Latest news with #MaulanaWahiduddinKhan
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
The Significance of Hajj
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan The foundation of Hajj was laid by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Prophet Ismail (Ishmael). As part of this divine mission, they constructed the Kaaba. Referring to this, the Quran states: 'The first House to be built for mankind was the one at Makkah. It is a blessed place; a source of guidance for the whole world.' (3:96) Here, the term "source of guidance" signifies a source of divine enlightenment. According to a saying of the Prophet of Islam, when a believer returns home after performing Hajj, he is like he was on the day his mother gave birth to him (Sahih al-Bukhari). In other words, the person returns from Hajj as a newborn—pure and free from all sins. This reference to a newborn symbolizes the natural state of purity: free from hatred, malice, and resentment, marked by a calm and smiling face. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo This saying can be better understood in the light of another teaching of the Prophet, according to which every person is born upon nature, but then becomes conditioned by the environment in which they live (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 1385). Reflecting on these words of the Prophet, it becomes clear that if one performs Hajj in its true spirit, one returns to one's original pure nature. This return to purity is not a miraculous occurrence; it is an intellectual process that requires conscious effort and personal engagement. It is known as de-conditioning. Through Hajj, a worshipper becomes aware of how everyone, without exception, is shaped by their environment. Therefore, there is a need to consciously remove this conditioning and return to the natural, God-given state. Hajj facilitates this process—it serves as a transformative course that helps undo the environmental conditioning and restores one's original nature. However, only those who perform Hajj with sincerity and understanding of its spirit can truly benefit from it. For someone who performs only the rituals of Hajj without internal awareness, the pilgrimage becomes little more than a kind of outing. The Prophet explained to his Companions that the various rites of Hajj symbolically represent the different phases of the life of Prophet Abraham. His entire life was devoted to a divine mission, and every believer is expected to adopt this pattern in their personal life. For instance, ihram—the simple attire of two unstitched pieces of cloth—symbolizes humility and simplicity. The ritual of tawaf, in which pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven times, signifies dedicating oneself to a purposeful life. Tawaf is followed by saee, which involves brisk walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah near the Kaaba. This act encourages one to direct personal effort and struggle toward attaining nearness to God. The sacrifice of an animal during the pilgrimage represents a pledge to live a life of sacrifice. The stoning of the devil (ramy al-jamarat) symbolizes the rejection of satanic influences. Finally, pilgrims enter the plains of Arafat chanting 'Labbayk! Labbayk!' ('O God, here I come!'). This chant is meant to remind the individual of the Day of Resurrection when all human beings will stand before God for accountability. The Prophet of Islam performed Hajj towards the end of his life. On this occasion, all of his Companions gathered in the plain of Arafat, about 20 kilometers east of Makkah. There, while mounted on his camel, the Prophet delivered a sermon famously known as the Khutbah Hajjatul Wida—The Sermon of the Farewell Pilgrimage. On this historic moment, the Prophet addressed not only his contemporaries but future generations of Muslims. The essence of this sermon is captured in the repeated words: 'Beware! do not commit oppression. Beware! do not commit oppression.' The purpose of this message was to close every door that leads to oppression—whether caused by pride, rebellion, or any other factor. This same principle is echoed in the Quran in relation to Hajj, as seen in the following verse: 'The pilgrimage is in the appointed months. Whoever intends to perform it during them must abstain from indecent speech (rafath), from all wicked conduct (fisq), and from quarrelling (jidal) while on the pilgrimage. Whatever good you may do, God is aware of it. Make provision for yourselves—but surely, the best of all provision is God-consciousness. Always be mindful of Me, you that are endowed with understanding.' (Quran 2:197) Hajj is the greater pilgrimage, while Umrah is the lesser one. Umrah can be performed at any time of the year, unlike Hajj which takes place only once annually. Islam does not require Muslims to repeatedly perform Hajj or Umrah. Instead, believers are commanded to perform Hajj or Umrah once in their lifetime, and thereafter to live in accordance with the profound lessons gained during the pilgrimage. They are also urged to commit themselves to sharing these insights with the rest of humanity. Authored by: Maulana Wahiduddin Khan Why Arjun Was Chosen: The Untold Secret of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 3
Time of India
26-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
The Discovery Of Divine Blessings
