The significance of the Hajj for the individual and the community

The significance of the Hajj for the individual Muslim The Hajj has a significant impact on the individual and the Islamic community. The Hajj unites millions of Muslims from all around the world for one sole purpose - to complete the Fifth Pillar of Islam. It allows the individual to be rejuvenated and reborn. Hajj is a quest for redemption and human spirituality. Hajj has a significant spiritual impact on the individual as it allows the pilgrim to strengthen their relationship with God. They do this by completing rituals that express the beliefs of Islam and reaffirm the belief in the one God and his prophets. Pilgrims do not worship the Ka'ba but they worship what it represents-the one God. Showing submission by carrying out a Pillar of Faith The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam "arkan-al-islam". It is a requirement for all Muslim males to undertake the Hajj. Many women as well will seek to fulfil the requirements of the Hajj. The pillars of Islam are considered as foundational as they guide the Muslim in the way of submission to the will of Allah which is the essence of Islam. Given the foundational nature of the Hajj as one of the pillars of Islam, it is hard to overstate its significance for the individual Muslim. The devout Muslim will undertake the Hajj in obedience to the Qur'an and in order to more perfectly submit themselves to the will of Allah. Submission to Allah is the essence of Islam and undertaking the Hajj is one of the important elements for Muslims to submit more fully and more perfectly to Allah. For a Muslim to undertake the Hajj they must carry out demanding preparations which involve practical elements as well as preparing a proper inner or spiritual disposition. The Hajj tests and develops individual striving (jihad) Part of the significance of the Hajj for the individual is the element of testing of personal resolve and commitment involved in undertaking the Hajj. Many of the elements of the Hajj centre on the act of rejection of the devil and remaining faithful in submission to Allah. In order to undertake the Hajj, a Muslim would be required to overcome a number of challenges to their resolve and commit themselves seriously to the task. In this sense they are emulating the elements of the Hajj itself, overcoming the temptation the devil and remaining faithful in their submission to Allah. In practical terms a Muslim must provide for their own needs during the Hajj, such as the cost of their travel etc as well as providing for the needs of their family while they are away. Thus at a practical level there are considerable demands on the person undertaking

the Hajj. There are also the physical demands of the Hajj itself which are challenging to all pilgrims. Apart from the practical and physical requirements, a devout Muslim will also undergo an inner or spiritual preparation to get the full effect of the Hajj for to undertake the Hajj without the appropriate attitude or intention (niyyah) would be to make the experience useless in terms of its spiritual value. Therefore the devout Muslim will ensure that s/he is spiritually prepared for the Hajj before undertaking the pilgrimage. The monumental task of preparing for the Hajj, both practically and spiritually, further highlights the significance of the Hajj for the individual Muslim. Given its demands, it would not be possible for the undertaking of the Hajj to be other than an event of profound significance for the devout Muslim. The rituals of the Hajj Being in a state of Ihram has an impact on the individual as it means they are in a pure state of mind where they practice patience, courtesy and respect. The individual is in this state in order to focus on God and nothing else. While on Hajj. the individual chants their commitment to God. known as the Talbiyah: 'Here I am O God. (in response to Your call). Here I am. You have no equal. Here I am. Truly all praise, grace and sovereignty belong to You. You have no equal. The chant captures the main theme of the pilgrimage - the pilgrimage is a fulfillment of a contract (between God and the individual Muslim) and the declaration of the oneness and glory of God. Being in Arafat allows the pilgrims to devote themselves to God as it is the highpoint of the Hajj. Muhammad said that 'Hajj is Arafat' (Hadith) and Arafat is symbolic of the utter mercy of the one God. The individual makes constant prayer and dua (petition) to God and, in essence. surrenders to God. Through surrendering to the will of God, the individual gains peace of mind. When the individual completes their jumraat (stoning of the devil) they reaffirm that there is good and evil. It is symbolic of erasing the inner desire to commit evil acts. It is also symbolic of defying Satan and temptation as Abraham did. Through Hajj the individual gains a greater understanding of Islamic history. It allows them to become a better person and it allows a greater prospect of reward in the hereafter.

