

You are not allowed to enter this sacred house if you are still self

attached, that is, thinking of yourself.

Mecca is called "Baite-Atiq". Atiq represents being free! Mecca belongs to

nobody. It is free from the reign of rulers and oppressors; therefore, no

one controls it. Allah is the owner of Mecca while the people are its

residents.

Under the provisions of, the Muslim is allowed to shorten his prayers if

traveling at least forty miles away from his home. But at Mecca, regardless

of where you are from or how far you have traveled, your prayer is

complete.

It is your land, your community and you are safe. You are not a visitor,

But you are at home.

Before coming to Mecca, you were a stranger, exiled in your own land. But

now, you are invited to join Allah's family. Mankind, the dearest family of

the world, is invited to this house. If you as an individual are "self

centered", you will feel like a homeless stranger lost with no shelter and

no relatives. Therefore, shed the self distinctive tendencies. You are now

prepared to enter the house and join this family. You will be welcomed as a

friend and close relative of Allah's family.

The Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) who was the oldest and most rebellious man of

history, may be visualized. Denying all the idols on earth, he greatly

loved and obeyed Allah alone. With his own hands, he built the Kaaba. This

structure symbolizes Allah in the world.

The building is very simple. Black rocks of "Ajoon" are laid on top of each

other. There is no design or decoration involved. Its name, Kaabah, means a

"cube" in terms of architectural design - but why a "cube"?

Why is it so simple lacking color and ornamentation? It is because Almighty

Allah has no "shape", no color and none is similar to Him. No pattern or

visualization of Allah that man imagines can represent Him. Being

omnipotent

and omnipresent, Allah is "absolute".

Although Kaaba has no direction (because of its cubic shape), by facing

Kaaba when performing the prayers, you choose Allah's direction and face

Him. Kaaba's absence of direction may seem difficult to comprehend.

However,

universality and absoluteness prevails. Having six sides, the appropriate

structure is a cube! It encompasses all directions and simultaneously their

sum symbolizes no direction! The original symbol of this is the Kaaba!

Quran II:115

Unto Allah belongs the east and west, and whitherso-ever you will be

facing Allah.

When praying outside of Kaaba you must face it. Any structure except Kaaba

directs north, south, east, west, up or down. Kaaba, an exception, is

facing

all directions while it is facing none. Truly a symbol of Allah, it has

many

directions yet it has no particular direction.

Toward the west of Kaaba there is a semi-circular short wall which faces

Kaaba. It is called Ismail's Hajar. Hajar signifies lap or skirt. The semi

lunar wall resembles a skirt.

Sarah, the wife of Ibrahim had a black maid (Ethiopian) called Hajar. She

was extremely poor and humbled to the degree that Sarah did not object to

her becoming a bed-mate of her husband, Ibrahim, in order to bear him a

child. Here was a woman who was not honored enough to become a second wife

to Ibrahim yet Allah connected the symbol of Hajar's skirt to His symbol,

Kaaba.

The skirt of Hajar was the area in which Ismail was raised. The house of

Hajar is there. Her grave is near the third column of Kaaba.

What a surprise since no one, not even prophets, is supposed to be buried

in mosques but in this case, the house of a black maid is located next to

Allah's house! Hajar, the mother of Ismail is buried there. Kaaba extends

toward her grave. As a result, Allah's house is directed toward her skirt!

There is a narrow passage between the wall (Hajar's skirt) and Kaaba. When

circumambulating around Kaaba, Allah commanded that you must go around the

wall (not through the passage) otherwise your Hajj will not be accepted.

Those who believe in monotheism and those who have accepted Allah's

invitation to go to Hajj must touch this skirt when circumambulating the

Kaaba. The grave of a black African maid and a good mother is now a part

of Kaaba; it will be circumambulated by man forever!

Allah, the Almighty, in His great and glorious Divinity is all alone by

Himself. He needs nobody and nothing. Nevertheless, among all His countless

and eternal creatures, He has chosen one, mankind, the noblest of them.

From among all humanity: a woman,

From among all women: a slave,

And from among all slaves: a black maid!

The weakest and most humiliated one of His creatures was given a place at

His side and a room in His house. He has come to her house and become her

neighbor and roommate. So now, there are two, Allah and Hajar, under the

ceiling of this "house"!

IN THE ISLAMIC COMMUNITY, THE "UNKNOWN SOLDIER" IS SO ELECTED!

The rituals of Hajj are a memory of Hajar. The word Higrah (migration) has

its root in her name as does the word Mahajir (immigrant). "The ideal

immigrant is the one who behaved like Hajar." Mohammad (PBUH)

Higrah is what Hajar did. It is also a transition from savagery to becoming

civilized and from Kofr to Islam.

