On Being Allah’s Guest

(This article is translated to English version by Lanny Octavia and edited by Jonathan Zilberg, previously published in Indonesian on 28/2/2005)

Muslims on pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) are perceived as being the guests of Allah. They are visiting Baitullah (Allah’s home) to “meet” Allah - the Creator of universe. During this meeting, they communicate and converse intensely with their Creator and this dialogue should result in significant changes in their attitudes.

The hajj is a transformational journey in which Muslims are reborn and enlightened. Meeting with Allah results in a personal transformation and a rediscovery of the substance underlying Islamic teaching. Thus those who perform the hajj should rediscover a purity in life and commit themselves to a life marked by equality in which they make no distinctions between one person and another. However, there is no guarantee that those who perform the hajj will meet God and indeed, many Muslims who perform the hajj are not significantly transformed by the experience - they are not able to contextualize the hajj into their lives. Thus for many, the hajj is merely an external symbol of social status and religious piety.

The Muslim communities, particularly those who have performed the hajj, have to review its meaning and objective. In essence, the hajj is a journey which retraces Abraham’s conversion to monotheism which was afterward re-actualized by the prophet Muhammad. Therein Abraham is the father of monotheism who originally asserted the oneness of God (tawheed) and the need to abandon paganism.  Thus monotheism is an expression of liberation from the oppression and injustice which characterized pantheistic societies. Moreover, God’s oneness supposes the existence of a single humanity, that is, of the essential equality of all humans. In this regard, the teachings of monotheism should stimulate a strong sense of humanity amongst its believers.

The Prophet Muhammad, elaborating upon Abraham’s teaching in the Koran, affirmed the One God as a transcendent and immanent entity. Therein God as absolute is not only before and beyond everything but he also accompanies man. God is close and always wants to converse with us. Believers have to accept this truth and make it the foundation of their life’s journey.

The core concepts in monotheism which are reinforced during the hajj are those of simultaneously respecting human equality and diversity. The prophet’s sermon at hajj wada, his last pilgrimage, illustrated these universal values.  In this last hajj, the Prophet affirmed the duty humans have to respect each other’s souls and assets. Such values endorsed in ihram ritual obliges those who perform hajj to all wear the same clothing in order to symbolize human equality.

Through performing the hajj, Muslims are expected to realize these messages and implement them. In doing so, they are expected to become betterhumans who impersonate the attributes of Allah - wisdom, just, peaceful and loving.

In addition, they have to practice the Prophet’s values - honesty, love and humility. Hence after going on the hajj, they have to turn towards putting into practice the ideals of social solidarity, justice, equality and peace. This is why the hajj is only required to be performed once in a lifetime - as the Prophet did. Ultimately, the significance of the hajj lies in its nature as a form of dialogue with Allah and the actualization of the Prophet’s values.

In this dialogue with Allah, people can reflect upon the limits and defects of their religiosity. If they admit their shortcomings sincerely, the Creator will show them the right way towards a perfect life.
If all Indonesians who perform the hajj are able to engage in a dialogue with Allah and actualize his divine message, peace would come naturally to this country and justice, equality, and social solidarity will become the foundation for life.

Abd A’la Author of “From Neo-Modernism toward Liberal Islam” Published by Paramadina Jakarta, 2003; Lecturer of Master Program of IAIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya