Ba’dal Hajj (After Hajj)
Before I left for Hajj, I kept getting this pressurised comment from people saying that a person must change after Hajj. But after actually going for Hajj, I see that it’s actually me who wants to change. I want to be better to do more… to right all my wrongs and change all my bad habits.
I feel so much more content. Like I know what needs to be done, what’s right and wrong seems so much clearer that it used to be, more black and white instead of shades of grey. The whispers which used to edge me closer and closer toward evil are now more recognisable, I can see them for what they are and stop them. It’s less of an impulse to follow and a more sort of patient understanding and conscious choice of what I need to do next. I don’t want to react on impulse anymore; most of the time it costs me both money and time when I blindly follow, and that’s just the material cost.
I can see that my previous behaviour patterns are not worthy anymore of who I have become. Most of all what irritates me is the wasting of time. Because, I realise just how little of it I actually have… I need to use it for more useful, more fruitful activities. One fact, however, is clearer than most… “Life is going to end.” So everything around me is just fluff. I need to focus on what’s really important… and it all boils down to my character and my behaviour, based on my values and my beliefs.
I realise that once you know this, your purpose in life becomes so much more simpler to understand. but.. .even this only lets you know what the path is. And…
“There’s a difference between knowing the path, and walking the path.”
Peace,
M.
You got it right…its wanting to change that makes a diff…but too people if they do not see external change they think Hajj did nothing for us.
Aint it an amazing experience…another level.
nice words, thanx for sharing…can’t wait till it’s my turn to go.
it’s so easy to get caught up in the world – even if you think you’re doing ok. learnt the last few months that comfort and ease are not conducive to spiritual progress, and for me personally, i need things to be externally difficult – challenging – to bring the best out of me internally.
that’s gonna happen soon, insha-Allah…real life begins, proper, for me from February.
having to give up the ease and luxury i’ve had most of my life, and officially starting my own real life…i’m glad i’ve got someone so special to do it with (married in October).
anyway, all the best to you and Taskeen. may this be the start of the life you were truly meant to lead; and may your changes become easy, and may you be a shining example to all of us – in this generation, and those younger and older, of seeing the truth and making the hard adjustments to live, or try to live, the best we can in this world, and remember that home – true Home – is not on earth, but is in the Hereafter.