ISLAM is a global religion. The Prophet of Islam, Muhammad ibn Abdullah, who was the last messenger of God, was assigned to spread the teachings of Islam to all, regardless of race and culture.
This is mentioned in verse 107 of Surah alAnbiya’ to the effect that: “We sent thee not, but as a mercy for all creatures.” Islam is not a religion only for the Arabs or for any particular group of people. It is a way of life or al-deen for everyone.
In his last sermon to the pilgrims performing the haj, the Prophet was reported as saying: “There is no advantage of an Arab over an Ajam, and there is no advantage of an Ajam over an Arab. Nor is there advantage of a red-skinned man over a whiteskinned man. All of you are descendants of Adam, and Adam was created with the elements of the earth. Indeed the most noble in the sight of God are those who are pious among you.” As Islam transcends socio-cultural barriers, we can see today there are approximately 1.3 billion Muslims across the globe. Islam enjoins its believers to respect one another and forge unity between people of different races.
This is in consonant with the words of God in the famous verse in the Quran, verse 13 of Surah al-Hujurat, which is translated thus: “O’ mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well-acquainted with all things.” The act of knowing each other is manifested wonderfully in the act of haj which is the fifth pillar of Islam. Haj literally means “to set out towards a definite objective”. The objective here refers to the Ka’abah in Masjid al-Haram and the fulfilment of prescribed pilgrimage rites.
Haj is also referred to as the pilgrimage to Mecca. It is an obligation for adult Muslims in full possession of their faculties. The other prerequisite is having sufficient funds to make provision for themselves and the families left behind during the haj.
We see that during the performance of haj, people from all corners of the world would gather in the Holy City of Mecca al-Mukaramah to fulfil their obligations.
Men and women — regardless of skin colour, race and socio-economic backgrounds — wear the same clothing, the ihram, signifying the unified ummah. This is globalisation in action, where we see with our own eyes the formation of a global village during the haj.
Kings and peasants, rich and the poor, all gather in one place to seek the pleasure of God. Islam encourages such interaction and what better way than through the haj.
During this ibadah, Muslims who may never have thought of seeing other cultures and other races of the world are given the opportunity to do so.
In truth, the performance of haj is not simply an act of worship. It is more, it provides Muslims an opportunity to widen their perspective and worldview.
The ibadah of haj allows us to see the might of Allah in that He has created many races and many cultures. Haj enables Muslims to see this with their own eyes and allows them to ponder the importance of maintaining peace and understanding.
In a manner of speaking, haj is a madrasah or school every Muslim must go through to learn the importance of unity in diversity. As a matter of fact, all the acts of worship prescribed in Islam are “schools” in their own right.
The compulsory daily prayer is a school that needs to be attended on a daily basis. The fasting during Ramadan is an annual school that needs to be attended for a whole month in a year. The haj, meanwhile, is a school that needs attending at least once in the life of a Muslim.
Going back to haj, we see that there are many lessons. One is to understand the essence of unity.
Indeed, haj shows that there can be unity in diversity. Despite the diverse backgrounds of the Muslims performing the ibadah of haj, there is a single and powerful factor that unites all Muslims.
Faith in the Oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad is the driving factor in the unity of Muslims.
The assemblage of people of all hues for the single purpose of securing the blessings of God is in itself an exercise in training in peace, tolerance and love. This unity shown during the performance of haj should be continued and practised even after the end of the haj season. This is because of the strength that can be derived from unity.
When a community is united, it is difficult for anyone to break it down. There is no point having 1.3 billion Muslims around the globe if they do not unite. When Muslims are not united, it is easy for others to manipulate and exert control.
Perhaps, at this juncture, we should ponder a reminder by the Prophet of Islam when he said to the effect that: “Between one believer and another believer is akin to a building, where one block strengthens the other.” This should be the philosophical approach towards unity.
Muslims of today should learn from history the need for a united ummah. The time for bickering and squabbling is long gone. The 21st century is a crucial time for Muslims. It demands they stand united to face the challenges of the post-modern world.
The ibadah of haj provides the opportunity for Muslims to get to know one another and forge new friendships among Muslims of different nationalities. This should be a starting point towards a unified Muslim ummah on a global scale.