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The pilgrims
must seek guidance and learn about all the rituals that are
essential for the performance of Haj according to the Maslak
they follow. However, it must be known to all, irrespective of
their background, that the Ka'ba is a sacred house, so are the
people who surround it. Whatever the Haji does here, he must not
hurt anyone, not even accidentally. That is what we mean when we
refer to Haram (the sanctuary) and the hudood-e-Haram
(precincts of Haram). Harming anyone in Haram means the Haj is
simply not complete. So do not rush, do not push. Take it easy
and should someone act wildly, simply get out of the way.
Remember that amidst all this apparently ostentatious public
participation in numerous rituals, Haj is immensely and
intensely personal. The Haji is always focused on personally
performing the ritual perfectly.
Within the
territory of Haram, it is the Haram law and Ihraam dress that
apply. The conditions of Ihraam and how to wear it ought to be
understood.
Even the pilgrim who gets out of the state of Ihraam should
remember that a number of conditions still apply to the Haj
pilgrim and these conditions entail truthfulness, compassion to
fellow beings, good conduct, good thoughts, exemplary behaviour,
desisting from anger and angry outburst, desisting from physical
violence and so on.
Ka'ba is not sacred due to some of
the sanctified spots but, rather, because of its symbolic value
as a marker of the Qibla, the direction of prayer. Ka'ba
contains no relics and is not itself an object of prayer. It
rather provides spiritual focus and symbolizes God's Being at
the centre of creation. |
