In this series of articles exploring the economic crisis facing us all, this article takes a look at the recent pilgrimage to Makkah, or hajj, currently underway for close to three million Muslims, and explores the link between the two subjects.
The pilgrimage to Makkah is traditionally viewed as a spiritual journey… exclusively. There is no doubt that the pilgrimage is a spiritual journey. It is the fifth pillar of Islam, and a duty for all those Muslims who have the means to perform it. For those who fulfil it’s commandments, there is the promise of forgiveness of pass sins, such that the haji is as if he is newly born from his mother’s womb. The worshiper visit’s the one ‘house’ which was built on the earth, for the singular worship of Allah (swt). He seeks forgiveness of his sins, and renews his relationship with his Creator.
