Unlike initial perceptions, contemporary scholars view Hajj as a phenomenon loaded with unlimited symbolic representations that allow an individual to make personal interpretations and again reinterpret their initial interpretations without restrictions. According to contemporary scholars, Hajj’s deep meaning cannot be restricted to a single interpretation by any religious body, however strong it might be. The deep meanings within Hajj should be left open for the creative interpretation of an individual. It is true that no one individual can understand the word from Allah in its totality. It is therefore acceptable that a person grasps a part of the message or a fraction of it according to his creative interpretation. This means that Hajj should not be given a monopolized interpretation. Believers should be given the authority to creatively work out the different interpretations that exist within the infinite symbolic representations exhibited by Hajj. Furthermore, the current writings about Hajj contain several ritual practices that should be adhered to during the pilgrimage process. These rituals include the special prayers that should be observed and also each shrine and its special salutations. However, this approach is a limitation of the interpretative ability of humans towards heterodox and popular religious approaches. A good approach should not concentrate on the ritual aspect totally while sidelining the emotional aspects of the practice. This is a more objective approach, exhibited by the contemporary scholars as opposed to former approaches that limited the interpretations of this practice (Bianchi 23).
Considering the arguments above, Hajj is therefore not just a “spiritual journey preparing individuals for the afterlife” (Bianchi 24). This, according to contemporary scholars is a limited interpretation of Hajj. A creative interpretation Hajj argues that this is a reawakening, it is a collective inspiration that calls upon the community as a whole to reshape and assume a new role that would put them in a position to play a role in history that is more creative. This summarizes Iqbal’s perception of Hajj. On his part, Shariati views Hajj to be an instrument of power redistribution. Hajj offers the weakest members of the society a chance to expose and protest against social, political, religious, and economic injustices within the society. Further still, the Hajj is a conspicuous testimony of the universal aspirations of humanity. Hajj is an expression of the diverse aspirations of different cultures and races. It also gives room for people of other faiths and those who profess no faith to witness Islamic civilization (Bianchi 24).
The three scholarly points by Iqbal, Shariati, and Arkoun form the basis of the argument in recent perceptions towards Hajj. They tend to revitalize the meaning of this pillar. Unlike Ulama’s approach which emphasized the rituals, this new approach has opened up various channels through which Hajjis could justify and form their basis of this pilgrimage. In addition, this provides room not only for illiterate peasants who perceived Hajj as a compulsory journey that expressed their obedience to religion but to other demographic dimensions like the youth, the educated clique of the society, members from urban setups, and even individuals from Non-Middle-Eastern societies. These are members of the society who engage in this practice not just for their spiritual benefits but as a platform on which their socio-political and economic problems could be solved (Bianchi 25). It is therefore important to realize that the interpretation of Hajj cannot be limited to certain interpretations because this could limit the diverse, in fact, infinite definitions presented by the different symbolic representations within Hajj.
References
Bianchi, Robert. Guests of God: Pilgrimage and Politics in the Islamic World. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004.