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Home: Islam
Resources: Straight Path series: Pilgrimage
The following notes are based on lessons George has taught publicly.
Discerning the Straight Path regarding...
The Practice of
PILGRIMAGE
From a Muslim point of view—
1. Pilgrimage to Mecca, or the Hajj is an annual
6-day festival, and a one-time obligation for all Muslims who have
enough health and wealth to perform it.
2. In some Muslim countries, pilgrims make arrangements
through the government program implemented on a local level by selected
banks. Special Hajj accounts are set up so that pilgrims can deposit
the necessary funds ensuring a seat for themselves. The government
makes all arrangements for travel, accomodation, etc., a great convenience
for travellers.
3. During the Hajj, many Muslims hope to be able
to kiss the Black Stone of the Ka’bah. It is said that it was
white in the beginning and grew black through human contact, either
because of dirt or sin or both.
4. Although condemned by Saudi Muslims, most Muslims
also visit the Prophet’s Tomb in Medina to do prayers for special
blessing.
5. Afterward, pilgrims are entitled to dye their
hair with henna and go by the title “Al-Hajj”.
From a Biblical point of view—
1. The Old Testament annual festivals play a part
in the origin of Hajj:
a. The word for festival below, hag, is
close to the Arabic haj.
"Three times a year you are to celebrate
a festival to me. (Ex 23:14)
b. Attending the festivals meant a pilgrimage
to Jerusalem.
So Solomon observed the festival at that time,
and all Israel with him--a vast assembly, people from Lebo Hamath
to the Wadi of Egypt. (1 Ki. 8:65; also Ps. 42:4; 118:27; and
many others)
c. The Feast of Tabernacles has particular similarities
to the Hajj:
Lev.23:34,36,42 -- multiday festival, many sacrifices
offered, people live in tents
2. The patriarchs viewed the world as the land of
their pilgrimage and themselves as aliens in it:
Gen. 47:9 -- life is a pilgrimage
Ex. 6:4 -- Isaac and Jacob born in Canaan, yet aliens
Ps. 119:19 “stranger on earth”
Heb. 11:13-16--result, sign of faith; looking to heaven
3. Likewise, Christians are strangers in the world
on a pilgrimage which will end when they get to their eternal home.
How are we to live in light of this truth?
1 Pet. 1:1 -- the readers were born there but
are called “strangers”
1 Pet. 1:17 -- God is judge; live in reverent fear toward Him
1 Pet. 2:11-15 -- don’t live like the “locals”;
abstain from evil desires, live exemplary lives.
George King
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