Post by MarineLiner on Mar 11, 2004 4:12:09 GMT -5
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Thursday, 3/11/2004, 19 Muharram, 1425 Hijrah
5 - Hajj is the pilgrimage to the Kaa'ba in Makkah at least once in a lifetime, provided one has the means to undertake the journey. Hajj trains the souls to spend time and physical effort, seeking to obey God. This is why the Hajj is considered a type of jihad (struggle).
These fruits of performing the pillars of Islam, along with many others we did not mention, make the Muslim nation pure and clean. They lead the nation to preserving the religion of Truth and dealing with the creation in the best manners of justice and truthfulness. All other acts of the religion depend on how well these pillars are preserved. The Ummah (Muslim nation) can reach success as long as its members preserve the religion. This Ummah will not reach the desired success as long as the religion is not fully respected and preserved.
Whoever wants to be certain of the above mentioned facts, let him read the following Ayat (verses):
"And if the people of the towns had believed and had piety, certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the Messengers). So We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (of evil deeds). Did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our punishment by night while they were asleep? Or, did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our punishment in the forenoon while they play? Did they then feel secure against the plot of Allâh? None feels secure form the plot of Allâh except the people who are lost." (Qur'ân, 7:96-99)
Let him also read the history of previous nations, which gives valuable lessons for whoever is in possession of a mind that comprehends and is rightly guided. This history is a light for those whose hearts are not blocked from the truth. All our dependence is upon God.