THE MESSAGE AND MEANING OF HAJJ

Although the rituals of Hajj are completed in Makkah, many pilgrims go to Madinah after finishing their Hajj. The ancient name for Madinah is Yathrib. Towards the end of his life, the Prophet of Islam made it his centre, and that is why it came to be known as Madinat-un-Nabi or ‘The City of the Prophet’. Madinah is a short form of this term. In Madinah is a mosque built by the Prophet, where his grave is also located. Here also one finds the footprints of his prophetic life. When Hajis (pilgrims) arrive in Madinah, they are reminded once again of the collective unity of humankind despite its diversity. The mosque of the Prophet reminds them that their one true guide is the same Prophet. They return from here with the feeling that despite their geographical or national differences, they have to follow the same path, the one shown by the Prophet. This is another powerful symbol of their unity. They return from Madinah inspired by the understanding that no matter what their differences—of nation, ethnicity and so on—they must all walk on the path of their same Prophet, that they must take as their guide the same blessed figure, and that their God is the One God. o NOTICE Subscribers are requested to inform us about damaged copies and non-receipt of their copies, latest by 15th of every month, providing their full name and address. WhatsApp & SMS 9060555757 email: thecentreforpeace@gmail.com A fresh copy will be promptly despatched. Hajj leads the pilgrim to becoming a Godoriented person. He recalls and remembers God. His mind is filled with thoughts of God.