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan Man has been granted numerous blessings from God. The greatest form of worship for man is to acknowledge these blessings. Thanksgiving is in fact such an acknowledgement. Thanksgiving is without any doubt the greatest religious act, whereas not thanking God is quite the reverse. It is irreligious. Nothing announces all these divine blessings as such. For instance, the global supply of oxygen is perpetual. But man has never had this announced to him. There are many such divine blessings as are received by man at all times. But this whole process goes on without mention. In such a situation, how should a person express his gratitude or acknowledgement as an act of worship? There is only one way of doing so. That is, one should continue to discover God's blessings through contemplation. Thanksgiving follows on naturally after discovering one's blessings. One who never makes such a discovery will certainly never be able to show any gratitude. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No dark spots, 10 years younger! Just take this from Guardian URUHIME MOMOKO Learn More Undo That is why such great importance is attached to reflection in the Traditions. According to one tradition: 'There is no worship equal to reflection.' ( Shu'ab al-Iman , al-Bayhaqi, Hadith No. 4326) Contemplation means serious thinking. The act of thinking takes place in the mind, and is the source of all our actions. The more one thinks, the deeper the meaning which will be discovered by him. The same is true of thanksgiving. It is only by thinking that anyone discovers God's limitless blessings. With this discovery one's heart and mind brim over with gratitude. The greater the sense of discovery the greater the degree of thanksgiving. It is contemplation that leads one to discovery and to elevated levels of thanksgiving. Authored by: Maulana Wahiduddin Khan Why Arjun Was Chosen: The Untold Secret of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 3
Time of India
14-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Making life meaningful
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan There is an English proverb, 'The end justifies the means.' Perhaps, there is another more relevant principle which may be expressed thus: 'The end justifies the beginning.' It is the end result that proves whether the beginning was right or wrong. Many people have started their lives with great enthusiasm. But the latter period of their life has proved that their beginning was not the right one. Their case was a case of miscalculation, rather than one of right calculation. For example, the Greek emperor Alexander the Great (356–323 BC) was a very ambitious person. His goal was to conquer the world. But his human limitations overcame him, and he died at the age of 32 in Babylon, about 3,000 km away from his homeland. The same is true of Adolf Hitler (1889–1945) who, likewise an ambitious man, rose to the position of Chancellor of Germany. Then he decided to rule the whole of Europe, for which he initiated a war which escalated into the Second World War . Yet, Hitler could not fulfil his dream and committed suicide at the age of 56 in a bunker. There are thousands of such examples throughout history. Certain individual started out in life with high hopes but failed to achieve their goal and died in a state of frustration. In the beginning they were hopeful, but in the end, they died in a state of utter hopelessness. 'Right here, right now' is a formula of life that has gained popularity in the present age. This seems to be a beautiful formula. I know a number of persons, both men and women, who have adopted this principle. Although in the beginning they were very happy, but in the latter period of their lives they felt that they had been unsuccessful in achieving their goals. Finally, they fell a prey to frustration and died of some fatal disease, and in a state where they had lost all their hopes and enthusiasm. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Happiness in the present is not the criterion of success. The right criterion is whether a person is able to maintain his happiness and sense of satisfaction right to the end of his life. The value of a tree is gauged by the fruit that it offers when it has reached the stage of full growth. Similarly, the right formula of life is that which can give a person satisfaction till the end of life, and not just for some temporary period. A tree is known by its fruit, which is the final phase of the tree's life. Similarly, the pattern of human life will be judged on what it turns out to be in its final days. Never make the mistake of planning for life by taking only immediate gain into consideration. A person should always plan by keeping the future in mind. It is the future that counts and not the present. An individual should first of all discover his own self and then plan accordingly for his life. People generally set their goals out of zeal, but this is certainly not a mature way of making decisions. The better way to decide one's goal is to understand the realities of life, and then act in accordance with them. Failure to do so is the main reason for people dying in frustration after having set out full of enthusiasm: when they set themselves goals, it was under the influence of emotions, without due consideration. Such a plan does not work for long. It is like a sandcastle which is destined in the long run to fall apart. Authored by: Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Time of India
05-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
