Hajj it may be mentioned here is one of the five "Rokons" (pillars) on which the grand edifice of Islam stands. Other pillars are: (1) Faith ("Iman"), (2) "Salat" (Daily 5-times formal prayer), "Siam" (Fasting) and "Zakat" (Poor due). Great importance of Hajj can be gauged from the fact that out of total 114 Suras (Chapters) of the Holy Qur-an there is also a Sura known as Sura Hajj (pilgrimage) which Almighty and Merciful Allah has revealed unto our holy Prophet (pbuh). And this Sura is very much connected with the background of selection of the site of the Holy Ka'ba (the Sacred House of Allah) and its construction by Hazrat Ibrahim Khalilullah (friend of Allah) and his son Hazrat Ismail (A) and subsequently Hazrat Ibrahim's (A) proclamation of pilgrimage and asking people around him to visit the holy Ka'ba. In this context it will be worthwhile to refer to Ayat no. 26 and Ayat no. 27 of Sura Hajj wherein Almighty Allah declares:

Ayat 26, "Behold! We gave the site to Hazrat Ibrahim (A) of the (Sacred) House (saying): Associate not anything (in worship) with Me, and sanctify My house for those who compass it round or stand up or bow or prostrate themselves (therein) in prayers."

Ayat 27: "And proclaim the pilgrimage among men. They will come to thee on foot, and (mounted) on every kind of camel lean on account of journey through deep and distant mountain highways."

In this connection we may recall here the valuable commentation of the noted translator and commentator of the Holy Qur-an Allama Abdullah Yusuf Ali on Sura Hajj. He comments:

"Purity, Prayers, Honesty and Faith are complied in Pilgrimage; in solemn sacrifice we express our gratitude and reverence to God, and our desire to share good with our poorer brethren, striving and fighting in defence of Truth when attacked, are necessary as tests of self-sacrifice".

Right from his departure from his home town till the time of his coming back to his country the pilgrim has to pass through a number of stages. At the beginning while leaving his country for the holy city of Mecca he has to put on at the first stage a special unsewen loose white dress called "Ehram" after shaving his head. And after his arrival in the city of Mecca he is required to circumambulate seven times the Holy Ka'ba (the Sacred House of Allah), and it may be mentioned here that such circumambulation is called "Tawaf". Then from here the pilgrim is required to go near two hills called "Safa" and "Marwa" and here they runs between these two hills in commemoration of Bibi Hazra's (consort of Hazrat Ibrahim Khalilullah) frantic search for water in order to quench the thirst of her infant son Hazrat Ismail (A). Here the pilgrims also take water gushing out of the Zam Zam well. From this place they then go to the historic Arafah, a vast plain encircled by hills on all sides and situated at a distance of 7/8 miles from the holy city of Mecca, on the 9th day of the lunar month of Zul-Hajj. There all pilgrims offer their mid-day ("Zohar") and "Asar"(afternoon) prayer together in the vast field of Arafah and beseech Merciful Allah to forgave their sins.

It may he mentioned here that the Plain of Arafah has a special significance for here the Messenger of Allah (peace he upon him) after realising that he would not live in this mundane world longer said among other things while delivering his famous and historic farewell. Pilgrimage address in clear and unambiguous terms before a vast concourse of his followers:

"Do not join any partner with Allah Rabbul Alameen;

"Do not steal other person's money and wealth;

"From now on father will not be punished for the offence of the son, nor the son will be punished for the offence of the father;

"Adultery is a heinous crime;

"If a slave is capable and is of better calibre then he can be selected as a leader of the society;

"Give the same food to your slave the food you take yourself, and give him the same dress to put on the dress you put on yourself;

"Remember as you have your full rights over your wives, your wives have similar rights over you".

Finally, we find millions and millions of devout Muslims assemble in the historic and famous open field of Arafah from all over the world including Bangladesh every year on the 9th day of the lunar month of Zul-Hajj and stand up, bow and prostrate before Almighty Allah, and they offer such prayer after circumambulating the Holy Ka'ba 7 times while in Mecca. And while doing this they utter: "Lab-baaik Allah, Lab-baik Allah" (I am present Allah, I am present Allah). You will find millions and millions of pious and devout Muslims bowing and prostrating simultaneously in pin drop silence before Benign Creator as a mark of their reverence and gratitude to Him. Nowhere in this wide world you will find such a matchless and unique scene.

Kazi Aulad Hossain is a retired govt. high official.