Cat Stevens Instagram – Witnessing the magnificent gathering of souls on the plains of Arafat during the climactic pilgrimage to Makkah, we see humanity in its most natural spiritual state; all praying for the blessing and forgiveness of the One God, the Almighty Creator of the Heavens and Earth. How amazing is the demonstration of brotherhood and faith, following the footsteps of Abraham, the perfect monotheist, and Father of the prophets.
What strikes me is the strange disconnect most people have about the significance of this event and the history behind it. The story of Abraham in the Bible does not mention much about the family developments after the removal of Ishmael and Hajar from Canaan. Makkah, in fact, was the final place the boy and his mother settled. The famous four-walled House of God was later built by Abraham and Ishmael, during one of the father’s many visits to his eldest son.
The symbolism if this event is absolutely monumental. It was, after all, part of the fulfilment of God’s Covenant to Abraham to bless his family with guidance and prophethood, and spread the pure and natural religion of monotheism, the worship of One God alone, to the world. The pilgrimage is therefore a testament to the fulfilment of that promise, which was sealed by the arrival of Muhammad, the last Prophet, who was a descendant of Abraham, and who was sent to revive the true religion and tradition of Abraham and reinstate the official name of the faith as ‘Submission’; Islam, in Arabic.
Anyone who thinks that the pilgrims are praying to only other god than the God of Abraham, well… perhaps they simply haven’t been told.
#arafat #islam #hajj #peace #abraham #unity | Posted on 15/Jun/2024 16:16:38
