Hajj: Striving towards idealism

As I watched the events in Charlottesville unfold, my heart was saddened with despair. Each passing year brings great technical advancement to our society in the shape of phones, tablets, robots, and much more, but it also seems that these new gadgets are also taking over our brains and our hearts. It seems as many components of our lives advance, our sense or morality, compassion, and empathy retreat. Racism and intolerance has been artificially rooted for many centuries, but its prevalence in our time is quite shocking nevertheless.

We all know that Malcolm X lived in a time in which society was deeply entrenched in racism. His father was brutally murdered when Malcolm was still a child; then, he saw his mother suffer by the pressures of the racist system. He saw his own aspirations of becoming a lawyer denied by a white schoolteacher who suggested Malcolm would be better of in a lowly profession. He saw the street life and the prison life of America and the racism and negativity associated with them. After living through all those experiences, Malcolm X visited Makkah to perform pilgrimage, embracing the religion of Islam. When he arrived at the House of Allah, as millions of pilgrims do each year, he saw all races, literally from every corner of the earth coming together in total brotherhood. No hostilities, no violence, and no hatred were present. This was complete brotherhood, without artificially constructed divides.

Now one may argue that this was a very idealistic representation of the Muslim world and that it’s not like that in reality. Perhaps it only occurs in Makkah during the Hajj season. But, we must understand that it is the ideal of human beings that raise us to a higher level. By aspiring towards ideals we are able to create a better reality, so even if it doesn’t attain to the ideal, at least it approximates it. However, when we can no longer aspire, what hope do we have as human beings?

So while the brotherhood displayed during Hajj may not be truly reflective of our societies, it certainly is a demonstration of what it can be. It is the realization of human potential and the realization of Islam that has had such a profound impact on the lives of so many people. And for Malcolm too, the impact was overwhelming.

As Muslims, it’s very important to carry the lesson of brotherhood and humility that we learn from Hajj. The day of Eid serves as a reminder for us; to submit to the commands of Allah. No matter wherever we are and whatever condition we are in, when the command of Allah reaches us, the response of our hearts must be that of complete submission.

I pray that, all those who have gone for Hajj this year, that Allah accepts from them and returns them safely to their families. It is with a sincere heart, that I wish you and all your loved ones a very blessed and joyous Eid.