The History of Hajj

and collectivity are not found where every individual considers themselves to be great. On the contrary, when everyone surrenders their individual greatness in favour of one supreme greatness, only unity and collectivity prevail. Disunity is the result of being trapped in personal pride instead of humility, while unity is about living not with a sense of personal greatness, but with an awareness of God’s greatness. Similarly, one of the important rituals of Hajj is Tawaf (circumambulation). People from all over the world who gather in Makkah during the Hajj season first perform Tawaf around the Ka‘bah. This is a practical acknowledgement that one’s efforts should be centred around a single focal point. One should revolve within a single circle. This is the same concept seen at the physical level in the solar system, where all the planets revolve around a single central point, the sun. Similarly, Hajj teaches that one should make One God the focal point of one’s life and remain within the sphere of His guidance. After this, the pilgrim performs Sa’i between Safa and Marwa. They go from Safa to Marwa and then return from Marwa to Safa, repeating this seven times. This act teaches, in the language of action, that human endeavours should be within set limits. If there are no limits to one’s efforts, some will run too far in one direction and others in the opposite direction. However, where the bounds of effort are established, everyone stays within those limits, returning again and again to the place where their fellow pilgrims continue their activities.