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On the Road to Mecca: A Journey of Souls

On the Road to Mecca: A Journey of Souls
By: Yasmin M.

For Muslims, death is the inevitable conclusion of one life, and the beginning of another. The deceased is cleansed and enters the grave wearing only sheets of white. The soul that leaves the body enters a new world—a gathering of souls—to meet its’ Lord.

For the pilgrims participating in the Hajj, an analogous journey begins in Mecca. Wearing only two sheets of white, the pilgrims are asked to abandon all their previous concerns. Behind them, they leave their homes, their families, and their jobs, focusing only on the journey ahead.

As they come together in crowds, a sea of white makes its way to the meeting place. “Labayka allahuma labayk”, “Oh Lord we have answered your call”, they chant with their hands stretched towards heaven.

The worshipers arrive at the holy mosque surrounding the Kaaba, where Muslims believe a single prayer is like 100,000 prayers in any other place. When they enter the mosque they stand up to pray shoulder to shoulder with other worshipers from all over the earth. And yet an instant brotherhood is created as the strangers bow down, side by side, to the same one God.

After completing the prayer, the pilgrims make their way towards the place they had spent their entire lives facing for prayer. At the Kaaba—the ancient structure built by Abraham which stands at the very center of Muslim life—the pilgrims reach their destination.

As they make their circuits around the Kabaa, the worshipers remember God with their hearts and tongues. Many raise their hands to the sky to praise God and make supplication for themselves and their loved ones.

Following the circumbulation around the Kabaa, pilgrims move to the historic mountains of Safaa and Marwa. Pacing between the two mountains, Muslims are reminded of the story of Hajar, the wife of Abraham. Muslims believe that when Hajar and her new born child were stranded in the desert, Hajar paced between the two mountains looking for water. When Hajar found nothing, she did not lose hope, but rather continued to pace seven times. After the seventh time, her son, Ishmael, kicked the sand and the spring of zam zam—holy water from which pilgrims drink until today—flowed out beneath his feet. The lesson taught by Hajar was one of perseverance and hope.

For many, that lesson is exactly what Hajj is about. On the pilgrimage, Muslims are taught sabr, an Arabic word that denotes a deep sense of perseverance, tolerance and patience. While on the pilgrimage there can be no quarrelling or revenge. You may be shoved, mistreated, or cursed, but all must be forgiven. Even to kill a fly is forbidden.

In addition to this lesson in self-restraint, tolerance and forgiveness, the great physical hardship of the Hajj teaches Muslims about fortitude. Pilgrims are asked to camp at Mina, a small city near Mecca, for three nights as they travel back and forth between near by cities. At Muzdalifah, another nearby city, pilgrims are asked to spend the night on the ground, with the sky as their only tent. All pilgrims—the weak, the old, and the sick—all endure several miles of walking each of the four days.

But of all the lessons taught by Hajj, for many, the lesson of sacrifice is the greatest. Like Abraham who was willing to give up his own son, Muslims prove their devotion to God through sacrifice. For most people around the world, making the journey to this holy city means sacrificing their entire life’s savings. Once at the holy city, pilgrims sacrifice much of their sleep, as they spend priceless days and nights in worship. During the days of Hajj, pilgrims give up sex, as they focus their entire attention on devoting themselves to God.

And yet, for these worshippers, all the sacrifice is well worth it. Muslims believe that for those whose pilgrimage is accepted by God, the reward in this life is the complete obliteration of their sins. The reward in the hereafter...is nothing less than paradise.