HAJJ

Dr. Ali Shariati

Doctorate of Sociology & Islamic History

Sorbonne University, France

Professor of Mashad University, IRAN

 

Translated from the Persian by

Dr. Ali A. Behzadnia M.D.

Najla Denny

CONTENTS:

Foreword by the Translators

Preface by the author

Introduction

Rejecting an Empty Philosophy

Reaching toward Allah

Entering Miqat and becoming One

Declaring your Intention (Niyat)

Praying in Miqat

Avoiding Certain Actions (Moharemmat)

The Kaaba

Circumbulating (Tawaf)

Allegiance and the Black Stone

Ibrahim's Position

Between Tawaf and Sa'y

The end of Sa'y (Taqsir)

The Greater Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Arafat

Mashar

Mina

The Battle Front (Ramie Jamarat)

Sascrifice

The Sacrifice of Ismail

The Dialogue between Father and Son

The Three Idols

The 'id

The Delay in Mina

Consequent Attacks after the Id' (Ayyam at Tashrig)

The Last Message

Conclusion

A More Important Lesson

Epilogue - Poem by Naser Khosrow

 

Foreword by the Translators

 

Efforts to translate this book began two and one half years ago. Its

completion was delayed due to the difficulties in finding appropriate

words for Dr. Shariati's unique and sophisticated language which

conveys his important message. This translation is not the most

perfect translation of the original text. However, the purpose is to

transmit the author's views and understanding of Hajj and not to

produce a literary replica of the original.

 

It is highly recommended that this book be completed in one

reading and not in intervals so as to maintain continuity in one's train

of thoughts. The essence of the book will be more easily projected

and comprehended if this approach is used.

 

The Quranic verses and Hadith from the original text have been

translated into English for the benefit of the reader. Marmaduke

Pickthall's translation of the Quran is the source for translation of

Quranic verses. Also, in some instances the author's opinions have

been further explained by the translator in the form of footnotes.

 

Because of its universal message, this book will be appealing to all-

-Muslims or non-Muslims! Its subject matter deals with issues and

teachings which relate to mankind. The contents will be useful to all

in their pursuit to understand the concept of mankind as he/she

"should be" in contrast to what he/she "is" today.

 

Ali Behzadnia & Najla Denny

 

Preface

By The Author

 

As a person who is "knowledgeable about religion" and whose field of study

is "the history of religions", I reached the following conclusions as a

result of my study and research of the historical evolution of each faith

whereby I compared what the faiths were in the past and what they are now

as well as a comparison in the differences between the "truth" and the

"reality" of the faiths. My conclusion is not based on personal religious

feelings nor prejudices:

 

If we study and evaluate the effectiveness of each religion in terms of

the happiness and evolution of mankind, we will discover that there is

no prophecy which is as advanced, powerful, and conscious as the prophecy

of Mohammad (PBUH) (i.e. Islam and it's role in man's social progress,

self-consciousness, movement, responsibility, human ambition and struggle

for justice; Islam's realism and naturalness, creativity, adaptability

with scientific and financial progress and orientation toward civilization

and the community). Contemporaneously, we will discover that there is no

prophecy which has deteriorated and been transformed into a completely

different representation as much as the prophecy of Mohammad (PBUH)!

 

It seems that some power composed of all physical facilities as well as

knowledgeable advisors, openly or secretly has hired a group of the most

educated and intelligent philosophers of history, social scientists,

sociologists, social psychologists, politicians, human scientists,

theologists. orientalists, experts in Islamic studies, Quranic interpreters

and people who are familiar with Islamic literature, the social relations of

Muslims, the traditions of Muslims, the personalities of Muslims, the

weaknesses and strengths of Muslims, the interests of Muslims, the socio

economic behavior of Muslims, the roles of special people ... to completely

change the Islamic doctrine through the pursuit of cautious and scientific

research of Islam and Muslims!

 

As far as I know, from the practical and conceptual point of view, the most

important pillars of the Islamic doctrine which motivate the Muslim nation

and makes it's citizens conscious, free, honorable and socially responsible

are:

TAWHEED, JIHAD, and HAJJ

 

Unfortunately, the teaching of the concept of TAWHEED is limited only to

elementary schools. Beyond that, it may be spoken of at the philosophical

and theological discussions held by religious leaders; but such discussions

are totally foreign and inapplicable to the lives of the people. In other

words, only the existence and oneness of God are considered - not TAWHEED

in it's real sense! As for the concept of JIHAD, it is absolutely forbidden

and buried in the graveyard of history. The fundamental principle of JIHAD,

"encouraging people to do good deeds and to avoid wrong deeds" is only

applied when blaming the friends instead of when correcting the wrongdoers.

And lastly, HAJJ is viewed as the ugliest and most illogical action that

Muslims perform yearly.

 

The enemies of Islam were successful in bringing about changes by

implementing a unique policy. The "prayer book" was brought from the grave

yard into the city while the Holy Quran was taken away from the citizens in

the city and given to those at the graveyard who read for the souls of the

dead. A similar approach was used in the theological schools (madresah). The

Holy Quran was seized from the hands of students who studied Islam and put

away on the shelf; it was replaced by the book of principles and

philosophical discussions. So, it is obvious what the enemies can do to

us when the Quran is absent from the lives of Muslims and not included in

the curriculum of Muslim students!

 

Does the intellectual individual who feels a responsibility towards his

people and a Muslim whose faith endows him with a responsibility or an

intellectual Muslim who has this dual responsibility feel at ease by

sitting passively? Does he think resorting to a western ideology will save

his people and solve their problems?!? NO!! ! Oh my intellectual friend and

my Muslim brother - either you feel a responsibility toward the people or

toward Allah. It does not matter; we are in the same boat and are endowed

with the same responsibility. In order to liberate ourselves and regain our

honor, it is best to employ the same tactics that our enemy used. We must

return to the path from which we were abducted! Therefore, we have to bring

the Holy Quran from the graveyard back to the city and read it to those who

are alive (not deceased)! We have to remove the Quran from the shelf, open

it before the eyes of the students and let them study it. Since our enemies

could not destroy the Quran, they closed it and left it in a corner to be

respected as the HOLY BOOK! It is our duty to re-use it as a "book" - a

"book to study" - as is designated by the name QURAN!

 

May we hope that one day the Quran will be accepted as the classic book of

our Islamic school and used for our Islamic teachings! May we hope to see

the day when Quranic study will be required in order to qualify for a

degree in Ijtihad. If we return to the Quran and make it part of our lives, we

will realize the essence of Tawheed. If we consider the Quran as the structure

of our system, we will realize the creativitv and efficacy of such duties as:

Hajj, Jihad, Imamat, Shahadat ... and the meaning of our lives!!!!

 

Now let us look at one of these duties - Hajj - and search for its

significance from a monotheistic point of view. This book is a summary of

my personal experience and uriderstanding after performing the Hajj three

times and touring Mecca once. It is only the comments and interpretations

of the rites by a humble servant of God. No Muslim has the right to view

the rites on the basis of this writing since it is not a book on "religious

jurisprudence" but rather a paper to make you think! I have attempted to

interpret the ceremonies as a Muslim Hajj who is entitled to talk about the

Hajj when he returns home. I can discuss my views with others; this has

been a "tradition" too. Every year the minority who were able to participate in

the Hajj will share their views with the majority who did not have this

opportunity. If there was a responsible leadership who demonstrated as much

interest in teaching more than a million Muslims from various parts of the

world (ie. from the least developed villages and least trained natives) as

they do in their meals, health, souvenirs and luxurious but ugly shows of

aristocracy (which contradicts Hajj) and if they were only a bit concerned

about realizing the meaning of the rites rather than being meticulously

obsessed and prejudiced about performing the rites themselves then the Hajj

could have been a yearly course of practical and theoretical teachings of

the Islamic doctrine given to more than a million Muslim representatives

from all over the world! They could learn the purpose of the Hajj, the

meaning of the prophecy, the importance of unity and the fate of the Muslim

nation. With a reserve of knowledge and information they could return to

their countries and their individual lives to teach their community. As a

result, all his life a Hajj could remain a guide in the darkness of his

society - like a glittering beam m the darkness!

 

Dr. Ali Shariati 

I n t r o d u c t i o n

What has the experience of Hajj taught me? First one must ask - what does

Hajj mean? In essence, Hajj is man's evolution toward Allah. It is a

symbolic demonstration of the philosophy of Creation of Adam. To further illustrate

this, it may be stated that the performance of Hajj is a simultaneous show

of many things; it is a "show of creation", a "show of history", a "show of

unity", a "show of the Islamic ideology" and a show of the Ummah.

 

The following conditions prevail in this "show". Allah (God) is the stage

manager. The theme portrayed is the actions of the people involved. Adam,

Ibrahim, Hajar, and Satan are the main characters. The scenes are Masjid-ul

Haram, the Haram area, Masa, Arafat, Mashars and Mina. Important symbols

are the Kaaba, Safa, Marwa, day, night, sunshine, sunset, idols and ritual of

sacrifice. The clothing and make up are Ihram, Halgh and Taqseer. Lastly,

the player of the roles in this "show" is only one; and that is YOU!

 

Regardless of whether you are a man or a woman, young or old, black or

white, you are the main feature of the performance. The role of Adam, Ibrahim and

Hajar in the confrontation between "Allah and Satan" is played by you. As a

result, you, individually, are the hero of the "show".

 

Annually, Muslims from all over the world are encouraged to participate in

this great "show" (Hajj). Everyone is considered equal. No discrimination

on the basis of race, sex, or social status is made. In accordance to the

teachings of Islam, ALL ARE ONE AND ONE IS ALL.

 

The one who restores somebody's life, has restored the

life of all and the one who kills one, has killed all.

 

Yet the enemies of Islam continue to deliberately wage a campaign against

Islam. They attack it by denying that Islam recognizes the human being as

an individual endowed with special rights and values. In terms of the

concept of Hajj, it is relegated to the status of a duty which has very little

significance. As Imam Ali, the son of Kaaba says:

 

As if Islam is a lamb fur-coat' that is put on inside out.

 

What have I personally learned from Hajj-me being so "little" and Hajj

being so "great" in meaning? How far and what could I see from this experience?

The following pages are the product of my humble efforts to answer these

questions. My purpose is not to inform the reader what must be done during

Hajj. This can be attained by referring to the book of rituals. Instead, I

want to share with you my perceptions of the significance of Hajj. They

should help you to understand why it is incumbent upon Muslims to perform

this duty, or at least motivate you to think about Hajj.

 

Rejecting an Empty Philosophy

 

Life today (not life as it should be carried on) is an idle cyclical action

a movement with no goal! A meaningless pendular action starts with the day

only to end at night and night starts only to disappear at dawn. In the

mean time, man is busy watching the play of these black and white "rats" who

chew the strings of our life until we die.

 

Life (as we live it) is like a theater. Man watches these aimless nights

and days. Indeed, what foolish play is conducted! When you are in need, you

hope and struggle to overcome your needs. Yet once you achieve this, you view

your past efforts humorously. What a senseless philosophy to live by!

 

Living on a day to day basis, the person lacks direction. His aim is only

to live. What exists is a dead spirit in a living body. However, the Hajj

experience alters this unhealthy condition!

 

Once you decide to perform Hajj and take the necessary steps, you are on

the road to the actualization of Hajj. Before going to Hajj you reside in your

home calm and reposed. Upon entering the state of mind for Hajj, you arise

and move away from your routine environment.

 

Hajj is the antithesis of aimlessness. It is the rebellion against a damned

fate guided by evilforces. The fulfillment of Hajj will enable you to

escape from the complex network of puzzles. This revolutionary act will reveal to

you the clear horizon and free way to migration to eternity toward the

Almighty Allah.

 

Depart from your home. and visit "Allah's house", or the "house of the

people"! You, whoever you are, you are a man, Adam's son, and a

representative of Allah on earth! You are a relative of Allah, Allah's

trustee, His master of nature and a student of God. Allah taught you the

names. He made you from His spirit and endowed you with special qualities.

You were praised by Him; His angels even prostrated to you. This earth and

everything in it was made available to man. God became your "homemate",

with you at all times and watching all of your actions. Are you living up

to His expectation?

 

Prophet (PBUH):

 

Allah is in the hearts of the believers

 

Quran XXIX:3

 

Thus Allah knoweth those who are sincere, and knoweth those who feign

 

Quran LVII: 25

 

And that Allah may know him who helpeth Him and His messenger, though

unseen.

 

Quran XVII: 7

 

LO! We have placed all that is in the earth as an ornament thereof

 

that we may try them: which of them is best in conduct.

 

Quran LXVII: 2

 

Who hath created life and death that He may try you, which of you is

best in conduct; and he is the Mighty, the Forgiving,

 

With the passage of time and the influence of various forces of the social

system which disregard human rights and duties, your character has been

changed. The vicissitudes of life have affected you to the degree that you

became alienated and neglectful. Originally, with Allah's spirit in your

heart, you were supposed to shoulder the responsibility of being Allah's

trustee on earth. You were granted time as a means for fulfilling this task

but you failed because the gift was used carelessly!

 

Quran CIII: 2-3

 

By the declining day, LO! man is in a state of loss,

 

This is what is called life! But realistically speaking what has been

accomplished? What constructive contributions have you made? What have

you gained? So many precious years have been lost, yet who are you?

 

Oh trustee and vicegerent of Allah on earth, you have turned to money, sex,

greed, aggression, and dishonesty. You have regressed to the inferior status

that you occupied before almighty Allah blew His spirit into you. Where is

the spirit of Allah now? Oh man, rise out of this decadent situation!

Divorce yourself from this gradual death.

 

Leave your surroundings and go to the pure land. There you may face Almighty

Allah under the inspiring sky of Mashar. The estrangement which you have

experienced will be overcome. At last, you will find yourself!

 

Reaching towards Allah

 

Hajj occurs during the highly respected month of Zul-Hijjah'. The land of

Makkah (Mecca) is tranquil and peaceful. Instead of fear, hatred, and war,

the desert is characterized by security and peace. An atmosphere for

worship where people are free to face Almighty God is prevalent.

 

Do you not hear Ibrahim's command:

 

Quran XXII: 27

 

And call upon the people for Hajj. They will come to you on their bare

feet or riding any weak camel and they come to you from every far desert.

 

You, oh Mud, search for and follow the spirit of Allah! Accept his

invitation; leave your home in order to "see" Him. He is waiting for You!

 

Human existence is frivolous unless one's aim is to approach the spirit of

Allah. Separate yourself from all those needs and greeds which distract you

from Allah. Therefore, join the eternal human migration to Hajj. "See"

Almighty Allah!

 

Before departing to perform Hajj, all of your debts should be paid. Your

hates and angers toward relatives or friends must disappear. A will must

be drawn. All of these gestures are an exercise in the preparation for death

(which will overtake everyone some day). These acts guarantee your personal

and financial clearance. The last moments of farewell and the future of man

are symbolized.

 

Now you are free to join eternity. On the day of resurrection, when "you can

do nothing" in Allah's court, where "your eyes, ears, and heart are the

best witnesses of what you have done,"

 

Quran XVII: 36

 

You and every organ of your body are responsible for your deeds. While

you are in this "house of correction" get ready for the "house of

justice". Exercise death before you die-go to Hajj!

 

Hajj represents your return to Allah, the absolute, who has no limitations

and none is like Him. To return to Him signifies a definite movement toward

perfection, goodness, beauty, power knowledge, value, and facts. On your way

toward the eternal, you will NEVER approach Allah. He is to guide you in

the right direction and not to be your destination!

 

Islam is different from Sufism. A Sufi lives "in the name of Allah", and

dies "for the sake of Allah". But, a Muslim strives to approach Almighty

God

 

To Allah we belong and to Him is our return.

 

Quran II:156 & XLII:53

 

All affairs tend toward Allah.

 

Our goal is not to "perish", but to "bloom". This is done not "for Allah"

but rather to bring us "toward Him". Allah is not so far away from you;

therefore, try to reach Him! Allah is closer to you than yourself!

 

Quran L:16

 

We are nearer to him than his jugular vein.

 

On the other hand, everyone beside Allah is too far to be reached! Oh man,

all the angels prostrated to you; yet, through the passage of time and

societal influence you have changed greatly. You have not abided by your

promise to worship none but Almighty Allah. Instead, you have become a

slave to idols, some of which are man-made.

 

Quran LIV: 54

 

In an assembly of truth, in the presence of a sovereign omnipotent.

 

Your nature is characterized by loyalty to other individuals, selfdevotion,

cruelty, ignorance, a lack of direction, fearfulness, and greediness! This

life has caused you to acquire animalistic traits. Now you are like a

"wolf", "fox", "rat", or "sheep".

 

Oh man, return to your origin. Go to Hajj and visit your best friend who

created you as the best creature. He is waiting to see you! Leave the

palaces of power, the treasures of wealth and the misleading temples.

Dismember yourself from the flock of those animals whose shepherd is the

wolf. Join the flock at Miad who is going to see the house of Allah or the

house of the people.

 

Entering Miqat and becoming One

 

The show begins at Miqat. At this point, the actor (mankind) must change

his clothes. Why? Because one's attire covers the person as well as his

character. In other words, an individual doesn't wear clothes, but rather,

the clothes cover him!

 

Clothes symbolize, pattern, preference, status, and distinction. They create

superficial "borders" which cause "separation" between people. In most

cases, "separation" between people, gives birth to "discrimination".

Furthermore the concept of "I" not "we" emerges! "I" is used in the context

of my race, my class, my clan, my group, my position, my family, my values,

and not "I" as a human being.

 

So many "borders" have been created in our lives. The descendants of Cain,

the executioners and the cruels split Adam's family and mankind's unity

into many parts and factions. What resulted were the following relationships:

 

master and servant, oppressor and oppressed, colonialist and

colonialized, exploiter and exploited, strong and weak, rich

and poor, nourished and malnurished, honored and dishonored,

happy and unhappy, noble persons and lay persons, civilized

and uncivilized, Eastern and Western, Arab and Ajam and etc.

 

Humanity is divided into races, nations, classes, subclasses, groups, and

families. Each one has its own distinct status and values, names and honors.

And-for what? All this just to show "ones-self-but under so much "make-up"!

 

Now take off your clothes. Leave them at Miqat. Wear the Kafan which

consists of plain white material. You will be dressed like everyone else. See the

uniformity appear! Be a particle and join the mass; as a drop, enter the ocean.

 

Don't be proud, you are not here to see somebody, but be humble. You

will be seeing Allah. Be the one who realizes his mortality or a mortal

who feels his existence.

 

At Miqat, regardless of your race or tribe, you must doff all the covers

you wore in your daily life as:

 

- a wolf (symbolizing fierceness and oppression),

- a rat (symbolizing slyness),

- a fox (symbolizing craftiness),

- or a sheep (symbolizing slavery).

 

Leave all these in Miqat and assume your original shape as a "man" - just

one "Adam" as you will be at the end, as one "dead"!

 

Wrap yourself in two pieces of cloth. One covers your shoulders and the other

goes around your waist. No special style or material is used. It is made of

very plain and simple fabric. Everyone is wearing the same outfit (Ihram).

No distinctions in appearance are visible.

 

The caravans from all over the world which are traveling to Hajj will

congregate at Miqat. They will meet at the same time and at the same place!

 

On his way to Allah, man is not just "to be" but he is "to become" what he

should be!

 

Quran XXIV:42

And unto Allah is the journeying.

 

How wonderful! Everything is moving - evolution, death and life, life and

death, contradiction, change, and direction.

 

Quran XXVIII:88

Everything will perish save His countenance.

 

And Allah is the "absolute" - being, perfect, and eternal!

 

Quran LV:29

Everyday He exerciseth (universal) power.

 

Hajj is also a movement. Man decides to return toward Allah. All of his egos

and selfish tendencies are buried at Miqat (Zu-halifa). He witnesses his own

dead body and visits his own grave. Man is reminded of the final goal of his

life. He experiences death at Miqat and resurrection afterwhich he must

continue his mission in the desert between Miqat and Miad.

 

The scene is like the day of judgment. From one horizon to the other, a

"flood of whites" appears. All the people are wearing the Kafan. No one

can be recognized. The bodies were left in Miqat and the souls are

motivated here. Names, races, nor social status make a difference in this great

combination. An atmosphere of genuine unity prevails. It is a human show

of Allah's unity.

 

Fear and pleasure, excitement and charm, perplexity and rapture all appear

as minute particles in a magnetic field. Allah is in its center (qibla')!

Only man shows himself. He is situated in one direction which is toward

Allah. In this desert all the nations and groups merge into one tribe. They

face one Kaaba.

 

Once you remove your clothes and all the signs which distinguish "you" as

An individual, you may enter into the heart of the crowd. In the state of

Ihram', try to forget the things that remind you of your life.

 

Everyone "melts" himself and assumes a new form as a "mankind". The egos

and individual traits are buried. The group becomes a "people" or an "Umma".

All the l's have died in Miqat; what has evolved is "We".

 

By the time you leave Mina you should have integrated into the Umma. This

is what Ibrahim did. You are also supposed to act like Ibrahim.

 

Quran XVI: 120

 

Lo Abraham was a nation obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was

not of the idolators.

 

At last, one is all and all is one! Everyone is equal. The society of

polytheism is converted into one of monotheism or Tawhid. This is the

Umma or the society which is onto the right path. It should be a society

which is perfect, active and led by Islamic leadership (Imamat).

 

Everyone performing Hajj has turned away from himself to face Allah. He has

been endowed with the spirit of Allah. You have gone from an exile to the

hereafter. You have been exposed to the absolute facts. You have overcome

ignorance and oppression and have been enlightened by consciousness and

justice. You have rejected polytheism and adopted monotheism.

 

Previous to the performance of Hajj, the people neglected their human

quality. They were alienated by power, wealth, family, land, and race.

Their life was only in the context of mere "existence". Finally, the

experience of Hajj allowed them to achieve self-discovery. Now they

perceived each other collectively as "one", and individually as a "man"

NOTHING ELSE!

 

Declaring your Intention

NIYAT

 

Before entering Miqat, which is the beginning of a great change and

revolution, you must declare your intention. What does this encompass? It

is the intention of a "transferral" from your house to the house of people,

from life to love, from the self to Allah, from slavery to freedom, from

racial discrimination to equality, sincerity and truth, from being clothed

to being naked, from a daily life to an eternal life and from selfishness

and aimlessness to devotion and responsibility. In summary, it is a

transferral into the state of "Ihram" .

 

Therefore, your intention must be strongly asserted. You will grow out of

your "shell" as do the seeds of dates. Being extremely conscious, you must

have faith in your heart. Enlighten your heart with the flame of love;

"shine" and "shine". Forget all about yourself! In the past, your life was

characterized by "negligence" and "ignorance" You were helpless in all

aspects of existence. Even in the realm of your job, you became a slave,

working either as a habit or by force! Now, shed this pattern of life!

Become genuinely "conscious" of Almighty Allah, the people and yourself!

Choose a new job, a new direction and a new "self"!

 

Praying in Miqat

 

When at Miqat and ready to start the Hajj, you are aware of what must be

done and why. In the Ihram attire you will perform the prayer of Ihram,

presenting yourself to the Almighty Allah. Say - Oh Allah, I No More

worship the idols, and No More am I the slave of Nimrod'.

 

Oh Allah, I am standing in front of you with the gesture of Ibrahim not as

an oppressor (wolf), not as a cheater (fox), not as a hoarder(rat). Nay, I

face you as a "man" wearing the same clothes that I will wear when I see

you in the hereafter. This means that you willingly and consciously want to

obey Allah and become His slave. You will rebel against anyone and anything

beside Allah. Your readiness to exercise necessary duties is expressed.

Such a position is not different from the regular prayer, but at this time it is

like a more intimate talk to Allah. It is as if Allah's presence can be

felt.

 

Say:

 

Oh the most gracious and the most merciful, whose glory and mercy go

beyond the limits of friends and enemies, the righteous and the sinful,

the believers and non-believers ... Oh Allah, I worship you since you are

the only one who deserves to be worshipped. I choose no master, but you,

the master and owner of the day of judgment". Quran I:2-4.

 

Quran I:5

 

Thee (alone) we worship; thee (alone) we ask for help.

 

Oh our only love, Oh our only help! See how we are lost by our ignorance!

See how we are misled by the oppressors! See how we are limited by our

weakness!

 

Quran I:6

 

Show us the Straight Path - the path of truth, consciousness, fact,

beauty, perfection, love, and goodness.

 

Quran I:7

 

The path of those whom thou hast favored, Not (the the path) of those

who earn thine anger nor of those who go astray.

 

At Miqat in the white dress of the hereafter, each bow denies and asks

forgiveness for the wrong deeds which were motivated by fear and greed.

They were committed during your life. Each prostration asks forgiveness

for those which were done in the Courts of Powers.

 

The prayer at Miqat is a promise to Allah that there will be no prostration

nor bowing to anyone other than Him!

 

Peace be upon you Oh Mohammad, His slave and Messenger

Peace by upon you and those obedients of Allah and the good doers.

Peace be upon you ...

 

All these are phrases which refer to the "near ... not the far".

 

Allah, Ibrahim, Mohammad, people, heaven, the hereafter, salvation, freedom,

love and etc. are all present at Miqat. Dressed in the colorless clothes of

Ihram, you experience a new birth - a resurrection! No longer will Satan,

who rejected Allah's command, cheat you. No longer will you feel like a

stranger. Shameful and apologetic, you return to Allah. But now you are

free and responsible!

 

Avoiding Certain Actions

MOHARREMAT

 

There are certain things which you are expected to avoid while in the state

of Ihram. These include any sort of reminders of your business, position,

social class, or race. In essence, all worldly matters belonging to the

life before Miqat, are tabooed. The following is a list of specific actions

which must not be undertaken:

 

- Do not look in a mirror in order not to see your image. Therefore, forget

the "self" temporarily.

- Do not use nor smell perfume in order not to recall the enjoyable times

of the past. You are now in an environment of spirituality. Therefore,

smell love!

- Do not give orders to anyone. Therefore, exercise a sense of brotherhood!

- Do not harm animals or insects. Therefore, for a few days live as Jesus!

- Do not break or uproot plants. Therefore, kill the tendencies of

aggression by being peaceful toward nature!

- Do not hunt. Therefore, be merciful to others!

- Do not indulge in love making and intercourse, therefore, be inspired

by real love!

- Do not marry or participate in marriage ceremonies.

- Do not use make up. Therefore, see yourself as you are!

- Do not be dishonest, argumentative, curseful, (i.e. swear), or arrogant.

- Do not sew your Ihram. Therefore, evade self - distinction!

- Do not carry weapons, but if it is necessary place it under your Ihram.

- Do not stay in the shade. Therefore, be exposed to the sun

- Do not cover your head (males).

- Do not cover your face (females).

- Do not wear shoes or socks. Therefore, let your feet be bare!

- Do not use ornaments.

- Do not cut your hair.

- Do not clip your nails.

- Do not use creams.

- Do not allow blood to flow (example cut yourself).

 

Hajj has begun; hurry toward Allah! In the state of Ihram Say: Labbaika!

"God has called upon you. You are here to answer His invitation and be

completely obedient to Him."

