The Social Relevance of Hajj

THE SOCIAL RELEVANCE OF HAJJ that they constructed a place of worship dedicated to the worship of the one God—the Kabah. This action of Prophet Abraham and Prophet Ishmael can be described in alternative terms: instead of adopting multiple deities as their refuge, they chose to make one God as their refuge. In pursuit of this objective, they built the House of God (Kabah), which serves as the worldwide center for the worship of the One True God. This center of monotheism also serves as the central focal point for the observance of the Hajj rituals. Let us examine some aspects of the rituals performed during the worship of Hajj. Talbiyah During Hajj, the pilgrims frequently recite the talbiyah in the form of the following phrase: “Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayk la sharika laka labbayk, Innal-hamda wan-ni’mata laka walmulk, La sharika lak.” (Here I am, O God, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily, all praise, blessings, and dominion belong to You. You have no partner.) By saying these words repeatedly, a psychological state is cultivated within the pilgrim that greatness belongs to one God alone. All other forms of greatness pale into insignificance compared with the supreme greatness