Nimrod (Namrud) ruled over Babylon with absolute might and power, the pelf of which drove him to command people to worship him as their divine lord. His royal astrologer, however, predicted his downfall at the hands of a mere common from his subjects who would not only challenge his authority but also rise as a formidable tide against idolatry.
Thus blissfully ignorant of the ways of Allah, a frenzied Namrud embarked on an unnatural strategy of separating all men and women in his kingdom, to ensure that no such child was ever conceived. Azar's wife retreated to the loneliness of the Babylonian hills and it was there that Abraham (Prophet Ibrahim) was born in a cave. His sustenance descended from Allah and thirteen years later he returned into the city and took apprenticeship with a master sculptor, his own father Azar.
"They said, build him a furnace and throw him into the blazing fire!" (39:97)
Abraham was cast into the fire for defying idol worship, but the flames cooled by Divine Ordinance. "We said O fire! Be then cool and means of safety for Abraham." (21:69) "This failing they then sought a stratagem against him." (39:98). Interpreting the verse, (39:97-98), Allama Yousuf Ali says, "The argument of Abraham was so strong that it could not be met by argument. In such cases evil resorts to violence and, or secret plotting. Here there were both, violence consisted throwing him into the fire - a blazing furnace. But by the Mercy of Allah, the fire did not harm him so they resorted to plotting. But even the plotting was a boomerang that recoiled on their hands."
Other than the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW), Hazrat Ibrahim(AS) is the only prophet whose Sunnat is enjoined upon Muslims in the Holy Qura'n. This is indeed a unique honour. Not surprisingly then Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) is the father of the doctrine of monotheism and was mentioned to Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) in the early Meccan Sura Al-Nahl: "Abraham was an exemplar, obedient to Allah, upright (Hanif) .... "Then we revealed to thee: follow the faith (milla) of Abraham, the upright one (Hanif) and he was not of the polytheists." (16:120-123)
And again to a Sura belonging to the last Meccan period: "My Lord has guided me to the right path, to a most right religion, the faith (milla) of Abraham, the upright one (Hanif) and was not of the polytheists." (6:162)
The legacy that Abraham too left for his progeny was one of monotheism. Abraham's unflinching faith in Allah is mentioned in Surah Al-Baqr, Ayat 131, "Behold! His Lord said to him: Bow, (thy will) to the Lord and Cherisher of the universe." Hazrat Ibrahim made a moving supplication to Allah: "O! My Lord bestow wisdom on me, and join me with the righteous; grant me an honourable on the tongue of truth, among the latest generations." (19:83-84). Haj the pillar of Islam in indeed the manifestation of the acceptance of Hazrat Ibrahim's prayers. Haj and all its rites are a continuum of Abrahamic traditions.
"And then we assigned to Abraham the place of the House, saying, do not set up ought with me, and purify My House for those who make the circuit, and who stand to pray and who bow and prostrate themselves. And proclaim among men, the Haj..." (22:26-27)
Historical data suggests that the concept of Haj existed even before Abraham but the Haj in its true spirit evolved from the authority of Abraham. Hazrat Ibrahim was divinely ordained to not only rebuild the Kaaba and purge it of idols but also to institute Haj.
In Sura Al-Baqra (2:125) the Holy Qura'n states, "Remember we made the House a place of Assembly for men and a place of safety...". Later in the same verse, "We covenanted with Abraham and Ismail that they should sanctify My House..." This establishes that the Kaaba stood as a building even before Abraham and that he rebuilt it along with his son. "...and remember Abraham and Ismail raised the foundations of the House (with this prayer): Our Lord accept (this service) from us..." (2:127)
In Sura Al-Baqra, from Ayat 196 to 203, the various rites of Haj are described for the pilgrims to complete. The principal rites are: (i) wearing of the Ehram from certain fixed points on all roads leading to Mecca. As soon as the Ehram is adorned by the pilgrim, the prohibitive conditions come into operation and the pilgrim is now committed to the worship of Allah and must refrain from all worldly varieties. (ii) circumambulation of the Holy Kaaba seven times, typifying activity by kissing the Hajr-e-Aswad. (iii) a short prayer at the station of Hazrat Ibrahim (2:215) and then running between mount Safa and mount Marwa (2:158) symbolising the patience and perseverance of Hazrat Hajra. (iv) listening to the great sermon of Haj. (v) the visit to the valley of Mina and the hill of Arafat, where all pilgrims stand on their feet from noon to sunset and invoke blessings of the Almighty. (vi) 10th Zilhaj, Eid Day - sacrifice of animals is performed in the valley of Mina.
The 'National Geographic' in its November 1978 issue carried an article of Dr Muhammad Abd-ur-Rauf, Director Islamic Centre, Washington, wherein he comments on this remarkable emotional drive in Muslims: "What is it that impels the Muslims to make this journey involving great sacrifice, hardship and cost, and doing so ardently and lovingly?"
He answers it himself: " We each carry within our heart a Divine element. Torn from the womb of existence and ushered, crying into this world, we spend all our energies in the pursuit of a state of happiness. This restless, incessant drive is no more than that Divine element within us seeking its origin."
The purpose of Haj is to attain spiritual loftiness. "...and make a provision with you for the journey. But the best of provisions is the right conduct..." (2:197) Haj pilgrims are expected to be self-sufficient and not resort to begging. It should be noted that in the above verse Allah reminds us to move away from a physical state to a more spiritual awareness. The best provision is Taqva.
Between Zilhaj 8, 9 and 10, all rites are performed by Hajis. They leave the gates of Mecca with prayers, "repentant and devoted to the service of Allah, we now return home and bow in humility and gratitude to Him." Each Haji'shear thunders in prayer "O! Allah let this not be the last time we pray before the Kaaba."