 

Praise, blessings, and the Kingdom, are for you. There is none like you.

 

Denying the dishonest, exploitative, and despotic super-powers of the

world,

the people shout: "Labbaika, Allahomma Labbaika". Everyone, everywhere is

addressing Almighty Allah! Imagine, Oh man, you are like an iron particle in

a magnetic field! It is as if you are among a million white birds flying

above the sky on your way to the Miraj.

 

You are approaching the Kaaba. The closer you get, the more excited you

become. As if it were a wounded wild animal trying to escape from its cage,

your heart beats against the wall of your chest. You feel as if your skin

is too tight for you!

 

As the whole atmosphere is full of spirit of Allah, you cannot restrain your

tears. The glory of Allah is felt in your heart under your skin, in your

mind, in your senses, in the face of each rock and particle of sand, in the

valley, in the desert and in the vague horizon.

 

You see nobody but Allah! He is the only one wno "exists"; others are like

waves and foam. He is the only truth; all beside Him are unreal!

 

While pursuing the different aspects of Hajj, you feel a digression away

from yourself and a movement toward Allah. In a mood of excitement, you

feel forced to move in one direction only. You have no right to turn back.

The world appears as a beating heart. Allah is seen everywhere.

 

Next, you will enter the vicinity of Mecca. There is a sign designating the

Haram Area. You feel a sense of security as you arrive. No fighting,

hunting,

killing, or uprooting of plants is allowed in the Haram section. This

regulation was set forth after the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) conquered Mecca

(in order to free the Kabba from the idols). Since then, the tradition has

been enforced whereby certain acts are prohibited in the area.

 

Upon entering the vicinity of the Haram, the shouts of "Labbaik" will stop

immediately. Silence prevails everywhere; it signifies your arrival. Here is

the Host (Allah) and this is His house. Everyone is quiet but each person's

heart is ignited with love!

 

The city of Mecca resembles a huge bowl encircled on all sides by

mountains.

Every valley, street and alley faces the floor of this great house. Kaaba is

in the center. You Will see a homogeneous crowd flooding downhill to the

Masjid-ul-haram like a white river. Amidst all this, you will feel like a

drop! The closer you get to Kaaba, the more glories you experience. Upon

descending down the hills (toward Kaaba) you get closer to Allah. It is

only through humility and obedience that you can approach glory and dignity,

finally reaching eminence. In other words, you do not search for Allah in

the sky nor through metaphysics, but rather, the search is conducted on

this earth. He can be seen in the depth nf mattor anol rvrn in the stones.

 

Always remember that to see Him you must be on the right path. Therefore,

you must train yourself to see the right way! This "scene" refers to the

fate of mankind. It symbolizes his descension deep into the earth (being

buried) and his ascension toward Allah (rising for the hereafter).

 

Now you are still closer to Kaaba. The air is filled with silence,

pensiveness and love. Each step you take with each moment endows you with

more love and fear. The weight of Allah's presence seems to get heavier and

heavier. Your eyes grow wider and wider and are focused on the Qibla. It

becomes difficult to catch your breath. Your heart is filled with desires

while your lips are full of silence. You wonder how weak shoulders and

delicate heart membranes can endure the strain.

 

When descending the valley you may feel that you are going to collapse. But

then, the Kaaba appears! The Kaaba, toward which Muslims face when praying,

is the center of existence, faith, love and life. It is the direction in

which the beds of patients in agony are placed. It is also the direction in

which the dead are buried.

 

The Kaaba

 

Made of dark rough stones laid in a very simple manner with white chalk

filling the fissures, the Kaaba is an empty cube - nothing else. You cannot

but shiver and wonder about what you see Here ... There is no one! There is

nothing to view! An empty room (cube) is visible. Is that all?!! Is this

the center of our faith, prayers, love, life and death?

 

Questions and doubts arise in your mind. Where am l? What is here? What you

see is the antithesis of your visual imaginations of the Kaaba. You might

have perceived it as an architectural beauty (like a palace) whose ceilings

covered a spiritual silence. Another possible portrayal was that of a high

tomb housing the grave of an important human being - a hero, genius, imam

or prophet! No - instead it is an open square, an empty room. It reflects no

architectural skill, beauty, art, inscription, nor quality; and no graves

are found there. There is nothing and nobody there to whom you can direct

your attention, feelings and memories.

 

You will realize that there is nothing and nobody there to disturb your

thoughts and feelings about God. The Kaaba, which you want to fly over to

come into contact with the "absolute" and "eternal", is the roof for your

feelings. This is something you were unable to achieve in your world of

fragmentation and relativity. You could only be philosophical, but now you

can see the "absolute", the one who has no direction - Allah! He is every

where.

 

How good it is to see the Kabba empty! It reminds you that your presence is

for the sake of performing Hajj. It is not your destination. Moreover, it

is a guide to show the direction.

 

Kaaba is only a cornerstone, a sign to show the road.

 

Having decided to move toward eternity, you begin the Hajj. It is an eternal

movement toward Allah not toward the Kaaba. The Kaaba is the beginning and

not the end - when no more can be done. It is the place where Allah, Ibrahim,

Mohammed and people will meet. You will be present there only if your mind

Is not preoccupied with self-centered thoughts. You must be one of the people!

Everyone is dressed in special garments. Being Allah's chastity and family

you are honored by him . He has more enthusiasm toward this family than any

one else. However, the Kaaba, His property and His house is called the

"house of people".

 

Quran III:96

 

Lo! The first sanctuary appointed for mankind was that at Bekka

(Mecca), a blessed place, a guidance to the people.

 

You are not allowed to enter this sacred house if you are still self

attached, that is, thinking of yourself.

 

Mecca is called "Baite-Atiq". Atiq represents being free! Mecca belongs to

nobody. It is free from the reign of rulers and oppressors; therefore, no

one controls it. Allah is the owner of Mecca while the people are its

residents.

 

Under the provisions of, the Muslim is allowed to shorten his prayers if

traveling at least forty miles away from his home. But at Mecca, regardless

of where you are from or how far you have traveled, your prayer is

complete.

It is your land, your community and you are safe. You are not a visitor,

But you are at home.

 

Before coming to Mecca, you were a stranger, exiled in your own land. But

now, you are invited to join Allah's family. Mankind, the dearest family of

the world, is invited to this house. If you as an individual are "self

centered", you will feel like a homeless stranger lost with no shelter and

no relatives. Therefore, shed the self distinctive tendencies. You are now

prepared to enter the house and join this family. You will be welcomed as a

friend and close relative of Allah's family.

 

The Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) who was the oldest and most rebellious man of

history, may be visualized. Denying all the idols on earth, he greatly

loved and obeyed Allah alone. With his own hands, he built the Kaaba. This

structure symbolizes Allah in the world.

 

The building is very simple. Black rocks of "Ajoon" are laid on top of each

other. There is no design or decoration involved. Its name, Kaabah, means a

"cube" in terms of architectural design - but why a "cube"?

 

Why is it so simple lacking color and ornamentation? It is because Almighty

Allah has no "shape", no color and none is similar to Him. No pattern or

visualization of Allah that man imagines can represent Him. Being

omnipotent

and omnipresent, Allah is "absolute".

 

Although Kaaba has no direction (because of its cubic shape), by facing

Kaaba when performing the prayers, you choose Allah's direction and face

Him. Kaaba's absence of direction may seem difficult to comprehend.

However,

universality and absoluteness prevails. Having six sides, the appropriate

structure is a cube! It encompasses all directions and simultaneously their

sum symbolizes no direction! The original symbol of this is the Kaaba!

 

Quran II:115

 

Unto Allah belongs the east and west, and whitherso-ever you will be

facing Allah.

 

When praying outside of Kaaba you must face it. Any structure except Kaaba

directs north, south, east, west, up or down. Kaaba, an exception, is

facing

all directions while it is facing none. Truly a symbol of Allah, it has

many

directions yet it has no particular direction.

 

Toward the west of Kaaba there is a semi-circular short wall which faces

Kaaba. It is called Ismail's Hajar. Hajar signifies lap or skirt. The semi

lunar wall resembles a skirt.

 

Sarah, the wife of Ibrahim had a black maid (Ethiopian) called Hajar. She

was extremely poor and humbled to the degree that Sarah did not object to

her becoming a bed-mate of her husband, Ibrahim, in order to bear him a

child. Here was a woman who was not honored enough to become a second wife

to Ibrahim yet Allah connected the symbol of Hajar's skirt to His symbol,

Kaaba.

 

The skirt of Hajar was the area in which Ismail was raised. The house of

Hajar is there. Her grave is near the third column of Kaaba.

 

What a surprise since no one, not even prophets, is supposed to be buried

in mosques but in this case, the house of a black maid is located next to

Allah's house! Hajar, the mother of Ismail is buried there. Kaaba extends

toward her grave. As a result, Allah's house is directed toward her skirt!

 

There is a narrow passage between the wall (Hajar's skirt) and Kaaba. When

circumambulating around Kaaba, Allah commanded that you must go around the

wall (not through the passage) otherwise your Hajj will not be accepted.

 

Those who believe in monotheism and those who have accepted Allah's

invitation to go to Hajj must touch this skirt when circumambulating the

Kaaba. The grave of a black African maid and a good mother is now a part

of Kaaba; it will be circumambulated by man forever!

 

Allah, the Almighty, in His great and glorious Divinity is all alone by

Himself. He needs nobody and nothing. Nevertheless, among all His countless

and eternal creatures, He has chosen one, mankind, the noblest of them.

 

From among all humanity: a woman,

From among all women: a slave,

And from among all slaves: a black maid!

 

The weakest and most humiliated one of His creatures was given a place at

His side and a room in His house. He has come to her house and become her

neighbor and roommate. So now, there are two, Allah and Hajar, under the

ceiling of this "house"!

 

IN THE ISLAMIC COMMUNITY, THE "UNKNOWN SOLDIER" IS SO ELECTED!

 

The rituals of Hajj are a memory of Hajar. The word Higrah (migration) has

its root in her name as does the word Mahajir (immigrant). "The ideal

immigrant is the one who behaved like Hajar." Mohammad (PBUH)

 

Higrah is what Hajar did. It is also a transition from savagery to becoming

civilized and from Kofr to Islam.

 

In Hajar-s mother language her name means "the city". Even the name of this

black Ethiopian slave is symbolic of civilization. Furthermore, any

migration

like hers is a move toward civilization!

 

Hajar's grave is in the midst of man's circumambulation of Kaaba. You, the

mohajir (immigrant), who has divorced himself from everything and accepted

Allah's invitation to go to Hajj, you will circumambulate Hajar's grave and

the Kaaba of Allah simultaneously.

 

What is being said in these paragraphs? It is difficult to realize. But for

those who think they live in freedom and defend humanism, the significance

of these incidents transgresses the scope of their understanding!

 

Circumambulating

 

Like a roaring river circling around a stone, Kaaba is surrounded by a crowd

of highly excited people. It is like a sun in the center while the people are

like stars traveling in their orbit of the solar system. Centrally positioned,

the people move around it in a circular pattern. Kaaba symbolizes the

constancy and eternity of Allah. The moving circle represents the

continuous activity and transition of His creatures.

 

CONSTANCY + MOVEMENT + DISCIPLINE = CIRCUMAMBULATING

 

This is an equation of the whole world. It is an example of a system based

on the idea of monotheism which encompasses the orientation of a particle

(man). Allah is the center of existence; He is the focus of this ephemeral

world. In contrast, you are a moving particle changing your position from

what you are to what you ought to be. Yet in all positions and during all

times, maintain a constant distance with "Kaaba" or with Allah! The

distance depends upon the path that you have chosen in this system.

 

You do not touch Kaaba nor do your stop there. Everyone encircles Kaaba

collectively. The movement is as one unit, one group of people. There is

no individual identification, that is, as being a man or woman, nor black

or white! It is the transformation of one person into the totality of a

"people". All of the "I's" join and become a "We", establishing the "Umma"

with the aim of approaching Allah.

 

Allah's way is the way of the people. In other words, to approach Allah you

must first approach DeoDle. How is this done? To achieve righteousness you

should genuinely become involved in the problems of people, not as a monk

who isolates himself in a monastery but by becoming actively involved in

the "field". This includes practicing generosity, devotion, and self-denial,

suffering in captivity and exile, enduring torture pains and facing various

types of danger. This is how you are with the people and where you may

approach Allah. The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said: "Every religion has its

monastic way of life. In Islam, it is JIHAD.

 

During Tawaf (circumambulating) you cannot enter the Kaaba nor stop anywhere

around it. You must enter into and disappear from the crowd. You must be

drawn into the roaring river of people who are circumambulating. This is

how you will become a Hajj. This is the collective invitation to whoever wants

to come to this house. What can be seen? Kaaba is steadfast in the center

while the white, roaring river goes around it. Everyone is dressed in one

color and pattern. There is no distinction nor personal promotion; true

totality and universality is demonstrated.

 

Outside of Kaaba each person has his own ways and rights. "Totality" is only

a theoretical concept. "Humanity" is only an idea, a logical and theoretical

concept. Away from Kaaba people are identified by their names, nationality

or race, but at Kaaba these characteristics are replaced by the concept of

totality and universality which serves to identify them. Therefore, it is

"people" representing "mankind" who are making Tawaf!

 

If you remain in the state of self-centeredness, you are not really a part

of the Tawaf circle. You will be like a visitor standing at the bank of a

river, but not in it. Those who are detached from themselves are alive and

moving collectively. Those who are not separated from themselves are

stagnant

and dead. They are like wandering particles in the air of its systemic orbit.

Furthermore, at Kaaba you are taught to prove yourself, to demonstrate your

existence and to become eternal. You must reject self-centeredness.

 

By exercising generosity, kindness to others, and devotion to the community

(ummah), you will attain self-discovery and envision the reality. When you

give up your life in the way of Allah, in your warm blood you will approach

Shahadat' and be called a Shaheed. Shahadat is being present, alive,

palpable and visible. A Shaheed is an everlasting witness and visitor; he

exemplifies an "eternal living".

 

Quran III:69

 

Think not of those who are slain in the way of Allah as dead; Nay, they

are living. With their Lord, they have provision.

 

Because the way of Allah is the way of people, it should be pursued

collectively not individually. But what about prayers which are performed

individually? They are done in order to train you to practice devotion,

demonstrate maximum generosity, deny self-centeredness, and sacrifice for

the sake of others.

 

The ultimate goal is to become the ideal man/woman. Man is the

representative

of Allah. His representative and trustee (Adam) will exist as long as Allah

desires. A person will iive eternally if he dies as a "man" because one (the

individual) is perishable but "man" is eternal! A drop of water which is

not part of a river or does not flow into a sea is like dew. It lasts overnight

only, and will disappear with the early smile of sunshine. Oh man, join the

river to flow, to meet the sea and to become eternal! Oh dew, why are you

waiting near the bank of the river which reminds you of the harmony of

creation? Go ahead and join the people! But before coming together you must

be fully conscious of what you are doing and why. You must admit it is for

Allah, not for yourself and for the facts, not for the politics! Here every

act has an important meaning. This eternal movement is governed by accurate

discipline. It reflects the organization of the world.

 

Allegiance and the Black Stone

(HAJAR-UL-ASWAD)

 

Circumambulation must begin at the point where the BLACK STONE is located.

This is where you enter the universe's system. You join the other people

And assimilate among them as a drop entering the ocean. This is the way to

survival, the way to find your "orbit"! If you do not join the people, you

will not be able to pursue the orbit nor approach Almighty Allah. Firstly,

with your right hand you must touch or point to the BLACK STONE. Then,

immediately, you must be assimilated among the people. What does this stone

symbolize? It symbolizes a hand - a right hand! And - whose right hand? The

right hand of Allah!

 

In the past, individuals and tribes made contracts with the chiefs of other

tribes. This was done to assure their maintenance and survival in the desert.

The contract was known as an allegiance. How was it actualized? The

individual involved had to extend his right hand to shake and hold the right

hand of the other in order that he becomes his ally. Automatically, it was

understood that his previous allegiances were cancelled.

 

At the Black Stone, the moment of selection, you must choose your path, goal,

and future. When joining the people, you must shake hands with Allah who is

extending His right hand - therefore taking the oath to become Allah's

confederate. You will be free from all previous allegiances; no longer will

you be an ally of the powers, the hypocrites, the tribal chiefs, the rulers

on this earth, the aristocrats of Quraish, the landlords, nor money. You

are free! Quran, 48:10

 

The hand of Allah is over their hands.

 

Touch Allah's hand. He is superior to all who have TIED your hands in

previous allegiances! Upon acquiring the status of being free (after shaking

Allah's hand and re-asserting your "original promise"' to Him), it is your

duty to join the people. Do not stop, continue on. You must find and select

your "orbit". Enter the system and move with the others. As you

circumambulate and move closer to Kaaba, you feel like a small stream

merging into a big river. Carried by a wave, not by your feet, you are

detached from the ground. Suddenly, you find yourself floating and carried

on by this flood. As you approach the middle, the pressure of the crowd

squeezes you so hard that you are endowed with a new life. You are now a

part of the people; you are now a man alive and eternal! You move not "by

yourself" but "with others". You join them not "diplomatically" but "with

love".

 

See the Allah of Ibrahim. By relating you to Himself, Allah relates you to

others. In such a deep, delicate and beautiful way he relates you to the

people by the attracting forces of His love. Although you are here to see

Allah, you find yourself so busy with the people. Allah has invited you from

far distances to come to His house for a private visit, but now He tells you

to join the people. You are not to enter His house, nor to stop and stare at

the house. You must continue in your circumambulation, remaining shoulder

to shoulder with the people. Kaaba is only the center of the orbit; there

fore, if you stop, move your position or turn your head, you are "out" of

the orbit! Once again, do not stop and do not go to the right or to the

left. Qibla is in front of you; look ahead and continue going ahead.

 

Attracted by the forces of the world's sun (Kaaba), you are on your orbit.

You have become a part of this universal system. Circumambulating (Tawaf)

around Allah, you will soon forget yourself. What prevails is love and

attraction; you are only one of the many people who are "attracted"!

 

Going around and around, you see no one but "Him". You are a "nothing who

feels His existence" and simultaneously an "existence who feels nothing". As

you circumambulate, you are like a particle in this (ircular movement which

is an orbit, a motion, a Tawaf and a Hajj! Nevertheless, all of this is

symbolic of Allah. Your position is that of "submission"

 

By becoming departed from yourself, you have assumed a new form as a

"particle" that is gradually melting and disappearing. At its peak love

is absolute; you are a devotee in love! If love had to be described in

terms of motion, what type of movement would it be? Very simply, it is

best expressed by the motions of a butterfly! In summary, it may be said

that Kaaba is the center of love while you are tie compass rotating

around it!

 

Hajar was an example for humanity. Allah, the great love and ally of man,

ordered her to leave her home with her nursing child. She was told to go

to the fearful valley of Mecca where no plant not even thistles, will grow.

Out of love for Allah, she Understood and accepted this order. It seems

strange - a lonely woman with her lonely child cast into the depth of this

valley among such ugly and inactive volcanoes. Without water? Without

shelter? Without anyone? But why? All of this because Allah wanted absolute

reliance upon Him! This rationale is not comprehendable by our Wisdom nor

does it appear logical. Water is necessary for existince, the baby needs

 

milk, a man needs friends, a woman needs supporters and a mother needs help.

This is true, yet love can replace all of those needs! One can live with

love if the spirit recognizes it. Oh lonely maid, a helpless nursing mother,

you and Your child must rely upon Allah. Feeling secure with love, rely

upon Him!

 

IBRAHIM'S POSITION

 

After completing the seventh round of circumambulation, the state of Tawaf

ends. Seventh? Yes! It is not simply the sum of six plus one, but it is a

reminder of the seven layers of heaven. Tawaf, your sacrifice for people,

is an eternal movement on the path of people! It is Hajj and NOT a

pilgrimage. Isn't this a genuine demonstration of existence? Isn't this the

actual translation of Tawheed, and it's true interpretation?!!

 

At Ibrahim's position you must read two units of prayers. Where is this

position? It is a piece of stone with Ibrahim's foot prints on it. It was

on this stone that he stood and laid the cornerstone of Kaaba (Hajar-ul

Aswad). He stood there to construct the Kaaba. Do you understand? Are you

not shivering?

 

Being in Ibrahim's position signifies standing in his place! Who? You! It

is not difficult to realize what Tawheed does to mankind. At one time, it

may humiliate you to nothing, denying you "as you are" and "flinging mud"

at you. At another time, it endows you with the highest degree of

spirituality whereby you are alongside Allah - in His house, as His relative

and on His path! Tawheed is a result of your being hit, denied, despised

and enslaved during Tawaf.

 

Allah wants you to prostrate to Him. He will then call upon you - Oh sincere

one! Oh friend! My associate, my confidant, my trustee and my listener! My

purpose of creation and my private companion ..!

 

Approximately one hour ago, you were at the bank of this "river" standing,

thinking of yourself, watching the people and not being one of them; you

were a useless particle reprimanded by Allah. You were "mud", "clay" and

"earth"

 

But now, you are flowing and moving. No longer are you stagnated nor

putrefied. You are roaring, washing away the rocks, breaking the dams

and finding your way to the gardens to grow heaven in the heart of the

salty deserts! You irrigate the fields, the aerth, flowers and plants. In

turn you help the cultivation of thousands of seeds from which thousands

of buds are impatient to germinate, to crack above the earth, exhibit

their leaves and rise towrds the sky. If you do not move, you will become

like clay - hard and solid; and you will simultaneously bury and destroy

all of these potentials.

 

Quran 91:10

And he indeed is a failure who stunteth it.

 

While the river flows, it gives life to the dead nature as Jesus (PBUH) did.

But if you stay stagnated like dampness in the corner, enjoying yourself or

suffering, you will become putrified. Larva of numerous parasites will

grow in you, your color will change and you will smell terrible!

 

Come on - perform Hajj! Join the river of circumambulating people by

circumambulating too! After an hour of swimming in this "stream of love",

you will abandon your "self-centered mortal existence" and adapt to a new

life among the people's "eternal existence" on the "eternal orbit" of

Allah.

Now you are like Ibrahim!

 

Next, from the same point which you started Tawaf, you must step out of the

Tawaf circle. Like life after death, rise from the same point on the horizon

from which you disappeared. The spirit of goodness, the spirit of Allah,

which was in your original state of creation (Mud), is visible. From where?

It appears at the place where you joined the Tawaf circle - under the right

hand of Allah. After denyng and killing all of the previous and false egoes,

you will discover your "authentic ego". Dressed in the clean white garb of

Ihram, at the House of Allah and standing in Ibrahim's position, step in

his footprints. Face to Face with ADah, start your prayer.

 

In the history of mankind, Ibrahim was the great rebel who opposed idolatry

and established monotheism in this world. Although physically tired of

sufferings, the prophet of responsibility and leadership had a sharp mind.

His heart was full oflove yet he carried an axe in his hand! Faith shined

from the center of Kofr. A clear fountain of tawheed, monotheism, emerged

from the sewage of polytheism!

 

The first to fight idolatry, Ibrahim was raised in the house of Azar who

used to make the idols for his tribe. Ibrahim fought not only against

idolatry and Nimrod' but also against ignorance and oppression. The leader

of this movement, he was riotous against abjectness. He was the source of

hope and wishes, the man of faith and the founder of true unity.

 

Ibrahim, enter the fire - the fire of oppression and ignorance! Help

prevent the people from being burned by the fire of oppression and ignorance! The

same fire is ignited in the fate and future of every responsible individual

who is indebted to enlightenment and guidance. For those who behave like

Ibrahim, Allah will make a rose garden from the fire of Nimrods! You will

not burn and leave behind your ashes. It is a symbolic demonstration of how

close you get to the "fire" during your struggle and performance of Jihad.

To throw yourself into the fire in order to save other people is a bitter

experience, but even more painful is the Shahadat.

 

Ibrahim, sacrifice your son Ismail! Cut his throat with your own hands to

save the people's neck from being cut. Which people? Those who have been

sacrificed at the steps of the palaces of power or near the plunderer's

treasures or inside the temples of hypocrisy and misery! To get courage to

seize the sword from the hand of the executioner, cut Ismail's throat with

a knife! Allah (Ibrahim's God) will pay Ismail's ransom. You do not kill

your son nor lose him! This gesture is a lesson for the sake of your faith.

You must reach the point of your willingness to sacrifice your most beloved

(Ismail) with your own hands.

 

AND MORE PAINFUL THAN "SACRIFICE" IS "SHAHADAT"

 

Remember that you just left circumambulation or "tawaf of love" and are

standing in Ibrahim's position. When Ibrahim reached this point, he had

experienced a life full of struggle - fighting with Nimrod, the idols,

facing the tortures, the heap of fire, Satan, the sacrifice of his son

Ismail and ... migration, homelessness, loneliness passing from the stage

of prophecy to the stage of leadership, rejecting "individuality" and

adopting "totality" and from being worker in the house of Azar, the idol

maker, to becoming the builder of Kaaba, the house of unity!

 

Here Ibrahim stands. Having left many difficult years behind him, all of

his hairs are gray. Yet, at the end of his life, (as old as a history) he is

about to build a house; he is about to lay down the black stone.

 

Ismail helps him by carrying the stones and handing them to his father. The

house of Allah is being constructed!

 

It is a surprise! Ismail and Ibrahim are to build the Kaaba. Ismail is saved

from being sacrificed while Ibrahim is saved from the fire. Now they have a

responsibility toward the people. Allah has commanded them to be the

architects of "the oldest temple of unity" on earth, "the first house of

people" in history, "the free house" of freedom and the Kaaba of love and

worship. Haram is a symbol of "True Privacy and Modesty".

 

Now you are in Ibrahim's position! It is the highest point to which Ibrahim

could ascend; it is the nearest point to Allah. Ibrahim, builder of the

Kaaba, architect of the house of freedom, founder of tawheed, and fighter

against the idols, was tortured by Nimrod. Leader of the tribe, struggler

against ignorance and Kofr, conscientious of love and responsibility,

Ibrahim escaped the temptations of Satan and the Khannas (whisperer) who

inspires evil suggestions into the hearts of people.

 

Quran CXIV:5

who whispereth in the heart of mankind.

 

After suffering all the disaster, tortures and dangers, Ibrahim built a

house

- NOT FOR HIMSELF NOR FOR HIS SON - but a house for the PEOPLE. It is a

shelter for those who are homeless, a shelter for those who have been forced

to leave, a shelter for those who are wounded on this earth and a shelter

for those who are fleeing. This house is to be a torch amidst a long and

dark night. It symbolizes a rebel in the dark of his oppression!

 

Everyone is shameful and insecure; the earth has been converted into a big

house for prostitutes where there is respect for nobody. It is a big

slaughter house where nothing but oppression and discrimination prevails.

At last - there is a house which is clean, safe and secure for all mankind

(Allah's family) - the Kaaba!

 

In Ibrahim's position, you shake hands with Allah. Live the way Ibrahim did

and be the architect of tho Kaaba of faith of your time.

