Grounding the Values of Social Piety and the Pilgrimage and Qurban in Al-Haqq
The pilgrimage and sacrifice are obligations for every Muslim, containing values of steadfastness and sacrifice that are now enshrined in the verses of the Quran as a reminder to His servants to always fulfill their obligation to worship Allah SWT.
Then We revealed to you (Muhammad): “Follow the religion of Ibrahim, a man of pure faith, and he was not one of those who associated others with Allah.” (QS. An-Nahl : 123)
It is undeniable that every human being, regardless of religion, has a natural interest in worshiping and communicating with their God. Therefore, God wisely determines a specific place for every religious community to gather to worship and communicate in order to draw closer to Him.
For the followers of the religion of Ibrahim AS, Allah SWT has designated the holy land of Mecca as the place to perform the rituals of Hajj and sacrifice since Ibrahim AS and Ismail AS received the mandate of worship, until the Prophet Muhammad SAW was sent to perfect the rituals mandated by Allah SWT to his two ancestors.
After Khalilullah Ibrahim AS finished building the House of Allah, he was told: “O Ibrahim, call upon and command mankind to perform the Hajj!”
Ibrahim said: “O Lord, how can I do that, when my voice does not reach them (because they are far away and there is no one around him)”.
Allah SWT said, “Do it (call upon them) and I will convey it to them”.
Then the Prophet Ibrahim climbed the hill of Abi Qais and shouted: “O mankind, indeed Allah has commanded you all to perform the Hajj at this House of Allah, so that you may be rewarded/enter Paradise and be saved from Hell. Perform the Hajj!”
In response to this call, every human being in the loins of men and the wombs of women answered with a beautiful phrase, the talbiah: “Labbaikallahumma Labbaik, Labbaika La Syarika Laka Labbaik, Innal Hamda Wan Ni’mata Laka Wal Mulk La Syarikalak.”
Read also: https://www.dompetdhuafa.org/dalil-perintah-berkurban-dalam-al-quran-dan-hadits/
Ibn Abbas said that this was the origin of the talbiyah being recited, namely when Allah SWT commanded Ibrahim to call upon mankind to perform the hajj. (Al Qurthuby 2:2097). Regarding this event, Allah SWT immortalized it in the Quran as written above (QS. 22:27-28).
Read also: https://www.dompetdhuafa.org/memaknai-ibadah-haji-dan-kurban-bagian-dua-2/
Performing the Hajj Pilgrimage Amidst a Pandemic
Every year, millions of pilgrims from all over the world flock to the two holy cities to fulfill the fifth pillar of Islam, the Hajj pilgrimage. In 2020 and 2021, Indonesia faced the challenge of not being able to send pilgrims for the second consecutive year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. And, thank God, in 2022, the pandemic situation is more conducive and the world is improving.
We hope and pray to Allah that this year and in the future, conditions will continue to improve, and that Indonesia will be able to send Allah’s guests again to join millions of Muslims from various backgrounds, tribes, and nations, blending together in the same worship in the holy land. Certainly, their hearts are full of hope that the worship that is obligatory once in a lifetime will be accepted as a mabrur hajj.
Moreover, the reward for a mabrur hajj is the best reward. The Prophet Muhammad SAW said: “…and there is no reward for a mabrur hajj except paradise” (HR. Bukhari and Muslim).
It is a rule that Allah SWT does not command something unless there is a benefit in it, something good for humans, and does not prohibit something unless there is harm in it. The verse above states, “Liyasyhaduu Manaafi’a Lin Naas” so that they may witness the many benefits/advantages of the Hajj pilgrimage. (Dompet Dhuafa / AFQ / Dhika Prabowo)