Did Hussain Really End His Hajj?
It was in the year 60 AH (680 CE) when Imam Hussain and his family intended to perform the Islamic pilgrimage of Hajj. However, Hussain had found out that the followers of the tyrant caliph, Yazid, have entered Mecca as pilgrims intending to kill him. Muslims as pilgrims are to be in a complete state of spiritual and physical peace, they’re not even allowed to scratch themselves in fear of hurting the body God blessed them with. Yazid’s followers entered Mecca as pilgrims with intentions of manslaughter; which proves the path they’re following is not the path of God or his prophet. Hussain thus shortened his pilgrimage and was ordered to leave. Amid the vast crowd of pilgrims, he announced that he was leaving for the people of Kufa (in Iraq) whom have asked him to be their savior from Yazid and declared that he would be martyred in efforts of doing so. He then asked for their support in protecting their religion of Islam & upholding the values of truth and justice during his journey.
There are many reasons that Hussain was ordered by god to leave Mecca abruptly instead of waiting to finish his pilgrimage. One of them was that he wanted to preserve the sanctity of Mecca & hajj and avoid any bloodshed or revolt in it. Another was that if he was killed while performing his pilgrimage, the vast number of pilgrims coming from all around the world would keep the murderer’s identity anonymous.
It is important to note that Imam Hussain left to Karbala with his family; which symbolizes him coming in peace and not intending to kill or fight. Many sermons show these intentions.
A few hours before his departure he visited the graves of his beloved for the last time; the prophet Muhammad, his mother Fatima, and his brother Hassan. He set out on his journey with his family the next day; not fearful for his life, but the livelihood of Islam. This heroism and courage is proven by his knowledge of his death in Karbala, yet still willingly walking to his own death with valor. As he left, he recited the verse of the Quran which speaks about the story of Prophet Musa as he fled from the Pharaoh of Egypt, “O my Lord! Save me from people given to wrong-doing” [28:21]
It is important to note that Imam Hussain left to Karbala with his family; which symbolizes him coming in peace and not intending to kill or fight. Many sermons show these intentions.
A few hours before his departure he visited the graves of his beloved for the last time; the prophet Muhammad, his mother Fatima, and his brother Hassan. He set out on his journey with his family the next day; not fearful for his life, but the livelihood of Islam. This heroism and courage is proven by his knowledge of his death in Karbala, yet still willingly walking to his own death with valor. As he left, he recited the verse of the Quran which speaks about the story of Prophet Musa as he fled from the Pharaoh of Egypt, “O my Lord! Save me from people given to wrong-doing” [28:21]
{ قَالَ رَبِّ نَجِّنِى مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الظّٰلِمِينَ }
Although the rituals of Hajj are highly important in Islam, Hussain had a more important goal to accomplish. It would be incorrect to say that Hussain abandoned his Hajj that year; Imam Hussain left the ritualistic Hajj to perform its true essence which is embodied in his sacrifice and bloodshed in Karbala.
Many of the ritualistic acts of Hajj are symbolized within the tragedy of Karbala, notably being the slaughter on Eid Al-Adh’ha. Eid Al-Adh’ha is a day of gratitude celebrated in thankfulness that God spared the grief of Prophet Ibrahim and Ismael from the slaughter ordered by Him. However, our joy doesn’t last long because it is replaced by the Great Slaughter (mentioned in the Quran [37:104-148]), the slaughter of Hussain son of Ali. The separation between Ibrahim and Ismael that was spared reminds us of Imam Hussain’s separation from his son, Ali Al-Akbar.
Many of the ritualistic acts of Hajj are symbolized within the tragedy of Karbala, notably being the slaughter on Eid Al-Adh’ha. Eid Al-Adh’ha is a day of gratitude celebrated in thankfulness that God spared the grief of Prophet Ibrahim and Ismael from the slaughter ordered by Him. However, our joy doesn’t last long because it is replaced by the Great Slaughter (mentioned in the Quran [37:104-148]), the slaughter of Hussain son of Ali. The separation between Ibrahim and Ismael that was spared reminds us of Imam Hussain’s separation from his son, Ali Al-Akbar.
When we think of the plight of Prophet Ibrahim’s wife, Lady Hajar, in fetching water for her son, we are reminded of Hussain’s pain watching his youngest son, Ali Al-Asghar, gruesomely murdered in his arm for being a thirsty infant. The enemies cut Hussain along with his family and companions of any water as they suffered in the scorching hot desert of Karbala. As pilgrims rush to attain blessings of the holy water of Zamzam, they are reminded of that deprivation.
The distance between Safa and Marwa is the same distance between the holy shrines of Hussain and his brother Abbas, and this is certainly not a coincidence.
The distance between Safa and Marwa is the same distance between the holy shrines of Hussain and his brother Abbas, and this is certainly not a coincidence.
The pilgrims wear their Ehraams (Hajj clothing) for the sake of God, and Imam Hussain wore his ehraam of suit and armor for the sake of God and his message. Only for his ehraam to be drenched in his blood and shred into pieces.
The stage of Hajj where the pilgrims go to Mina and the final sacrifice is made, symbolizes our intention and willingness to sacrifice everything we love for God, just like Imam Hussain did.
And finally, when pilgrims circumbulate the Ka’aba, they are reminded of the honor God gave the prophet Ibrahim in rebuilding His sacred house. They are also reminded of the rebuilding of the righteous Islam by Imam Hussain when he offered his blood for his religion and beliefs, which was on its way to corruption and deviation in the hands of the ruling tyrants.
The stage of Hajj where the pilgrims go to Mina and the final sacrifice is made, symbolizes our intention and willingness to sacrifice everything we love for God, just like Imam Hussain did.
And finally, when pilgrims circumbulate the Ka’aba, they are reminded of the honor God gave the prophet Ibrahim in rebuilding His sacred house. They are also reminded of the rebuilding of the righteous Islam by Imam Hussain when he offered his blood for his religion and beliefs, which was on its way to corruption and deviation in the hands of the ruling tyrants.