THE WORD OF GOD

seven rounds. This act of Sa’i teaches the lesson that a person’s efforts should be restrained within certain boundaries. Without limits to their pursuits, they would wander aimlessly. However, when boundaries are established, individuals remain focused within them. They continuously return to the same points where their fellow pilgrims continue their activities. This is the case with other rituals of Hajj as well. All the rituals of Hajj are performed with a unified focus, despite their various aspects. It is as if there is a divine force like a magnet attracting all scattered elements towards a single point. The Gathering at Arafat: After engaging in various rituals all these people gather in the vast field of Arafat and a remarkable scene unfolds at that moment. It appears as if all the differences among human beings have suddenly vanished. People have let go of their conflicts and have become one, just as their God is one. When all the pilgrims, dressed in white Ihram attire, come together in the expansive field of Arafat, observing from a height, it seems as though, despite differences in language, colour, status, and gender, everyone has become completely united. Different nationalities seem to merge into a larger nationality. The truth is that Hajj showcases such a profound demonstration of unity and solidarity that no other example can be found anywhere else in the world. Visit to Madinah: Although the prescribed rituals of Hajj are concluded in Makkah, most pilgrims also visit Madinah after completing Hajj. The ancient name of Madinah is Yathrib. However, towards the end of his life, the Prophet of Islam made it his centre. Since then, it has been known as Madinat al- Nabi (the city of the Prophet). Madinah is its abbreviation. Masjid al Nabwi built by the Prophet Muhammad, is located in Madinah. His grave lies inside this mosque. The remnant signs of his prophetic life can be seen all around. When the pilgrim reaches Madinah, it serves as a profound lesson for them in unity and social cohesion. In the Prophet’s Mosque, they are reminded that they have only one guide. As they depart, they realize that in spite of the multitude of geographical and national differences among them, they are all required to follow the path shown by the same Prophet. They endeavour to make him the guiding force in their lives. What is the spirit of sacrifice? During the occasions of Hajj or Eid al-Adha, the act of animal sacrifice encompasses two dimensions: one is its spirit, and the other its form. In terms of its spirit, sacrifice represents a commitment or pledge. The physical act of sacrifice serves as a pledge in action. By sacrificing an