Pilgrimage (Hajj

To this end, the Kabah was made the centre for the gathering of all Muslims: “We made the House (Kabah) a resort and a sanctuary for mankind. Saying: ‘Make the place where Abraham stood a house of worship” (2:125). It is this central position of the Kabah which has been described in the Quran as Qiyaman Linnas, a means of support (5:97). This is fundamental to Makkah being the international meeting place of Muslims. It has been thus appointed so that Muslims from all over the world may gather there, worship their God and a universal campaign to convey the message of God be organised. That is the real status of the House of God. The other things are thus subservient to this main object. People, therefore, have been enjoined by God to return from Hajj with the feeling of celebrating God’s glory, a feeling very different from that of describing the glory of their ancestors, which had been their practice prior to Islam. Those who consider Hajj only a ‘pilgrimage’ and who regard the increasing number of pilgrims as a matter of prestige should pay heed to what Abdullah bin Abbas had to say about this (as recorded by Abu Nu‘aym): “I love to look after the members of a Muslim household for a month, or a week, or so long as God wills, more than I love to perform one Hajj after another.” (Hilyatul Auliya, Vol. 1). To ensure the continuity of the actual purpose of this work (of propagating the message of God) this world Muslim centre has been made a protected place. It was ordered that the House would be only for those who promised faith in God. “We covenanted with Ibrahim and Ismail that they should sanctify My House for those who walk round it, or use it as a retreat, and who kneel and prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).” (2:125) For the material needs of the community, Abraham prayed to God: ‘Lord,’ said Abraham, ‘make this a land of peace and bestow upon its people an abundance of the earth’s fruits.’ (2:126) God answered this prayer, and this city has remained prosperous for