 

Save your people; help them step out of the lagoon of a stagnated and

useless

life. Awaken them from their deep sleep so they will no longer suffer

oppression and live in the darkness of ignorance. Help them move; hold

their hands and lead them. Call them to Hajj for Tawaf!

 

Upon returning from tawaf where you assimilated yourself amongst the people,

you are in Ibrahim's position. You are in the house and city of safety and

security, facing Almighty Allah. Therefore, You, the "confederate" of Allah

should:

 

- Make your land safe, as if you are in the Haram area!

- Make your time as the time of Ihram, as if you are always in the

state of Ihram!

- Make the earth the Safe-Mosque, as if you are in the Safe-Mosque!

 

All this because the "earth is the mosque of Allah," however you see that

in reality it is not!

 

BETWEEN TAWAF AND SA'Y

 

When completing the tawaf prayer in Ibrahim's position, you must go to

"Mana"

which is the space between the mountains fo Safa and Marwa (it encompasses

about 1/4 mile). "Run" between those two mountains seven times. Start at

the top of Safa. Part of the path is at the level of Kaaba where you should do

the "harwala". Next, you walk normally to the foot of Marwa.

 

Sa'y is a search. It is a movement with an aim. It is depicted by running

and hurrying. During tawaf (circumambulation) you acted as Hajar. In

Ibrahim's position you acted as Ibrahim and Ismail. Once you begin "trying"

(Sa'y) you are acting as Hajar again.

 

Here is a true demonstration of oneness. Shapes, patterns, colors, degrees,

personalities, borders, distinctions and distances are destroyed. Naked man

and stripped humanity are on the scene! Nothing but faith, belief and action

are eminent! Here nobody is spoken of; even Ibrahim, Ismail and Hajar are

only names, words and symbols. Whatever exists is moving constantly,

humanity and spirituality and between them only discipline. Furthermore,

this is Hajj, a decision for an eternal movement in a certain direction. It is also

how the whole world moves.

 

Here in Sa'y you are to play the role of Hajar, woman, a poor, belittled

Ethiopian slave and maid for Sara. These are all of her qualifications in

the human social system - in the system of polytheism, but not in the system

of monotheism! This slave is the addressor of Allah, the mother of His

great prophets (the messengers of Allah) and the representative of Allah's

prettiest and dearest creatures. In this show of Hajj, she is the first and

distinguished character. In the house of Allah, she is the only woman, a

MOTHER!

 

Allah told Hajar to obey Him and He would provide for her and her son.

Allah would take care of their lives, needs and future. Oh Hajar, the example of

submission and obedience, the great champion of faith and reliance in love,

you will be protected under My umbrella!

 

Hajar totally submitted to the will of Allah; she left her child in this

valley. This was the command of Allah and the order of love! However, the

model of submission (Hajar) did not "SIT QUIETLY". Soon, she arose and all

alone tried to run from one dry mountain to the other searching for water!

Constantly searching, moving and struggling, she decided to rely on her

self,

her feet, her will and her mind. Hajar was a responsible woman, a mother,

in love, all alone, wandering, searching, enduring pain, disturbed, deprived

of support, lacking shelter, homeless, isolated from her society, classless,

race-less and hopeless; yet despite all these drawbacks, she was HOPEFUL! A

lonely slave, a victim, a stranger, exiled and disgusted, rejected from the

capitalistic-aristocratic system, hated by the nations, hated by the classes

and races, hated by the family - this black maid was all alone with her

child in her arms! She was far away from her town and country of a more

privileged race. Wandering in this strange desert, she was like a prisoner

in these mountains. All alone, she was restless but hopeful and determined

in her search for water, going from one area to the other.

 

All alone ... Running on her feet to the top of these mountains (NOT

SITTING AND CRYING HELPLESSLY!) in search of water.

 

This is the promoter of Ibrahim's tradition - not a god but a slave

(Hajar),

not seeking the mercy of "fire" but of "water". Water? Yes water! Not unseen

not metaphysical, not love, not submission, not obedience, not soul, not a

Philosophical view of life. not in heaven, not in the hereafter. No, no,

no ... In this world and it is drinking water! From a fountain on this

earth, it is purely material. This same liquid which flows on earth (water)

is that which life is so thirsty for. The body requires it since it becomes

blood in your vessels. It is the milk in the mother's breast which

satisfies

the child's thirst. Searching for water symbolizes searching for material

life on this earth. It is genuine need which shows the relation of mankind

to nature. It is the way of finding heaven in this world and enjoying its

fruit on this earth.

 

Sa'y is physical work. It means exerting your efforts and running after water

and bread in order to satisfy your thirst and feed your hungry children. It

is a way to achieve a better life. Your son is thirsty and awaiting you in

this dry desert; it is your duty to find a fountain to bring him some water.

Sa'y is the struggle and search for your needs out of the heart of nature;

it is the attempt to get water out of the stone.

 

Sa'y: purely material; a material need; a material aim and

material act!

Economy: nature and work!

Needs: material and human!

 

Surprisingly, in terms of distance, there are only a few steps or few moments

from Tawaf to Sa'y. Nevertheless, a great difference exists between the

two:

 

Tawaf: Absolute love!

Sa'y: Absolute wisdom!

Tawaf: All "Him".

Sa'y: All "You"!

Tawaf: Almighty's will only!

Sa'y: Your will only!

Tawaf: As a butterfly who encircles the candle until it burns;

and it's ashes are gone with the wind - disappearing in love

and dying in light!

Sa'y: As an eagle who flies above these black mountains with the

support of its strong wings to find its food and seize

his bait in the midst of stones. It conquers both the earth

and the sky. The wind blows the earth and the sky. The wind

blows so softly against the eagle's wings. Flying freely above

the sky, heaven signifies its ambition. Under its wings, the

earth is so despised. The earth is also conquered by the

eagle's sharp and prudent look!

Tawaf is: Mankind in love with the "truth".

Sa'y is: Mankind self-supported by the "facts".

Tawaf is: The exalted man.

Sa'y is: The powerful man.

 

Tawaf: Love, worship, spirit, morality, beauty, goodness, holiness,

values, truth, faith, righteousness, suffering, sacrifice,

devotion, humility, slavery, perception, enlightenment,

submission, Allah's might and will, metaphysics, the unseen,

for others, for the hereafter, and ... for Allah! And ... w

hatever the easterner's spirit is motivated by and in love

with.

Sa'y: Wisdom, logic, needs, living, facts, objectives, earth,

material, nature, privileges, thinking, science, industry,

policy, benefit, joy, economy, civilization, body, freedom,

will-power, mastery, in this world - for the self.

 

And ... whatever the westerners struggle for.

 

Tawaf: Allah only!

Sa'y: Mankind only!

Tawaf: Soul and nothing else.

Sa'y: Body alone.

Tawaf: Pains of "being" and worrying about the "hereafter".

Sa'y: Joys of "living" and convenience of "this world".

Tawaf: Searching for "thirst"!

Sa'y: Searching for "water"!

Tawaf: The butterfly.

Sa'y: The eagle.

 

Hajj is the combination of Tawaf and Sa'y. It resolves the contradictions

that have confused mankind throughout history:

 

Materialism or idealism? Rationalism or enlightenment? This world of the

hereafter? Epicureanism or asceticism? The will of Allah or the will of

man? To rely on Him or the will of man? To rely on Him or rely on ones

self?

 

Allah (Ibrahim's God) will teach you the answer - Both! A lesson not by

words, perception, science nor philosophy but by showing you an example of

a human. This example from whom all the worldly philisophers, scientists

and great thinkers who are searching for faith and facts are to learn the great

lesson of Allah is again a woman, a black Ethiopian slave and a mother. It

is Hajar!

 

To the command of "love", she submits herself to His absolute will. Leaving

her town and country, she brings her child far, far away and leaves him in

this dry and lonely valley (Mecca). She relies absolutely on Allah and His

love. With the power of faith, she denies all the logics and rationales.

This is Tawaf!

 

But, unlike many of the so-called righteous people or worshippers, she does

not sit quietly beside her son. She does not wait for a miracle to occur or

for an invisible hand to bring some fruits from heaven or to flow a river

to quench their thirst. Nay! She leaves her son in the hands of "love" and

immediately arises to run - having decided to search for water and try her

best. And now in the uncivilized and dry mountains of Mecca, a woman -

alone, thirsty, responsible, a stranger - wanders in a fruitless search

for "water"! Oh Allah, are we talking of "Hajar" or "mankind"?

 

Hajar's efforts are useless; she returns desperately to her son. To her

astonishment, the child who was left under the umbrella of "love" in a

state of thirst and restlessness, has dug under the sands with his heels.

At that moment of maximum desperation and from an unexpected place,

suddenly

there appears:

 

by miracle, by the power of needs and the mercy of

Allah - "a humming", "the sound of water"!

 

It is Zam-Zam, a sweet and life-giving fountain of water flowing from

stone!

This lesson: to find water by "love" not by effort but "after the effort".

 

Though you cannot approach Him by working hard, Oh my heart you should

try your best.

 

Oh in love, try, try Your best - You, the absolute faith and absolute

reliance!

 

Try seven times which is the same number of times you circumambulated

during

Tawaf! But, this time, do not pursue a circular path that finally leads you

no place except where you originally started (i.e. Zero). Do not travel in

an empty circle, reaching no where, gaining nothing and moving aimlessly!,

working to fill the stomach and filling the stomach in order to be prepared

to work. Finally, continue on until the time of death!

 

Tawaf: Living not for the sake of living but for the cause of Allah.

Sa'y: Trying your best not just for yourself but for the people.

Here your path is straight and not a circle! You do not

move in circles but walk ahead. It is a migration,

beginning at one point and reaching your destiny; it is

going from Safa to Marwa.

 

During Sa'y you repeat a back and forth action seven times. The figure (7)

is "odd" not "even" so that your Sa'y ends up in Safa and not at the point

 

where you began! Seven times! Seven, a symbolic figure represents always,

all your life to ... Marwa! Start at Safa which means pure love for others.

Your destination is Marwa which means the ideal of manhood a sense of

honor,

generosity and forgiveness toward others! Who are the others? Those who are

trying with you!

 

What do I know? This is only my understanding and not all that it

signifies.

It means annihilating and drawing yourself into this ocean of love; coming

out clean and sinless; and stepping in Ibrahim's position. Frorn there - Oh

man, a stranqer, homeless and exiled from the earth, a sense of

responsibility urges you to search for water in the mirage. Go to the top

of

Safa as Hajar did. See the white flood of people trying. Running down from

Safa restlessly and in a state of thirst, they search for water in this hot

and dry desert They continue to the top of Marwa where they find no water.

With dry lips, empty hands and sad looks, they return to Safa and Start

their search again. This procedure is repeated seven times, yet water is

not found nor is their thirst quenched! But, they do reach Marwa!

 

And you, Oh a drop, from the top of Safa join this White-river of wandering,

struggling and thirst! DrawXyourself into thiS flood of people. Try your

best (to Sa'y) with the others. In the middle of your Sa'y at the level of

Kaaba,

"hurry up" along with the others.

 

THE END OF SA'Y (TAQSIR)

 

At the last point of your Sa'y, at Marwa, cut your hair short or clip your

nails. Remove your Ihram garments and wear your regular clothes. Feel free!

With empty hands and in a state of thirst leave Marwa, go to find your

Ismail ...!

 

Listen carefully! Don't you hear the humming of water from here? See! The

thirsty birds are all flying above this dry desert! Zam-Zam has quenched

Ismail's thirst. A tribe of strangers from the very far landsl has occupied

this empty valley. The thirsty people of the earth have made a circle around

Zam-Zam. A city of stones has grown in this thirsty and desperate desert.

There has been a shower of relevation ... a house of "freedom" and "love"!

 

After returning from Sa'y, while thirsty and lonely, your loneliness will

end here. Zam-Zam is flowing under your Ismail's foot. People are all around

you. What else do you see? Allah is your next-door neighbor! You have

gotten so close to Him.

 

- Oh man, tired of "sa'y" rely on "love"!

- Oh "responsible man", try your best since your Ismail is thirsty!

- Oh, "the one in love", wish!

- Hope that love and wishes do miracles!

- And you, Hajj, who are coming from Sa'y ...

- From the dry desert of "your existence" and the depth of "your

neglected" nature, a fountain is humming!

- Listen carefully to your heart.

- You will hear the humming.

 

People who have come from all over the world. From the mountain of Marwa

go toward Zam-Zam. Have a few drinks, wash your face and bring some of

that water back to where you came from so that you may present it as a

gift to your people!

 

THE GREATER PILGRIMAGE (HAJJ)

 

It is the ninth day of Zul-Hijjah and the greater pilgrimage has started.

Where are you? It does, not matter! Wherever you may be - at

Masjid-ul-Haram

near Kaaba, in your hotel or on the street - now you must depart for the

greater pilgrimage. Wear your Ihram attire and leave Mecca. How surprising,

to leave Mecca behind you! Was not Qibla, here in Mecca? Yes it was, but

the greater pilgrimage commences by leaving the Kaaba!!!

 

Were you not supposed to depart from your families, homes, lands and etc,

in order to come to Mecca and face the Qibla ? Yes, you were; however, that

was during the lesser Hajj (Umrah). And, why should you leave Kaaba now?

Because you are going to start the greater Hajj!

 

Deciding to go to Mecca is not the total actualization of Hajj nor are Kaaba

or Qibla the goals of Hajj. These are misunderstandings on your part. The

leader of monotheism (Ibrahim) teaches you that Hajj does not end in Kaaba,

but begins the moment you leave the Kaaba. It is not your destination but

the point from which you start!

 

Until now (at Kaaba), you were to become assimilated, ignore your personal

interests, overcome your self-centeredness and your limitations and discover

"yourself". Oh "immigrant" who is going to see "Him" (Allah), from here on

you will be pursuing a different path and entering a new land. For Umra and

in Miqat you were to leave "your house", but here for Hajj you must leave

the "house of Allah"!

 

At the verge of complete submission and the peak of your freedom, when you

have discovered "yourselP' - you are now qualified to obey this command:

"Leave the Kaaba; and now you are closer to Me than Kaaba!" Visiting Kaaba

during the lesser pilgrimage helped you to achieve self-discovery. Now you

are going to approach Allah, not to visit the "house" but to see the

"owner"!

 

Quran XXIV:42 & XXXV:18

 

Unto Allah is the journeying.

 

Kaaba is only the "direction and not the "destination". You started off by

coming "to Kaaba" but you are not to remain "in Kaaba". Anywhere you stop,

you will be lost and dead.

 

- Oh Hajj who is starting this journey, who is always trying to approach

Him,

- Oh man, the spirit of Allah,

- Oh the good deed,

- You came to Mecca,

- Do not stay here.

- Do not stop in the Haram.

 

To give you direction so that you would not be misled by other Qiblas,

Kaaba

was your Qibla. However, in Mecca, the Qibla is someplace else. You must

decide to go there and start a greater journey than coming to Mecca (i.e.

the greater pilgrimage)

 

So, on the day of departure (ninth of Zul-Hijjah), regardless of where you

are, put on your Ihram, turn your back to Mecca and move on ...! What place

is holier and more respectful than Mecca? Continue on; you will see ...!

 

ARAFAT

 

Upon wearing your Ihram garments and leaving Mecca, you will

start traveling toward the east (Arafat) where you must remain until

the sunset of the ninth day. On your way back you will make a brief

stop in Mashar and then in Mina. Why? We will know shortly!

 

In contrast to what you were told previously - that is, to go

gradually and in a step-by-step manner - now you are to go restlessly

and thirstily, like a true lover, all the way to Arafat without a pausel

>From the morning of the tenth day until the twelfth day (or thirteenth

day if you wish) you must remain in Mina.

 

There are no signs to distinguish these three areas from each

other. A narrow pass about fifteen miles long joins the valley of

Mecca. Along this strait, there are no natural, historical or religious

monuments nor indicators which separate one area from the other

The borders are only hypothetical stages of your actions.

 

Another important factor is the emphasis placed upon "staying"

at these three "stages". The reason for this recommendation is beyond

a simple pause in Arafat on all of the ninth day or remaining in Mashar

only to collect seventy pebbles!

 

You must stay at Mina on the eleventh and twelfth days; these are

the two days following the day of sacrifice (the tenth day). Even

though you are almost finished by noon time of the tenth day after

offering your sacrifice followed by the stoning of Satan (Ramy: to

throw or cast), yet you are to stay at Mina.

 

As you can see, it is not to remain to reside but it is a short stop on

your way traveling with the caravan. Along this pass, you stop when

they stop and you start to move when they go from one stage to the

other. At every stage you enter, stop for a short period and then

move one stage! Since Mina is the last stage you will stay there for 3

days. Remember, it is NOT the destination! When do you finish this

journey? Where is the caravan's destination? Never! And, nowhere!

So, where are you going? The answer is to eternity, toward Allah!

Allah is the Absolute; He is "the eternal". Therefore, your journey is

a movement toward the absolute beauty, the absolute knowledge,

the absolute power, eternity and perfection! It is a restless and

eternal movement.

 

On this journey, Allah is not the "destination", but He is the

"direction". For man, everything is temporary, changing, perishing

and dying; yet, this eternal movement is continuous and the

direction is always there!

 

Quran XXVIII: 88

 

Everything will perish save His countenance.

 

You started from Mecca and came directly to Arafat. Now you move

from stage to stage back to "Kaaba".

 

Quran Il: 56

 

Lo we are Allah's and Lo' unto Him we are returning.

 

All that is discussed is "movement", a going movement (turn) and

a coming movement (return). There is always a movement "toward"

something and not "in" something! This is why Hajj is an absolute

move. It is not a journey since every journey comes to an end. Hajj

is an absolute goal and and external movement toward that goal.

Therefore, it is not a destination that one may reach, but a goal

that one tries to approach! This is why on your return from Arafat

you are left in Mina behind the wall of Kaaba and not inside the

Kaaba. This is what "to approach" not "to reach" means.

 

In returning to Allah, there are three stages (Arafat, Mashar, and

Mina) through which you must pass. They are NOT three places

that you visit. It is important to be aware of the emphasis placed

upon the periods of stopping at each stage as well as the decision to

pursue these stages. What do these three stages signify? Allah Himself

has already given them their heavenly names:

 

Arafat means: "Knowledge" and "science"!

Mashar means: "Consciousness" and "understanding"!

Mina means: "love" and "faith"!

 

Go from Mecca to Arafat (Lo' we are Allah's) and then return from

Arafat to Kaaba (Lo' unto Him we are returning). Arafat represents

the beginning of man's creation. In the story of Adam (creation of

mankind on earth), it is said: After Adam's descent onto earth, he

met Eve at Arafat, it was there that they were acquainted with each

other". The descent was when Adam was instructed to leave heaven

(after he rebelled). That heaven was not the one which is promised

for the hereafter (paradise). It was the heaven on earth as well

as Adam's birthplace. Covered with shrubbery and trees, Adam ate

drank, enjoyed himself, lived without any responsibilities and had no

Job obligations. He was quite satisfied until Eblis, the

angel who also rebelled by not prostrating to mankind, started to

inspire evil suggestions to him. Man inspired by Allah, both the

righteous and debauched, was persuaded by Eblis to transgress his

"limitations", to rebel and eat "the forbidden fruit". Eblis told

man that by doing so he would live a longer and more enlightened life.

 

"Wisdom" alone did not effect man; Adam refused to, eat the

forbidden fruit. Satan met with Eve who symbolized "love!" And

then, Adam agreed to eat "the forbidden fruit". Both "wisdom and

love" influenced the Angel and converted him into "Adam" !

 

Adam was the only Angel who could commit "sin" and then

"repent". He could "rebel" or "obey". In this case to "rebel" meant to

have freedom, it included the ability to make decisions contrary

to Allah's will. Concomitant with this liberty to decide was the

notion of "responsibility" and "consciousness . As a result,

Adam's state of satisfaction, joy and comfort was replaced

by the land of "needs, greed and pains ... or DESCENT.

 

It was the beginning of a new life for the conscious, rebellious and

responsible individual (Adam) who was the victim of pains, needs

and greeds. An exile and feeling lonely, he was in the prison of this

earth. Experiencing apprehension over the separation, Adam

expressed his complaints in the language of faith, knowledge

gnosticism, art, literature ... and life! He accepted the burden of

rebelling, the "natural apprehension of sin and the "instinctive

desire for repentance" ... How does Hajj relate to this? It is a living

example of man's creation or his repentance. It encompasses self

consciousness which includes the feeling of being a stranger and

exiled. Consequently, what emerges is a decision to

"return"!

 

The conversion of the "Adam in heaven" to the Adam on this

earth" exemplified the character and behavior of mankind today. It

was a portrayal of the rebellious, aggressive and sinful man who

was swayed by Satan and Eve. Although he was expelled from

heaven, exiled onto earth and subdued by nature, Adam

nevertheless ate from the fruit of "the forbidden tree" What was

the outcome? Adam acquired the wisdom, consciousness and

insight of a rebel! Opening his eyes and finding himself naked,

Adam entered the state of "knowing" himself.

 

As was said previously, the descension from "Kaaba" to "Arafat"

represents the beginning of Man's creation. The time of man's

creation was simultaneous to the creation of "knowledge"! The first

spark of love emitted during the meeting of Adam and Eve promoted

their mutual understanding of one another. It was the first sign of

knowledge! Adam knew his wife of the opposite sex who was of the

same origin and nature that he was from.

 

Consequently, from a philosophical point of view, man's existence

was contemporaneous with the existence of knowledge; from a

scientific point of view, man's history started with knowledge!

 

How strange! During Hajj, the first move is initiated from "Arafat".

The "stop at Arafat" occurs in the daytime beginning at noon of the

ninth day when the sun is shining at its most. This time is designated

so that you may gain consciousness, insight, freedom, knowledge and

love in the sunlight! At sunset, the stop at Arafat is over. Nothing

can be seen in the dark. As a result, neither acquaintances nor

knowledge prevail! With the setting of the sun in the plain of Arafat,

people migrate to the west along with the sun. They continue on until

they reach Mashar, the land of consciousness". They stop there too.

 

The stage following "knowledge" is that of "consciousness". How

strange, first "knowledge" and then "consciousness"?? People

take it for granted that consciousness precedes knowledge; but the

creator of these two states of mind demonstrates the opposite

sequence! Adam met Eve (who was of the opposite sex). They

shared their views, communicated their thoughts and attained

mutual understanding. Their "individual" life was terminated by the

establishment of a family (which introduced social life) and the

creation of a "conscious love"! Furthermore, the unity of two human

beings began with knowledge; the evolution of knowledge

contributed to man's consciousness. This gave birth to science

which increased the understanding and in turn, enhanced man's

consciousness. Where did this lead? To more scientific progress!

 

When "objectivity" and the relation of an "idea" to

the external world is based on "reality", then wisdom will grow

comprehension will improve and man's spiritual power will flourish

Mina (love)!

 

- It would have been theological and metaphysical idealism had

Arafat (knowledge) been preceded by Mashar (consciousness)!

 

- It would have been a materialistic and scientific life but idle

with a spiritless civilization and aimless progress had Arafat

(knowledge) been the only stage!

 

- And, it would have meant the lack of our present under-

standing of our faith had it been only Mashar (consious-

ness) and Mina (love) without Arafat (knowledge)!!!

 

But in this religion of Islam, man. a creature who was made of the

meanest material of earth and who came to power by being the trustee

of Allah, commenced his actions with knowledge. He comprehended the

facts of this world by an objective method. Following this, he

gained his consciousness. During the last stage, he created love.

These stages are enacted by going from Arafat to Mashar and from

there ascending to the peak of human qualities and perfection

(i.e. to Mina) or to ... Allah!

 

Realism? Yes, but as the principle not the aim! It is a foundation

from which you strive for the ideal and metaphysical! Since

according to the Islamic concept man is made partly from mud and

partly from the spirit of Allah, YOUR will and decision help you to

migrate from "mud" to the "spirit of Allah". This is what you will

exercise when you pass the three stages of Arafat, Mashar and

Mina!

 

In light of the concept which was just discussed, the meaning and

beauty of the following words may be expressed:

 

Faith: Way!

Knowledge: Awareness!

Prophecy: Guidance!

Umma: A decided group!

Imam: Leader and guide!

Shaheed and Shahid): The traffic signs!

Ibadat: Acts of devotion or to pound and smooth the way!

Righteousness: To train yourself as a responsible rebel,

to avoid things that remind you of yourself

and the causes of your stagnation!

The way of Allah: The way to sacrifice yourself and your world

for the people!

Prayer: To present yourself to Allah, to call

Him, to ask Him, to tell Him your needs, wishes, loves

and hates, to suqgest to yourself and the others

Dikr: To bear in mind, to think

Hajj: To decide!

 

You have arrived at Arafat which is the farthest distance from

Mecca. It is a dry plain all covered by smooth sands. In its center you

can view the small rocky hill of Jabal-al-Rahmah from which the prophet

Mohammad (PBUH) gave his last message (fareWell speech) to his followers

during his final journey to Mecca. Arafat is a wonderful city which you

visit for one day; it is gone with the wind after sunset prayers. There

you will encounter a society of all the races so united as one nation

without borders. It is as if the whole world is gathered at this plain

under the whlte tents that extend from one horizon to the other - where

distinctions are minimum, aristocracy is too mean and man made beauties

are ugly!

 

You ask yourself - What am I supposed to see here? What am I

supposed to see here? What work is to be done? The answer -

NOTHING! You are free to do whatever you want! You may spend

the day swimming in this great ocean of mankind or you may even

sleep all day! But "remember" that you are at Arafat! There is

nothing to "see" here. As Andre Gide' has said, "The glory should be

in your look and not in what you are looking at". Let your instincts

and nature blossom under the clear sun of Arafat. Lastly, in contrast

to what man has done throughout history, do not run away from the

sunshine, the light, the freedom and the crowd. Always appear with

the people ...

 

In the past, you lived under oppression and were kept ignorant as

moss in stagnated waters ...! Now, Oh "man", come out of your tent,

draw yourself into this deep ocean of people and let your "ego" burn

under the glowing sun of Arafat! Only for one day, Oh "man ', be as a

candle, burning and illuminating the hearts of these people! Do not

be like wax and melt in the hands of the oppressors. Do not be a

puppet.

 

In any case, you are entitled to spend this day as you wish. What

you are requested to do is only to stop and then leave the plain

(Arafat) at sunset!

 

MASHAR

 

The sun is disappearing in Arafat and you must leave too! Arafat is

lost and killed by the darkness of the night. You do not stay here

overnight but leave at sunset since everyone has decided to move

When the night comes forth, no Muslim is seen. The "Sunshine

City" suddenly and hurriedly transcends the plain and disappears to

the west. But to go where? To "Mashar"!

 

You can not rest; every stage is a short stop and a fast leave

Stop? - Never! Reside? - Nowhere! Stay for half a day overnight

or a couple of days. That is all! The tents you pitched yesterday

should all be picked up today.

 

You are being addressed - Yes you, Oh mankind! You live for a

short time on this earth and no more! Oh man, you are only a

moment of this eternal time! Oh man, you are nothing! Oh wave,

your "existence" depends on your "movement" and You are dead if

you are passive!

 

On..."nothing"! You will be "complete" when you have absolutely

decided! Oh...the "drop"! Join (enter into) the roaring river of the

"people" and "flow"!

 

 

Quran II: 198

 

When you participate in the multitude from Arafat, remember

Allah by the sacred monument. Remember Him since He has guided

you, although before you were of those astray.

 

You must be in Mashar by nightfall. People are crowded together

as they move down the valley from Arafat to Mina and then to

Mecca. Arafat, this city in which you stop over for one day, is gone

with the wind of the sunset and the roaring flood of "mankind". In

one color and with one direction, the people circle the rock of "Jabal-

al-Rahmah as if they are afraid of the night, hurrying the slope of

the valley and running away from the dark. Now night has covered the

plain of Arafat.

 

And you, as a dot on this line, a drop and many other drops,

flow as a flood! Struggle as those who surprisingly attack by

night with hope and faith!

 

What a surprise! It seems that the "Sunshine City" has melted in

the fire of Arafat. Now, the "dark city" has covered this land like a

volcano!

 

Everyone is lost in this crowd. Darkness is everywhere, but what

is there to fear? The road is solid and secure. THE TRAGEDY IS

WHEN YOU HAVE DISCOVERED YOURSELF, BUT YOU HAVE LOST THE WAY.

SACRIFICING YOURSELF ON THE RIGHT WAY IS SALVATION! AND, TO SACRIFICE

YOURSELF IN THE RIGHT WAY (ALLAH"S WAY) IS TRUE WORSHIP AND

SERVITUDE!. Oh man, Allah is expecting you at the end of this path.

Remember you are in Mashar (land of consciousness).

 

How delicate it is! Arafat or the symbol of "knowledge" is used in

the plural form but Mashar it is the single form! This is to say:

REALITIES MAY BE DESCRIBED IN DIFFERENT WAYS, BUT THE FACT IS ONLY

ONE! The only way is the way of the people for the cause of Allah.

Once, the prophet (PBUH), sitting with his companions, visualized

this by drawing several lines on the ground with a stick in his hand

show1ng different ways of discovering the existing relations between

phenomenons. (In other words, ways of knowledge and learning.)

 

Science is the discovery of "pre-existing phenomenons". Arafat is

like a mirror reflecting all the colors, designs and patterns as they are

on a larger scale. The universe is like a mirror, when facing the world

(worldly matters) it reflects "Physics" and when facing religion it

reflects "Jurisprudence". That is all!

 

There is not good or bad knowledge. It can be in service or in

treachery; purity and impurity means nothing to it. Knowledge is

knowledge, forever and everywhere, the same for the Muslim and

the non-Muslim, for the people as well as their enemies and for the

servants or the traitors! Limitations exist only in "consciousness" -

the power which will employ knowledge, give it direction and end up

in morality or immorality, peace or war and justice or injustice!!!

 

In a capitalistic system, knowledge and science have the same

meanlng as in a communistic system. The Nazi (Fascist) physicists

know as much about nature as their victims and the respected

preachers of the Caliph are as knowledgeable about the religion as

those preachers imprisoned by the Caliph.

 

What makes one an "executioner" , the other a "martyr", one an

oppressor, the other a freedom lover and one corrupt, the other

righteous is not "knowledge" but "consciousness".

 

The question regarding the types of sciences and knowledge is not

relevant, but what is important is the type of "consciousness". Hajj

specifies this very well as "sacred consciousness"; that is, whatever

is guarded by the sanctuary of chastity modesty and cleanliness.

 

The first stage (Arafat) is a single word, but the second stage is

not just "Mashar". Rather, it is called "Mashar-ul-Haram" way. And,

to our surprise, the stop at Mashar-ul-Haram is during the night time

while the pause at Arafat is during the day time! Why? Because Arafat

is representing the stage of knowledge and science which is an

objective relationship between the thoughts and the existing facts

of the world. Clear vision is necessary; therefore, it needs light

(daytime). Mashar represents the stage of consciousness which is a

subjective relationship between thoughts. There-fore, it is the power

of understanding achieved by more concentration in the darkness and

the silence of "night time".

 

Arafat is the stage of experience and objectivity. Mashar is the stage

of insight and subjectivity. Arafat is a state of mind far from corruption

and sickness. Mashar is a stage of consciousness with full responsibility,

pure and righteous in the sacred and secure land of Mashar-ul-Haram as

in the Sacred Mosque and the holy month! Sin, corruption, aggression

and fighting are forbidden; no one is allowed to hurt an animal or even

uproot a plant! The earth and sky are safe and secure in freedom and

modesty. A righteous environment needed for peace prevails. It is as

clean and pure as a spirit and as glorious as nature.

 

So surprisingly, a "consciousness" born of "knowledge" and pregnant

with "love" exists. It is the next door neighbor of "science" and

"faith". This is the stage between Arafat and Mina. Intuition needs

no light; it is illuminated by thought and able to solve any problems

of "love"!

 

Hikma is the type of knowledge or acute insight that was brought to

mankind by prophets and not by scientist or philosophers. This is the

type of knowledge and self-consciousness that Islam talks about. It not

only trains scientists, but conscious and responsible intellectuals.

 

It is not the subjectivity of phenomenons and regulations it is the

clear light! It is the type of knowledge that our illiterate Prophet

(PBUH&HF) inspired:

 

Allah will put this light in the hearts of those He likes (wishes).

 

This is the knowledge of the proper guidance. Anyone can learn

the knowledge of Arafat, but the intuition of Mashar is the light that

Allah puts in the hearts of those whom he wishes! Who are they?

They are not those who work selfishly, but those who struggle for

the cause of others.

 

Quran XXIX: 69

 

As for those who strive in use, we surely guide them to our path.

 

This is the knowledge of "guidance", "self-consciousness" deliverance" and

"salvation". In the light of this knowledge, an "illiterate bedouin"

became the leader of a tribe and the torch-holder of a caravan! This

knowledge (Hikma) is not learned from books or taught in schools or

universities. It is taught in the field of struggle and by Holy War. The

students who learned this knowledge fight for the freedom of mankind

and for the sake of Allah.

 

To learn this knowledge you need no light; it is light by itself.

Luminosity is its nature. With this knowledge you can even see in the

dark night - like the night of Mashar-ul-Haram. Why should you fear

the night and the dark? Are you not on the right way? Are not the

people with you? Are not you with the caravan? A drop going in the

white-river of people? All on the right path?

 

Quran II: 199

 

Then hasten onward from the place whence the multitude hasteneth

onward.

 

How sensational it is to search for armsl in the dark land of

"sense" and "feelings"! Why not wait until morning? What is the

holy war for? The stop in Mashar is for you to think, to plan,

to strengthen your spirit, to collect arms and to prepare yourself

for the battlefield. On the night of holy war, all this must be

done in the dissimulation of the night, in a hidden ambush and

next to Mina (the state of oppression).

 

You are to collect arms in the dark of night, but with the light of

"sense" and "feelings" (the sacred sense) and with the knowledge

you gained in the light of Arafat! Wait all night; wait for the sunrise

and see the morning of light, victory and love in Mina!

 

**********

 

The roaring and restless army has collected the pebbles from the stony

land of Mashar. Now at the border of Mina, one waits with silence

everywhere and thinks in this desert of "resurrection" ... No, Oh

Allah, I meant the land of Mashar! There is no tent, no sign, no wall,

no door, not a ceiling, not a street, not a tower - it is not a city!

Do not waste your time to look for your friends or find your

caravan. Everyone here is alone. There are only two of you here -

you and night!

 

Such a biq crowd! All caravans and tribes are grouped together.

"Resurrection":

 

Quran LXXX: 34, 35, 36

 

On the day when a man fleeth from his brother and his mother

and his father. And his wife and his children!

 

You had forgotten yourself; here again you will find yourself!

 

While in the state of Ihram and at Miqat, you forgot yourself and

koined the people. In Tawaf, you were carried by them. After Say,

you found yourself. At Arafat, you were drawn into the ocean. And

then again, you will find yourself at Mashar.

 

Everyone is alone in such a crowd. Here you have discovered

"Your truth"; you are with no cover-up, no color, no mask or make

up, naked and pure. Tonight you utill conduct a private talk with a

Friend (Allah)! Declare yourself and confess your sins. It is

sensational to confess and clearly proclaim what you want. Now is

the time to ignore all those limitatic ns and break the walls. Release

what you have imprisoned inside yoll all these years! You are here by

yourself.

 

You joined the crowd as an individual. Here in the crowd you will

end up being alone again! The "individuality" which you have found

by diving into the ocean of people and findinq the pearl of yourself is

wonderful; you are shoulder to shoulder with the people but

simultaneously alone! How wonderful!

 

The strait of Muzdalifa strongly ernbraces this army in it's arms

Millions of Muslims, undivided and unscattered, are packed

shoulder to shoulder (as if they have crept onto each other). Never-

theless, everyone is alone facinq the inspiring sky of Mashar!

 

You feel lonely among this absolute sovereignty of people.

Nobody knows one another, but do not be afraid. The night has

covered you in its modesty.

 

No one will look at you or call you by what you were called before.

Free yourself and leave yourself in the hands of the night. What am I

saying? The night of Mashar has covered the horizon and it appears

as a heavenly screen.

 

In this silent palm grove full of moonlight, leave your searching

eyes and restless heart in the shower of its silence, to fledge and

flutter as a butterfly in love. Then, in the depth of your heart, feel the

loneliness in this desert where you are sentenced to live. Amidst

such glorious silence, you are able to hear Allah and the voice of "the

great prisoner of the earth" and leader of humanity who bent his

head into the well, painfully groaning and crying in the heart of this

desert.

 

When Mashar is overcome by the glorious and mysterious

Magnificence of night, everything becomes qulet and calm.

Suddenly the invader's flood (Islamic Army) flows into this valley and

irrigates the bed, the hills and the neighborhood mountains. Then

Mashar is quiet again under it's heavenly ceiling.

 

Night has come to Mashar and there is no light; yet, there is the

moonlight and the shower of luminous stars - shining and

illuminating the desert. The night of Mashar and its beautiful

heavenly sky is unknown to those who have lived a city-life, spoiling

their time by searching for worldly needs and greeds. Their nights

are quite different! The night of Mashar is a shadow of imagination

and paradise - moonlight, cool, clear and kind with the tender smile

of Allah. This is where your heart will witness Allah"s swearing. "In

the name of the moon and moonlight ..."

 

Quran XCI: 1-6

 

By the sun and his brightness, and the noon when she floweth him

and the day when it revealeth him and the night when it enshroudeth

him, and the heaven and He who built it, and the earth and He

who spread it.

 

It is not like the nights of crowded and polluted urban areas where

people exhale the damp infectious air and stars look pale and sick!

It is the tenth night of Zul-Hijjah. The great army of tawheed (Unity)

and learned freedom-fighters has camped on this mountain. It's soldiers

are totally distracted from this world by their "rapturous thoughts of

love" as they stare at the sky of Mashar. This inverted blue ocean is

filled with germs of the sky (stars) that appear successively amidst

this dark ceiling of the universe and open a window to another world.

As the only fondling smile of nature in the face of cursed people of

the earth, the moon sparkles radiantly from the top of the mountain,

it illuminates the valley of Mashar. At the other corner of the sky,

the smiling stars are busy hanging the luster of "Pleiades" from the

ceiling of Mashar in order to illuminate the mysterious path which

directs toward eternity. This so-called "Milky Way" is "The Way to

Mecca" or "The Way of Ali".

 

Such great and important meanings are concealed in the language

and interpretations of the illiterates. They will be laughed at by the

educated (ulema) who are still at the stage of Arafat. The

"facts" in these stories are more significant and deeper than the

"History"; however, these "facts" are ignored because "they did not

happen"! Those historians who realize and record "what happens

do not know that these "facts" are overlooked by them nor are they

aware of how their lives are wasted recording empty, ridiculous

stories and hated falsehoods simply because "they happened" and

are the objectives!

 

Look at the sky of Mashar!!! See the beams of the stars

penetrating the heart of the night; they are the security angels of

heaven. Should the devils and corrupt ones decide to secretly spy

from a corner in the darkness, they will be knocked down by the

beams of the shooting stars! Why? So that no evil-doer or stranger

will dare to invade it"s holy and glorious privacy! Why? So that no

evil-doer or stranger will understand and know the secret of it's

magnificence!

 

And you, who are "shoulder to shoulder with the people" and lost

in the crowd, nevertheless, you are privately with Allah! Oh "soldier

in love", "worshipper of the night of Mashar", "lion of the field of

Mina" and "member of the army of Jihad" awaiting in the

stage of consciousness to fight with Satan on the following day -

what are you carrying with you??? Wear your Kafan and hold your

stones (arms) in your hands - nothing else!

 

Put your arms under your head and have privacy with Allah

tonight. Only Him and you are together along with your arms and

faith. Leave this "mean world" and ignore your "limitations"! Fly

above this heavenly sky, pass through the openings in the stars and

ascend to the roof of creation. If you are good follower of

Mohammed (PBUH), do what he did! "Let your heart be enlightened by

love!"

 

Kill all of the weaknesses, fears, complexes and interests which

you had in your life. Prepare for tomorrow by getting ready tonight!

Oh "free creature", "soldier in love" and the devils are

waiting in front of Mina. Train yourself tonight since there is going to

be a serious battle tomorrow. In this land of consciousness, fill your

hands with arms and fill your heart with love!

 

You may ask yourself - What am I supposed to see or do here???

The answer is - Nothing!!! You are free to sink in this ocean of

people! You may spend the night as you want; you may even sleep!

But ... wish and behave as if you are in Mashar where there is

nothing to see! THE GLORY SHOULD BE IN YOUR VISION NOT IN

WHAT YOU LOOK AT!!! There are no obligations here. What you

are supposed to do is beyond a simple duty (i.e. thinking).

 

How wonderful!!! There are hundreds of thousands of nameless

people who lack any sort of identification sitting on the ground and

gazing at the star-filled sky of Mashar. Your thirst will be satisfied by

the invisible showers of revelation which fall from the sky. In the

midst of this crowd, silence can be heard! In the midst of this holy

atmosphere, there is nothing to pre-occupy your mind - not even

thoughts of Allah because Allah is everywhere! You can smell Him

as simply as a rose can be smelled. You can feel His presence in your

ears, eyes, heart and deep in your bones ... What is being said? You

can feel Him on your skin as a caress, as love!

 

Spend the night at Mashar thinking so that you may attain self-

discovery. In the darkness of the night, try to find your arms and

prepare for the following day. What a beautiful view! The army is

arriving from Arafat and hastily hiking on the mountains to gather

arms. This is the army of Tawheed ( v.y ) wherein the only

existing rank is in relation to Allah and not one another. Status is

granted to the people on the basis of the nature and character of

one"s "self", the "self" of today, the "self" of yesterday and the"self"

at any given time - NOT on the principle of names or selected

individuals. Lastly, Ibrahim is the commander of this army of

Tawheed.

 

At the mountains and in the darkness of the night, gather your

arms collectively bearing in mind that everyone is responsible for

himself. The next stage is Mina (the battlefield) which takes place on

the following day, the day of "Sacrifice" (the time of Jihad). Your

arms must be collected during the darkness of the night while you

must fight during the daylight. This ocean of people appears stormy

and restless. They are thinking about and preparing for the war.

Thousand of mysterious ghosts, all brothers and sisters and all

soldiers form this ocean of people. All of them know each other, yet,

one cannot identify his brother or sister; they are all the same.

 

In the darkness of Mashar, everybody is working diligently,

bending over and searching the stony land to find the pebbles

(Jamarah) that will be shed in the battlefield of Mina

(Rami). Jamarah is a pebble but a special kind, so be

careful! It is dark and the pebbles are difficult to find. Measure them

and pick up the right size! You should follow the recommendation in

your selection - disciplined, be united, stay together and feel

completely responsible ... It is a serious matter. These pebbles will be

used as your weapons to kill your enemy. Choose the ones that are

smooth, shiny, round, and smaller than a nut but bigger than a

pistachio! What does the pebble represent? It represents a Bullet!

Everything is in order and carefully evaluated. Each soldier in

Ibrahim"s army has to shoot seventy bullets at the enemies in Mina.

They are to be shot at the head, trunk and heart of the enemy. Only

those bullets which hit the enemy will be counted; if you are not an

expert, select more bullets to compensate for your lack of skill.

Regardless, you must have enough for the front line. If you hit one

less than the recommended number, you are not considered a

soldier nor is your Hajj accepted.

 

Follow the rules while you are in this army. Remember you have to

stay in Mina for three days (tenth, eleventh, twelfth). Be sure your

bullets are not wasted because only those that strike the enemy are

accredited. These are military acts. The facts and actions are as

important as the objective results. The scene is a battlefield not an

abbey! The orders are simple, punctual, exact, decisive,

unavoidable and need no theological or philosophical

interpretations. The acts are not related to praying, interceding,

mourning or supplicating. An action with consequences emerges.

 

Absolute obedience characterized by no disputes is expected.

Nothing and nobody can be replaced at this point; excuses are

accepted for no one! Do not forget that on these mountains no

person has the authority. Even if Ibrahim (PBUH) or Mohammad

(PBUH) hit less than the recommended number of bullets, his Hajj

would not have been accepted. What does this tell you? If you make

a mistake, you will be penalized. There is no place for

"rationalization" or bribery in this situation.

 

On the first day, you attack once and shoot seven bullets each

time. A total of forty-nine bullets are shot during these days. On the

fourth day, you are free to leave or remain in Mina. If you stay, you

must fight and conduct attacks as you did on the second or third

day. In this case, you must have at least seventy bullets. Since Mina

 

is the battle front, nobody should rest there. If you stay, you have to

fight!

 

Once everyone has collected the arms, the military atmosphere

suddenly changes to a spiritual one. There are no more discussions

about arms, fighting, disciplines and absolute obedience. Instead, all

conversations are regarding peace, love and ascension of the spirit

to heaven. The roars of the restless lions will be converted to the

moans of pain. The sound of flying bullets will be replaced by a

silence in which one can hear the people whispering, ascending the

sky and speaking with Allah in the middle of the night.

 

What a lovely scene! The night of Mashar first witnessed the

shouts and restlessness of a dreadful army that planned a big

conspiracy for the next day! And then what? A clear and waveless

sea which under the moonlight and shower of the stars reflects a

heaven on this earth appears! It is the land of the angels of beauty

and mercy. Everyone is deeply astonished and so silent - as if there

were a bird sitting on their shoulder. One can even hear the

sound of the "tear drops" of those who cry modestly. No sound

dares to break the silence of Mashar except the "heart-beat" of

lovers!

 

Mashar is the camping area of the army in the world in which every

soldier is a commander too. They do not only drink, entertain and

enjoy preparations for the fight the following day; rather, they have

celebrated the victorious battle ahead of time during the "Id

night. All are engrossed in love, humility and silence.

They face the future and the rapture of restlessness and eagerneSS

of the front of eternity, quench their thirst with the shOwer of

revelation, purify themselves through worship and strengthen their

spirit by praying. Why all this? So that in tomorrows battle ("as

Jacob was restless to die when he was separated frorn Joseph")

they may get the honor of Shahadat from the hand of the great

commander, Allah!

 

How strange?!! Waiting for the day of struggle that is creeping

closer and closer to them, the soldiers in Mashar have their hands

filled with arms and their lips filled with prayers. The morning breeze

has set such a mysterious movement in the camp when the

harmonious sound of "Azan" is heard from every

corner, freely casting an echo everywhere. It is as if the echo reaches

the far horizon. Hundreds of thousands of "figures are bending and

prostrating in the ambiguity of the dawn. The breeze of Azan passes

through this land of Tawheed so gently that nothing can

disturb the glory of its unity! The time for the morning Prayer has

come. It is the same morning prayer that you always Perform but

the difference this time is in the atmosphere in which Your prayers

are said. Silence has overcome Mashar - as if everyone is asleep

The night has passed over and above the mountains, passed over

and above those who sleep in Mashar and dlsappeared In the Strait

of Mina. And now - the sun is rising!

 

MINA

 

At Mina, the longest and last pause occurs! It signifies hope, aspiration,

idealism and ... love! Love is the last stage it follows knowledge and

consciousness (sense). Adhering to eastern gnosticism, Dante, in his book

Divine Comedy ..., recognizes only two stages - wisdom (Virgil) and love

(Beatrice). However, during the "Divine Drama" of Hajj, three stages,

knowledge, consciousness and love, exist!

 

The greatest moment of Hajj, the tenth day on which the 'Id of sacrifice

falls, has arrived. The light of the rising sun in Mashar awakens the people

from their slumber. Gradually, the clusters of soldiers from various corners

join together and merge into a huge river. Having established a solid army,

they prepare to leave Mashar and go on to their next stop in Mina.

 

The army of Tawheed has spent the entire night gathering arms, communicating

with Allah and waiting for the sun to rise. These "worshippers" of Mashar

are transformed into the "lions" of Mina! Wholeheartedly in love and

overflowing with anger they rush toward Mina.

 

Prophet (PBUH)

 

Enemies of the unbelievers and brothers among yourselves.

 

The army maneuvers toward the west to Mina, the land of Allah and Satan.

The smile of the 'Id's sun has made evervone restless. As the soldiers pass

through the strait of Mohassar, a very narrow strait, the lines become more

solid. As the Commander in Chief, the sun orders the soldiers to "act", to

"run" with "small and swift steps", to "stay together" and to "hurry"!

Those who were in the state of intuition and tranquility in Mashar suddenly

become nimble and restless, dashing to Mina. Abruptly, they halt as if they have

encountered a huge non-penetrating dam! They sit back as if they can no

longer proceed further. There are only a few movements at the very end of

the crowd. What has happened??? Which dam in the world has such power as

this roaring river??? Who can give such an absolute order to "stop" here???

The Sunrise!!! The Sun is the Commander.

 

Now, the army is in front of Mina. Millions of freedom-fighters who refuse

to obey any power except Allah crowd the long lines. An imaginary line

beyond which no one dares to step exists; this invisible wall separates

Mashar from Mina. No one and no power can brake through the secure wall,

not even Ibrahim (PBUH) or Mohammed (PBUH). Such arestriction is not a

"rule" or a "contract", but a "tradition" . It is the order of that same

system which governs the entire universe (Allah).

 

And THERE WILL BE NO ALTERATION OR ASSIMILATION IN HIS TRADITION.

 

Quran XXXV: 43

 

As the natural force of gravity prevails, as life and death are realities,

here the sun is the Commander! Let it rise! It will penetrate the wall with

its delicate beams and make way for the army to pass as simply as when a

shadow disappears by light. The concrete wall which has halted the army will

soon be destroyed by the "smile of the morning"! Behind the invisible wall

the restless and well-armed soldiers have waited all night for the sun to

rise and the command to pass! Although the night has terminated and sparks

of light are scattered all over, there are still a few moments before the

sun will appear in the east. Nowhere on this earth, at no given time and

upon

no nation has the "sunrise" had such authority! In a state of very deep and

exciting silence, millions of eyes and hearts wait to receive the command

(to see the sunrise). Some hear it sooner because of their desperation and

restlessness! Why??? It is an order to the army which symbolizes the power

of Tawheed on earth. Here you will find the only army in history that is

governed by the sun and the only nation that has agreed to be ruled by the

sun and by the morning!!

 

At Arafat, the sun is rising and coming up behind the mountains. The dawn

has already demolished the tent of the evil of the darkness and splashed the

blood of all those who were martyred by the oppressors or unbelievers in

"the face of the 'Id". At this point, the sun is ordering the army of

tawheed to revenge by attacking the roots of the three oppressors of

history.

 

Such wonderful moments! The sun by its light, twilight by it's piercing beams

and morning by its breeze have made everyone restless. These "holy signs of

Allah" which characterize happiness, hope and faith are appearing to give

the order to fight and the good tidings of victory. They are here to command

you to destroy the idols. Today, Satan's largest base on earth will be

annihilated Today, polytheism will be killed. Today, tawheed, love and

devotior will reveal their glorious faces; in other words, they will

manifest their true essence!

 

Suddenly, the sunrise illuminates the straight and the soldiers are ordered

to pass. The clamour of happiness, the sun beams and the flood of people

will unite and flow into the Strait of Mina. The crowd no longer consists of

"the white birds of peace" but instead"the armed freedom-fighters". This is why

the orders must be followed and discipline must be implemented.

 

"Stay in Mashar all night"!

"Enter Mina on the tenth day"!

 

At dawn, you should be at the border of Mina. To join and pass this

boundary,

you must view the sun of the tenth day. Mina is toward the west while

Arafat is toward the east. The army faces Mina; the sun rises behind the soldiers;

the sun passes the mountains of Arafat; and the sun enters the Strait of

Mina. THEREFORE, THE SUN IS ALSO PERFORMING HAJJ; IT RISES IN ARAFAT,

PASSES FROM MASHAR AND ENTERS MINA.

 

The army of love is ready for Jihad. Those freedom fighters who came from

Arafat, spent the night in Mashar, collected their arms and strengthened

their faith have to wait at the gate of Mina. Where? At the border of a city

that is the center of martyrdom and simultaneously the battlefield! Wait

and obey the sun! How?

 

- Prepare yourself - collect your arms at night!

- Do not enter Mina before sunrise since the night it the appointed time

for the pause in Mashar.

- Do not remain in Mashar after sunrise since the daytime is the prime time

to be in Mina.

- Start your attack at sunrise.

- The rise of which sun? That of the tenth day of Zul-Hijja.

- When it is time to attack, the order of the "sun" is the order

of "time".

- Obey this order.

- Listen only to the sun.

- And look for the sun of the tenth day, the sun of 'Id.

 

Oh Allah! There is quite a distance from the border of Mina to the bases of

the Satans. The battlefield is far from the entrance of Mina. Nevertheless,

naturally the 'Id should be celebrated after you have defeated the devils

by shooting them and achieving victory. But ... look at the nation of

Tawheed and its tradition The 'Id has been celebrated even before the

battle commences.

 

This means: You are victorious once you "make your decision"!

This means: You have won the battle once you enter the border of Mina!

 

And ... What is being said? Oh God! How difficult it is to understand this

simple nation? How complicated are these easy-going people?!

 

This means: You will be victorious if it is the time. When is the time?

If you come from Arafat. "If" you have stayed in Mashar - contemplating

and gathering the weapons for the morning of the 'Id ...

 

No, No! The most important "ifs" have not been mentioned! Hajj is like

nature; it is a genuine portrait of Islam - Islam not in "words" but in

"action"! It is a "symbol". The deeper you dive in this sea, the farther

you are from the end; it is endless! It means as much as "you understand".

Only one can claim that he understands it all, he who understands none!

 

The most important "ifs" have been omitted:

 

- If you come during the Hajj season.

- If you have gone to Miqat.

- If you are dressed in Ihram.

 

What is being said?

 

Who are YOU?

Who am I?

 

"One can do nothing"! The holy Quran speaks of "people" not "one" person.

What a beautiful word, "people", is used. It is plural and has no singular

form!

 

Allah's hand supports the Community.

 

Movement, perfection, representation of Allah in this world, victory and

...

are all written in the "fate of the people". Allah's constant tradition is

to help the community and the society at large. The "fate of history" is

toward the confirmation of Allah's tradition in the creation of mankind.

What "you" and "I" can do is to discover this tradition and make the right

selection from the written fate, the fate of history, the will of God at a

given time, the outcome of man's life and the end of the continuous

revolution for universal peace!

 

Since this is the Allah of Ibrahim and the Creator of Mankind who says in

the Holy Quran, XXI: 105:

 

My righteous slaves will inherit the earth.

 

And He is the one who promises:

 

Quran XXVIII: 5

 

And we desired to show favor unto those who were oppressed on earth and

to make them examples and to make them inheritors.

 

"Defenselessness", which includes whatever weakens and alienates mankind,

will destroy all human morals and physical powers. This is the word that

describes all of the ways and means employed by the enemies of mankind,

colonialism, exploitation, banishment or any other term which may be used

in the future. Let them say what pleases them! Regardless, Allah promises

that He will rescue and liberate the victims of oppression. Furthermore, He

renders the pledge of the future leadership of human society. The class of

people who were always and everywhere deprived of their human right will

inherit the palaces of power, the treasuries of wealth and the fortunes of

education! What a similarity between the words ("the oppressed people of

the world") and ("the wretched of the earth")' which is the title of a book

by Frantz Fanon. "On the day of judgment, God's officials will divide

people

into two groups - those saved who will go to heaven and those damned who

will go to hell". Even in this world those commissioned by Satan have

separated people into two groups - the heavenly ones and the tormented

ones. As Sartre says in the beginning of his book, From Two Billion

Population of the Earth, colonialists believe that five-hundred million

people are "human" while one and a half billion are "natives" or the under

privileged people who constitute the third world!

 

But what difference does it make if the fate of history and Allah's

determination grant victory to the "victims of oppression", "the helpless

ones of the earth" or "the children of Abel" ?!! Allah's determination will

not be altered; this is the fate of history!

 

Allah created phenomena and He also set forth the orientation.

 

(Quran XXXV: 43)

 

And you, as a "phenomenon", are to discover this fate and choose your fate!

Just as nature and history have their own destiny, you have a destiny!

 

"You" are an inmate in the big four "prisons" of "nature", "history",

"society" and "yourself". Consciously, you should discover the fate of

nature by learning the sciences and accordingly free yourself from its

prison. Consciously, you should discover history (by learning philosophy

and historical sciences) and accordingly change your history. Consciously,

you should discover your society (by learning sociology) and become

acquainted with how to apply its rules in order to free yourself. To escape

these three prisons you need "knowledge". But, what about the fourth one,

the prison of human instincts??? It is internal and carried by you! Science

is unable to liberate you from this jail since it is inside you. It is in

your knowledgeable self! You require a special knowledge to introduce "you"

to "yourself" and to help you discover yourself. You require a certain

power

to enable you to overcome your weaknesses and to rebel against yourself.

 

You require a strong hand to help you and to change you. In this case,

knowledge is not a remedy; rather, it is a prisoner of the learned by

itself. However, wisdom, consciousness and faith (the lights that were

kindled on earth by the prophets) are the types of knowledge that will

facilitate your self-discovery and identification of your internal

prisoner.

The power that will release you from self-centeredness is not the "servant

of science" but is the "art of love"! It will enable you to yield your

"life" by Shahadat if you feel it is your prisoner. And, with your own

hands, you will sacrifice your Ismail, something beyond Shahadat, if you

think he is in your way. It may be concluded that you can free yourself

from the fourth jail through "love"! This knowledge endows you with such

a degree of consciousness and creativity that allows you to build yourself

up to the will of Allah and not to be merely a servant of nature!

 

Man is a creature who descended upon this earth and was left alone.

Therefore, you are only an existing phenomenon and must construct your

own nature. You are a Zero or a nothing who may become everything! You are

a "doubt" or a "possibility" who may acquire the shape of a man. If you

choose to be human and consciously discover your nature (faith), you will

be able to liberate yourself. You will be able to find the fate of history

and realize that history is the fate of man through the ages as well as an

evolution from zero toward Allah. From one nothing you begin to know man

and his values and so you adopt humanity. This is an everlasting "river";

it is an eternal current. The sovereignty of the night of Mashar and the

oppression of the three oppressors in Mina will not change or divert the

progressive course of this fate. This is the "fate" of Allah!

 

THE TEXT OF YOUR FATE WILL BE WRITTEN BY OTHERS IF YOU "DO NOT KNOW"; BUT

YOU WILL WRITE IT IF YOU "KNOW"!!! And you, Oh "Zero", who are now

"conscious" and "free", if you come to Miqat on time and know and follow

your natural way (fate of Adam), you will be on the right path (i.e.

going from home to Kaaba) or from "mud" to "Allah")!

 

The world is under the authority of "Allah's will" and ruled by scientific

determination. Standing at the bank of this "river" you are free and

entitled to decide either to remain in the bank and die OR to enter the

river of people and move! (Now, one may realize what Imam Sadegh said, "It

is neither free-will nor predestination but in between the two or a

combination of both". It is a freedom to choose the fate. "Submission +

Obedience = Islam.")

 

This flood of people overflows the border of Mina and conquers the land of

Eblis. While Satan is defeated, the sun of the tenth day raises the flag of

victory. With its first smile, the sun gives the signal to pass. It renders

the order to begin the battle and attack; simultaneously, the sun announces

the victory and the completion of the task!

 

This is the fate of history and Allah's will for the people - all in the

hands of mankind and being left up to you! So - what is the most important

"If"??? That you be victorious "if you have joined this flood of people".

The people who have decided to approach Allah! The nation! The everlasting

and moving society! The roaring river that will penetrate through any rock

or dam and inevitably reach the sea ...! Yes, if you do not stop on your

way

to Mina from Mashar, if you do not go the wrong way nor your way but join

the people, you will reach Mina, defeat the Satans and sacrifice your

Ismail. This is the clear order of Allah to all those who go to Hajj.

 

Quran II:198

 

When you participate in the multitude from Arafat, remember

Allah by the sacred monument. Remember Him since He has guided

you, although before you were of those astray.

 

Fully armed and determined, the army of Tawheed enters the valley of Mina,

Mina the battlefield.

 

THE BATTLE FRONT

 

The three Satans, situated along the King's Street, are about one

hundred meters apart from each other. Each represents a

"monument", a "statue" or an "idol". Every year their faces are

painted white!

 

"God is Great", how meaningful! The army has arrived; all have

arms (pebbles) in their hands and are ready to fire. When you reach

the first idol, do not shoot - but pass by. When you reach the second

idol, do not shoot but pass by. When you reach the third idol, do

not pass by, but shoot! Why? Those wise and experienced teachers

usually tell us to quietly and gradually take turns in a sequential

way but here Ibrahim is the Commander and orders:

 

"SHOOT THE LAST ONE IN YOUR FIRST ATTACK"!

"DID YOU SHOOT?"

"YES"

"HOW MANY TIMES?"

"SEVEN!"

"ARE YOU SURE THEY HIT THE TARGET?"

"I AM SURE."

"DID YOU HIT THE BELLY OR THE LEGS?"

"NONE!"

"DID YOU HIT HIS BACK?"

"NO."

"DID YOU HIT HIS HEAD AND FACE?"

"YES, I DID."

"WELL DONE!"

 

The fight is over. When the last idol falls, the first and second ones

can not resist. The last idol supports the other two. After leaving the

front, you have nothing more to do except make the sacrifice Then

you may announce and celebrate your victory! Take off your ihram

put on your desired clothing, cut your hair, use perfume if you want

and embrace your spouse. You are free now! You are a man! Mina is

conquered by you and Satan is defeated. What am I saying? You are

Ibrahim now! You are in the position to sacrifice your Ismail for

Him .

 

 

SACRIFICE

 

After you have shot the last idol, offer the sacrifice immediately

since these three idols are the statues of trinity and the symbols of

three, Satanic stages. Always be conscious of your intention

and do not forget its meaning! Know what you are doing

and why? The rituals should not mislead you to overlook your

purpose. All these are "hints", so be careful to view what you are

supposed to see. Procedures and techniques should not confuse

you, the meanings should be understood and not the formalities.

 

During Hajj every action depends on and is proceeded by your

intention. Any action without it is not accepted. Intention is

obligatory for fasting too; if you forget to say it, you will somehow

feel it. The same is true during the Holy War if you do not declare

the intention you are still a fighting soldier At Hajj, your acts

are useless without the intention since these ceremonies are "hints",

"signs" and "symbols". A person only physically touches his

forehead on the ground if he does not understand the meaning of

prostration. He who does not realize the essence of Hajj only brings

back from Mecca a suitcase full of souvenirs and an empty mind.

 

During Hajj you are to:

 

- Declare monotheism by TAWAF.

- Exercise the struggle of Hajar by Sa'y.

- Show the descension of Adam ( j>MA ) by going to Arafat

from the Kaaba.

- Show the philosophy of man's creation, the evolution of

thoughts from pure science to pure love and the ascension

of the spirit from mud to God by going from Arafat to Mina.

 

The last stage of evolution and idealism, absolute freedom with-

absolute submission ... or the stage of IBRAHIM, is in Mina. Now, yo

are about to act as Ibrahim. He brought his son Ismail to sacrifice

Who is your Ismail or what is it? - Your position? Your honor?

Profession? Money? House? Farm? Car? Love? Family?

Knowledge? Social class? Art? Dress? Name? Your life? Yout

youth? Your beauty ... ? How do I know? But you know it yourself

Whoever and whatever, you should have brought it with you to

sacrifice here. I can not tell you which one, but I can give you some

clues to help - whatever weakens your faith, whatever stops you

from "going", whatever distracts you from accepting

responsibilities, whatever causes you to be self-centered, whatever

makes you unable to hear the message and confess the truth

whatever forces you to "escape", whatever causes you to rationalize

for the sake of convenience, whatever makes you blind and

deaf ... You are in the position of Ibrahim whose weakness was in his

love for Ismail (his son). He was teased by Satan. Imagine yourself at

the peak of honor, full of pride and there is only ONE THING for

whlch you can give up everything and sacrifice any other love for its

love. THAT IS YOUR ISMAIL! Your Ismail can be a person, an

obiect, a rank, a position or even a "weakness"! But - for Ibrahim it

was his son!

 

Toward the end of his life, Ibrahim witnessed a century of

struggle, movement, homelessness, fighting in Holy Wars

confrontation with the ignorance of his tribe, oppression of

imrod and the fanaticism of idol worshippers. While intelligent

and rebellious, he spent his youth in the house of a fanatic

idol-worshipper and idol-maker (Azar). His barren wife Sara was

a fanatic aristocrat.

 

Ibrahim undertook the diffficult task of being a prophet of

monotheism ( vf ) within an oppressive system. In that age of

darkness, he toierated a century of torture and created an

awareness and love for freedom in a people who were so used to

oppression.

 

Ibrahim got old and lonely. At the height of his prophecy he

remained a "man", yet, as any other human being, he wished to

have a son. His wife was infertile and he was more than a hundred

years old. He was wishful, but not hopeful. Allah rewarded the old

man for the time he spent and the suffering he experienced while

propagating, "His message". He blessed him with a son (Ismail) from

his maid, Hajar. She was a black woman who was not "honorable"

enough to create jealousy in the heart of his first wife, Sara.

 

Ismail was not only a son for his father. He was the result of a

whole life's expectation, the reward for a life full of struggle. The only

son of an old father, he was the most dear after all those miserable

years. For Ibrahim, Ismail was his son, but your Ismail may be "you",

your family, your job, your wealth, your fame...How do I know? For

Ibrahim, it was his son; such a son for such a father.

 

In front of his eyes - eyes that were shaded by white eyebrows and

glittered with happiness - Ismail grew and received the best care and

love from his father whose soul was so firmly devoted to the life of his

son. His father saw him as an only sibling growing in the barren

desert life of an old farmer. "Every moment of the last days of his life

had to be enjoyed". He enjoyed it by having Ismail!

Ismail differed from an ordinary child:

 

- because his father yearned for him for a hundred years!

- because he was unexpectedly born to the surprise of his father!

 

Ismail, the boy, grew as a strong tree. He brought youth and

happiness to Ibrahim's life. He was his father's hope, love and kin

 

The message was revealed - "Ibrahim put the knife to the throat of

your son and sacrifice him with your hands!" How can one describe

Ibrahim's fear by the shock of this message? Even if we were there as

witnesses, we couldn't feel it. The degree of his pain is beyond

tolerance or imagination! Ibrahim, the most humble servant of God

and the famous rebel of human history, started to shake as if he were

falling apart and the great invincible of history was breaking to

pieces. He was terribly shocked by the message, but the command

was the order of Allah.

 

War, the great war, was fighting one's self. The

victorious hero of the greatest war in history was broken, weak

fearful, amazed and hopeless! Ibrahim was confronted with an

internal conflict to choose between Allah and Ismail. What a difficult

decision to make? Which one would you choose? Allah or yourself?

Interest or value? Dependence or freedom? Policy or fact? To stop

or to go? Happiness or perfection? To enjoy or to tolerate the pain of

responsibility? To live just to live or to live for your goal? Peace and

love or belief and struggle? To follow your nature or your conscious

will? To serve your feeling or to serve your faith? To be a father or the

prophet? To care for relatives or to carry the message. And ...?

Finally Allah or your Ismail? Ibrahim, choose one!

 

After a hundred years of prophecy among the people, a life of

leadership struggling with idol worshippers, ignorants and

oppressors, being victorious on all fronts and successful in delivering

your responsibilities, no where and never having any doubts in your

way, disregarding any personal interest, getting as close to God as is

possible for a man, establishing the nation of tawheed

passing all the exams and ... Do not feel impetuous, do not rest, do

not think you are hero, irresistable and having no weakness. Victories

of those hundred years should not mislead you or deceive you; do not

think you are "innocent". Do not feel so secure and protected from

Satanic temptations. You are not always immune from those invisible

powers that surround mankind. There are so many beams of artificial

glories that may make you blind. He (Allah) knows you better than

yourself. He knows you are still vulnerable. He knows there is still

a point from where you can see the world and worldly matters. Then He

severs any narrow contact you may have with this world!

 

Oh Ibrahim, the victorious hero of the greatest battle of history,

with your high spirit and irresistability! Oh prominent prophet

of God! - Do not think we are finished with you. The distance

between man and God is not very far - God is closer to you than

your jugular vein.

 

Quran L:16

 

but the distance is as far as "eternity". Don't take it too easy!

 

AS A PROPHET, YOU REACHED THE CLIMAX OF PERFECTION, BUT IN

"OBEDIENCE", YOU ARE NOT YET "PERFECT". Oh friend of Allah,

founder of monotheism, constructor of the road of Moses, Jesus

and Mohammed (PBUH)! Oh symbol of Man s glory, dignity and

perfection! - You are Ibrahim, but to be "obedient" is much more

difficult. You have to be "absolutely free". Do not be so confident

and proud of yourself since there is always the possibility of "falling"

at any "peak". The fall of those at the highest peak is most

disasterous and tragic!

 

SACRIFICE OF ISMAIL

 

Your dear son, the fruit of your life, your joy, your reason for

being, the meaning of your existence, your son, no, your Ismail -

Knock him down as a lamb and offer him as a sacrifice! Hold his

limbs under your feet so he cannot escape. Hold his head by

grabbing his hair in your hands, cut his carotid, but hold him under

your feet until you feel he cannot move anymore. Then - stand up

and leave him alone! Oh "obedient" one and "Servant" of God!

This is what God wants from you. This is the "call of your faith"

"the spirit of your message". This is your responsibility - Oh

"responsible man"! Oh "father of Ismail"!

 

Ibrahim had two alternatives - either to follow the cry of his heart

and "save" Ismail or to follow the order of God and "sacrifice" him!

He had to choose one! "Love" and "truth" were struggling inside him

(love which was his life and truth which was his faith)! Had Allah

asked for his own life, it would have been much easier! Ibrahim gave

his life for the cause of Allah and this was why he felt "obedient" to

God. This was a "selfishness" and a "weakness" for him. What is

good and beautiful for certain people is considered bad and ugly for

an honorable man like Ibrahim. He was the closest to God. (Note

the relativity of moral values in Ibrahim's school! What a different

interpretation.)

 

Oh Ibrahim, "give up your Ismail"! "Doubt" - how killing and

dangerous it is! A,s a result, one seeks refuge in an "explanation and

justification". This happens when the heart hates but the faith loves!

His "responsibility" wants him to give up his son, but it is very

difficult to do. He tries to find a means of evasion. What is worse

than a wrong "interpretation" is the right "explanation" (i.e. to

rely on one "fact" and to deny another "fact")! And more disastrous

is when "falsehood" has "wisdom" as a sword in one hand and "religion"

as a shield in the other!

 

"SACRIFICE YOUR ISMAIL" - How do I know the meaning of this command?

How can I be sure that the word "sacrifice" does not have a figurative

meaning like "sacrifice your soul" which means do not be the slave of

your instincts and avoid their temptation! How do I know that the

pronoun "you" in "your Ismail" is referring to me and I am the

receiver of this call? Why is not this a collective call which in

figurative meaning is an individual call ? How do I know "Ismail"

refers to "my Ismail" and it is not again a figurative word?'

 

How do I know that from a grammatical point of view, in the

phrase "sacrificing Ismail", Ismail is not a noun in the genitive case

which replaces the noun governing the genitive and the latter

omitted? This very often happens in the Arabic language as well

as in the Holy Quran. For example, "asked the village" means "asked

the people of the village" and here to "sacrifice Ismail" means to

"sacrifice for the love of Ismail".

 

Let us suppose all these possibilities are impossible; none of the

given meanings are correct and the command is as simple as

everyone understands it. "Sacrifice your Ismail" - how do I know

this has to be done right away? There is no time limit in this order as

any written law. It is the duty of wisdom to choose the time taking

into consideration the circumstances, policies, possibilities and

potentials. The Holy Quran says to participate in Holy War

but the time and form of this war depends on circumstances

adopted by wisdom. Another example is the tradition where one is ordered

to search for knowledge.

 

"Searching for knowledge is a must for every Muslim

man and woman."

 

No one is forced to do it at a given time; even if he does it at the

very last hours of his life when he is in bed dyingg he has obeyed the

command and performed his duty! Another example is the Hajj

which is the duty of every Muslim. Many wait until they have lived

their life freely; towards the end of it, they may decide to perform

HaJj. This is a duty which can be fulfilled at anytime. These believers

think it is a responsibility they have towards the hereafter, not

towards life. They feel most religious laws are for the blessing and

forgiveness in the after-life, not for the benefit of their education

progress and perfection in the life before death.'

 

How do I know, from a methodical point of view, that this

imperative sentence "sacrifice your Ismail" is a "must" and not a

recommendation? Most likely it is the latter one! This is not like

the order of "and give the poor due" where everyone should give

the needy his share.

 

Rather it is like this verse of the Quran II: 188

 

And eat not up your property among yourselves in vanity nor seek

by it to Sain the hearing of the judges that ye may knowingly

devour a portion of the property of others wrongfully.

 

It is a despicable action in the eyes of God. The order in this verse

is for our guidance. This type of order, the order of revelation, is

to remind us of the judgment of our wisdom.

 

If we disregard all the explanations and interpretations stated

above, it is obvious from His command that the Almighty God wants

to remind us that the love for a child is nothing. To submit to the

truth, you must give up all interests which pre-occupy your thoughts

and prevent you from communicating with God. Since Ibrahim's

love for Ismail kept Him busy and may have caused him to forget his

responsibility, Allah ordered him to "Sacrifice Ismail" so that he

would submit totally to the will of Allah. As was said earlier, to

SACRIFICE YOUR ISMAIL means to disregard the joy and love of

Ismail The same essence may be derived from the following verse of

the Holy Quran VIII: 28:

 

And know that your possessions and your children are a test.

 

After all these wise and legitimate explanations, examples of

verses, stories, measures of methodical science and rationalizations

for all purposes of good, it is a sin to kill someone!!! One cannot

attribute such a sinful command to the most merciful and exalted

Allah!

 

Yes an "explanation" to find an "escape" is used when it

is hard to accept the fact; and to accept the responsibility is contrary

to one's wishes and dreams. When "fact" and "justice"

are only "by-standers of life", many men will speak of "justice" and

"human rights". They may justify themselves by doing "some good

deeds" along with their daily routines, continuing their business and

living their happy life without disturbances! When "fact" and

"justice" are "concurrent with life", they are used as a capital, a tool,

a fame, a rank, a job and a license for living. People not only speak of

justice, but consider themselves righteous and wish to serve others.

 

BUT when "truth clashes with one's daily life", then the supporter of

the truth and justice is going to be in trouble and in danger ... He has

to shoulder a very heavy responsibility, find his way through the dark

and stormy night and face all the hazards and pitfalls. The farther he

goes in this way, the fewer his companions become until he is left

with a few friends or none at all! He has to leave behind whatever and

whoever is an obstacle in his way, especially those who live in thF

darkness of oppression and are used to it.

 

Almighty Allah is ordering you to sacrifice your life and your love

and to go on; but evil temptations force you to stay and follow them

How? - By the explanations! That is, by making alterations In your

faith in order to cope with worldly demands. As such you will not be

accused of being an unbeliever or rebellious against God and disloyal

to people! Here "explanation" means "to certify the false as truth".

You may call it whatever you want - a social, moral, scientific,

psychological, dialectical or intellectual explanation. What

difference does it make? But in Hajj and in the biography of

Ibrahim the great who was victorious in all his trials honest,

righteous, sincere and struggled in Jihad to defend the "absolute

truth", Allah called it - "the evil explanation"! Ibrahim s clear

and strong wisdom was weakened by these questions - How do I know?

How can it be? I only heard this message in my "dream", he said.

Satan strengthened the "love for his son" in his heart and made

him rationalize a means of "escape"! This was the first time, the

First Jamarah and he refused to sacrifice his son!

 

**********

 

Ibrahim "you must sacrifice your son"! The message was clearer.

This created struggle inside the great hero of human history.

Because of Satan's temptation, he felt doubt, fear and weakness. He

was defeated in the conflict between Allah and Satan. In the depth of

human nature there exists a contradiction between love and wisdom,

life and faith,for one's self or for God ... This is the nature

of man - a phenomenon between human and animal, nature and

God, instinct and wisdom, heaven and earth, this world and the

hereafter, love for one's self and love for God, reality and truth

satisfaction and perfection, being and becoming, slavery and

freedom, carelessness and responsibility, belief and disbelief, for

"me" and for "us" and finally the one "who is" and one "who should

 

It was the second day. Ibrahim weighed his love for Ismail against

his responsibility to Allah. Ismail's life was in danger. Satan

attempted to deceive Ibrahim just as he persuaded "Adam to eat

from the "forbidden fruit" in the Garden! As any man with dialectic

potentials - mud and the spirit of God - Ibrahim was in doubt

whether he should choose his "son" or the "message".

 

Quran XCI: 8

 

And inspired it (with consciousness) what is wrong for it and

right for it.

 

- Oh Prophet of God, the message is your responsibility!

- Oh Prophet of God, do you want to remain a father to your son?

- Do I have to sacrifice Ismail with my own hands?

- Yes! I must sacrifice my son for the cause of Allah.

- Emotional obligations are the least important when compared

to my ideology.

- Shall I remain the father of Ismail or carry on the message?

 

Satan tried again: "But I hear this message in my dream; how

could it be real?" And this was the second time he refused to sacrlfice

his son Ibrahim, SACRIFICE YOUR SON ISMAIL. This time the

message was so clear that it was difficult to rationalize by any type of

"explanation". He had no choice; the call was as plain as black and

white. Satan, with all his intelligence and skill, could not do anything

to change it. Denying the message would be obeying Satan. He was

at the edge of a very deep valley; should he fall off. Should Ibrahim,

who destroyed the idols, was a great prophet founded Islam, led the

Umma (nation) ..., fall from the glorious height of tawheed to the

depth of the valley of disbelief ... Not disbelief, but belief in

many gods and worshipping others along with God! ! !

 

The Quran describes Ibrahim standing in Mina, facing Allah and

Satan. He can not side with both and he can not ignore them. What a

fearful story - "man" the representative of God who can act similar

to God to do almost anything he wants and rule the whole world

here is so weak and disabled! He has the spirit of God, yet he has

weakness.

 

Quran IV: 28

 

For man was created weak.

 

In this world, no one is safe from falling. Like a child who has just

learned to walk, you must be careful not to fall! Had not the last

prophet of God been careful, he would have fallen and he would no

longer have been innocent.

 

Quran XXXIX: 65

 

If thou ascribe a partner to Allah thy work will fail and

thou indeed wilt be among the losers.

 

At the end of his life, Ibrahim, the father of the great prophets of

 

Islam, the most exalted by human spirit and God's love, was led to

the edge of this pitfall because of "his natural love for Ismail". After

belng a righteous and true believer for a hundred years, Ibrahim was

about to be cheated by Satan.

 

Ibrahim, "there is no choice for you", Allah and Satan are at your

right and left. Which one are you going to choose?!? Now there is no

doubt about the message. The searcher of truth hardly makes a

mistake just as the honeybee finds his hive in the dark, in the storm

in the desert or on the distant mountain. No, Ibrahim who lived a

long and trustworthy life was not going to be cheated by Satan!

Accepting the message was like jumping into a fire; and Satan, the

enemy, was trying to put it out. You can not tell an enemy from a

friend by what he does; this judgment should not be based on self

interest.

 

It was obvious what Ibrahim had to do. His previous doubts

stemmed from the extreme love he had for Ismail. The poor, old

father desperately waited for a son for many years. It was painful,

very painful! Oh, such a fearful tragedy! Ibrahim's responsibility was

beyond the tolerance of an old and lonely father who had to sacrifice

his son. It would have been much easier had Ibrahim been sacrificed

by Ismail. Easy and joyful, but no - the young Ismail to die and the old

father to survive, lonely and sad ... with his old and bloody hands!

 

When Ibrahim thought about the message, he was absolutely

obedient, but when he thought of sacrificing Ismail, he

felt an untolerable pain, breaking his bone and leaving a sad

expression on his face. Satan who saw Ibrahim in such a miserable

state, tried to cheat him again! Satan is the enemy of man!

Wherever and whomever there is a sign of fear, weakness, doubt,

jealousy, desparity, stupidity and even love, he appears to do his evll

job. He entertains and keeps you from your duties so that the truth

of the message will not be realized.

 

Quran VIII: 28

 

Even the love for your son is a way of "testing" you!.

 

The love of Ismail was a test for Ibrahim; this was his only

weakness when he was confronted by Eblis (Satan). Ibrahim knew it

was a clear revelation and that he had to sacrifice his son. He was sad

and broken hearted. This is how Satan had the oportunity to deceive

him. Taking advantage of the situation, Satan appeared before

Ibrahim and whispered the same thing - "I heard this message in

my dream". "No, that is enough, that is enough", Ibrahim said to

himself! He made his decision and his choice was obvious -

"absolute freedom of obedience to Allah" (i.e. to sacrifice Ismail).

This was the last obstacle in the way of his freedom. Ibrahim decided

to share the message with Ismail, so he called him. Ismail came and

his father looked at him from his head to his toe. He was a victim and

such a great sacrifice.

 

THE DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE FATHER AND SON

 

In Mina, in a quiet corner, Ibrahim talked to his son! The father

gray-haired and bearded, lived a century, while Ismail was just

growing into a young man. The sky of the Arabian peninsula, no, the

world, could not tolerate such a sight! History had never before

recorded a similar dialogue between a father and a son. No one had

ever thought of this conversation, a very friendly, but fearful one!

 

At first, Ibrahim was unable to open his mouth to repeat the story

to his son - "I am here to sacrifice you with my hands". Finally, he

put himself in God's trust and said, "Ismail, I had a dream I was

slaughtering you"! He said these words quickly so he would not hear

them himself. Then he remained silent. Fearful and pale, he could

not bear looking into Ismail's eyes. Ismail realized what his father

was going through and he tried to console him. He said, "Father be

obedient and do not hesitate to fulfil the order of Almighty God. You

will hnd that I am also obedient and with God's help can tolerate it".

 

Ibrahim put all his trust in God and became more fearful. He made

his decision, stood up, picked the knife and tried to sharpen it with a

p1ece of stone. Could he do this to the son he so loved? Ismail, the

brave man who accepted Allah's will, was so relaxed and quiet, as if

nothing was going to happen. Ibrahim, the true lover of Allah, first

destroyed his selfish feelings and relied only on Him. Then he took

the young victim to the place of sacrifice, asked him to lie on the

ground, held his legs, grabbed his hair and held his head back in

order to see his carotid artery. In the name of God, he put the knife

to Ismail's throat and tried to cut it as quickly as possible. The old

man tried to finish in a moment. But, oh this knife! The knife would

not cut! It hurts me; what a torture it is! Angrily, he threw the knife

away! Ibrahim was roaring like a wounded lion. Full of fear, he asked,

"Am I not his father"? Hurriedly, he picked up the knife to try again.

Ismail remained quiet and calm during this time; he did not even

move. Before Ibrahim touched him again, a sheep suddenly

appeared with a message - "Oh Ibrahim, God does not want you to

sacrifice Ismail. This sheep is sent to you as,his,ransom. You have

carried out the order! God is great"!!

 

A lesson was taught by the Almighty God - from now on there

would be no more sacrifice of man for God ... That was a tradition and

form of worshipping God! In Ibrahim's religion, sheep are sacrificed

and not man! Another great lesson is that Irahim's God, in contrast

to other gods, is not blood-thirsty; those other gods are hungry,

hungry for meat! The most meaningful lesson is that God did not

want Ismail to be sacrificed, but wanted Ibrahim to sacrifice Ismail

and he did it bravely! Ismail was honored to have been chosen for the

sacrifice and he patiently persevered. But then, there was no need to

kill him. God, the Almighty, is not needy; we human beings have all

kinds of needs!

 

This was the will of Almighty God, the most kind and most

merciful to man. He honored and promoted Ibrahim to the point

where he was ready to sacrifice Ismail without actually killing him.

God also honored Ismail by being His sacrifice, yet he was not hurt at

all!

 

This is Ibrahim's faith (Islam) and not the story of blood thirsty

godsl, masochists or human torturers. It is a story of man's

perfection and his freedom from selfishness and animalistic desires.

It is man's ascension to a higher spirit and love, to a strong will that

frees him from anything that may hinder his responsibility as a

conscious man, to make him ready to sacrifice himself as Ismail, to

become a martyr and finally, something not found in the

dictionary - "to be like Ibrahim"! The story ends with the sacrifice of

a sheep. This is what Almighty God requested at the end of this

greatest human tragedy - to sacrifice a sheep to feed a few hungry

people.

 

Like Ibrahim, you should select and bring your Ismail to Mina

Who is your Ismail? You should know; there is no need for others to

know! May be your wife, job, talent, sex, power, rank, position ... etc.

I don't know which one it is, but it should be whatever is so dear as

Ismail was to Ibrahim! Some of the signs of your Ismail are whatever

takes away your freedom and stops you from performing your

duties, whatever joy entertains you, whatever keeps you from

hearing and knowing the truth, whatever persuades you to

rabonalize rather than accept responsibility and whoever supports

you only to receive your support in the future. You must search and

find it in your life. If you are going to approach Almighty God, you

should sacriEce your Ismail in Mina.

 

Do not choose the sheep (ransom) yourself; let the Almighty help

and present it to you as a gift. This is how he accepts the sheep as a

sacrifice. To offer a sheep instead of Ismail is a "sacrifice", but to

sacrifice a sheep just for the sake of sacrifice is "butchery"!

 

THE THREE IDOLS

(SYMBOLS OF THE TRINITY)

 

Recall that the three idols in Mina represent Satan who tried to

tempt Ibrahim. Is it not true that man has to experience three stages

in order to liberate himself from any type of slavery? He must not be

selfish, overcome the state of animality which is characterized by

self-centeredness' and ascend to Ibrahim's position (i.e. do

everything for the sake of Allah. Are not the three idols the

antithesis of the three stages of the Major Hajj?

 

The First Idol: The enemy of Arafat

The Second Idol: The enemy of Mashr

The Third Idol: The enemy of Mina

 

Do not these idols represent the powerful Satanic forces that lie in

ambush in the way of mankind to prevent him from performing his

Ibrahimic prophecy? What are they doing; what is their exact role?

They change and negate the message!

 

In the process of man's evolution and the fulfillment of his

responsibilities, the evil forces disable man by attacking his

weaknesses! Another sign that promotes a better recognition of the

three idols is the fact that though they are independent and each has

its own identity, they are good "friends" and work collectively

against man. In other words, the three individual idols represent one

Satan! What exists is one entity with three faces or three

entities with one origin; this is exactly what the "trinity" means! The

following exampies demonstrate this concept.

 

In Judaism: The three Uqnum as described by Philo.

In Christianity: The Father, Son and Holy Ghost

In Hinduism: The Meno in three parts - the head, trunk and hand.

In Persia: Ahoura Mazda and the three fires called Gashnosp,

Estakhr and Barzinmehr (the saviour, shadow of God and sign

of God).

 

What is polytheism ? It is faith based on worldly matters

according to the scientific philosophy of history, polytheism is a

system based on materialism with a sub-structure compatible with

this structure. Its purpose is to corrupt man's self-consciousness.

is theory Is applicable to polytheism but not to montheism.

The two concepts of polytheism and monotheism are

completely opposite each other; therefore, it is impossible that they

have a common origin and similar functions. Throughout history

there have been fights between the two faiths (monotheism against

polytheism). However, in terms of their social application, the two

concepts are mixed whereby, unfortunately, polytheism is masked

by monotheism and lasts longer!

 

Originally, the trinity of Christianity was monotheistic as was that

of Vishnu and Ahoura Mazda ...; all referred to only one God. It

may be contended that monotheism is the root of all faiths but

history and the influence of various social systems transformed

the first and unique common society into different races, classes

and nations; it was the conversion of monotheism into

polytheism.

 

Adam left two sons, Abel and Cain behind

Abel, the poor herder, was killed by his wealthy, landlord brother

Cain. As yet, no one has heard of Cain's deathl. So, Adam was

succeeded by Cain who was a non-believer, usurper, greedy, a

murderer, and a son not worthy of his father. Throughout history,

the children of Cain have been the rulers of mankind.

 

Societies changed as they grew bigger and systems became more

complicated. As divisions, specializations and classifications came

into existence Cain, the ruler, also altered his face! In modern

societies, he hid his visage behind politics, economics and religion

while he maintained his strong and special forces in these three

bases! Cain created the three major powers of oppression, wealth

and hypocrisy which then gave birth to despotism, exploitation and

brain-washing techniques! These three powers are best described in

monotheism as follows:

 

Pharoah : The symbol of oppression.

Croesus (Korah) : The symbol of capital and capitalism.

Balam : The symbol of hypocrisy.

 

And, polytheism explains these three positions in a three

dimensional system (trinity) as the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

)! They are calling you to worship them instead of

Almighty God. do not forget that you are in Ibrahim's position! They

want you to love your "Ismail" so that they can cheat you, rob you,

confuse you, change your values and views and lead you astray!

 

Oh Hajj ( c L: ), now that you are in Mina, shoot! You have

brought your Ismail to the place of sacrifice.

 

As Ibrahim, shoot the three idols and knock them down! Oh

follower of Ibrahim and soldier of Tawheed, destroy the three idols!

When the sun rises on the tenth of Zul-Hijjah, along with the rest of

the army and dressed in Ihram, wake-up in Mashar, pass the border

of Mina and during your first attack, shoot the last idol! Who is the

last one which must be shot first?

 

- Pharaoh

- Croesus or

- Balam

 

These three figures represent the three powers of Cain

the three faces of Satan and the symbol of the Trinity.

 

- Shoot Pharoah who said: only to God belongs the judgment.

- Shoot Korah who said: only to God belongs the wealth.

- Shoot Balam who said: only to God belong the faiths.

 

Be aware that people are the representatives of Allah, that is

Allahs family on this earth. Only the rishteous ones will be heirs

to this world.

 

Quran XLIX:13

 

Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in

conduct.

 

In other words, according to monotheism, the Canonical Court is

run by the people. Everyone is responsible not only for his own

deeds but also the deeds of others!

 

You may ask yourself which of the idols represents Pharoah,

the symbol of oppression? Which one is Korah

the symbol of capital and capitalism? And which one is

Balam, the symbol of hypocrisy? Any person with an

Ibrahimian mind, depending upon his personal views, his suggested

methods for social change, his responsibilities, and the socio-

political system of the community he lives in may consider the last

idol (Satan) as:

 

PHAROAH: By those who are concerned with politics and

live under despotism, militarism and fascism.

 

 

CROESUS: By those who are concerned with economics

and view it as the structure around which the

society is built.

 

BALAM: By those intellectuals who believe that no social

change will occur unless there is a genuine strug

gle against ignorance, feeble-mindedness and

any condition that may cause people to adhere

to polytheism under the cover of monotheism.

 

During my first two trips to Mecca (Hajj), I considered the last idol

as BALAM. My bullet was shot with this intention, especially when I

found this to be in agreement with what the Quran says.

 

Quran IX: 31

 

They have taken as lords beside Allah their rabbis and their

monks and the Messiah son of Mary ...

 

Allah condemns oppression, ignorance, and hypocrisy. He criticize

some so called spiritual leaders who consciously or unconsciously

mislead people instead of guiding them. Allah is angry with them

and says:

 

Quran LXII: 5

 

Their likeness is of the ass carrying books.

 

Quran VII: 176

 

His likeness is as the likeness of a dog: if thou attackest him,

he panteth with his tongue out.

 

Another proof for my hypothesis are the powerful words of Allah

written in the last chapter of the Quran (Sura CXIV). Allah addresses

the Prophet (PBUH) who has the greatest responsibility of leadership

and freedom of mankind. Allah tells the prophet that there is a danger

from which he is not protected therefore, he should seek "refuge" in

Allah. In that sura, the following attributes are given to Allah:

 

The Master.

The Ruler.

The God.

 

They are the same three traits that Satan constantly tries to allocate

to himself. And, here we find that they belong ONLY to Almighty

Allah. And, a person like the prophet (PBUH) is advised to seek

refuge in the Master, the Ruler and the Leader. What is he to be

protected from? The danger of the "Khannas"! Who is the Khannas ?

 

Quran CXIV: 4,5

 

From the evil of the sneaking whisperer who whispereth in

the heart of mankind.

 

In Mina where Ibrahim was tempted by Satan, the last idol

represented the "Khannas". The "Khannas" is a spiritual leader who

ses his faith to achieve wealth and a scientist who sells his

knowledge or a treacherous intellectual! The Holy Quran perceives

the actions of this group of people as the most destructive, dis-

unifying, misleading and discriminating in the history of mankind

who once lived as a peaceful and collective society. That same group

claimed the responsibility of being the judges of spiritual leaders of

the people while they were consciously jealous of others, violators

and cruel.

 

Quran II: 213

 

Mankind was one community and Allah sent (unto them) prophets as

bearers of good tidings and as warners and reveals with the

scripture ...

 

But ... Hajj has much more significance than what my mind can

comprehend! Each time I went to Hajj, I felt I had learned a lot and

that my next trip to Hajj would be repititious but to my surprise, my

prediction was incorrect! And ... you, dear reader, never think that

what I have said is all you will learn from the experience of Hajj nor

during the period of Hajj! No, No, No! This is not a book whose

purpose is to describe the ceremonies of Hajj; it is only a catalyst to

make you think. This book is the product of my limited capacity to

analyze and summarize a miraculous and symbolic show in which

the stage-manager is the manager of the world. Apparently, I have

attempted to pour a sea into a pot!?!

 

Everytime I went to Hajj, I tried to correct some of my previous

undertakings, that is, to complete my interpretabons; but I

discovered new codes and considerations. During my last Hajj

asked myself, "Why should I specify something which not even the

stage-manager has specified?!?" Had it been necessary to identify

each idol, the stage manager would have done it! The absence of any

identification is an identification within itself.

 

Is it not true that the three idols represent one while each indi-

vidually represents the others?

 

Distinction of the three idols defines the three powers which are

inter-related. The lack of an identity indicates that one is hidden

among the other two. Therefore, when you shoot one idol, intend

to shoot the others.

 

After all, it is only in our simple minds and among the educated

people (based on their fields of interest) that classifications such as

Sociology, Philosophy, History, Psychology ... are made. The creator

of Hajj knows that in any culture or civilization, any period of time,

any social system, any social structure, any social class or any social

relationship, one of the three powers is the governing body while the

other two support it. By shooting one, you will open the gate of

victory and begin to celebrate the 'Id. Therefore, upon arriving in

Mina, with your bullet, you should first attack and kill the last idol.

 

Regardless of whether the person performing Hajj comes from a

well-developed capitalistic society, an under-developed society with

a social system of the middle-ages or a fascistic, dictatorial and

monarchistic society, all shoot at the same idol but with different

intentions! The last idol supports the other two - Pharoah legalizes

Croesus' robbery; Croesus supports Balam with his money

Pharoah supports Balam with his power; and Balam relates

Pharoah's power to the Almighty's super-power just as we hold each

other's hands to support ourselves while also supporting one

another! So, where you come from and to what system you belong is

not important since you are to assume the Ibrahimian responsibility

Wlth the intention of hitting all three idols, shoot the last one so that

you may defeat Satan's base and negate his temptations!

 

So - did you shoot the last one?

 

- In it's face?

- In it's head?

- Did the bullets strike it?

- Seven bullets? Seven times symbolizes the number of

days of creation, the Seven Heavens and the number

of days in a week (i.e. An everlasting struggle which

started with the beginning of creation and continues

on into the hereafter; a battle without a ceasefire

and the absence of a peaceful relationship with any

idol. Think as if you are always in Mina and must

 

fight with the idols.)

 

Oh Ibrahim, when the last idol falls, Satan is disabled and killed

under the shower of your bullets! Oh man, the representative of

Allah on this earth, you have expelled Satan as Allah did! You have

defeated the only angel who refused to prostrate to mankind. Now

you are a free man like Ibrahim; you will hear the message ands

recognize the truth. After shooting the last idol, sacrifice your Ismail.

For the sake of truth and out of love, anything can be sacrificed.

With a heart full of love, march toward the place of sacrifice to take

the steps of Ibrahim. In one hand, hold Ismail (whatever and

whoever is to you as Ismail was to Ibrahim) and in the other an

hold the "sword of your faith" with which your Ismail will be

beheaded before you. Consciously aware of what you are doing, you

will ignore everything and seek the help of Allah. Oh man, for the

love of truth, sacrifice your Ismail and sacrifice a sheep in Mina.

Almighty Allah is not blood-thirsty and does not need your Ismail.

He will send you the sheep as a ransom. You were brought from the

corner of your house to the lake of blood in Mina's slaughter house

to ignore and kill the symbols of Satan by making a sacriflce. Once

you are ready to sacrifice your Ismail in the way of Allah, you will

have defeated Satan. Ismail is saved and standlng proudly by you.

 

How surprising! Such great lessons taught to man on these

mountains! You have done what Ibrahim (PBUH) did. Your Ismail is

with you. What you sacrificed was his love (by which Satan tempted

you). Ismail is a "Gift of Allah"; Allah loves him and will pay is

ransom! When you return from Mina, remember to fulfill your

e to act as Ibrahim and accept the responslbility of

propagating the message. Go to your people! Call upon them to

establish a "safe land", to live in a "safe community" and to build

"house" as a symbol of security, peace, freedom, equality and love

for mankind!

 

THE 'ID

 

The action is over and soon Hajj ends.

 

Where?

In Mina!

 

Surprisingly, in the neighborhood of Mecca! Why does Hajj end

here instead of in Mecca and near the Kaaba? You must understand

these mysteries of Hajj. You must be fully conscious of what you are

doing in the midst of this crowd. You must be able to think here - not

in the corner of your private house or during your day dreaming!

Hajj is a totality which encourages togetherness. It is a place to

meet Allah, Ibrahim, Mohammed and people.

 

A heterogenous assembly is formed by people of various races,

nationalities, languages, and systems; yet, this group is

homogeneous in culture, faith, purpose and love! These are not

chosen people, executives or a special class; they are from all types

of ethnic backgrounds with different socio-economic levels.

 

To qualify for Hajj means to be able to go and do

what we have said so far; it does not mean to be rich (as is

misunderstood). Hajj is not a tax on wealth; it is a duty just as prayer

is. To qualify for it means to be able and wise enough to understand

what you are doing just as any other duty. With special problems

common to all of them, the true representatives of different nations

are gathered here.

 

THE DELAY IN MINA

 

There is a two day stay over in Mina to think about your ideology

and what you have done. On the 'Id day and after the sacrifice, the

ceremonies are over. You must stay two more days or even three

more days, if you can, in Mina. You are not supposed to leave Mina

in these days - not even to return to Mecca! Why? Satan is defeated,

sacrifice is offered, Ihram is removed and 'Id is celebrated! Why

should more than a million people remain in this valley for two or

three more days! This time allows them to think about Ha]J and

understand what they have done. They can discuss thelr problems

with people from other parts of the world who have the same faith,

love, needs and ideology. Muslim thinkers and intellectuals who

gather here and freedom-fighters who fight colonialism, oppression,

poverty, ignorance and corruption in their homelands, get to know

each other, discuss their problems, find solutions and ask for each

other's help. Muslims from all over are supposed to study the

dangers and conspiracies of the super-powers and their agents who

have infiltrated Muslim nations. They should make resolutions to

fight against brainwashing, propaganda, disunity,

heresy, false religions ... and many other diseases threatening the

"unity" of Muslim nations. They should offer a common and

worldwide struggle to introduce Islamic facts and support the cause

of freedom for colonized nations and those Muslim minorities who

are under the torture of fascist regimes as well as prejudiced political

groups. Through a system of cooperation and understanding and an

exchange of views and feelings, the Muslim communities would be

strengthened in their struggle against their common enemy. A better

understanding of true Islamic doctrine can be brought about by

solving some of the theological differences that exist among Muslim

reliqious groups!

 

More than a million Muslims from all over the world remain three

more days in Mina, the arid valley, where there is no place of interest

to see, nothing to do, nowhere to shop and not even a park to walk

in! It is so uninhabitable that the prophet (PBUH) said "not to build a

building in Mina" ( ,,N 1, LY ). At this moment, through the

training of Hajj, everyone is free from all dependencies and gains the

strong will and personality of Ibrahim. All fears, needs and greeds are

defeated at the peak of one's willpower and sense of responsibility.

Hearts are filled with victory in Miqat, Tawaf, Sa'y, Arafat, Mashar

and Mina - shooting, sacrificing and celebrating 'Id with great

sincerity. Yes, at this time and in this land, more than a million

Muslims do not end their Hajj to disperse and continue their

individual lives. NO THEY HAVE TO SIT DOWN AND DISCUSS

THEIR PROBLEMS!

 

Hajj is to come here on time and perform these actions with

people. Otherwise, you may go to Miqat, from there to Mina, Arafat

Mashar and Mina at any other time or without anyone else. That is

not Hajj; it is a useless action or it may be considered a tour. This is

the time that you are surrounded by a spiritual atmosphere

tomorrow when everybody leaves, Mina is like any other land with

the exception of being dry and uninhabitable.

 

You are here to learn that without people, searching for heaven

(paradise) is the ugly selfish attitude of a monk. A PROMISED

(ON CREDIT) MATERIALISM IS WORSE THAN THE ONE

NOW AVAILABLE! This greedy attitude postpones its gluttony

and enjoyment to the hereafter. In other words, it is like a

bourgeoisie who prefers credit to cash! A devotee is as selfish as

a materialist; the latter chooses the technique as a tool while the

former uses the faith! A materialist uses science to enjoy his life

and a devotee uses God for this purpose. Both are searching for

the same goal, but one for the present and the other for the

hereafter! The Islam of Ibrahim and the prophet Mohammed

(PBUH) teaches us that Almighty Allah hates these selfish

devotees.

 

PROPHET MOHAMMED (PBUH)

 

If one has ended the day and hasn't thought of the welfare of

his society or not made any attempt, he is not a Muslim.

 

It is true that you performed Hajj and ascended to Ibrahim's

position by sacrificing your Ismail, but this is not the end of it; rather,

it is the beginning of your duty. All these ceremonies were for you to

ignore "self-service" and begin "to serve others", and not to buy

fame but to do it for God's sake! This is why you are asked to come

during the Hajj season while everyone else is there. To come here

alone is not considered a Hajj.

 

Now at the end of this performance, all those who have defeated

Satan as Ibrahim did, sacrifice their selfishness and celebrate their

victory. Before returning to Mecca for a farewell, they have to fulfill

two other duties - to establish a scientific and theological seminar

where anyone may attend and to establish an international social

convention. The two extra days are to summarize the Hajj in these

conventions. The conventions are not held behind locked doors and

in illuminated halls but in the open air of this valley. They are not held

in low ceiling rooms but under the blue sky where there are no walls,

no doors, no barriers, no guards and no ceremonies ...!

 

These conventions are not assembled by heads of states or their

representatives, diplomats or political leaders, members of

parliament, cabinets, senators, university professors, scientists,

intellectuals or spiritual leaders. No! No!

 

Quran XXII: 27

 

And proclaim unto mankind the Hajl, they will come unto thee

on foot and on every lean camel. They will come from every deep

ravine.

 

As Aime Cesaire says, "No one has the right to be the

guardian of others." Professor Shandel said, "In the

absence of the people to talk about them is a lie; it is a shame since

only Almighty God has the right to decide for the people because the

people are His representative on this earth!" This is the reason for

the convention in Mina where God Almighty is the director of the

people who have gathered by His invitation.

 

After defeating Satan and returning from the place of sacrifice

Allah requests everyone to attend this meeting to renew their

promise w1th Ibrahim, to have God as their witness that they will do

their best to strengthen the faith of monotheism ( - x ), to

destroy all existing idols in the world and to establish a peaceful and

secure society. Like the true followers of the prophet Mohammed

(PBUH) who made conscious and intellectual people responsible for

carrying hi,s message, they are to establish an "exemplary society"

based on monotheism and to support the cause of

know!edge, leadership and justice in human life.

 

Mina is the land of love, struggle, and martyrdom. It is the land

where people make their promises to God. As a united community

they promise to participate in good deeds and to fight the evils of

man s life. They promise to respond to the calls of the prophet

Mohammed (PBUH), the prophet who had the Holy Book in one

hand and the sword in the other and to make the right decision in

confronting "stubborn enemies" and dealing with friends.

 

In this yearly convention, assembled far from the borders of blood

shedding countries, Muslims from all spheres of the world and

different political systems are invited by the Guardian

the King and the God of the people to gather under the sky

of these mountains to have a free talk to help overcome their

problems ... And a scientific convention, but not in the auditoriums of

academicians, the assembly of university professors or the meeting

of scientists and super-specialists. No, rather it is a two-day

theological and ideological seminar where every literate or illiterate,

professor or factory worker, famous spiritual leader or simple

farmer can participate and has the right to speak openly. All ranks,

positions degrees and colors are left behind in Miqat.

Here all represent ONE - Man and all have the same degree - Hajj.

That is all!

 

There is no higher rank for mankind than reaching Ibrahim's

position and here everyone has been asked to play his role.

At the of these ceremonies, before you return to your homelands, you

must stay two more days after the 'Id ? to sit down and ask

yourselves this unanimious question of all ages -- "What should we

do for the community?" And the find the answer. Just sit down and

think about what you have done during Hajj!

 

SUMMARY

 

Let us sum up what these codes are. We must realize the essence

of what was done during Hajj.

 

Sufism : Starts in Mina and remains there forever without going

through Arafat and Mashar.

 

Philosophy : Comes to Mashar but does not reach Mina.

 

Civilization : Remains in Arafat not going to Mashar and Mina.

 

Islam : Starts from Arafat and goes to Mashar (a passage full of

responsibility and movement), reaches Mina (the stage of

ideals and love, and surprisingly meets with Allah and

Satan!

 

Here they are talking about "you" and your fate and not about

worldly matters. To God belongs whatever exists in this world.

Here they are talking about "man" in whom Allah and

Satan exist together. This duality is within man and not in

nature. Mina is the land of love, faith and future. It is there where

Allah and Satan are struggling within you for your Ismail. Mina is the

land of all your hopes and needs.

 

Even to your surprise, the day of "victory" is the "bloody 'Id"

Instead of a "birthday party" there is a "sacrifice party" for the son;

"The 'Id of Sacrifice"

 

Look at this nation's tradition, history and honors! It does not care

about its blood relations or homeland, but about its faith and

freedom. The nation of monotheism the people who have the

responsibility of the freedom of mankind from Adam ' to the

hereafter, the freedom-fighters who even fight thelr own natures,

those who have extended the "battle front" from Badr to Mina - these

are the slaves who have so deeply realized the meaning of "freedom".

They free themselves not only from the Pharoah, but their

Ismail too and not only their enemies, but their relatives too!

 

CONSEQUENT ATTACKS AFTER THE 'ID DAY

 

During your first attack on the first day, you shoot the last idol and

open the way to the place of sacrifice. Then you take off your Ihram

and happily celebrate your victory! On the second day you must

shoot again, but shoot the three of them. This time you take turns to

shoot the first idol, then the second one and finally the last one. Your

third day is a repitition of what you did on the second day. The fourth

day you may stay in Mina or leave. If you decide to stay, you must

repeat the shooting of the second or third day. If you decide not to

stay on the fourth day, you must bury the remainder of your arms

somewhere underground in Mina! This is a MUST!

 

These three days following the 'Id are called Ayyam-at-Tashriq. What

do they mean? On the tenth day of Zul-Hijjah you exalted to Ibrahim's

position, you got the courage "to sacrifice your Ismail", you defeated

Satan in its last base at your first attack, you offered the sacrifice,

you took off your Ihram and you came out victorious from the front of

Mina! Why do you have to continue fighting? There is a lesson for

you - do not forget that Satan may survive even after it was

defeated! Every "revolution", no matter how successful it is, is

always in danger of "counter-revolution". Numb snakes may wake up

and change their colors while you are happy with victory, proud of

power or busy with celebration! They may pretend to be your friends

in order to join you and destroy the movement from within and take

over the fruits of your revolution. They will be the HEIRS to the

freedom-fighters and mourners for the martyrs!

 

Victory should not cause you to relax! So, when you have

overcome Mina, do not let your hands off your arms. You have

forced Satan out of your door BUT HE MAY RETURN THROUGH

THE WINDOW! He was defeated "outside of you" but he may wake

up inside of you". He was knocked down in war, but he may gain

power in peace! He perished in Mina, but he may now flourish in

you' ! What am I saying? "Temptation" has thousands of faces. He

may be rejected as an unbeliever but will return to you as

a man of strong faith! He may be rejected as a polytheist

and he will present himself as a monotheist

You may bury him in an idol-house, but he may show up at the altar

You may kill him in Badr1, but he may be resurrected in Karbala ?

He may be wounded in the Battle of the Trench in

Medina and then re-occur in the mosque of Koufa. You may seize the

idol of "Hebal" from his hands in Uhud, but he will raise the Holy

Quran on swords to defeat you in Saffain!

 

You should not be so naive to think that the war is over after

defeating Satan on the tenth day of Mina, to take off your armor, to

put on your civilian dress, to use make-up and perfume, to celebrate

your victory, to ignore the danger, to feel free to leave Mina for

Mecca, to keep busy worshipping or to return home and start your

business again! Oh you, the freedom-fighter, the follower of Ibrahim,

do not forget the tenth of Zul-Hijjah is "the 'Id of Sacrifice

and not "the 'Id of victory". The sacrifice of Ismail is the

beginning of Hajj and not the end of it! After a successful

revolution, Oh soldiers of tawheed, do not leave your

arms aside. Do not indulge too much in the happiness of your

victory- there is always danger from the defeated army. The three

bases were overthrown but the three idols (Satan) have their roots in

Mina. After the 'Id, you should keep your heroic spirit and be

prepared to fight at anytime. With the help of the other soldiers, you

must be prepared to set a well timed and disciplined plan to eradicate

those foundations.

 

- Revolutions are always in danger, even the most successful

ones!

- Don't be too proud, even after the greatest victory!

- You are still in danger even if you were Ibrahim! Even after

sacrificing your Ismail!

 

Satan has many colors and many more "tricks". Once Satan tried

to cheat you with Ismail's life and today you may be cheated by the

pride of sacrificing him! Always remain ready to fight)!

Until you are in Mina, shoot the idols with your bullets.

 

Mina is the land of faith, love and the place of your hopes and

needs. It is the front of all your glorious and honored victories. It is

your Hajj, the peak of your perfection, the ideal of your life ...

Mina is the first step of monotheism as well as the ambush of Satan,

man's most dangerous enemy! You are always in Mina or Mina is always in

you; you are always in danger since the idols are always ready to

rebel. After the 'Id, while still in Mina, shoot the idols everyday.

 

- Be ready to fight for freedom all your life.

- Fighting for freedom is not becoming a ruler or gaining

power.

- By defeating your enemy, your fight is not over

- Celebrate the 'Id of Sacrifice and not the Victory.

- Take off your armor, but don't give up your arms.

- Victory may be gained in a day, but if you are careless, you

will lose it at once.

- To wound the enemy, one shot is needed, but to be sure he

is killed, seven shots may be needed.

- To take over the enemy's base, one attack may be enough

and seven shots may be used, but to eradicate them, you

need to attack more than once and use over seventy shots.

- Divide the arms (pebbles) you collected in Mashar.

 

How many did you have? Seventy, here again seven and seventy?

On day one (the tenth day) one attack seven bullets at the last idol

On day two, three and four - three attacks and seven bullets to each

idol (9 x 7 = 63). A total of seventy bullets in ten attacks, an even

figure! The last attack on the fourth day (thirteenth of Zul-Hijjah) is

an option. It is up to you. If you still feel the danger, you may stay-

then you must shoot the three idols as the two previous days. Only

one seventh of your collected arms are used to succeed over your

enemy. Six sevenths are used to continue the struggle after the

victory! This prevents the ill-fate of all movements and the

inconspicuous outcome of many revolutions. Such happened to the

Islamic movement when the political submission of Abu-Sufyan

was confused with the true Islamic submission to Almighty God.

 

In order to prevent polytheism from disguising itself in

monotheism, you have to struggle for twenty-three years, defeat the

ignorance of Quraish. You must destroy the three bases

of colonialism, capitalism and hypocrisy that were defeated in Badr

the Trench from turning to the victorious side and seizing Islamic

leadership. Even if you celebrated the victory of Saquifah, the

murderer will revenge in Karbala, shedding the blood of the prophets

famlly at the bank of Euphrates. So much injustice was done in the

name of the Caliphate of the messenger of God!

 

The Last Message

 

 

The actions of Hajj transmit the message that the Quran relates in words.

Before the completion of Hajj, it is recommended that you read the whole

Quran at least once and learn a lesson from its final chapter. Why the

final

chapter? The last words of the final chapter of the Quran warn of a DANGER

while the last action of Hajj is the SHOOTING! At the end of Hajj, you are

to "shoot the three idols" while the end of Quran "denies the three

powers".

In the last part of Hajj, a Muslim is warned of a "danger" and in the last

chapter of the Quran, he is warned of a "mischief". Surprisingly, the Quran

comes to an end but the mischief will not; the prophecy ends but the danger

still exists! The last two chapters of the Quran speak of "seeking refuge

from mischief" and also warn Mohammed (PBUH) the last prophet of monotheism

who completed the prophecy of Ibrahim. And, the last two days of Hajj are to

be spent in Mina where one must fight and where Allah warns Ibrahim, the

man who started this prophecy.

 

And you, Oh follower of Mohammed (PBUH) and Ibrahim's tradition, you are to

understand the "codes" and not only to follow the acts. Where are you going

after Mina? Oh Hajj, before we leave Mina for our homes, let us sit down

and read the last two chapters of the Quran to discover what danger our

victorious prophet was cautioned about. Let us listen to these revelations

to know from what Allah told his beloved messenger to seek refuge

(Quran CXIII):

 

Say (Oh Mohammed), I seek refuge in the Lord of dawn.

From the mischief (evil) of that which he created.

From the evil of darkness when it is tense.

From the evil of malignant witchcraft.

And from the evil of the envier when he envieth.

 

Here Allah refers to the foreigners and foreign enemies who are strangers

to you and your country. You must fight them!

 

As in a dark night in which everything is obscured, the darkness of evil and

ignorance covers the valley of Mina and the vision of Arafat. The insight of

Mashar and the ideal faith of Mina are all lost in the dark! As a result, you

are in Mina but you cannot see nor realize important matters. You have love

but do not know for whom! You have faith but do not know in whom! And, you

will sacrifice your "son" not for the sake of God but before Satan!

Darkness is everywhere!!! You shoot not at Satan but at the angels! You sacrifice

man not the sheep! You perform the Sa'y not willingly, but in response to the

pull of the enemy's bridle! You begin circumambulation not by having Allah

in your intention, but as if it is a dance to the ring of Nimrod.

 

Oppression is everywhere! There are secret as well as obvious plots by clever

politicians, brain-washer and hooligans gossiping to cause disunity and

animosity and to create the "uprising fists" from the "uptiding hands".

They conspire to alter the ties whereby your brother becomes your enemy or

your enemy pretends to be your brother, to break all relationships, to

paralyze all decisions, to weaken your faith, to cause sectarianism in

religion and to promote disunity within the community. This is done so that

each sect can be easily manipulated by the imperialists and their agents

Finally, the jealous ones must be considered. Such a person is not one who

is sick and keeps his jealousy in his heart but the envious one. He is

neither a foreign oppressor who obviously acts by force not an agent who

works secretly for his "boss" and for money. No! It is an acquaintance, a

mate, a relative, a deceiver, a puppet who commits treachery and pretends

to be your friend, a murderer who claims innocence, an unsuspected

corruptor

or an unintentional troublemaker who is motivated by the most incurable

disease - jealousy. This complex shatters victorious revolutions, knocks

down the freedom-fighters at the peak of their devotion and sacrifice and

realizes the shedding of blood between friends. Consequently, the righteous

believer becomes a puppet of the non-believers. The non-believer performs

this so intelligently that people are not aware of his plans. This is why

you see the "oppressor's" dark tent at the top of Mina and the "agent's"

ambush near it. But, what about the jealous one who is ill and does not

seem to be the enemy? Although he may hate your enemy more than you, he is

the puppet! So in terms of the evils, he is the last one and therefore the

last idol to be shot on the first day. This is the hidden enemy of your

faith and aspirations. Here again, the trinity exists.

 

Oppressor: The cruel oppressor (i.e. first idol)

Agent: The agent who corrupts the morals and

intelligence of people (i.e. second idol).

Jealous One: The oppressor's spy, the agent's puppet and a

friend in service of enemy (i.e. third idol)

 

However, it is not very difficult to defeat these evils. Wait for the first

beams of the dawn which will overcome the darkness and illuminate the

valley

of Mina. They will ignite the enemy's tent and overthrow the darkness and

ignorance. The agents who hid in the dark behind the rocks will be forced to

flee. The complexes of jealousy will remain untouched but will be buried in

the hearts of ill-friends!

 

As Imam Fakhr Razi noted, Sura Dawn points to one characteristic of God,

while Sura People, points to three charteristics. This indicates a more

serious danger which seems to be more difficult to get rid of it. In Sura

CXIII (Dawn) Almighty God is called upon as the "God of dawn". This chapter

describes the darkness and its power at the enemy of the sun; but by SUNRISE

they will die. In Sura CXIV (People), Almighty God is called upon as the

"Lord" the "King" and the "Love"; these are the three powers or enemies of

man who live among the people and claim to be their Lord.

 

Say I seek refuge of:

Lord of the people,

King of the people,

God of the people or Love of the people.

 

Sura Dawn refers to this world, the society, the power of darkness when it

takes over, those who knowingly and secretly brain-wash people and the

selfish treacherous ones. It speaks of three social disasters - darkness

and injustice, corruption and straying, selfishness and treachery!

 

Who is sacrificed here?

 

Mankind, human society and revolutionary movements! Sura People speaks of

social systems, social structures and the governing power who makes decisions

for the people. It refers to the existing relationship between the people and

their lord or their god-father. It mentions the real evil, the usual enemy

of the people.

 

And who is sacrificed here? Not the human being, not the human society but

the "people themselves"!

 

Idols are created and worshipped. They claim God's special attributes and

place themselves only in relationship to the Lord and the people NOT in

relationship to the world or nature! Simple minded people are enslaved by

them. In contrast to the opinion of some educated individualists who search

for the truth by reading texts rather than facing the facts, monotheism and

polytheism, are not two philosophical theories or disputes in the temple;

they are live and productive facts in human nature and life. Monotheism and

polytheism are in the heart of movements and socio-economic struggles of

people of all times. In other words, polytheism is a faith as well as

history's dominating faith. Yes, it is the opium of the people!!! On the

other hand, monotheism which is the blood, arm, nature and guide of the

people is history's condemned faith!!!

 

The biggest, worst and most discreet "tragedy of mankind", as yet not well

understood by many intellectuals, is the "slavery of mankind by his only

means of freedom" and the "torturing and killing of people by their only

source of honorable living"! How? Through converting one faith into another

(such as concealing polytheism behind the visage of monotheism)! This is

demonstrated by the great hypocrises of history - Eblis disguised as a holy

man; Tawheed in the service of Shirk!; Shirk, the faith of the Godfathers

who represent Satan!, and the mischievous Khannas; the enemy of people!

Therefore, the word "people" is repeated several times in Sura People. Who

are these godfathers that live among people and have such influential

power?

Who are the oppressors that rebel against God and disrespect human rights?

Once again they are the three oppressors, the Trinity! They usurp the three

positions that belong only to God and are described in Sura People.

 

Monotheism:

Unity of the attributes.

 

Polytheism:

 

Disunity of the attributes; the Trinity; "Cain the murder" who appears

in three faces and rules the children of Abel. (There is one Cain and

Pharoah, Croesus and Balam are his three faces. They are not three

"persons" but three "faces". Surprisingly, in all the Trinities of

history, God is symbolized as "one" head that has "three" faces!)

 

Long ago, people lived as a brotherhood. Forests and rivers were their

common wealth. They all had their share sitting at the free table of nature.

Fishing and hunting was a means for acquiring food for survival. God was the

only owner and all people were considered equal. People adhered to the morals

of Abel and lived like him. But, later Cain became the farmer and claimed the

land as his own, thereby restricting its use.

 

The unity was broken! Worshipping one God was replaced by worshipping many;

Cain appeared with three faces and people worshipped him instead of God. An

inauspicious triangle, the Trinity, is the graveyard of all the messengers,

freedom-fighters and martyrs. It is an "ill-omened chain" which like the

"chains of slavery" is used to enslave "the obedients of God" and make them

"slaves of the rulers"! The Trinity is like a three way partnership in one

company; one partner propagandizes, one robs your pocket and the third gets

a share of the profits. The last one pretends to be a spiritual man and

whispers so-called "heavenly words" in your ears:

 

Oh my brother, be patient! Leave this world to the worldly, people.

Suffer in this world in order to go to heaven during the hereafter.

Even if you die of hunger, have tolerance. Had the people concerned

with this world only known the rewards in the hereafter for being

poverty stricken and oppressed, they would have been envious of your

future happiness!!!

 

Nothing can be done. What is happening to us is our predestined fate.

The poor are born poor and lucky ones are born lucky. Any objection is

an opposition to God's will, so be thankful for what you have. Leave

your judgments to the hereafter. Be patient and don't complain about

your poverty and oppression or you will loose the rewards in the here

after'.

 

Don't forget that complaining about people is like complaining about

God. The right of justice belongs only to God and not to people, not

in this world but in the hereafter. Any judgments are to be made only

by God, therefore, be careful so that you do not feel shame on the day

of judgment when you see God, the Most Compassionate the Most Merciful

who forgives the oppressor whom you did not forgive in this world!

Everyone is responsible for his own deed. In order to persuade people

to do good and prohibit them from doing bad, you must be first

righteous, knowledgeable and effective. However, do you think it is

dangerous, then you are not obliged to do it ...

 

So the three friends are close to each other. Cain who wears three masks is

the eternal God of the Trinity. It does not matter if they act under the

banner of Islam or are anti-lslamic, if they act under monotheism or poly

theism. They are the ones who in the name of faith make the laws and

constitutions to rule the people everywhere and always! The three

oppressors

are the three faces of Cain, the "owner" who killed his brother Abel, a

shepherd and became the guardian of Abel's orphaned children. The murderer

became the heir of the victims!

 

Surprisingly, all the Ibrahimian prophets who proclaim monotheism and justice,

the true heirs of Abel during the first common period - were all shepherds!

Our illiterate prophet Mohammed (PBUH), the last in a series of these

messengers, was a shepherd in Gararit.

 

There is no prophet who was not once a shepherd.

 

And it is the tradition of Cain, that his children, "Wolf", "Fox" and "Rat",

have tried their best throughout history to herd the children of Abel

(people) as sheep by means of oppression, brain-washing and despotism! This

is why occasionally at different periods of time - instead of a philosopher,

learned person or a chief of a center of civilization, educational

institution, scientific society or religious temple - a shepherd or

illiterate one from the heart of the desert suddenly arises and leaves his

flock to become the leader and liberate the victims of Cain's power! They

arise to use their sticks to knock on the heads of those who call themselves

the "Lord of the earth". Here is how we realize the beauty of the meanings

of Allah's words in the Holy Quran:

 

Quran LVII: 25

 

We verily sent our messenqers with clear proofs and revealed with them

the Scripture and the Balance so that mankind may observe right

measures; and He revealed Iron wherein is mighty power and many uses

for mankind ...

 

Hence, throughout history, whenever a messenger came forth from amongst the

people to carry on his mission or when a responsible person supported the

cause of justice and called upon the people to be united, to struggle for

justice and to be aware of what was happening in their society, immediately

the ruling powers would wholeheartedly attempt to assassinate that individual

or his character. For one generation or more those same assassins would

mourn the deceased, become heirs to his mission and assume his leadership.

 

Quran III: 21

 

Lo! Those who disbelieve the revelations of Allah and slay the prophets

wrongfully and slay those of mankind who enjoin equity: announce to them

a painful doom.

 

However, if the prophet was victorious in the battle, the opposition

temporarily ceased their efforts, changed their positions and masked their

faces only to succeed him and inherit his book and sword a generation

later.

 

- There is one Cain with three faces, seven colors, seventy

masks, seven thousand names and seventy thousand tricks!

- There is one Cain who is the murderer and killed his brother!

- There is one Cain who is the owner and all the people are

owned by him!

- There is one Cain who is the ruler and all the people are his

servants.

- There is one Cain who made two enemies of two brothers!

- There is one Cain who changed two equals into unequals!

 

He divided mankind into two races, society into two classes, made history

bi polar and converted the unity into a duality, The Quran uses the term

despising to describe the act of making people weak and vulnerable.

 

- There is one Cain who acts (despises) from three bases by

using his three children:

 

By force: Despotism, Politics, Pharoah

By blood-shed: Exploitation, Economics, Croesus

By deception: Brain-washing, Faith, Balam

 

It is one "ruling class" that has three faces (or powers). There is one Cain

who converts the unity into a Trinity! He employs many approaches - openly

or secretly, belief or disbelief, unity or trinity, anarchy or law, dictator

ship or democracy, slavery or freedom, feudalism or bourgeoisism, faith or

science, spiritualism or intellectualism, philosophy or sufism, happiness

or suffering, civilized or savage, regression or progression, idealism or

materialism, Christianity or Islam, Sunnism or Shi'ahism! These faces go and

return. You kick them out of your door but they enter through your window!

For instance, slavery was opposed but the master became a Feudal Lord and

the slave became a farmer. Feudalism was defeated by the success of a great

revolution, but it became capitalism and the farmer became a factory

worker.

 

With the help of Allah, Moses (PBUH) drowned Pharoah in the Nile, buried

Croesus and used his stick to struggle with the magicians. Soon after, the

Pharoah who drowned in the Nile reappeared by coming out of the Jordan

River. he called himself Sham'oon, the successor of Moses (PBUH) and carried

Moses' cane instead of a whip. Pharoah's magicians became the children of

Aaron and the companions of Moses. They carried the Scripture instead of the

magic ropes in their hands. Balam became the spiritual leader. Croesus, held the

treasury and became the trustee of the nation of unity. All three (Pharoah,

Balam and Croesus) assisted each other in embezzling Palestine as the

"promised land"; the old Egyptians are now called new Israelis.

 

Then, Jesus (PBUH) appeared. He abrogated Judaism and overthrew the Roman

Empire. However, Caesar, changed his name to Pope, the Jewish rabbis were

replaced by Christian monks, the old Roman genates became clergymen and

Vatican cardinals, the palace was called the church and Jupiter assumed the

name of Jesus (PBUH).

 

Then Mohammed (PBUH) came. Caesar and the Persian King were defeated, the

priest and Mubed were rejected and Persian and Arab aristocrats were no

longer recognized. But later, Caesar and the King were replaced by the

Caliphs, the priest and Mubed became the Imam and Quzil and Zorastrian

social classes (Dehganan, Aswaram, to Kmedaran, Aristocrats, feudals...)

were called the companions, children of the Imam, the honorables, the

nobles...The Roman Empire and Persian Kingdom changed their names to the

Caliphate of God's messenger, massacres were labelled acts of Jihad, plunders

were considered as Zakat and the suffering of people was viewed as the will

of God.

 

The Prophet Mohammed's (PBUH) family was either killed, imprisoned or

exiled.

The right to continue his prophecy was disregarded. The family of Abu-Sufyan,

and the Abbassians became his successors. Ali sincerely tried to follow and

support the tradition of Mohammed (PBUH). He and his followers resisted the

Caliphate for two hundred and fifty years but they were all martyred. Their

devoted followers opposed the ignorant traditions and aristocracy of the

Caliphs. They sacrificed their lives to overthrow the cruel and oppressive

regimes. Imamate and Adalat (Justice), were chosen as the slogans of their

party. Suddenly, the caliph became a Shi'ee and the Safavi King assumed the

position of Shi'ah leadership. The Caliph's house became the King's palace

and so on ...!!!

 

In Europe, the scientific revolution overcame the church. Science took the

place of religion! The old theological schools were transformed into modern

universities. The spiritual people were expelled to the corner of the

temples by the scientists; Balam left the church and appeared at the

university! The French Revolution eradicated feudalism but Croesus who was

defeated in his village rushed to the city and established a bank!

Although

Pharoah was beheaded by the blade of a guillotine and buried in the Wersa

Palace, by a democratic vote, he was resurrected and supported by Croesus'

money and Balam's magic! DeGaulle came to power.

 

We will never get rid of our cousins, the children of Cain who always support

each other. If you defeat one by seizing his arm, the second one will try to

buy you with his money; if this fails, the third one will cheat you in the

name of faith! If none of these methods succeed, they will try to achieve

their ends by using science, art, philosophy or ideology. And, if one of

these are effective, they will resort to mourning, crying, begging, praying

or simply keeping your mind occupied so that you will not realize what is

happening! They will make you believe that history is responsible for all

the faults and hatreds which exist and that all the loves belongs to the

 

hereafter! If none of these approaches work, they turn you into a "crazy

consumer" whereby you spend all your earnings in order to live luxuriously.

As a result, you are constantly in debt and working all day for nothing. Is

this what is called "your living" - to work and overwork so that you have

more "conveniences" and simultaneously kill yourself all day and night yet

still feel lagging many years behind?!! All human values and freedoms are

sacrificed for the sake of living luxuriously! The ease and comfort of life

is sold to pay for the luxuries. All your life, you hurry and worry to the

degree that you do not have time to stop and think; you do not even have a

change to understand what is going on! And finally if none of these work,

there is the propaganda of sex, jazz ... "getting high" on heroin, marijuana,

LSD and a thousand other ways. Right or wrong, anyway will be employed to

keep your mind occupied, to prevent you from thinking about the present and

to push you astray with or without faith!

 

We are the "orphans" of history; that is, the poor and oppressed on this

earth. We, the children of the martyred Abel, are the true believers in

God.

We are the children of Adam demonstrating high qualities, supporting brother

hood, loving equality, representing the original pure nature of humanity and

representing the true picture of monotheism, unity and peace ...! We are a

memory of the era when there was only one community which ate at the common

table of nature. But ... all of this was buried after our father, Abel, was

martyred. Through trickery and treachery, his blood was shed. He became the

innocent victim of capitalism (Cain's ownership)!

 

The desire to revenge him has always remained in our hearts as a hope and

wish. Impatiently, we have waited to one day see a prophet who would help

us with our cause! Monotheism is the torch of this hope and the signal of

the prophecy which was carried on the shoulders of the shepherd throughout

history.

 

They transferred this flag from hand to hand and from generation to

generation. It went from Abel to Ibrahim, from Ibrahim to Mohammed, from

Mohammed to Hussein and from him to everywhere and everyday until the very

last day, the day of judgment! It went to the world-wide revolution of

justice, the leadership of the victims of oppression and the heirs of the

poorest on earth! The flag is carried on hand to hand, drawing a "red line"

on the earth! In contrast, the flag of the non-believers which signifies

cruelty, ignorance and being blood-thirsty passes from hand to hand of the

three false Gods

 

Belief or disbelief is not fanaticism or a lack of unity nor is it the simple

imagination or dispute of a sufi or philosopher. It is intended to guide

mankind to the right path of maturity and evolution instead of being misled

and going astray. The meanings of these two words are clear and the

differences are as obvious as those between "justice" and "injustice". Any

other description is wrong and false; it is intended to confuse and deceive

us. Be careful not to be cheated by falsehood since throughout history

which has been full of "hypocrisy", only "Cain's" children have had the

right to

speak of justice and faith; they could not even talk about their martyred

father! In order to know the story of Abel and his children, listen only to

the Holy Quran and NOT to those who want to speak for them.

 

Since some of Cain's descendants are commentators for the Quran, you should

read the text itself and comprehend what it says because it is the only

document which has been saved from their embezzlement. Listen to the Quran

to learn the story of mankind and the meaning of the "prophecy".

 

Quran II: 213

 

Mankind was one common society, having the same equity. God sent the

Messengers to warn those hypocrites who knowingly blocked justice and

caused oppression.

 

This was not done because of simple differences in opinion or being

prejudiced; it was done intentionally and out of jealousy! Listen directly

to the words of Allah who explains why He appointed the prophets and sent

them to us.'

 

Quran LVII, XXV

 

Verily we sent our messengers with clear proofs and revealed with them

the scripture and the balance so that mankind may observe right

measures ...

 

Search the Holy Quran again. You will be told in a simple and clear way not

by philosophical theories, not in sophisticated language and not by the use

of confusing scholastic theological terms. The Quran is written in such

simple language that it is even understood by illiterate people.

 

Quran IV: 76

 

Those who believe do battle for the cause of Allah and those who

disbelieve do battle for the cause of false Gods. So, fight the

Minions of the devil. Lo, the devils strategy is ever weak.

 

Fight the Minions (servants) of the devil? Yes, the false Gods of Trinity!

 

- Oh you who love to help the cause of Almighty God,

- Oh you who protect yourself from the devil's constant attacks by your

knowledge and awareness

- Oh you who resist the devil's magic and gimmicks by your righteousness

 

The enemy, like a spider, has spun a web whose texture is money and power in

order to trap people and suck their blood. "Do not be afraid of dying and do

not call off or delay the battle. Be righteous and you will not even face a

trace of danger."

 

- Oh you who believe in monotheism and the responsibility of vengence for

Abel's blood-shed,

- Oh you who shoulder the responsibilities of the prophets - "the Book",

"the Balance" and "the Iron".

- Oh you who are a "child of Adam",

- Oh you who are from amongst the people,

- Oh you who are an example of "ability", "freedom", and "intelligence ",

 

Seek refuge in Allah, "the Owner of mankind, the King of mankind and the

Love of mankind!

 

- Oh Hajj who has marched the red path of martrydom by going from Arafat

to Mina,

- Oh Hajj who has stepped on the grave of the last idol

- Oh Hajj who has ascended to the peak of freedom

- Oh Hajj who has conquered the land of Mina (your Mina),

- Oh follower of the tradition of Ibrahim (PBUH) and Mohammed (PBUH),

 

Be alert and very careful! You are in danger (the danger of Cain and the

fear of the return of false gods)! The messenger is in danger! His message

is in danger! Be careful of the danger of the idols. Seek refuge in "the

Owner, the King and Love of the people". There are three idols who

represent

one evil, one Cain - so fear:

 

Quran CXIV 4-6

 

The evil of a sneaky whisperer, The one who whispers into the heart of

mankind, The Jinn and mankind.

