Ali Shariati Hajj: Reflections on its Rituals

If we evaluate any religion from the point of view of the mission it bears for the salvation of humanity, I know of no mission more progressive in social growth, self-awareness, movement, responsibility, the seeking of human ideals, social insight, the spirit of longing for justice, the seeking of dignity, and, finally, tending towards reality, considering nature, being compatible with material power and scientific progress, development, civilization, the spirit of intellectual challenges, in being oriented towards the people—and, at the same time, more conscious and more powerful than the school of Abrahamic monotheism as manifested in the prophetic mission of Muhammad, peace and the mercy of God be upon him and his household. 


The course that our enemy has chosen for our humiliation is the best guide for us to choose as the way to our glory: Returning from the same way that he has led us. Bringing back the Quran from the cemetery to the city and its recitation, from now on, for the living! Bringing down the Quran from the shelf and opening it for our lessons.


If we bring back the Quran to our life and religion, then it will bring back monotheism to us as a worldview. Monotheism, hajj, jihad, leadership, martyrdom and anticipation will again find their life-spirit and we, also, our own spirit and life. And now, the hajj, a hajj in monotheism’s worldview and a hajj that is monotheism’s worldview.