The Beauty of Islam
One of the beauties of Islam is that it connects us with the past and the future. It connects us with the experiences of the past and the physical and practical experiences of the future. For example Allah says in Surah Al An'am
"Travel through the earth and see what was the end of those who rejected truth."
(Chapter 6, verse 11)
Islam takes you to the past and shows you all of what the Qur’an narrates. You sometimes feel as though you have experienced it. For example, the trials and tribulations that of Prophet Joseph (as) experienced.
Islam also tells you and can make you feel something of the future. For example when you visit Masjid Nabawi in Madinah there is a spot inside the Masjid that is call Ar-Rawdah An-Nabawiyah. Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said “the area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens of Paradise”. So you have the opportunity to actually go to and sit in Paradise, even in this world.
One of the most mature and best experience a believer can have in this world is making the scared pilgrimage. This is why Hajj is the last of the fundamental principles mentioned. Hajj is obligatory on those who could afford it, so you must have some wealth. However, your wealth can help you up to a certain point in this world. For example your wealth can allow you to reach Makkah, but it is practically useless once you enter into a state of Ihram.
Hajj is like a rehearsal for the hereafter. First of all, the pilgrim puts on Ihraam. This makes you feel as though you have nothing materially. Just like this everyone will be resurrected, i.e. without anything materially.
ThenAllah says that on the Day of Ressuraction His Arsh will be lowered and everyone will be moving towards it and this is like the tawaf and sai the Hujjaj makes.
Allah says:
And the angels will be on the sides; and eight will, that Day bear the Throne of thy Lord above them. That Day shall ye be brought to Judgment. (69:17-18)
On the plain of Arafat when the sun begins to set you see all the pilgrims begging and weeping to Allah . After all the rituals are complete you then go to Madinah al Munawarah and benefit from this blessed city.
Madinah is completely different from Makkah. Madinah is peaceful and tranquil, and this is possibly why Allah has designated a piece of Jannah in Masjid Nabawi.
Allah has connected the whole of mankind, past, present and future, regardless of age, gender and race. We should always keep this in mind especially when going for Hajj. As during the actual every one loses his or her identity. While performing the haj rituals, everyone is equal in the sight of Allah .
Use the blessings what He has bestowed upon you to get closer to Him, just as how the haji can go to perform the haj if he or she has the material assets to purchase the tickets, etc; so too, a person can use the material gifts given to him by Allah to prepare a place in the Garden of Bliss, by sending before him "savings" in the form of charity, etc. which he makes available for those in need. By so doing Allah will, insha Allah, provide for him in the Hereafter.
Be thankful to Him for what He has bestowed on you and use it to benefit you in this life as well as in the next. Do not find faults with what He has bestowed upon you, and do not believe that He loves others more than you. He gives you what is best for you, and your success depends on how you use it for your benefit in both the worlds.
We beg Allah to enlighten us, bless us and may He enable us to be among the rightous, insha Allah.
