The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 1) — Page 330
CH. 2 AL-BAQARAH with there are sand, pebbles, rocks and rugged hillocks. Such a place has been chosen to bring home to us the fact that it possesses absolutely no attraction for which one might visit it. If there is anything for which one should go there, it is God and God alone. This is why in the present verse the Quran says, "know that you are being gathered here (not for any worldly object but) to meet Him". Iḥrām reminds one of the Day of Resurrection. Like the shroud of a dead body, the pilgrim is covered only with two unsewn sheets, one for the upper part of the body and the other for the lower; and he also has to remain bareheaded. This condition is to remind him that he has here, as it were, risen from the dead. The pilgrims gathered together at Arafāt truly present the spectacle of the Day of Resurrection-men suddenly risen from the dead in their white shrouds and assembled in the presence of their Lord. The casting of pebbles at the three pillars at Minā-known as Dunya, Wustā and 'Aqabah, is also an interesting representation. It reminds the pilgrim of the three stages through which man has to pass and which have been referred to in the Quran as the three stages of human life, viz. (1) the present world, or Dunyā as it is called, which is symbolized by the first pillar, significantly called Jamratud-Dunyā, i. e. the pillar situated near; (2) the grave or the middle stage lying between this world and the next, the pillar corresponding to which is 330 PT. 2 called Jamratul-Wusṭā, i. e. the middle pillar; and (3) the next world (known also as Uqbā) which is symbolized by the third pillar, which is accordingly called Jamratul- 'Aqabah, i. e. the pillar of the distant hillock that comes after the others. The casting of pebbles at these pillars is also symbolic of Satan being pelted. Evil thoughts should be driven out of one's mind just as God has driven away Satan from His presence. The animals sacrificed are reminders of the great sacrifice of his son Ishmael offered by Abraham, and teach, in symbolic language, that man should ever be willing not only to sacrifice himself but also his wealth and property and even children in the way of God out of love for Him. Pilgrims perform seven circuits round the Ka'bah, run seven times between the Şafa and the Marwah and cast seven pebbles at the pillars at Minā. The number seven being regarded by the Arabs as a symbol of perfection (Aqrab), the pilgrim is thereby reminded that in Pilgrimage, as in all other things, he should not be satisfied with half measures. He should always aim at perfection and get it. It is significant that the stages of spiritual progress which lead man to perfection and which have been detailed in 23:2-12 are also seven. In short, the various rites of the Hajj and the objects that play a part therein are all emblematic and are replete with great and momentous lessons, but only for those who care to meditate.