The Impending Day
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan In the present world, when someone believes in God, he does so on the basis of evidence. But in the Hereafter, those who will accept God will do so on the basis of His power. And so, it is as if in this world evidence is the representative of God. In contrast, in the Hereafter, God will appear with His complete Being in front of people to enable them to accept Him. From this we learn, who those people are who really believe in God and who do not. Someone who believes in God is one who accepts the weight of evidence, who bows before the Truth when it comes along, with nothing but verbal evidence. In contrast, someone who is not affected by something simply by its truth, who accepts the truth only when he is in some way compelled to do so, and who is not willing to accept the truth which does not involve an element of compulsion to accept it, will not believe in God. God wants us to believe in Him while He is invisible to us, while people want to believe in Him only if they can visibly see Him. God wants people to bow down before the Truth, but Man is willing to bow down only before Power. God wants people to behave justly only out of the fear of Him, but people are willing to act justly only when they are compelled to do so. Where there is no compulsion, immediately they become defiant. This world is a testing ground. Here you are given the freedom to conceal your reality. But the Hereafter will expose every person for what he truly is. On that day, many people who appeared to be devoted to God will be made to stand in the company of people who were not devoted to God. Many of those who presented themselves as followers of the Truth will be shown to be guilty of not following the Truth. Many people who think that they have been allotted a place in Heaven will find themselves on Hell's doorstep. How utterly bereft of fear man is, although what an enormously frightful moment will he soon confront! Authored by: Maulana Wahiduddin Khan Deepen your understanding of the Bhagavad Gita: Explore chapter 2 with Sri Gaur Prabhu's guidance
Time of India
29-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
The Greatest News
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan A young man I know is a government employee in Delhi. I have known him for a long time. One day, I had gone out for some work, and when I came home at night, I was told that he had come several times to my house to meet me. Just then the bell rang. It was the very same man. Seeing me, he burst into a smile and said, 'I've come to give you some good news.' And then he told me that he had been promoted at work and had received a raise in his salary. I thought to myself, 'If someone has some important news, he just can't keep it to himself. He simply has to share it with others. In fact, sometimes he goes out of his way to find someone whom he can share his news with. If someone buys a new car or builds a new house, he just can't help talking about it. If in a gathering, his car or house does not become a subject of discussion, he turns the ongoing conversation in such a direction that he can tell others about his car or house. This is human nature. There's no human being who isn't eager to tell others his important news!' Today, uncountable voices compete with each other for attention. Everyone has some message or the other which he wants to convey to others. But in this enormous crowd of people desperate to say something or the other, there is no one who is eager to convey news about the Hereafter, to make others aware of Heaven and Hell. There is no dearth of speakers and writers, but none is concerned about the Hereafter. Everyone has news about something or the other to do with this world. But no one has news about the Hereafter that they want to tell others about. If they had such news, they would obviously share it with others. In fact, given the enormous importance of the Hereafter, all other news would be no news at all which people would want to share with others. They would spend all their energy and time only in sharing with others the news about the Hereafter. They would see no work as work other than the work of making people fearful of Hell and conveying the good news of Heaven. If people come to know that in the next few moments, an earthquake will strike or a volcano will erupt, they will talk only about that and nothing else at all. They will forget everything else and will talk only about the impending devastating event. But speakers are carrying on with their speeches, and writers are carrying on with their writings, and all these speeches and writings are so utterly empty of mention of the Hereafter that it is as if people have no news at all of this impending terrifying Day. People are generally entangled in the problems of their immediate environment—such as their personal or community issues of an economic, political and social nature. Experiencing these all around them, they begin to think that they are the matters of real importance. And so, they get involved in discussing and debating such issues. However, the biggest issue is the issue of the Hereafter. The Hereafter is hidden from our sight, but it is the biggest of all impending events, and is so much more deserving of being talked about than all other events. Authored by: Maulana Wahiduddin Khan Deepen your understanding of the Bhagavad Gita: Explore chapter 2 with Sri Gaur Prabhu's guidance
