Page 55 - The Vision of Islam

The Vision of Isla m

To this end, the Kabah was made the centre for the gathering
of all Muslims:
“We made the House (Kabah) a resort and a sanctuary for
mankind. Saying: ‘Make the place where Abraham stood a house
of worship” (2:125).
It is this central position of the Kabah which has been described
in the Quran as Qiyaman Linnas, a means of support (5:97). This is
fundamental to Makkah being the international meeting place of
Muslims. It has been thus appointed so that Muslims from all over
the world may gather there, worship their God and a universal
campaign to convey the message of God be organised. That is
the real status of the House of God. The other things are thus
subservient to this main object.
People, therefore, have been enjoined by God to return from
Hajj with the feeling of celebrating God’s glory, a feeling very
different from that of describing the glory of their ancestors,
which had been their practice prior to Islam.
Those who consider Hajj only a ‘pilgrimage’ and who regard the
increasing number of pilgrims as a matter of prestige should pay
heed to what Abdullah bin Abbas had to say about this (as recorded
by Abu Nu‘aym):
“I love to look after the members of a Muslim household for
a month, or a week, or so long as God wills, more than I love to
perform one Hajj after another.” (Hilyatul Auliya, Vol. 1).
To ensure the continuity of the actual purpose of this work (of
propagating the message of God) this world Muslim centre has
been made a protected place. It was ordered that the House would
be only for those who promised faith in God.
“We covenanted with Ibrahim and Ismail that they should
sanctify My House for those who walk round it, or use it as a retreat,
and who kneel and prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).” (2:125)
For the material needs of the community, Abraham prayed to
God: ‘Lord,’ said Abraham, ‘make this a land of peace and bestow
upon its people an abundance of the earth’s fruits.’ (2:126) God
answered this prayer, and this city has remained prosperous for
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