THE WORD OF GOD

animal, a believer symbolically pledges to devote his entire life to the path of God. He follows the footsteps of his forefather, Abraham, in being so devout and obedient to his Creator that he is ready to sacrifice even his most prized possession if need arises in God’s way. What is the social aspect of Hajj? Every year, approximately two million individuals take part in Hajj, and this 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. God has designated the Kabah as a sacred place where people return to find peace. It is a centre, a gathering place that serves as a common reference point and symbol for all. Though Muslims from different corners of the world are gathered, speaking different languages, during Hajj season, they all become united. They come together to worship the same God. Throughout Hajj, their focus remains steadfastly on the same God. Thus, Hajj becomes an act of worship, that, with all its rituals, imparts lessons of social cohesion and centrality. There is a Hadith that cautions Muslims about the intention of performing Hajj. Kindly elaborate. In a Hadith, it is mentioned: “There will come a time when people perform Hajj for entertainment, the middle class for business, the scholars for fame and reputation, and the poor seeking monetary help.” This Hadith is indeed quite alarming. In light of this, it is crucial for Muslims, particularly in the present age, to engage in introspection and evaluate their action whether or not they are sincere in intention. How should a person conduct himself after performing Hajj? According to a saying of the Prophet, a person after completing Hajj is akin to a newborn baby, cleared of all sins. This should be a person’s attitude after completing Hajj. He should cleanse himself of all negative thoughts, remove any hatred or malice he might have harboured towards his fellow, forgive those who wronged him and wholly connect himself with his Lord. He should pledge to lead a God-oriented life and also exhort others to remember God and celebrate His praises. He should be conscious of spreading the peaceful message of God to all his fellow human beings. Can you summarise the benefits of Hajj? Hajj, when performed with sincerity and devotion, has the power to transform the pilgrim, similar to what is known as “deconditioning”