In the Hajj pilgrimage, there is a lesson about society that needs to be contemplated and upheld. In addition to unity, there is togetherness. When performing Hajj, a Muslim is never alone. They perform wuquf on Arafat together on the same day; on the 9th of Zulhijah, all pilgrims gather on Arafat. No one ever disputes the Day of Arafat. Despite differences in organizations, countries of origin, sects and mazhab (schools of thought), everyone agrees on the Day of Arafat.
Togetherness and uniformity truly materialize during Hajj. Not only do pilgrims stay together on Mount Arafat, but they also wear the same garb. Then, they move together to Muzdalifah and arrive at Mina to throw pebbles at the Jamaraat (the stone pillars). After that, they go to Mecca for tawaf (walking in circles around the Kaa’bah), perform Sa’i (walking and running between the two hills of Safa and Marwa) and shave or trim their hair (tahallul). All male pilgrims are dressed in two pieces of white cloth (Ihram). All ihram cloth must be the same color (white) and worn in the same designated manner.
By the end of the Day of Arafat, as the Sun begins to fall below the horizon, all Hajj pilgrims prepare to leave the wuquf area and move to Muzdalifah. They will stay there until midnight. Pilgrims usually search for pebbles in Muzdalifah to throw in Mina. They all bring the same number of pebbles and follow the same rite when throwing stones. Everything is uniform; they do not argue about who is right or wrong.
The lesson of togetherness continues until they arrive in Masjid al-Haram or the Grand Mosque of Mecca to perform other Hajj rituals: tawaf, Sa’i and tahallul. Due to space limitations, those Hajj rites cannot be performed at the same time. Some pilgrims will wait until the crowd thins out – as long as they are done within the designated time. Tawaf, Sa’i and tahallul are compulsory rituals that must be done during the Hajj time frame.
These series of rites should teach Muslims an important lesson about living in society: the unity of Muslims. Unity should not discriminate against countries of origin, nationalities, ethnicities, groups, organizations or mazhab. Followers of different mazhab perform the same hajj rituals, wear the same symbols and read the same prayers. Muslims unite and become one while performing Hajj – the fifth pillar of Islam.
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If only these lessons are fully comprehended, Muslims have no reasons to come apart because of nationalities, ethnicities and schools of thought. When they perform Hajj, they are able to unite. Thus, they should remember and practice the lessons when they return to their countries. Lessons should not be practiced in the class only – that is, Hajj. Outside the class, they would act differently, think that their view is the only correct view, and think of others as competitors or enemies. That should not be the case. Hopefully, the Hajj pilgrimage can unite Muslims around the world, and Allah will accept their Hajj.
To conclude, the Mount of Arafat symbolizes the first descent of humans on Earth and also the unity of Muslims worldwide.