In Hajar-s mother language her name means "the city". Even the name of this

black Ethiopian slave is symbolic of civilization. Furthermore, any

migration

like hers is a move toward civilization!

Hajar's grave is in the midst of man's circumambulation of Kaaba. You, the

mohajir (immigrant), who has divorced himself from everything and accepted

Allah's invitation to go to Hajj, you will circumambulate Hajar's grave and

the Kaaba of Allah simultaneously.

What is being said in these paragraphs? It is difficult to realize. But for

those who think they live in freedom and defend humanism, the significance

of these incidents transgresses the scope of their understanding!

Like a roaring river circling around a stone, Kaaba is surrounded by a crowd

of highly excited people. It is like a sun in the center while the people are

like stars traveling in their orbit of the solar system. Centrally positioned,

the people move around it in a circular pattern. Kaaba symbolizes the

constancy and eternity of Allah. The moving circle represents the

continuous activity and transition of His creatures.

This is an equation of the whole world. It is an example of a system based

on the idea of monotheism which encompasses the orientation of a particle

(man). Allah is the center of existence; He is the focus of this ephemeral

world. In contrast, you are a moving particle changing your position from

what you are to what you ought to be. Yet in all positions and during all

times, maintain a constant distance with "Kaaba" or with Allah! The

distance depends upon the path that you have chosen in this system.

You do not touch Kaaba nor do your stop there. Everyone encircles Kaaba

collectively. The movement is as one unit, one group of people. There is

no individual identification, that is, as being a man or woman, nor black

or white! It is the transformation of one person into the totality of a

"people". All of the "I's" join and become a "We", establishing the "Umma"

with the aim of approaching Allah.

Allah's way is the way of the people. In other words, to approach Allah you

must first approach DeoDle. How is this done? To achieve righteousness you

should genuinely become involved in the problems of people, not as a monk

who isolates himself in a monastery but by becoming actively involved in

the "field". This includes practicing generosity, devotion, and self-denial,

suffering in captivity and exile, enduring torture pains and facing various

types of danger. This is how you are with the people and where you may

approach Allah. The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said: "Every religion has its

monastic way of life. In Islam, it is JIHAD.

During Tawaf (circumambulating) you cannot enter the Kaaba nor stop anywhere

around it. You must enter into and disappear from the crowd. You must be

drawn into the roaring river of people who are circumambulating. This is

how you will become a Hajj. This is the collective invitation to whoever wants

to come to this house. What can be seen? Kaaba is steadfast in the center

while the white, roaring river goes around it. Everyone is dressed in one

color and pattern. There is no distinction nor personal promotion; true

totality and universality is demonstrated.

Outside of Kaaba each person has his own ways and rights. "Totality" is only

a theoretical concept. "Humanity" is only an idea, a logical and theoretical

concept. Away from Kaaba people are identified by their names, nationality

or race, but at Kaaba these characteristics are replaced by the concept of

totality and universality which serves to identify them. Therefore, it is

"people" representing "mankind" who are making Tawaf!

If you remain in the state of self-centeredness, you are not really a part

of the Tawaf circle. You will be like a visitor standing at the bank of a

river, but not in it. Those who are detached from themselves are alive and

moving collectively. Those who are not separated from themselves are

stagnant

and dead. They are like wandering particles in the air of its systemic orbit.

Furthermore, at Kaaba you are taught to prove yourself, to demonstrate your

existence and to become eternal. You must reject self-centeredness.

By exercising generosity, kindness to others, and devotion to the community

(ummah), you will attain self-discovery and envision the reality. When you

give up your life in the way of Allah, in your warm blood you will approach

Shahadat' and be called a Shaheed. Shahadat is being present, alive,

palpable and visible. A Shaheed is an everlasting witness and visitor; he

exemplifies an "eternal living".

Quran III:69

Think not of those who are slain in the way of Allah as dead; Nay, they

are living. With their Lord, they have provision.

Because the way of Allah is the way of people, it should be pursued

collectively not individually. But what about prayers which are performed

individually? They are done in order to train you to practice devotion,

demonstrate maximum generosity, deny self-centeredness, and sacrifice for

the sake of others.

The ultimate goal is to become the ideal man/woman. Man is the

representative

of Allah. His representative and trustee (Adam) will exist as long as Allah

desires. A person will iive eternally if he dies as a "man" because one (the

individual) is perishable but "man" is eternal! A drop of water which is

not part of a river or does not flow into a sea is like dew. It lasts overnight

only, and will disappear with the early smile of sunshine. Oh man, join the

river to flow, to meet the sea and to become eternal! Oh dew, why are you

waiting near the bank of the river which reminds you of the harmony of

creation? Go ahead and join the people! But before coming together you must

be fully conscious of what you are doing and why. You must admit it is for

Allah, not for yourself and for the facts, not for the politics! Here every

act has an important meaning. This eternal movement is governed by accurate

discipline. It reflects the organization of the world.

