I begin with the name of Allah the most merciful and the most kind, peace and blessing be upon beloved Prophet (S.A.W) All praise is for Allah.

Hajj (pilgrimage) is one of the unique principles or foundations of Islam. It is fardh (obligatory) on every male and female who is Baligh (reached the age of maturity), enjoys fairly good health and is financially fit.

Allah says in the Holy Quran: "And (it is) an obligation of Allah on the people (both male and female Muslims) to perform Hajj of His House, that who has got the capacity to make his way towards it, and who so disbelieves then God does not care the worlds…" (Surah No.3 Al-e-Imran Verse 97)

Concerning this spiritual journey of Allah's love the last beloved Prophet of Allah has said: "Whosoever possesses provisions and conveyance for a journey to the House of Allah but in spite of this does not performs Hajj, then his dying is like the dying of a Jew of Christian" (Narrated by Tirmidhi)

LABBAIK, ALLAHUMMA LABBAIK ............

Meaning -" Here I am before Thee O Allah, Here I am in Your presence. Before Thee I am. There is no partner unto You. Here I am (O my Lord) verily all praise and blessings are Thine and power, there is no partner unto Thee". The more they recite these words of Talbiya to enlighten their hearts with Allah's love, the more they acquaint themselves with the spiritual and historical environment of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAAW). Hence they derive warm inspiration and strengthen their faith.

KABAH AND THE BLACK STONE (HAJAR-AL-ASWAD)

It must be noted down by all of us that the servants of Allah go to Makkah in glory of their Lord not to kiss a stone or worship the Kabah. However kissing Hajar-al-Aswad is but only a demonstration of the love of Holy Prophet (SAAW) who laid the stone at the foundation of the Kabah at the time when it was rebuilt. That event has a special significance for all Muslims.

It clearly proves that the last Messenger of Allah Muhammad (SAAW) was designated for peace, love harmony and mercy for all the worlds. To settle a long standing dispute the Prophet Muhammad (SAAW) placed the Black stone in a large cloth and asked all the tribal chieftains to hold it together and restore it on such a way that everyone had his portion in the honour of restoring the Black stone. Hence the moral story of the Black Stone is that when pilgrims kiss the stone or point at it with reverence they do so in remembrance of their beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAAW).

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE JOURNEY OF HAJJ & OTHER JOURNEYS

The journey of Hajj is totally for achieving the love of Allah by following the ways of His beloved Prophets (May peace and blessings be upon all of them). It makes the Muslim confirm his or her commitment to Allah and his readiness to sacrifice the material interest in His obedience. It commemorates the divine ritual observed by the beloved Prophet Ibrahim (AS) his son Ishmaeel (AS) and his wife Hajira (AS).

IHRAM -THE CLOTHING OF THE PILGRIM

The male pilgrim adorns two unsewn sheets of cloth and a pair of sandals and the female pilgrim uses her day to day simple clothes that cover her body - paying particular attention to the fact that not a single hair must be visible outside her head covering. The Ihram itself symbolises that whatever social, political, intellectual or financial status is possessed by the Hajji - they are all present to their Lord in the same way with no distinction amongst them. They all say the Dua to express their climax of love to their Lord.

RESPECT OF SHARIAH (ALLAH'S COMMANDMENTS) & SYMPATHY FOR HIS CREATURES

The pilgrims follow the commandments of Allah without any doubt and show great sympathy and compassion for the creatures of Allah. Millions of Hajji's become the source of providing good food to millions of people around the world by offering sacrifice. It has now become the great source of human relief as many Muslims who do not perform Hajj also offer sacrifice by slaughtering animals to provide food for their families, friends and those in need.