THE WORD OF GOD

The remedy for ignorance is asking questions. (Prophet Muhammad) The spirit of enquiry is the hallmark of an open society and the above saying of the Prophet aptly illustrates this principle. A culture of curiosity and open-mindedness will foster development in any society by motivating its members to learn enthusiastically and enrich their knowledge. This is because awareness of one’s ignorance is half of knowledge, as it becomes a stepping-stone to seeking and finding answers. A questioning mind is like a flowing river that is replenished with fresh thoughts and ideas and continues on its journey. YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED What is the significance of Hajj? Hajj is a congregational act of worship. It is the fifth pillar of Islam. Muslims from around the world gather at Makkah to perform the pilgrimage. The Hajj rite begins on the 7th day of the month of Dhul Hijjah and ends on the 12th day. Every year, approximately two million individuals take part in this worship. The pilgrimage serves as a unifying platform that brings Muslims from different nations together in a religious gathering, fostering a profound sense of unity within the Islamic community. Hajj is a profound demonstration of unity and solidarity. The pilgrimage of Hajj is a sacred journey towards God. It represents the highest level of closeness to one’s Lord in this worldly life. While other forms of worship serve as a means of remembering God, Hajj, however, is a means of attaining proximity to God. If other forms of worship are the worship of God at a level of unsees, then Hajj is the worship of God at the level of the seen. Hajj is a divine encounter: It is a meeting with the Almighty. When a person embarks on pilgrimage and reaches the sacred destinations of Hajj, he experiences extraordinary divine feelings. It is as if he has left behind his own world and entered into the realm of God. Tell us something about Prophet Abraham. Prophet Abraham was born in ancient city of Ur, located in the present-day Iraq. He lived for 175 years. Abraham was known for his exceptional qualities and unwavering devotion to God. He spoke to his people about one true God and questioned them about polytheism. But his very own people threw him in the fire. However, God saved him and bestowed upon him the favour of righteous descendants. God