The Spirit of Hajj

The Emotional Journey Of Hajj person or their image. But no sculptor can claim to have seen God. When a person makes an idol of God, they are reducing the infinite to the finite. They are transforming a supreme being into something lesser. Such an act is contrary to reality and undoubtedly signifies rebellion. In one sense, Hajj is a means of correcting the human mind. The message of Hajj is: do not attempt to bring God down to the level of an “idol.” Instead, perceive God at the level of His “symbols.” In this world, you cannot experience God in His essence, but you can perceive Him through the symbols of His essence. These Sha’air are established by the actions of God’s exemplary worshippers. They are tangible memorials of those historical moments when a direct connection was established between God and His worshipper—when the worshipper discovered God, and God revealed Himself to them. The Sha’air (signs) of God are the remnants of those precious individuals in history who embraced monotheism in its highest and most exemplary form. All the rituals of Hajj are performed among these Sha’air. Distancing oneself from these symbols is distancing oneself from God, and attachment to them is attachment to God. Meeting with God The plain of Arafat presents a truly remarkable scene in this regard. God’s worshippers come in caravans from all directions, all wearing the same simple garment. Each person has lost their distinguishing features. One single phrase is on everyone’s lips: “Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk,