Hajj: A Journey of Love
Imam Kadhim (AS) went to Mecca for Hajj pilgrimage on foot several times.
Hajj has been a reference for time and date. Even centuries before the advent of Islam and even Judaism, Prophet Shuaib (AS) told Moses (AS) that he would marry one of his daughters to him on the condition that Moses (AS) help him for eight Hajjs. He used eight Hajjs instead of eight years.
Taking the Hajj pilgrimage is like contemplating the Quran as one learns new things every time.
Hajj is not a journey the depth of which can be comprehended through books, papers, poems, etc.
Someone told Imam Ali (AS) that he hears new things from him about Hajj for years. Imam replied: Are you expecting the secrets of Hajj to have an ending?
There is no government in the world, no matter how wealthy and powerful it is, that can make so many people from around the world go a place in the desert so passionately and enthusiastically.
No only people are urged to go to Hajj but the wealthy are also urged to help others make the pilgrimage.
The Hajj pilgrimage is a trip to Mecca where the Holy Ka’aba is. In order to recognize the sanctity of the Ka’aba, it is enough to know that everything from slaughtering an animal to placing the corps in the grave should be done facing the Ka’aba.
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It is so dear that fighting battles next to it is forbidden.
It is so dear that Abraham (AS) and Ismail (AS) should be its servants and no one but the pious have the right to be its custodian.
It is so dear that Imam Sadiq (AS) would get off the camel near Mecca and walked the rest of the way with barefoot.
It is so dear that anyone meeting those who go to Hajj and return home will be rewarded by God.
After Salah and Zakat, it may be Hajj that most verses of the Quran are about.
So this pilgrimage should not be taken lightly.
In Hadiths, Hajj pilgrims are urged to inform others of the journey before making it and bring gifts and souvenir on return.
It would be a pity if this divine journey is undermined with corrupt intentions or trivial goals. According to Hadiths, in the end of times, kings go to Mecca for entertainment, traders for earning money, the needy for begging, and Quran reciters for pretention.
