The Spirit of Unity Through the Lens of Hajj
As the sacred days of Dhul-Hijjah draw near and pilgrims prepare to leave for the sacred house of Allah, we are presented once again with one of the most powerful spiritual spectacles on earth: the pilgrimage of Hajj. It is more than a journey of rituals. It is a living symbol—a profound reminder—of what it means to be part of a unified, God-conscious nation. In this moment, we are called not just to witness Hajj, but to reflect on its lessons and let them reshape our daily lives and relationships with one another.
Among the many layers of meaning in Hajj, one stands out this year with particular urgency: the concept of Ummah, of being one united community. This idea is not a slogan or a wishful thought—it is a divine reality that Allah repeatedly reminds us of throughout the Quran. In Surat al-Hajj, Allah opens with a universal call: “O mankind, fear your Lord! Indeed, the earthquake of the Hour is a terrible thing.” It is a reminder that the gathering of people on the Day of Judgment will mirror, in some ways, the mass of humanity that we see in Hajj. There is no stronger earthly image of people coming together—regardless of race, status, or origin—than this gathering in devotion to one Lord.
And near the end of the same surah, the address shifts to a more specific audience: “O you who believe, bow down and prostrate, and worship your Lord and do good, so that you may succeed.” As if to say: now that you’ve stood among the masses, now that you’ve heard the universal call, it’s your turn to live its truth. You, the believers, carry the torch of this message. Your identity is not individualistic. It is rooted in the legacy of your father, Ibrahim (AS) — the one who gave you your rituals. The Prophet ﷺ reminded his companions during Hajj: “Remain at your stations, for you are standing on the heritage of your father, Ibrahim (AS).”
This shared spiritual heritage demands more than outward unity. It demands brotherhood—real, committed, responsible brotherhood. Allah says clearly: “Indeed this nation of yours is one nation, and I am your Lord—so fear Me.” We are bound not by language or ethnicity, but by the One who created us and by the revelation that guides us.
But what does this brotherhood look like in practice?
The Prophet ﷺ gave us the clearest roadmap in powerful Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA). He said:
“Do not envy one another. Do not artificially inflate prices. Do not hate or turn your backs on one another. Do not undercut one another in business deals. Instead, be servants of Allah—as brothers.”
He continues: “A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. He does not oppress him, humiliate him, or look down on him. Piety is here,” — and he pointed to his chest three times — “It is enough evil for a Muslim to hold his brother in contempt. Everything belonging to a Muslim is sacred to his fellow Muslim: his blood, his property, and his honor.”
This is the ethical code of our Ummah. It is a code that should be renewed every Hajj season, not just through rituals, but through sincere change in how we treat each other. Whether we are among the pilgrims or not, the message of Hajj is meant for all of us. It is meant to challenge our grudges, our divisions, and our indifference.
Look beside you. The one sitting next to you in prayer is your brother. The one who walks the same path of faith is your sister. Let us not wait for the Day of Judgment to realize how much we were connected. Let us live it now—through compassion, justice, humility, and active care for one another. The pilgrimage may be for a few days, but the lessons of Hajj are for a lifetime.
Imam Jafar Hawa
The Mosque Foundation