FROM THE EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

After the fulfillment of God’s commands, Abraham was made a leader of humankind. Abraham is an example of complete submission and devotion to God. His life embodies abnegation of his will in obedience to God’s command. Just like Abraham, believers must be ever willing to forsake everything for the greater good. This great act of Abraham is remembered by all Muslims every year on the 10 Dhul Hijjah (twelfth month of the Muslim lunar calendar), the day which concludes the main rites of the Hajj. On the occasion of Hajj, Muslims from all over the world throng to Makkah to emulate Abraham. There the pilgrims perform the animal sacrifice as Abraham did. The Muslim calendar follows the moon, so the months are based on moon’s phases. Therefore, this festival is celebrated on a different day every year, for the lunar calendar is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. The feast of sacrifice reminds Muslims of Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice his beloved son. In a similar vein, believers reaffirm their belief in God and pledge themselves to parting with their precious belongings, if there is a need for it. The Quran describes these sentiments: “Truly my prayers, my sacrifice, my life and my death all belong to God, the Lord of the worlds.” (6: 162) At the culmination of the Hajj rites, the pilgrims walk around the Kabah seven times, all the while praying and concentrating only on God. The pilgrims pray in the same language, Arabic, thus fostering universal love and brotherhood during Hajj. Of all the Muslim acts of worship, the Hajj is the most prominent. In one Hadith, the Prophet of Islam called it the ‘supreme act of worship’. It is not just the rituals that make it so, rather it is the spirit in which the Hajj is performed that is important. This year as we were restrained by the Covid-19 pandemic, a grand celebration was not warranted. Muslims, all over the world, must stringently follow the guidelines of the government and the health officials. It is pertinent to relive the true spirit of worship that rests on introspection, self-purification and embarking on a journey of leading a God-oriented life. o Prof. Farida Khanam hub@thespiritofislam.org On the occasion of Eid al-Adha, believers reaffirm their belief in God and pledge themselves to parting with their precious belongings, if there is a need for it.