Did you initiate and assume Ihraam (sacral state)? Did you feel the joy of your heart? Did you change?
If only your heart heads towards the House of Allah (the Ka'bah) … if only you could put on the garments of Ihraam and start uttering the Talbiyah (call) of Hajj … a Talbiyah done by one who is escaping towards his Lord for rescue … a Talbiyah done by one who is grateful to his Lord for the endless bounties He had bestowed upon him … a Talbiyah done by one who feels his weakness and need to his Lord … a Talbiyah done by one who feels that his Lord had chosen him from amongst many others to perform this great act of worship.
Let us take steps towards the House of Allah, like those in the story of the lady who headed towards Makkah and kept asking people along the way: "Where is the House of my Lord? Where is the House of my Lord?" Until she reached it, and as soon as she reached it and saw it, she dropped dead! The one who was longing to reach (the House) had died. Will there come a time for us to long to reach the House of our Lord?
Let us fly with our hearts, and in the sacred House of Allah. I see you humbling yourself to Allah The Almighty and fearful of Him … come on enter the House with humility to Allah … enter it with dignity and tranquility just as the Prophet, entered on the day he conquered it; he, entered whilst lowering his head with full humility and humbleness … come on, show your Lord your weakness and need for Him.
Let us start circling the House … circle the House as if you are circling the throne of Allah The Almighty. One of the righteous Salaf (predecessor) said, 'Some people's hearts circle the Throne (i.e. of Allah-due to the loftiness of their souls) and others circle around trash (i.e. this low worldly life) and the only considerable Tawaaf (circumambulation) is that which makes the heart circle the Throne.'
Ibn Al-Qayyim said, 'You see a man whose soul is in the upper Heavens whilst his body is in front of you. He would be sleeping on his bed and his soul is circling the Throne. Another person's soul would be so low. Therefore, when the soul departs the body, it would either go to the upper Heavens or the lowest point (depending on how it was during his life). In the upper Heavens the soul would enjoy all the bliss and joy and kind life, and in the lowest point the soul would suffer all types of agony, grief and sadness. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {"And whoever turns away from My remembrance – indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind"}'
In order for your heart to be able to fly there and circle the House, you need to do the following:
· Glorify your Lord and make yourself feel as if you are amongst the angels circling the Throne. Never give up or get tired; rather keep repeating the saying of the angels: 'All Glory is due to You our Lord, we never worshiped You the way You deserved to be worshiped'.
· Busy your heart with the concerns of the Hereafter, and do not allow your heart to wander around and immerse itself in the worries and concerns of this low worldly life.
· Instill in your heart the meanings of the following supplication: 'I ask You to grant me the pleasure of seeing Your Face and the longing to meet You'
· Tawaaf (circling the House) usually starts with Raml (fast walking); this is what you need to do whilst on your path to your Lord. Come on, rush, the time for the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah has come near … rush, multiply your daily program of recitation and supplication … it's time to wake up.
· Tawaaf reflects strength, so show Allah The Almighty your durability and persistence in worship … remember that there is no might nor strength except with the will and help of Allah.
· Remember that Tawaaf expiates one's sins, so do the acts that entitle you for the forgiveness of Allah The Almighty and repeatedly ask Him for forgiveness.
Come on! Start now to live and lead a spiritual life … make your heart circle and reach the upper Heavens … Make your heart circle the Throne.