In the Name of God, the All-Merciful, the All-compassionate, welcome to the 7th episode of an interesting account of the Hajj pilgrimage.

It is in fact a spiritual journey which is obligatory once in a lifetime for every able-bodied person who has the financial means to undertake it without become a pauper in doing so.

Stay with us for an interesting account that delineates the difference between a real pilgrim to the Symbolic House of the Unseen but Omnipresent Creator of the universe, and a person in the garb of a pilgrim, who is actually a tourist, since he/she is devoid of the necessary devotion. 

Thousands of Muslims had gathered in the Masjid al-Haraam of Mecca. All were performing Tawaf - going seven times round the Ka'ba - and loudly reciting Talbiyya, which means Allahomma Labayk or O Allah, here I am in Your presence.

The noise was deafening.

It made a deep impression of Abu Basir - a blind companion of Imam Ja'far Sadeq (AS) the 6^th Infallible Heir of Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny). Although he could not see, he was moved and touched by all he could hear, and feel as well, as the throngs of the supposed pilgrims pushed their way.

He exclaimed: What a great number of pilgrims this year!

Imam Ja'far Sadeq (AS), who was standing besides him, replied that the noise was greater than the number of actual pilgrims who appear to be only a few.

Abu Basir was astonished at what the Imam said. At this, the Imam asked him whether he would like to see. Why not, he replied, if only he had the use of eyes.

At this, the Imam put his hands on the eyes of Abu Basir and asked him to see for himself. Abu Basir miraculously had his sight restored, and what he saw was unbelievable. Although there was a huge crowd, clad in Ehram or the special garb of the pilgrims, there were only a few human faces among the multitude. The rest resembled donkeys, monkeys, wolves, swine and other animals, revealing their true inner selves.

Such people have been denounced as hypocrites by God Almighty in the holy Qur’an, because of their nature.

After completing the construction of House of Allah, the holy Ka'ba, Allah, as is evident in ayah 27 of Surah Hajj commanded Prophet Abraham: “And proclaim the Hajj to people: they shall come to you on foot and on lean camels coming from distant places.”

Prophet Abraham proclaimed the message, calling upon people to come for Hajj. The call reached all human beings - born and yet unborn. Those who responded, will perform true Hajj.

Immediately thereafter, the Satan also called upon people to come to Mecca. His call also was responded to. Those who come to Mecca in response to the Satan’s call, are devoid of sincerity although they claim to be pilgrims. As a result they are simply tourists visiting Mecca, and the performance of rites by them is not accepted by God, as is evident in ayah 10 of Surah al-Baqarah: “There is a sickness in their hearts; then Allah increased their sickness, and there is a painful punishment for them because of the lies they used to tell.

Thus, before embarking on a journey to Mecca, one should ask oneself a few questions: Is the intention of performing Hajj a pure intention for the sake of Allah and none other?

Imam Ja'far Sadeq (AS) has said that there are two types of Hajj. One is performed for the sake of people and the reward should be expected from them on the Day of Judgement. The other one is for none but Allah, and the reward should be expected from Him.

FK/AS/EA