Circumambulation must begin at the point where the BLACK STONE is located.

This is where you enter the universe's system. You join the other people

And assimilate among them as a drop entering the ocean. This is the way to

survival, the way to find your "orbit"! If you do not join the people, you

will not be able to pursue the orbit nor approach Almighty Allah. Firstly,

with your right hand you must touch or point to the BLACK STONE. Then,

immediately, you must be assimilated among the people. What does this stone

symbolize? It symbolizes a hand - a right hand! And - whose right hand? The

right hand of Allah!

In the past, individuals and tribes made contracts with the chiefs of other

tribes. This was done to assure their maintenance and survival in the desert.

The contract was known as an allegiance. How was it actualized? The

individual involved had to extend his right hand to shake and hold the right

hand of the other in order that he becomes his ally. Automatically, it was

understood that his previous allegiances were cancelled.

At the Black Stone, the moment of selection, you must choose your path, goal,

and future. When joining the people, you must shake hands with Allah who is

extending His right hand - therefore taking the oath to become Allah's

confederate. You will be free from all previous allegiances; no longer will

you be an ally of the powers, the hypocrites, the tribal chiefs, the rulers

on this earth, the aristocrats of Quraish, the landlords, nor money. You

are free! Quran, 48:10

The hand of Allah is over their hands.

Touch Allah's hand. He is superior to all who have TIED your hands in

previous allegiances! Upon acquiring the status of being free (after shaking

Allah's hand and re-asserting your "original promise"' to Him), it is your

duty to join the people. Do not stop, continue on. You must find and select

your "orbit". Enter the system and move with the others. As you

circumambulate and move closer to Kaaba, you feel like a small stream

merging into a big river. Carried by a wave, not by your feet, you are

detached from the ground. Suddenly, you find yourself floating and carried

on by this flood. As you approach the middle, the pressure of the crowd

squeezes you so hard that you are endowed with a new life. You are now a

part of the people; you are now a man alive and eternal! You move not "by

yourself" but "with others". You join them not "diplomatically" but "with

love".

See the Allah of Ibrahim. By relating you to Himself, Allah relates you to

others. In such a deep, delicate and beautiful way he relates you to the

people by the attracting forces of His love. Although you are here to see

Allah, you find yourself so busy with the people. Allah has invited you from

far distances to come to His house for a private visit, but now He tells you

to join the people. You are not to enter His house, nor to stop and stare at

the house. You must continue in your circumambulation, remaining shoulder

to shoulder with the people. Kaaba is only the center of the orbit; there

fore, if you stop, move your position or turn your head, you are "out" of

the orbit! Once again, do not stop and do not go to the right or to the

left. Qibla is in front of you; look ahead and continue going ahead.

Attracted by the forces of the world's sun (Kaaba), you are on your orbit.

You have become a part of this universal system. Circumambulating (Tawaf)

around Allah, you will soon forget yourself. What prevails is love and

attraction; you are only one of the many people who are "attracted"!

Going around and around, you see no one but "Him". You are a "nothing who

feels His existence" and simultaneously an "existence who feels nothing". As

you circumambulate, you are like a particle in this (ircular movement which

is an orbit, a motion, a Tawaf and a Hajj! Nevertheless, all of this is

symbolic of Allah. Your position is that of "submission"

By becoming departed from yourself, you have assumed a new form as a

"particle" that is gradually melting and disappearing. At its peak love

is absolute; you are a devotee in love! If love had to be described in

terms of motion, what type of movement would it be? Very simply, it is

best expressed by the motions of a butterfly! In summary, it may be said

that Kaaba is the center of love while you are tie compass rotating

around it!

Hajar was an example for humanity. Allah, the great love and ally of man,

ordered her to leave her home with her nursing child. She was told to go

to the fearful valley of Mecca where no plant not even thistles, will grow.

Out of love for Allah, she Understood and accepted this order. It seems

strange - a lonely woman with her lonely child cast into the depth of this

valley among such ugly and inactive volcanoes. Without water? Without

shelter? Without anyone? But why? All of this because Allah wanted absolute

reliance upon Him! This rationale is not comprehendable by our Wisdom nor

does it appear logical. Water is necessary for existince, the baby needs

milk, a man needs friends, a woman needs supporters and a mother needs help.

This is true, yet love can replace all of those needs! One can live with

love if the spirit recognizes it. Oh lonely maid, a helpless nursing mother,

you and Your child must rely upon Allah. Feeling secure with love, rely

upon Him!