A unique experience of the Ummah A final element of significance for the individual Muslim is found in their experience of the international community of Islam through undertaking the Hajj. Islam is a religious tradition which is spread widely throughout the world and Muslims are found in virtually every region. In recent years the Hajj has attracted over two million Muslims from countries throughout the world. Performing the ritual of the Tawaf reminds the individual that s/he is part of an international Ummah and encourages the individual to recognize that the building up to the Ummah is an obligation which comes from the Muslims belief in the one and unifying God. Thus for the pilgrim undertaking the Hajj there is a profound and overwhelming sense of the diversity of Islam, yet at the same time, an experience of the unity of the Muslim world converging on the holy city of Makkah for the Hajj. In Islam there is no distinction between people and no place for racism or prejudice. In undertaking the Hajj the Muslim pilgrim experiences these elements of Islam in a profound and powerful way.

The significance of the Hajj for the Muslim community This significance can be seen in four ways: firstly in the public statement it makes about submission to Allah, secondly in the way it provides inspiration to others, thirdly in its supports and encourages the building up of the Ummah and finally in its witness to the principles of international and multiracial harmony. Each year over two million pilgrims gather in Makkah to undertake the Hajj. It is an event of epic proportions and receives considerable media coverage throughout the world, including countries such as Australia with relatively small Muslim communities. 1. Given the degree of public consciousness raised by the "spectacle" of the Hajj, there is an important element of witness to the principles of Islam which are expressed in undertaking the Hajj. Essentially the Hajj is an expression of submission to Allah and when undertaken on such a large scale and with such widespread attention it provides an important witness to the essence oflslam. 2. The significance of the Hajj to the Muslim community is also found in the way it inspires others. While the Hajj is essentially undertaken by individuals it involves the community in many ways. The community is involved with the preparation of the pilgrims before they leave, in supporting family member of the pilgrim while they are undertaking the Hajj and often in having special times of prayer and of course with the festival ofld-ul-Adha, the festival of sacrifice.

In the midst of the community support for the pilgrims and the accompanying festival and prayer there is a great source of inspiration to others in the community to commit themselves to undertake the Hajj.

Hajj gathers Muslims from all around the world and it strengthens the sprit of unity. equality and brotherhood among the Islamic community. It reminds the Islamic community that race, colour and gender are insignificant and that what matters is that everyone who is at Hajj is Muslim and worships the one God. All around the world Muslims celebrate Eid Al Udha by sacrificing a sheep in order to demonstrate their belief in God. The meat is sent to charities all around the world. This ritual represents the individual's belief in the Fourth Pillar of Islam-zakaat or almsgiving. 3. There is an important element of community building that takes place in association with the Hajj. This community building happens both at an international level in and through the contact with others during the Hajj and also at the local level through the involvement of the local Muslim community with pilgrims who are making the Hajj. The connection of the community with a pilgrim making the Hajj provides an additional element of spiritual and community focus during the time of the Hajj and provides a means to strengthen and deepen community life. For the Islamic community as a whole the belief in one God unites different types of Muslims from around the world, and demonstrates a unifying stance before Allah. 4. Finally the significance of the Hajj for the Muslim community is in witnessing to the international and interracial harmony which is integral to the Hajj. Muslims gather from all comers of the world to make the Hajj and in their coming together they provide a powerful witness to both the unity and diversity of the Muslim community throughout the world. The most significant element of this witness to the diversity of Islam is the way in which all races and nationalities can come together with tolerance and respect in a display of racial harmony. In Islam there is no place for discrimination on the basis of race and the Hajj provides a powerful witness to this fundamental element of Islam. It also shows the unifying power of Islam in being able to bring so many people of so many ethnic backgrounds together in a common act of submission to Allah.