The Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia that is one of the five pillars of Islam. Every able-bodied adult Muslim who can afford to do so is obligated to make the Hajj at least once in their lifetime. During the Hajj, pilgrims perform a series of rituals, including circumambulating the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam, and running between the hills of Safa and Marwa. The Hajj also includes standing at the plain of Arafat and participating in the symbolic stoning of the devil. The Hajj is a time of reflection, devotion, and unity, as Muslims from all over the world come together to perform the same rituals and reaffirm their faith.
The Hajj: For Muslims around the world, Hajj —or the pilgrimage to Islam’s most sacred city, Mecca—is closed. Many in the Muslim world are heartbroken over this. The Hajj: As one of the five pillars of faith for a Muslim, this pilgrimage is required once in your life.
For us, it is hard to fathom what this would be like. We, as followers of Jesus, know we worship in Spirit because God is Spirit. We know that God raised up the temple in three days through Jesus. We have this truth in us. However, for Muslims around the world, they do not. So many make the trek. For some, it means flying across the world to accomplish it. But this year, that has changed.
During this change, our vision is to join forces in unity as we pray during this time of canceled pilgrimages. As He did with the Samaritan woman and the men on the road to Emmaus, we are asking Jesus to walk with many through the Father’s heart. He is looking for those to worship in Spirit and in truth the One that all the prophets pointed to—the sacrificial spotless lamb, Jesus. Join us as we pray for mighty encounters during canceled plans and broken dreams.
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“Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship Him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.””
As the month of pilgrimage has ended, Eid al-Adha comes. It is the second of the two main holidays celebrated by Muslims. This 3-day celebration is based on the Quranic story of Allah asking Ibrahim to sacrifice his son. Ibrahim was willing and fully surrendered to Allah, but in the end, Allah provided an animal to sacrifice in the place of Ibrahim’s son. Many on this day will sacrifice goats or sheep as a symbol of Allah providing for Ibrahim. Many Muslims use this time to share the meat of the sacrificed animal with family, neighbors and the poor, and gather in large public gatherings for prayer. It is a celebration where Muslims dress in their best clothes, eating throughout the night with family and friends.
Although we see the story of Abraham and Isaac as a foreshadow to Jesus and the need for a sacrifice for our sins, many Muslims have not yet been opened to this profound truth. Our heart is to gather in prayer and cry out to God for the lineage of Ishmael. As Hagar cried out not to let her son die, God sprang up a well for Ishmael. We want to ask for the same thing—that God would spring up a well of living water for Muslims around the world.
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“But God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “Hagar, what’s wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Go to him and comfort him, for I will make a great nation from his descendants.” Then God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well full of water. She quickly filled her water container and gave the boy a drink. And God was with the boy as he grew up in the wilderness. ”
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with Heart 4 iran ministries
Join us on Facebook Live Thursday, July 30, 2020 at Noon – 1 PM CDT to hear from the president of Heart 4 Iran Ministries on this special Muslim holiday and how you can pray with us for Muslims worldwide.