As-salaamu `alaykum wa rahmatullaah
“And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant mountain highway.” [al-Hajj: 27]
Believe it or not, this is one verse that never ceases to bring a tear to my eyes – and to me it’s simply because it addresses the core matter of this great Faith: Tawheed – and all that links to it of obedience and response, struggle and asceticism, unity and equality.
The pilgrims do indeed come from every deep and distant mountain highway, on foot and on every lean camel. Notice how the ayah mentions the word ‘Dhaamir’ – i.e. the camel (or riding animal) itself arrives fatigued, worn out and thin. Looking back at history when the means were so little, how many a people lost their way in those deep and distant mountain paths, how many a travelling caravan met their end in those deserts and in the intense heat… a physical, mental, and financial struggle to fulfil a duty that Mankind owe to Allah.
This is not any small matter, it’s about a single command of Allaah `azza wa jall, a single call of Ibraheem (`alayhisalaam), the ultimate balaagh (conveyance) and the magnificent response of a blessed jamaa’ah & Ummah lead by a blessed Messenger (salawaatullahi `alayhi)
I have yet to be blessed with making this incredible journey and I ask Allaah, jalla fi ‘ulaa that soon I too, pay my duties to Him in the precincts and internals of baitullaah al-`ateeq
Now that Yawm al-’Arafah has departed, the day that combines prayer & fasting, remembrance of God & du’a, Hajj & struggle… we meet the Ayyaam al-Ma’loomaat (appointed days) – ‘Eid and the Ayyam al-Tashreeq (10th, 11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah) 
“…and mention the Name of Allah on appointed days” [al-Hajj: 28]
Let’s increase our ibaadah, our dhikr (remembrance of Allaah), especially those prescribed in the Sunnah (of tahleel, tasbeeh, takbeer and tahmeed)
Taqabbal’Allaahu minnaa wa minkum – ghafarallaahu lanaa wa lakum jamee’an
May Allaah accept (our deeds) from us and from you and may He forgive us and you all
“In it (al-bait al-haram) are manifest signs, the Maqam (place) of Ibrahim; whosoever enters it, he attains security. And the pilgrimage to the House (Ka’bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford it; and whoever disbelieves, then Allah stands not in need of any of Mankind” [Aal-'Imraan: 97]
~ Eid Sa’eed ~
Kulli `aam wa antum bi-khayr
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