After completing the seventh round of circumambulation, the state of Tawaf

ends. Seventh? Yes! It is not simply the sum of six plus one, but it is a

reminder of the seven layers of heaven. Tawaf, your sacrifice for people,

is an eternal movement on the path of people! It is Hajj and NOT a

pilgrimage. Isn't this a genuine demonstration of existence? Isn't this the

actual translation of Tawheed, and it's true interpretation?!!

At Ibrahim's position you must read two units of prayers. Where is this

position? It is a piece of stone with Ibrahim's foot prints on it. It was

on this stone that he stood and laid the cornerstone of Kaaba (Hajar-ul

Aswad). He stood there to construct the Kaaba. Do you understand? Are you

not shivering?

Being in Ibrahim's position signifies standing in his place! Who? You! It

is not difficult to realize what Tawheed does to mankind. At one time, it

may humiliate you to nothing, denying you "as you are" and "flinging mud"

at you. At another time, it endows you with the highest degree of

spirituality whereby you are alongside Allah - in His house, as His relative

and on His path! Tawheed is a result of your being hit, denied, despised

and enslaved during Tawaf.

Allah wants you to prostrate to Him. He will then call upon you - Oh sincere

one! Oh friend! My associate, my confidant, my trustee and my listener! My

purpose of creation and my private companion ..!

Approximately one hour ago, you were at the bank of this "river" standing,

thinking of yourself, watching the people and not being one of them; you

were a useless particle reprimanded by Allah. You were "mud", "clay" and

"earth"

But now, you are flowing and moving. No longer are you stagnated nor

putrefied. You are roaring, washing away the rocks, breaking the dams

and finding your way to the gardens to grow heaven in the heart of the

salty deserts! You irrigate the fields, the aerth, flowers and plants. In

turn you help the cultivation of thousands of seeds from which thousands

of buds are impatient to germinate, to crack above the earth, exhibit

their leaves and rise towrds the sky. If you do not move, you will become

like clay - hard and solid; and you will simultaneously bury and destroy

all of these potentials.

Quran 91:10

And he indeed is a failure who stunteth it.

While the river flows, it gives life to the dead nature as Jesus (PBUH) did.

But if you stay stagnated like dampness in the corner, enjoying yourself or

suffering, you will become putrified. Larva of numerous parasites will

grow in you, your color will change and you will smell terrible!

Come on - perform Hajj! Join the river of circumambulating people by

circumambulating too! After an hour of swimming in this "stream of love",

you will abandon your "self-centered mortal existence" and adapt to a new

life among the people's "eternal existence" on the "eternal orbit" of

Allah.

Now you are like Ibrahim!

Next, from the same point which you started Tawaf, you must step out of the

Tawaf circle. Like life after death, rise from the same point on the horizon

from which you disappeared. The spirit of goodness, the spirit of Allah,

which was in your original state of creation (Mud), is visible. From where?

It appears at the place where you joined the Tawaf circle - under the right

hand of Allah. After denyng and killing all of the previous and false egoes,

you will discover your "authentic ego". Dressed in the clean white garb of

Ihram, at the House of Allah and standing in Ibrahim's position, step in

his footprints. Face to Face with ADah, start your prayer.

In the history of mankind, Ibrahim was the great rebel who opposed idolatry

and established monotheism in this world. Although physically tired of

sufferings, the prophet of responsibility and leadership had a sharp mind.

His heart was full oflove yet he carried an axe in his hand! Faith shined

from the center of Kofr. A clear fountain of tawheed, monotheism, emerged

from the sewage of polytheism!

The first to fight idolatry, Ibrahim was raised in the house of Azar who

used to make the idols for his tribe. Ibrahim fought not only against

idolatry and Nimrod' but also against ignorance and oppression. The leader

of this movement, he was riotous against abjectness. He was the source of

hope and wishes, the man of faith and the founder of true unity.

Ibrahim, enter the fire - the fire of oppression and ignorance! Help

prevent the people from being burned by the fire of oppression and ignorance! The

same fire is ignited in the fate and future of every responsible individual

who is indebted to enlightenment and guidance. For those who behave like

Ibrahim, Allah will make a rose garden from the fire of Nimrods! You will

not burn and leave behind your ashes. It is a symbolic demonstration of how

close you get to the "fire" during your struggle and performance of Jihad.

To throw yourself into the fire in order to save other people is a bitter

experience, but even more painful is the Shahadat.

Ibrahim, sacrifice your son Ismail! Cut his throat with your own hands to

save the people's neck from being cut. Which people? Those who have been

sacrificed at the steps of the palaces of power or near the plunderer's

treasures or inside the temples of hypocrisy and misery! To get courage to

seize the sword from the hand of the executioner, cut Ismail's throat with

a knife! Allah (Ibrahim's God) will pay Ismail's ransom. You do not kill

your son nor lose him! This gesture is a lesson for the sake of your faith.

You must reach the point of your willingness to sacrifice your most beloved

(Ismail) with your own hands.

Remember that you just left circumambulation or "tawaf of love" and are

standing in Ibrahim's position. When Ibrahim reached this point, he had

experienced a life full of struggle - fighting with Nimrod, the idols,

facing the tortures, the heap of fire, Satan, the sacrifice of his son

Ismail and ... migration, homelessness, loneliness passing from the stage

of prophecy to the stage of leadership, rejecting "individuality" and

adopting "totality" and from being worker in the house of Azar, the idol

maker, to becoming the builder of Kaaba, the house of unity!

Here Ibrahim stands. Having left many difficult years behind him, all of

his hairs are gray. Yet, at the end of his life, (as old as a history) he is

about to build a house; he is about to lay down the black stone.

Ismail helps him by carrying the stones and handing them to his father. The

house of Allah is being constructed!

It is a surprise! Ismail and Ibrahim are to build the Kaaba. Ismail is saved

from being sacrificed while Ibrahim is saved from the fire. Now they have a

responsibility toward the people. Allah has commanded them to be the

architects of "the oldest temple of unity" on earth, "the first house of

people" in history, "the free house" of freedom and the Kaaba of love and

worship. Haram is a symbol of "True Privacy and Modesty".

Now you are in Ibrahim's position! It is the highest point to which Ibrahim

could ascend; it is the nearest point to Allah. Ibrahim, builder of the

Kaaba, architect of the house of freedom, founder of tawheed, and fighter

against the idols, was tortured by Nimrod. Leader of the tribe, struggler

against ignorance and Kofr, conscientious of love and responsibility,

Ibrahim escaped the temptations of Satan and the Khannas (whisperer) who

inspires evil suggestions into the hearts of people.

Quran CXIV:5

who whispereth in the heart of mankind.

After suffering all the disaster, tortures and dangers, Ibrahim built a

house

- NOT FOR HIMSELF NOR FOR HIS SON - but a house for the PEOPLE. It is a

shelter for those who are homeless, a shelter for those who have been forced

to leave, a shelter for those who are wounded on this earth and a shelter

for those who are fleeing. This house is to be a torch amidst a long and

dark night. It symbolizes a rebel in the dark of his oppression!

Everyone is shameful and insecure; the earth has been converted into a big

house for prostitutes where there is respect for nobody. It is a big

slaughter house where nothing but oppression and discrimination prevails.

At last - there is a house which is clean, safe and secure for all mankind

(Allah's family) - the Kaaba!

In Ibrahim's position, you shake hands with Allah. Live the way Ibrahim did

and be the architect of tho Kaaba of faith of your time.

Save your people; help them step out of the lagoon of a stagnated and

useless

life. Awaken them from their deep sleep so they will no longer suffer

oppression and live in the darkness of ignorance. Help them move; hold

their hands and lead them. Call them to Hajj for Tawaf!

Upon returning from tawaf where you assimilated yourself amongst the people,

you are in Ibrahim's position. You are in the house and city of safety and

security, facing Almighty Allah. Therefore, You, the "confederate" of Allah

should:

- Make your land safe, as if you are in the Haram area!

- Make your time as the time of Ihram, as if you are always in the

state of Ihram!

- Make the earth the Safe-Mosque, as if you are in the Safe-Mosque!

All this because the "earth is the mosque of Allah," however you see that

in reality it is not!

BETWEEN TAWAF AND SA'Y

When completing the tawaf prayer in Ibrahim's position, you must go to

"Mana"

which is the space between the mountains fo Safa and Marwa (it encompasses

about 1/4 mile). "Run" between those two mountains seven times. Start at

the top of Safa. Part of the path is at the level of Kaaba where you should do

the "harwala". Next, you walk normally to the foot of Marwa.

Sa'y is a search. It is a movement with an aim. It is depicted by running

and hurrying. During tawaf (circumambulation) you acted as Hajar. In

Ibrahim's position you acted as Ibrahim and Ismail. Once you begin "trying"

(Sa'y) you are acting as Hajar again.

Here is a true demonstration of oneness. Shapes, patterns, colors, degrees,

personalities, borders, distinctions and distances are destroyed. Naked man

and stripped humanity are on the scene! Nothing but faith, belief and action

are eminent! Here nobody is spoken of; even Ibrahim, Ismail and Hajar are

only names, words and symbols. Whatever exists is moving constantly,

humanity and spirituality and between them only discipline. Furthermore,

this is Hajj, a decision for an eternal movement in a certain direction. It is also

how the whole world moves.

