Reisul-hudžadž Avdibegović: Hajj is the sanctity of the goal

(Patria) - Hajj is the ultimate testimony of faith and it reflects the sanctity of the goal of every pilgrim, stated the reisul-hudžadž of this year's pilgrims from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nusret-ef. Abdibegović.

In an interview with MINA Agency, conducted in the immediate vicinity of the Prophet's Mosque in Medina and before the departure of the last groups of our pilgrims to their homeland, Abdibegović reminded of the blessedness of Mecca and Medina, which is a clear sign of God's mercy.

“Pilgrims are chosen people who come to a blessed place, and they become blessed. Because Mecca without pilgrims would not be blessed. They give what they have, and they take what Mecca has - and that is the sanctity, the blessing, the trace left on the Hill of Mercy by Adam a.s., and his Hazrat Eve.

The cradle of human civilization is on that hill, where the two of them met, where they decided to live a human life, which is also suffering, and joy, and fatigue, and sweat, and relief, and joy, and sadness - everything meets there. Our pilgrims this year are part of that overall spiritual religious believer's environment, who have come to visit holy places in search of sublimity,” emphasized Abdibegović.

He explained that the earthly Kaaba is a prototype of the heavenly one and that angels circle the heavenly Kaaba, while people circle the earthly one.

“That physical and spiritual connection that happens in the space of Mecca evokes all those chaste souls who set out as pilgrims, stay as pilgrims, and return as pilgrims.

Because, Hajj becomes a jewel in the crown of a person's Islam. With Hajj, a person closes their pyramid of Islam. There are four sides - Shahada, prayer, fasting, zakat, but Hajj covers it. One who becomes a pilgrim guards themselves, first by performing what is commanded, and even more so by not doing what is forbidden, because a pilgrim becomes a role model, an example, they are the embodiment of goodness,” stressed the reisul-hudžadž.

In that context, entering the holy space, at a holy time, opens up a holy goal. “During Hajj, we think much more about God, and less about the world and what we have left in Bosnia, while in Bosnia we think much more about the life we are surrounded by, than about the One Who created us. That is why Hajj is about balancing and seeking balance within that, because it is not by chance that wearing ihrams symbolizes shrouds,” he stated.

Hajj as an act of worship is full of symbolism, and symbols should be studied and observed, added Abdibegović.

“The sanctity of Arafat, Muzdalifah, the profanity of Mina, is one of those oscillations that move and can be reflected in Hajj. There is a constant presence of the sacred and the profane, the spiritual and the material, the good and the not-so-good. In that context, Hajj is complete devotion and fulfillment of a person's Islam, its manifestation. But when does it come? When it is filled with iman. A person demonstrates their Islam when they are filled with iman,” he pointed out.<

The building of personality begins through collectivity, assessed Abdibegović, but the Islamic approach to building personality is through individuality.

"Through the mission, we must approach people individually, open their souls, hearts, enter that hidden space. Because, when people let you inside themselves, their being, then you will easily be their advisor, but if you build through massiveness, without fundamental values, then we will not achieve the goal. That is why the Prophet, peace be upon him, built Mecca only as faith, he asked the Meccans to believe, only later did he come to Medina where he created a social environment.

Mecca is the building of personality, and Medina is the building of civilization and society. Society is built with the individual, faith is accepted individually, and manifested through the collective. Hajj is a collective manifestation of the Ummah of God's Messenger,” emphasized the reisul-hudžadž.

Hajj has an even greater role that the Ummah does not discuss today, believes Abdibegović. As he points out, Hajj should address universal values, which the Prophet pointed out on his last Hajj.

The civilization we live in is a civilization of materialism and profane values, not a civilization of wisdom, intelligent and great people, pointed out Abdibegović, and Hajj also reminds of the obligation to commit to good.

“That is the period that the Prophet found in Mecca, which is why the idea of tawhid, the idea of doing good, emerged. Today, there are few who sacrifice, give, and help, who do good for people. What motivates a person to do good? It is ideals, holy goals, to show that it is reasonable for God to have created man. It is inherent in man to be good. A wave of misfortune and wandering can appear, but the principle is returning to good. Who does this - intelligent, wise, pious, good people. Returning to truth is returning to God.

Worship is a form of nurturing the soul, and reviving the awareness of God. We achieve this through acts of worship, including Hajj,” concluded Nusret-ef. Abdibegović.

Abdibegović recently retired from the position of Mufti of Banja Luka. On this occasion, he expressed particular satisfaction with the fact that he was honored to be the reisul-hudžadž, and thus contribute to the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina in organizing this year's Hajj.

“This year's Hajj remains significant, personally for me, but also significant for our pilgrims. I feel that we have achieved success in the overall organization of the fifth fundamental duty. I have been following the organization of Hajj since 1980. I have noticed that this year the bar has been raised, to an enviable level. Our pilgrims, our Islamic Community, our public deserve this, and I am happy that every year, in blessed places, we have our representatives,” said Mufti Abdibegović.