Quranic Reflections - Islamic School of Stanford

Hajj and the scenes of the Day of Judgment
The Ayahs start afterwards to depict the horrors of that day, so you can feel as if you
see them in front of your eyes: “The Day you shall see it, every nursing mother will
forget her nursling, and every pregnant one will drop her load, and you shall see
mankind as in a drunken state, yet they will not be drunken, but severe will be
the Torment of Allah” (TMQ, 22: 2).
The Ayahs then shift to resurrection and the scene of people getting out of their
graves, with dust covering their faces and bodies. Hence, the Ayah reminds us that all
people were originally created from dust. “O mankind! If you are in doubt about
the Resurrection, then verily We have created you (i.e. Adam) from dust…”
(TMQ, 22: 5).
After two days of wearing the Hajj clothes, you become covered with dust from tip to
toe. What is more important is when you perform the Hajj exactly as the Prophet
(SAWS) did. If you decide to spend your night at Mozdalifa, you see most of the
people extremely tired, as if they are dead. At dawn people rush out of their place of
residence as if they are rising from graves; all of them are wearing white clothes and
move towards the place where the ritual of the throwing of stones can be performed.
Therefore, the Ayah comes as a reminder of resurrection, as Allah (SWT) says what
can be translated as, “And surely, the Hour is coming, there is no doubt about it;
and certainly, Allah will resurrect those who are in the graves” (TMQ, 22: 7).
Thus, we see the first result of Hajj in educating Ummah (Islamic nation) preparing
muslims them for the Day of Judgment, through the experience they live while
performing Hajj rituals.
Hajj rituals: the utmost obedience to Allah (SWT):
The Ayahs 26-37 mention the various Hajj rituals, the until reaching the central Ayah
comes which can be translated as, “and whosoever honors the Symbols of Allah,
then it is truly from the piety of the hearts” (TMQ, 22: 32).
What is the Divine wisdom behind these great rituals
During Hajj, you should carry out strict and specific directives imposed by Allah
(SWT) otherwise your hajj is spoilt. A Muslim circumambulates seven times around a
stone; goes to and fro seven times between two stones; and throws stones on a place
full of stones. He/She performs many rituals may be without knowing the real
wisdom lying behind, yet he/she only performs them in obedience to Allah’s (SWT)
orders. This is the utmost form of obedience to Allah (SWT). The Muslim is also
prepared through such rituals to another religious duty in Islam: Jihad (fight for the
cause of Allah).
Hajj and Jihad:
The Ayahs about Jihad come immediately after those talking about Hajj. Allah (SWT)
says what can be translated as, “Truly, Allah defends those who believe” (TMQ,