Here in Sa'y you are to play the role of Hajar, woman, a poor, belittled

Ethiopian slave and maid for Sara. These are all of her qualifications in

the human social system - in the system of polytheism, but not in the system

of monotheism! This slave is the addressor of Allah, the mother of His

great prophets (the messengers of Allah) and the representative of Allah's

prettiest and dearest creatures. In this show of Hajj, she is the first and

distinguished character. In the house of Allah, she is the only woman, a

MOTHER!

Allah told Hajar to obey Him and He would provide for her and her son.

Allah would take care of their lives, needs and future. Oh Hajar, the example of

submission and obedience, the great champion of faith and reliance in love,

you will be protected under My umbrella!

Hajar totally submitted to the will of Allah; she left her child in this

valley. This was the command of Allah and the order of love! However, the

model of submission (Hajar) did not "SIT QUIETLY". Soon, she arose and all

alone tried to run from one dry mountain to the other searching for water!

Constantly searching, moving and struggling, she decided to rely on her

self,

her feet, her will and her mind. Hajar was a responsible woman, a mother,

in love, all alone, wandering, searching, enduring pain, disturbed, deprived

of support, lacking shelter, homeless, isolated from her society, classless,

race-less and hopeless; yet despite all these drawbacks, she was HOPEFUL! A

lonely slave, a victim, a stranger, exiled and disgusted, rejected from the

capitalistic-aristocratic system, hated by the nations, hated by the classes

and races, hated by the family - this black maid was all alone with her

child in her arms! She was far away from her town and country of a more

privileged race. Wandering in this strange desert, she was like a prisoner

in these mountains. All alone, she was restless but hopeful and determined

in her search for water, going from one area to the other.

All alone ... Running on her feet to the top of these mountains (NOT

SITTING AND CRYING HELPLESSLY!) in search of water.

This is the promoter of Ibrahim's tradition - not a god but a slave

(Hajar),

not seeking the mercy of "fire" but of "water". Water? Yes water! Not unseen

not metaphysical, not love, not submission, not obedience, not soul, not a

Philosophical view of life. not in heaven, not in the hereafter. No, no,

no ... In this world and it is drinking water! From a fountain on this

earth, it is purely material. This same liquid which flows on earth (water)

is that which life is so thirsty for. The body requires it since it becomes

blood in your vessels. It is the milk in the mother's breast which

satisfies

the child's thirst. Searching for water symbolizes searching for material

life on this earth. It is genuine need which shows the relation of mankind

to nature. It is the way of finding heaven in this world and enjoying its

fruit on this earth.

Sa'y is physical work. It means exerting your efforts and running after water

and bread in order to satisfy your thirst and feed your hungry children. It

is a way to achieve a better life. Your son is thirsty and awaiting you in

this dry desert; it is your duty to find a fountain to bring him some water.

Sa'y is the struggle and search for your needs out of the heart of nature;

it is the attempt to get water out of the stone.

Sa'y: purely material; a material need; a material aim and

material act!

Economy: nature and work!

Needs: material and human!

Surprisingly, in terms of distance, there are only a few steps or few moments

from Tawaf to Sa'y. Nevertheless, a great difference exists between the

two:

Tawaf: Absolute love!

Sa'y: Absolute wisdom!

Tawaf: All "Him".

Sa'y: All "You"!

Tawaf: Almighty's will only!

Sa'y: Your will only!

Tawaf: As a butterfly who encircles the candle until it burns;

and it's ashes are gone with the wind - disappearing in love

and dying in light!

Sa'y: As an eagle who flies above these black mountains with the

support of its strong wings to find its food and seize

his bait in the midst of stones. It conquers both the earth

and the sky. The wind blows the earth and the sky. The wind

blows so softly against the eagle's wings. Flying freely above

the sky, heaven signifies its ambition. Under its wings, the

earth is so despised. The earth is also conquered by the

eagle's sharp and prudent look!

Tawaf is: Mankind in love with the "truth".

Sa'y is: Mankind self-supported by the "facts".

Tawaf is: The exalted man.

Sa'y is: The powerful man.

Tawaf: Love, worship, spirit, morality, beauty, goodness, holiness,

values, truth, faith, righteousness, suffering, sacrifice,

devotion, humility, slavery, perception, enlightenment,

submission, Allah's might and will, metaphysics, the unseen,

for others, for the hereafter, and ... for Allah! And ... w

hatever the easterner's spirit is motivated by and in love

with.

Sa'y: Wisdom, logic, needs, living, facts, objectives, earth,

material, nature, privileges, thinking, science, industry,

policy, benefit, joy, economy, civilization, body, freedom,

will-power, mastery, in this world - for the self.

And ... whatever the westerners struggle for.

