From:

Mufti Muhammad Faheem Usmani Qasmi

Teacher in Markazul ma’arif Education
& Research Centre, Mumbai
And Columnist in Eastern Crescent, Mumbai
Faheemusmani9@gmail.com
Saturday, 29 June 2019
Hajj Gives a Concept of Equality

Hajj (the pilgrimage to the Holy city of Makka) is one of the most
important pillars of Islam and it is one of the greatest religious
duties. Islam laid too much emphasis to carry out this duty as all able
bodied Muslims are required to perform it once in their lifetime.
Allah (swt) says in the glorious Qur’an “And incumbent on mankind
is pilgrimage to the House on him who is able to find a way
thereunto”. (3:97)

Also Allah’s messenger (swas), addressing his companions, said: “O

people, Allah has made Hajj obligatory for you; so perform Hajj”
(Mslim Hadith 1272). In another hadith the prophet (swas) was
asked, “What is the best deed?” He replied, “To believe in Allah and
His messenger (Muhammad). The “questioner then asked, “What is
the next (in goodness)?” He replied, “To participate in Jihad
(religious fighting) in Allah’s Cause.” The questioner again asked,
“What is the next?” He replied, “To perform Hajj Mabrur.” (Bukhari
19) Hajj Mabrur that is accepted by Allah and is performed with the
intention of seeking Allah’s pleasure only and not to show off and
without committing a sin and in accordance with the guidance of the
prophet (swas).

Islam’s contribution to human equality is best appreciated when

viewed against the backdrop of world history as well as the realities
of modern times. Social, racial, gender, and religious inequities
continue to exist. Economic and social disparities have resulted in
oppression of the lower classes; racial prejudices have been the
cause of subjugation and enslavement of people with darker skin;
women have been weighed down by chauvinistic attitudes, and
pervasive attitudes of religious superiority have led to widespread
persecution of people with different beliefs.

Islam was the first religion in 6th century of CE to offer the concept
of equality of mankind through its profound teachings. Considering
equality for all, Allah (swt) clearly declares that in His sight, the
only distinguishing factors between humans are righteousness and
piety.

The prophet also regarded it in one of his Khutbah saying, “O

people, verily there is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab or
of a non-Arab over an Arab, or of red man over a black man, or of a
black man over a red man, except in terms of Taqwa. (Al Mu’jam Al
Awsat 4889)

Similarly Islamic practices also give a clear message of that all

human beings are equal; none is superior to other one. All the rituals
that Hajj consist of, give the same massage.

There is no such gathering in the entire world in which all the human
beings are regarded as equal as in Hajj gathering. The Hajj to Makka
is considered the world’s largest human gathering with nearly 2.5
million pilgrims.

All the participators of different nations and communities from

dozens of countries around the world, believing in one God and one
humanity, enter in the same dress, known as “Ihram”, in the same
way and observe the same rituals for one purpose, which allows no
superiority on the basis of race, cast, creed, gender and social status
only humility and devotion prevail there.

If one thinks of the rituals of Hajj deeply will come to the conclusion
that all instil the teaching of human equality in the hearts of pilgrims.
For instance, all the pilgrims, whether they are rulers or ruled ones,
black or white, Asian or African, congregate in plain of Arafah
representing a very beautiful view of equality. Everybody seems
here to be occupied with his own business as they stand in earnest
supplication and devotion and ask their forgiveness, listening to
Islamic scholars speak on religious issues and moral importance.
Tears are shed down readily as those, who gather here together as
equals before their Lord, make repentance and seek Allah’s mercy,
recite words of prayer and remembrance.

The most well-known ritual of Hajj is Tawaf (literally means

circumambulation) during which all the pilgrims circle the Kaaba
counterclockwise direction seven times. The circling is to be
believed to demonstrate the unity of the believers in the worshiping
of one God. It also displays the equality of humanity, as they move
shoulder to shoulder in harmonious scenario glorifying their God,
praising His greatness and praying for Him.

Other rituals include a ceremony where pilgrims throw small pebbles

at three large stone-wall, called Jamarat, to symbolize the stoning the
devil that temped Allah’s messenger Ibrahim to defy Allah and the
slaughtering of an animal to honour the animal Ibrahim slaughtered
instead of his son.

There is also a ritual, called Sa’ee, in which all the pilgrims walk
back and forth between the two hills of Safa and Marwah seven
times to commemorate Hajra’s frantic search for water for her infant
son Ismail.

All the rituals mentioned in above confer a clear message of equity

and equality of human beings and demolish all the differences,
limitations and classifications of them imposed by other religions or
their followers. The principle of equality in Islam is considered one
basic element in the value system of Islam. Islam totally condemns
the status of superiority of one man or race, and class over another.

The stock of man, the colour of his skin, the amount of wealth he
has, and the degree of prestige he enjoys have no bearing on
character and personality of the individual as far as Islamic
principles are concerned. The only distinction which Allah
recognizes is the distinction in piety; the only criterion which Allah
applies is the criterion of goodness and spiritual excellence. As Allah
(swt) says in the Holy Qur’an, “O mankind, indeed we have created
you from a male and a female, and have made you in nations and
tribes, that you may know one another. Indeed the most honoured of
you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous. Indeed Allah is all-
knowing and acquainted. (49:13)

The rituals of Hajj give a practical shape to this Qur’anic concept as

it assert that in Islam no nation is created to be above other nations
or to rise above them. Man’s worth in the eyes of men and in the
sight of Allah is determined by the good he does, and by his
obedience to Allah. The differences of race, colour, cast and social
status do not affect the true stature of man. So the value of equality
is an article of faith in Islam and its foundation are deeply rooted in
the structure of Islam.