 

What or who is the "Waswas" (whisperer)? The dictionary defines it as the

one who whispers a rumor or hint; the state of melancholy which is a

disease that disturbs the mind creates a feeling of uselessness in one's

consciousness. What is suggested to you enters your subconscious; it appears

to you and speaks to you. You can hear it but not with your ears! You can

see it but not with your eyes! How is this whisperer who disturbs minds? He

is a sneaky "Khannas". What is a "Khannas"? The dictionary defines it as

whatever leads you astray, attracts you, absorbs you, follows you or cheats

you. Even though you try to escape, it will persist after you. What does the

"sneaky whisperer" do? It promotes temptation and inspires evil suggestions

into your heart. What is "Temptation"? The dictionary defines it as enticing

someone to commit an unwise or immoral act; to cause a disease which

disturbs one's wisdom and creates a state of deliriousness, perplexity and

uselessness! What is the "sneaky whisperer" made of? It can be of a "Jinn"

or mankind. What is a "Jinn"? It is a mysterious, invisible and inhuman

power which handles mankind. How clearly it is defined, yet more clever and

tragic today. Those three idols are hidden but visible. They go, change

colors and return. They will be defeated and will rise again. Today

capitalism and ruling colonialism are covered up by neo-colonialism. The

three idols are involved in alienating and brain-washing mankind with the

help of their experts and advanced technology.

 

As "Shandel" says, "Today's greatest danger for mankind is not the explosion

of the atomic bomb, but the transformation of human nature. The human element

in mankind is being demolished with such great speed that a non-human race

is being produced. A machine with the appearance of a man is created neither

by God nor nature. Man becomes a slave who does not see or know his master.

His only freedom is to try his best to be a better slave. He is exchanged for

money, but he pays the price himself. He will wait for hours in the long

lines of the "house of robbers" lawaiting his turn to be robbed! He is like

a slave who grows no more. He gets whatever he wants for the price of what

ever he has! He believes only in "business" and this faith makes him pay for

more than what he gets. His life pattern is designed before he is born.

This way his life is an assignment rather than true living! Now he has the

chance to discover the world, but he has lost God and humanity "forever ... "

 

The tragedy is beyond one's imagination. Human nature is changing. Those

three tempting evils are not only the force of "arms", the power of "gold"

or the deception of "beads". They have also employed the extraordinary

power of "science", the surprising magic of "art" and the huge power of

"technique" in their tricks and cover-up plans!

 

Nowadays it appears as if there is no yoke of slavery existing, but in

reality, people all over the world are enslaved by invisible chains. People

are free to vote for who they want, but long before they vote, "sneaky

whisperers" have whispered in their hearts.

 

Today's tragedy is one of "alienation". To alienate means to become

unfriendly and indifferent. The alienated is the insane, someone whose

true personality or consciousness is hidden. Political despotism, social

discrimination and old western exploitation methods are gradually

disappearing, but they reappear in a worse shape - as capitalistic regimes

hiding behind the masks of liberalism and democracy. Slavery, plunderings

of "Tatars" and Gengisian Laws (Yasa), oppression and torture by the cruel

regimes of "Teimoor" and "Halakoo" have disappeared in the east, but they

are all returning in a more deceptive fashion, in the name of modernization

and civilization, only to hide the true face of colonialism.

 

The tyrannical rulers and the professional murderers of old colonialism are

disappearing in the third world, but thelr economic systems, political

regimes, social relations, education, arts, morals, freedom of sex,

ideologies, propaganda of the media, literature, fashion, cultural madness,

nihilism, superconsumerism and westernization all invisibly reappear in the

new colonialism. They appear not as men in military bases administration

offices, streets or markets.

 

In an invisible way, they enter with insensible hands and secret relations

to shape the economic structure, social system, beliefs nature, spirit,

morals, "values", "votes" and minds of the people (alienation).

 

In these fourteen centuries there has never been a better time to translate

the meaning of this wonderful chapter (Quran CXIV). In over five hundred

centuries of the life of mankind, the "sneaky whisperer" has never

sacrificed

human beings by his obvious and secret temptations. The "evil whisperer" has

never destroyed the hearts of mankind by his mischief. Oh yes never! These

last verses of the glorious revelation were translated so clearly through

history!

 

Today's intellectuals and sociologists, who are familiar with capitalism and

neocolonialism, know very well that these systems "will burn a whole market

if they want a handkerchief." They know how to abuse science in order to

achieve their ends and promote ignorance in the name of civilization. They

know how witches and sneaky whisperers corrupt the nation's culture, faith,

will consciousness and leave their hearts empty. This causes alienation

whereby they have a negative opinion of themselves. An attempt is made to

make them mere imitators and consumers and nothing else!

 

Todays conscious humanitarian workers whose vision is not limited by

traditional and sectarian views are not preoccupied by local problems,

historical prejudice, professional, educational and familiar situations.

They are not satisfied being mere observers to unstable political

operations;

neither do they superficially evaluate what is happening to the people nor

do they feel happy to suggest simple resolutions. Rather, they care for

human-beings and humanitarian rights! They are the ones who realize the

effects of colonization, stealing the natural resources of poor nations of

the third world, appointing cruel agents to run these countries and

disregarding humanitarian rights ... All these are true tragedies caused

by outsiders. The real fearful tragedy is what is happening in the hearts

of people. The dangers of outsiders, the evil rulers and mischief and

jealousies of the complexed people wereznot considered that important.

They were mentioned in the chapter before the last (CXIII).

 

The most dreadful tragedy threatening the world population is the

"alienation of mankind" ... becoming inhuman! The tragedy is the whisperer

who damages not only the body, but the spirit as well. Thitis what scares

the conscious and responsible intellectuals of our time. He is the one who

knows the people as well as the whisperer. He understands the severity of

"alienation". He has seen "humanity" sacrificed wherever "humanitarian

rights" are disrespected. He is the one who knows the evil-doers and idol

makers who can't always be seen. Sometimes they are hidden or they may be

a mysterious power. They don't have to use the yoke of slavery; they may

whisper in the hearts. Covertly and quietly, they may enter the mind,

disturb it, change the personality and replace "one" by someone else! This

is "Alienation"! Yes, the danger lies in ambush, worse than ever, not

behind the rocks or mountains but deep in your heart or in your conscience.

It is not an ambush for your life or your money, but for your faith, your

"humanity", your knowledge, your love, your victory, your struggle, the

inheritance of your history, your way to become like Ibrahim and your way

to approach Almighty God.

 

Your enemy is not always arms or an army. It is not necessarily a known

outsider. It may be a system or a feeling, a thought or a possession, a

way of life or a type of work, a way of thinking or a working tool, a type

of production or a way of consumption, culturalism, colonization, religious

brainwashing, exploitation, a social relation or propaganda. It can be neo

colonialism, bureaucracy, technocracy or automation. At times it is

exhibitionism, nationalism and racism while other times it is nazifascism,

bourgeoisism and militarism. It may be love for joy (epiqurism), love for

ideas (idealism), love for matter (materialism), love for art and beauty

(romanticism), love for nothing (existentialism), love for land and blood

(racism), love for heroes and central government (fascism), love for

individuals (individualism), love for all (socialism), love for economy

(communism), love for wisdom (philosophy), love for feeling (gnosticism),

love for heaven (spiritualism), love for existence (realism), love for

history (fatalism) love for God's will (determinism), love for sex

(Freudism), love for instincts (biologism), love for the hereafter (faith),

superstitiousness of idealism, gluttony of economism ... These are the idols

of the new polytheism. The new civilization is like Latt, Ezza, Asaf and

Naelah of the new Quraish. How do you realize the meaning of pure worship

of Almighty God and love for Allah? How broad is the meaning of monotheism

and how great is it's prophecy? People today are more apt to use "reason"

rather than to be obedient to God. Because of the influence of science, they

care less about faith. By so doing, they have denied God and rejected faith

and have done nothing in return for th,eir disobedience and refusal of

worship. The new polytheism in this civilization has many more meaner Gods

(Idols) than the old polytheism of the "time of ignorance".

 

The ancient Arabs used to worship statues made of gold and covered with

jewels. They were symbols of power, beauty, perfection, abundance, goodness

and charity. They were sacred and respected but the symbols of today's new

polytheism are as low as the lower part of the human body. The three ever

lasting false Gods are oppressing more than ever. Today's Pharoah is not

a person; it is a system! Croesus is not one; it is a class. Balam does not

speak of faith anymore; rather he speaks of science, ideology and art!

 

Surprisingly, in the chapter before the last, the Quran speaks of three

evils who are unique in sharing one quality! In the last chapter, it talks

of one evil with three characters - the "Owner" the "King" and the "God";

and this is more dangerous!

 

The three evils mentioned oppress, brainwash, deceive, murder and plunder.

They neglect human rights and freedom, enslave people, and keep them poor

and ignorant. Somehow, humans will survive the heavy pressures of these

tragedies! Today's greater tragedy is when these anti-human super powers

try to paralyze human values by emptying the hearts of the people for their

own exploitation. History has taught these powers that in order to take

over

economically and politica,lly, they have to destroy those values cherished

by the people and'then they have to change their human nature. In other

words, they should be alienated.

 

This "evil" is much worse than the previous ones even though their trouble

making ability is the same everywhere. In the system of trinity, the

"Khannas" is the damage to human nature. It is the danger which threatens

the conscience of the responsible individual. The enemy of mankind goes and

comes back! It is everywhere with three faces and each time it has a

different mask.

 

The "whisperer" is a killing poison that is injected into the human body by

this "three-headed, hundred-faced" snake. Is it not true that Satan tempted

Adam and expelled him out of heaven? He did this by showing himself in the

shape of a snake! The "whisperer" is born of three evils. The "Khannas"

(sneaky) is the representative of those idols and his mischief is much

more tragic. In the last chapters of the book of revelation, we learn that

the sneaky whisperer is more dangerous than the three idols. A heavenly

consciousness is to cut the dark curtain of night by dawn to fight the

three powers that enslave mankind.

 

To oppose the Satanic power of "Khannas" (the sneaky whisperer), one has to

seek refuge in unity. To eradicate the structure of polytheism in human

consciousness and in society you have to find the three powers of

"ownership", "sovereignty" and "divinity" in Almighty God alone. By doing

this, you are able to establish an Abelian society (i.e. a society based on

equality and oneness of mankind).

 

We have to build an "exemplary community", the type that was the goal of

Ibrahim's prophecy. The last prophet Mohammed (PBUH) gave us this

responsiblity. We understand the tragedy and it is our responsibility to

solve it. We are heirs to Ibrahim's tradition therefore, we must teach his

message to the intellectual generation who is struggling for social

justice.

We must save the declining world population. Having the Quran, the family

of the prophet (PBUH) and Hajj gave us a greater responsibility.

 

The darkness of evil is overwhelmingly ruling the world. The malignant

witchcrafts are more powerful than ever. The sneaky whisperer is stronger

and more tragic!

 

- Oh you who holds the position of Ibrahim and the last revelation, you

have been given the responsibility of carrying on the mission.

 

- Oh you, conscious man, representative of Allah and heir to the prophet

Mohammed (PBUH), you have to adopt the prophet as an example for your

deeds and make yourself an example for others.

 

- Oh you who has the responsibility to establish the "umma" your faith is

 

based on "the book", "the balance" and "the Iron".

 

- Oh you who are to establish social justice on earth, fight the enemy and

help the innocent.

 

- Oh you, the Muslim freedom-fighter, hear the cry of the people, the

mourning of the oppressed and the voice of those who complain of the

mischief of the "sneaky whisperer"

 

Toynbee sees human civilization threatened by "internal enemies" (i.e. the

foolish enthusiasm for "consumption, consumption and consumption")! Marcuse

has warned that humans are becoming as "one dimensional" as a tool. Erich

Fromm like Diogen, is searching in the town for a "conscious person".

Camuss

is raising his voice to say that a "plague" is becoming an epidemic in

"Oran"

and in the "temple of civilization", innocent children are dying of a

mysterious disease. John Isolet is talking about the "armed prince" who

is suffering from an "incurable disease".

 

The Conscious Sculptor of the Netherlands, in a square of the new city of

Netherdome, has designed the sculpture of a man, but his joints are falling

apart! Eliot and Joyce have described the idol (Trezi) as a hermaphrodite

taken from old Greek stories as a symbol of today's man! Eugene lonesko

describes the disasterous situation of a man where the "Khannas" has entered

his spirit and changes him to a Rhinoceros! Kafka describes the picture of a

man who was supposed to be the representative of God and was given His

spirit. Then he shows how he changes totally. Yes, the "The Picture of

Dorian Gray" is not a picture of Standal but a picture of an alienated man.

 

**********

 

Take advantage of the dawn and escape - Oh you, conscious victim of the

tragedy!

 

- Since the dark night is "covering everywhere"!

- Since the "clever magicians are whispering in the hearts"!

- Since "those jealous people are the puppets of the night magicians

and the friends are serving the enemies"!

 

Seek refuge in the God of dawn to kill the dark by rising the sun in Mina.

And watch!

 

- Since the false gods have returned cleverly masked by a popular army and

secret arms.

 

Oh "heir of Abel", "avenger of your father's murderer" - Cain is not dead!

Oh "heir of Adam" "to whom the angels prostrated" - Satan is revenging now!

Get away from this evil that has three faces, seven colors, seventy

thousand

tricks and "whispers in the hearts of people".

 

Seek refuge in Allah, "God of the dawn", "Owner of the people", "King of

the

people" and "Love of the people". And you, Oh Hajj remain in Mina after the

"Id of Sacrifice" and shoot the three idols seven times everyday! Everyday

is like the day of immolation, every month is like Zul-Hijjah and everyland

is like Mina and ... life is like Hajj!

 

CONCLUSION

 

The time for staying in Mina is over and the ceremonies end near

the border of Mecca. There is one more Tawaf and Sa'y that you can

do anytime toward the end of Zul-Hijjah and if necessary you can do

it before leaving for Arafat. Hajj ceremonies are over and

this is all you are supposed to do.

 

Oh Hajj who is leaving Mina, the last stage of Hajj - you

accepted Ibrahim's invitation. You escaped the vicious cycle of your

individual life. You came on time to Miqat; you listened to the

revelation; you took off your clothing and put on the white Kafan.

You left your home and homeland and came as a guest to the house

of God and the land of Jihad. You made a promise to God

by shaking his right hand. You entered the Tawaf circle and were

lost amongst the people of Taef. You denied self-

centeredness. You purified yourself. You tried your best to search

for "water" on top of the mountains. Then you descended to Arafat

from Mecca and from stage after stage (going to Mashar and Mina),

you returned to Allah (returned to Mecca). You gained

"consciousness" in the sunshine of Arafat. You collected your arms

in the darkness of Mashar. Simultaneously, with others you passed

the border of Mina. Satan was defeated by your first attack. You

became free and saved the land of faith and love. You held the

position of Ibrahim and ascended to the peak of honor - the stage

beyond Shahadat.

 

Finally, you sacrificed a sheep at the end of this effort!

 

Where do you arrive at the end of this greatest holy trip and

highest degree of human ascension after going through the most

dangerous and fearful passages of creation - Tawheed (unity), Ithar,

Jihad (struggle), Shahadat (martyrdom), fighting with Eblis

(Satan) and conquering the land of love? What do you do?

Sacrifice: kill a "lamb"! Why? What is its philosophy? What is the

mystery? What does killing a lamb at the end of Hajj mean? I can not

say! Let Allah himself answer this question:

 

Quran XXII: 36

 

Eat thereof and feed the beggar and the suppliant.

 

He repeats again:

 

Quran XXII: 28

 

Then eat thereof and feed there with the unfortunate poor

(i.e. To fight with poverty. At the end of this trip, give

a piece of what you eat to relieve a hungry man and help an

oppressed person. That's all!)

 

Oh Hajj - where are you going now? Back home to your life and to

your world? Are you returning from Hajj the same way you came?

Never! Never! You played the "role of Ibrahim" in this symbolic

show! A good actor is he whose personality is fully impressed by the

character of the individual who is playing his role. If he does well, the

show will be over but his work is not done yet. There have been

many actors who did not survive the act they played and died!

 

You played the role of Ibrahim, not just to play but to worshipl and

to love. Do not return to play your role after playing the role of

Ibrahim! Do not leave the house of people. Do not isolate yourself.

Do not replace your Ihram with your previous clothing.2 Leave Mina

for Mecca and take your Ismail with you!

 

You are like Ibrahim who in the history of mankind was a great

fighter against idolatry. He was the founder of unity in this world and

had the responsibility of leading his people. He was a rebellious

leader whose soul was suffering, whose heart was loving, whose

thoughts were enlightening and ...

 

The axe was in his hand! Faith was raised in the hearts of

the Kofr and monotheism flourished in the midst of

polytheism. Ibrahim, the fighter of idolatry, came out of the house of

"Azar", the idol-maker of his tribe. He broke the idols; he broke

Nimrood. He fought against ignorance, oppression and

passiveness. He rebelled against the tranquility of suffering and the

security established by persecution. He was a guide for his tribe and

the founder of his movement, life, direction, hope, goal and faith of

unity.

 

You are like Ibrahim! Fight the fire, the fire of oppression and

ignorance so that you may save your people. The fire is in the fate of

every responsible individual; it is your duty to guide and save.

But ... Allah makes the fireplace of Nimrod and his followers a rose

garden for Ibrahim and his followers. You will not burn or turn into

ashes. This teaches you to be ready to jump into the fire for Jihad

(Struggle)! And

 

... to teach, let yourself into the fire in order to

prevent the people from burning.

... to the more painful stage of Shahadat.

 

You are like Ibrahim! Sacrifice your Ismail. Put the knife to his

throat with your hands...Save the throat of the people from being

cut-the people are always sacrificed at the doors of palaces of

power, and temples of torture. PUT THE BLADE AT YOUR SON'S

THROAT SO THAT YOU MAY TAKE THE BLADE FROM THE

EXECUTIONER'S HAND!

 

But ... Allah will pay the ransom of your Ismail. You do not kill and

do not lose your Ismail. THIS IS TO TEACH YOU THAT YOU

SHOULD BE READY TO SACRIFICE YOUR ISMAIL (LOVE) IN

YOUR OWN HANDS FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR FAITH!..."to

the more painful stage of Shahadat"! And now, Oh Hajj who is

returning from circumambulating love, you are in the position of

Ibrahim. You have reached the point where he did.

 

Ibrahim's life was filled with struggle when he reached this point-

braking the idols, fighting with Nimrod, tolerating his fire, struggling

with Eblis, sacrificing his Ismail, migration, homelessness, loneliness

torture, passage from the stage of prophecy to the stage of

leadership (Imamat), going from "individuality" to "collectivity" and

belng from "the house of "Azar" to being "the builder of the house of

unity" (Kaaba)!

 

At the end of his life, gray-haired and old, Ibrahim built the house

of Allah and laid down the black stone. His helper Ismail carried the

rocks and handed them to his father. How wonderful! Ibrahim and

Ismail built the Kaaba. Ibrahim and Ismail, one was saved from the

fire and one saved from being sacrificed. Both were representatives

of Allah and were responsible to the people. They were the

architects of the oldest temple of "unity" on this earth, and the first

house of the people." The "free house," the house of love and

worship (Haram), is a symbol of "heavenly privacy".

 

You are in "Ibrahim's position" - right where he stood. The very

last step of his ascension, in Mirajl, is the shortest distance toward

Allah.

 

You, the builder of Kaaba, the architect of the "house of free-

dom", the founder of unity, the enemy of idolatry, the tribal leader,

the fighter against oppression, ignorance and disbelief - now you

build a house, not for yourself, not even a shelter for your son, not

a house for "the people". It is a shelter for those homeless people

who are wounded, tortured or victims of oppression and have no

place to go. Nimrod is following them everywhere ... The Harem

becomes a torch in the middle of this dark night and a cry amidst this

damn oppression! It is secure, clean and free for mankind, the family

of God. Everywhere else is insecure and shameful. The earth has

become a huge polluted house of prostitution.

 

It is a slaughterhouse where everything but aggression and dis-

crimination are forbidden.

 

Now that you are standing in Ibrahim's position and are going to

play his role, live like him, be the architect of the Kaaba of your faith.

Rescue your people frorn the lagoon of their life. Re-breathe life into

their bodies that are numb and dead from the suffering of oppression

and the darkness of ignorance. Encourage them to stand on their

feet and give them direction. Call upon them to come to Hajj, to

Tawaf (circumambulating). After entering Tawaf, denying

selfishness and purifying yourself to adopt the characteristics of

Ibrahim, you have promised God to follow his path. Allah is your

witness.

 

- Make your land a secure land, since you are in a

safe area.

 

- Change your time to a respectful time, as if

you are always in the state of Ihram.

 

- Make the earth a sacred mosque, since you are

in the holy mosque.

 

- Since the earth is the "mosque of Allah".

 

- And you see "that it is not"!

 

 

A MORE IMPORTANT LESSON

 

 

The fact that Imam Hussein left Mecca for Karbala where he

was martyred before completing his Hajj duties taught us a more

important lesson than Shahadat.

 

Hajj was a duty that all his ancestors struggled for. Blood was

shed to vitalize this tradition. He did not finish the ceremonies

amd decided to leave and become a Shaheed!

 

He did not complete his Hajj in order to teach the Hajj makers

those who pray and have faith in Ibrahim's tradition, that if there is

no Imamat and there is not true leadership, if there is no

goal, if "Hussein" is not there and "Yazid" is there, making Tawaf

(Circumambulating) around the house of Allah is equal to making

Tawaf around the idol-house. The people who continued their Tawaf

while he went to Karbala were no better than those who were

circumambulating around the green palace of Muawiyah.

 

"Hajj", the tradition of the idol-fighter Ibrahim, in "God's house"

or the "house of the people"-what is the difference? What is

happening this year? A warm whirlpool of people are busy

circumambulating. All the faces are eager with interest. All the

hearts are burning with love. All the people are answering Allah's

invitation. The love of faith, the glory of Islam, the fear of

God and punishment of the day of judgment and the desire for

worship are pushing the chosen people of the community to

circumambulate around the Kaaba.

 

Among these faces were: the companions of the Prophet

(PBUH), some very early Muslims, the heroes of the Jihads, the con-

querors of the lands of the unbelievers, those who destroyed the

houses of idols on the earth, whose who lived by the Quran and

followed the tradition and spiritual leaders. They were all discarding

all worldly matters. Fully in love with God, they saw paradise

dancing in front of their eyes, houris twinkling at their

righteous faces and angels calling upon them from the sky. While

Gabriel had his wings under their feet, they were busy

circumambulating!

 

Who is the man who so decisively and angrily comes out of the

crowded whirlpool of Muslims and leaves behind the city of

"holiness, security and love"? Now that all the Muslims are facing

toward the Kaaba, where is he going? Why does he not turn around

to see this moving circle where people are cirumambulating the

house of Ibrahim to the music of Nimrod and running between Safa

and Marwa as a show of their useless efforts. From Arafat, which is

the beginning of history, the stage of the first visit of Adam and Eve

on earth, they are taken to Mashar in the darkness. In this land of

consciousness where these slaves of ignorance should not be, they

are asked to sleep all night and by dawn they are moved like the flock

of a beast to the land of Mina. The three evils of trinity are located

here. As a joke with Ibrahim and a trick to Allah, they throw a few

tiny pebbles to the well made-up faces of the three Gods whom they

have been worshipping all their lives. They kill the sheep as a symbol

of their miserable fate.

 

They are like beasts and these three gods, taking advantage of the

meat, skin mild and wool of this animal, have come to power and

decorated their table! These poor people have always been

sacrificed upon the demand of these gods and their red blood is

shed and poured into the vessels of the green palacel, the Zarar

Mosque, and the commonwealth of Croesus. At the end, to show their

obedience to these gods they should shave their heads!

 

Oppressors use ignorance as their tools. These are the

conservative people whose hands lie soaked in the blood of facts. In

the "absence of these people", in any generation and at anytime

there will be ground for "man's martyrdom". Evil is hiding itself

behind the masks of holiness and righteousness. These are the same

Hajj performers who whispered by the idols and sacrificed Ismail in

front of Nimrod with their own hands. Then they celebrated the day

of "human sacrifice" or "the sacrifice of the Ismail of their time."

They turn their backs to the Kaaba and face Q ibla of their miserable

life, saying to themselves "the hell with this world", let's work for the

"paradise of the hereafter"! Feeling happy with the joy of the life after

death, they are sound asleep on the warm ashes of the master's

kitchen floor and enjoy the left overs of the plunderer's table!!!

 

EPILOGUE

POEM BY NASER KHOSROW

 

 

The pilgrims returned with reverence.

They were thankful to the Merciful God.

 

On their way to Mecca from Arafat,

They repeatedly said "Labbaika" with great respect.

 

While tired of experiencing the hardships of the desert of

They rejoiced that they are saved from the torture and the fire.

 

They have performed the Hajj and completed the Umra.

Now, they safely return to their homelands.

 

I took time to go and welcome them back,

Although men of my class did not normally do this.

 

But among the crowd of this caravan,

I had a dear and very sincere friend.

 

I asked him how he accomplished?

This very difficult and fearful trip!

 

I informed him that since he had departed and left me alone

All I could feel was regretfulness and sadness.

 

Now, I am happy thay you performed the Hajj,

And you are the only Hajj in our homeland.

 

Now, tell me, how was your performance?

How did you respect that holy territory?

 

When you were about to remove your clothes and wear the Ihram

What was your "intention" during those exciting moments?

 

Did you absolutely avoid all the things that must be avoided

And whatever is inferior to Almight Allah?

 

He replied NO!

 

I asked him:

If he said "labbaika"

With full knowledge and great respect?

If he heard the command of Allah?

Or, if he obeyed as Ibrahim did?

 

He replied NO!

 

I asked him:

While he was in Arafat,

While he stood so close to Almighty God,

Did he have a chance to know Him?

Was he not eager to learn a bit of the knowledge?

 

He replied NO!

 

I asked him:

When he entered the Kaaba

As the family of "Kahf and Raquim" had done,

Did he deny his self-centeredness?

Did he fear the punishment of the hereafter?

 

He replied NO!

 

I asked him:

When he shot the idols,

Did he think of them as evil?

Did he then avoid wrong deeds?

 

He replied NO!

 

I asked him:

When he offered the sacrifice,

To feed a hungry person or an orphan,

Did he first think of Allah?

And, did he then kill his selfishness?

 

He replied NO!

 

I asked him:

When he stood in Ibrahim's position,

Did he rely absolutely on God?

Sincerely and with strong faith?

 

He said NO!

 

I asked him:

While he cirumambulated,

When he made the Tawaf of Kaaba,

Was he reminded of all the angels,

Who constantly circumambulate this world?

 

He said No!

 

I asked him:

During his Sa'y,

While he was running between Safa and Marwa.

Was he sanctified and purified?

 

He said NO!

 

I asked him:

Now that he had returned from Mecca,

And felt home-sick for the Kaaba

Did he bury his "self" there?

Was he impatient to yo back?

 

He said NO!

 

"Of whatever you have asked me so far,

I have understood nothing!!!"

 

I said:

Oh friend, you have not performed the Hajj!

And, you have not obeyed God!

 

You went to Mecca and visited the Kaaba!

You spent your money to buy the hardships of the desert!

 

If you do decide to go to Hajj again,

Try to perform it as I have instructed you!