Tawaf: Allah only!

Sa'y: Mankind only!

Tawaf: Soul and nothing else.

Sa'y: Body alone.

Tawaf: Pains of "being" and worrying about the "hereafter".

Sa'y: Joys of "living" and convenience of "this world".

Tawaf: Searching for "thirst"!

Sa'y: Searching for "water"!

Tawaf: The butterfly.

Sa'y: The eagle.

Hajj is the combination of Tawaf and Sa'y. It resolves the contradictions

that have confused mankind throughout history:

Materialism or idealism? Rationalism or enlightenment? This world of the

hereafter? Epicureanism or asceticism? The will of Allah or the will of

man? To rely on Him or the will of man? To rely on Him or rely on ones

self?

Allah (Ibrahim's God) will teach you the answer - Both! A lesson not by

words, perception, science nor philosophy but by showing you an example of

a human. This example from whom all the worldly philisophers, scientists

and great thinkers who are searching for faith and facts are to learn the great

lesson of Allah is again a woman, a black Ethiopian slave and a mother. It

is Hajar!

To the command of "love", she submits herself to His absolute will. Leaving

her town and country, she brings her child far, far away and leaves him in

this dry and lonely valley (Mecca). She relies absolutely on Allah and His

love. With the power of faith, she denies all the logics and rationales.

This is Tawaf!

But, unlike many of the so-called righteous people or worshippers, she does

not sit quietly beside her son. She does not wait for a miracle to occur or

for an invisible hand to bring some fruits from heaven or to flow a river

to quench their thirst. Nay! She leaves her son in the hands of "love" and

immediately arises to run - having decided to search for water and try her

best. And now in the uncivilized and dry mountains of Mecca, a woman -

alone, thirsty, responsible, a stranger - wanders in a fruitless search

for "water"! Oh Allah, are we talking of "Hajar" or "mankind"?

Hajar's efforts are useless; she returns desperately to her son. To her

astonishment, the child who was left under the umbrella of "love" in a

state of thirst and restlessness, has dug under the sands with his heels.

At that moment of maximum desperation and from an unexpected place,

suddenly

there appears:

by miracle, by the power of needs and the mercy of

Allah - "a humming", "the sound of water"!

It is Zam-Zam, a sweet and life-giving fountain of water flowing from

stone!

This lesson: to find water by "love" not by effort but "after the effort".

Though you cannot approach Him by working hard, Oh my heart you should

try your best.

Oh in love, try, try Your best - You, the absolute faith and absolute

reliance!

Try seven times which is the same number of times you circumambulated

during

Tawaf! But, this time, do not pursue a circular path that finally leads you

no place except where you originally started (i.e. Zero). Do not travel in

an empty circle, reaching no where, gaining nothing and moving aimlessly!,

working to fill the stomach and filling the stomach in order to be prepared

to work. Finally, continue on until the time of death!

Tawaf: Living not for the sake of living but for the cause of Allah.

Sa'y: Trying your best not just for yourself but for the people.

Here your path is straight and not a circle! You do not

move in circles but walk ahead. It is a migration,

beginning at one point and reaching your destiny; it is

going from Safa to Marwa.

During Sa'y you repeat a back and forth action seven times. The figure (7)

is "odd" not "even" so that your Sa'y ends up in Safa and not at the point

where you began! Seven times! Seven, a symbolic figure represents always,

all your life to ... Marwa! Start at Safa which means pure love for others.

Your destination is Marwa which means the ideal of manhood a sense of

honor,

generosity and forgiveness toward others! Who are the others? Those who are

trying with you!

What do I know? This is only my understanding and not all that it

signifies.

It means annihilating and drawing yourself into this ocean of love; coming

out clean and sinless; and stepping in Ibrahim's position. Frorn there - Oh

man, a stranqer, homeless and exiled from the earth, a sense of

responsibility urges you to search for water in the mirage. Go to the top

of

Safa as Hajar did. See the white flood of people trying. Running down from

Safa restlessly and in a state of thirst, they search for water in this hot

and dry desert They continue to the top of Marwa where they find no water.

With dry lips, empty hands and sad looks, they return to Safa and Start

their search again. This procedure is repeated seven times, yet water is

not found nor is their thirst quenched! But, they do reach Marwa!

And you, Oh a drop, from the top of Safa join this White-river of wandering,

struggling and thirst! DrawXyourself into thiS flood of people. Try your

best (to Sa'y) with the others. In the middle of your Sa'y at the level of

Kaaba,

"hurry up" along with the others.

THE END OF SA'Y (TAQSIR)

At the last point of your Sa'y, at Marwa, cut your hair short or clip your

nails. Remove your Ihram garments and wear your regular clothes. Feel free!

With empty hands and in a state of thirst leave Marwa, go to find your

Ismail ...!

Listen carefully! Don't you hear the humming of water from here? See! The

thirsty birds are all flying above this dry desert! Zam-Zam has quenched

Ismail's thirst. A tribe of strangers from the very far landsl has occupied

this empty valley. The thirsty people of the earth have made a circle around

Zam-Zam. A city of stones has grown in this thirsty and desperate desert.

There has been a shower of relevation ... a house of "freedom" and "love"!

After returning from Sa'y, while thirsty and lonely, your loneliness will

end here. Zam-Zam is flowing under your Ismail's foot. People are all around

you. What else do you see? Allah is your next-door neighbor! You have

gotten so close to Him.

- Oh man, tired of "sa'y" rely on "love"!

- Oh "responsible man", try your best since your Ismail is thirsty!

- Oh, "the one in love", wish!

- Hope that love and wishes do miracles!

- And you, Hajj, who are coming from Sa'y ...

- From the dry desert of "your existence" and the depth of "your

neglected" nature, a fountain is humming!

- Listen carefully to your heart.

- You will hear the humming.

People who have come from all over the world. From the mountain of Marwa

go toward Zam-Zam. Have a few drinks, wash your face and bring some of

that water back to where you came from so that you may present it as a

gift to your people!

THE GREATER PILGRIMAGE (HAJJ)

It is the ninth day of Zul-Hijjah and the greater pilgrimage has started.

Where are you? It does, not matter! Wherever you may be - at

Masjid-ul-Haram

near Kaaba, in your hotel or on the street - now you must depart for the

greater pilgrimage. Wear your Ihram attire and leave Mecca. How surprising,

to leave Mecca behind you! Was not Qibla, here in Mecca? Yes it was, but

the greater pilgrimage commences by leaving the Kaaba!!!

Were you not supposed to depart from your families, homes, lands and etc,

in order to come to Mecca and face the Qibla ? Yes, you were; however, that

was during the lesser Hajj (Umrah). And, why should you leave Kaaba now?

Because you are going to start the greater Hajj!

Deciding to go to Mecca is not the total actualization of Hajj nor are Kaaba

or Qibla the goals of Hajj. These are misunderstandings on your part. The

leader of monotheism (Ibrahim) teaches you that Hajj does not end in Kaaba,

but begins the moment you leave the Kaaba. It is not your destination but

the point from which you start!

Until now (at Kaaba), you were to become assimilated, ignore your personal

interests, overcome your self-centeredness and your limitations and discover

"yourself". Oh "immigrant" who is going to see "Him" (Allah), from here on

you will be pursuing a different path and entering a new land. For Umra and

in Miqat you were to leave "your house", but here for Hajj you must leave

the "house of Allah"!

At the verge of complete submission and the peak of your freedom, when you

have discovered "yourselP' - you are now qualified to obey this command:

"Leave the Kaaba; and now you are closer to Me than Kaaba!" Visiting Kaaba

during the lesser pilgrimage helped you to achieve self-discovery. Now you

are going to approach Allah, not to visit the "house" but to see the

"owner"!

Quran XXIV:42 & XXXV:18

Unto Allah is the journeying.

Kaaba is only the "direction and not the "destination". You started off by

coming "to Kaaba" but you are not to remain "in Kaaba". Anywhere you stop,

you will be lost and dead.

- Oh Hajj who is starting this journey, who is always trying to approach

Him,

- Oh man, the spirit of Allah,

- Oh the good deed,

- You came to Mecca,

- Do not stay here.

- Do not stop in the Haram.

To give you direction so that you would not be misled by other Qiblas,

Kaaba

was your Qibla. However, in Mecca, the Qibla is someplace else. You must

decide to go there and start a greater journey than coming to Mecca (i.e.

the greater pilgrimage)

So, on the day of departure (ninth of Zul-Hijjah), regardless of where you

are, put on your Ihram, turn your back to Mecca and move on ...! What place

is holier and more respectful than Mecca? Continue on; you will see ...!

ARAFAT

Upon wearing your Ihram garments and leaving Mecca, you will

start traveling toward the east (Arafat) where you must remain until

the sunset of the ninth day. On your way back you will make a brief

stop in Mashar and then in Mina. Why? We will know shortly!

In contrast to what you were told previously - that is, to go

gradually and in a step-by-step manner - now you are to go restlessly

and thirstily, like a true lover, all the way to Arafat without a pausel

>From the morning of the tenth day until the twelfth day (or thirteenth

day if you wish) you must remain in Mina.

There are no signs to distinguish these three areas from each

other. A narrow pass about fifteen miles long joins the valley of

Mecca. Along this strait, there are no natural, historical or religious

monuments nor indicators