The Muslim community around the world has now entered the Hajj period, or as we call it here in Cape Town, dis Goejaajies-Tyd.
Once a year, a special group of people is selected by God Almighty to perform Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The quota system is still in place, meaning countries can only send a certain number of people.
In South Africa, hujjaaj usually get their Hajj accreditation a few months in advance, giving them time to prepare financially, mentally, physically and spiritually for the “journey of a lifetime”.
A few days before their departure, the hujjaaj “sit” - that’s when family, neighbours and friends visit and “greet” them.
People discuss the Hajj, and those who have been before, share their knowledge and insight. The hujjaaj usually serve snacks or lunch and supper.
At the end, the visitors ask the hujjaaj to convey greetings to the Prophet Mohammed peace be upon him when they visit his gravesite in Medina, and to make duah(pray) for them at the Ka’bah, Islam’s holiest mosque in Mecca.
Visitors usually also give the hujjaa j a “slawat”, in the form of money, with the intention that this will help ease their monetary worries during Hajj.
I have been told that this beautiful tradition only happens in Cape Town.
It also gives the Goejaajie an opportunity to ask for forgiveness for any harm he or she may have caused to any persons.
In the past and still today, hujjaaj usually go and offer greetings at certain people’s homes (close friends and relatives) before they start “sitting”.
As you can imagine, this tradition can cut deep into people’s pockets these days. The skyrocketing petrol price, for instance, makes travelling very costly.
So it’s no wonder people are turning to modern technology.
I’ve noticed a new trend where Goejaajies are sending their Hajj greetings via text messages, with some even posting on Facebook, where they ask the forgiveness of mense.
Now, many people would say, no, it’s not right, if you have done a person harm surely you should have the decency to go and see them in person.
Well, to that I say, no, we are living in the age of social media, where you can reach dozens of people at the same time, unlike back in the day where you would have to phone someone or drive to them to greet.
I am of the opinion that this is a healthy trend and should be applied more in the future as it saves time and money, money that could have gone towards the person’s Hajj.
Also, sitting and waiting to receive people cuts into hujjaaj’s pockets and time; think of those who have been saving for years for this big occasion, or those who have to work until the last moment so they can get more time off for their Hajj.
I say, if you can afford it and have the time, by all means, sit as long as you want.
But don’t judge people who can’t.
Thousands of rands are spent on food, cakes and drink to serve to visitors. Many times, people are also inconsiderate and don’t know when to leave, especially when those warm cups of tea keep on coming.
When we have big families, we feel we need to sit longer to give everyone a chance to stiek uit, but trust me, if you tell them you only have the one day to greet, everyone will come on that day.
And nobody will judge you, “haai, het jy gehoor, Rachmat gaan net een dag sit, ek wonne vir hoekom.”
By now, everyone should realise that times are tough, so please be considerate to the hujjaaj.
I heard of a man who didn’t greet anyone; he simply took his bags and left for Mecca.
Anywhere else in the world no-one would blink an eye, but here, it is unheard of.
In the end, though, it is up to the Almighty to decide whether your Hajj is maqbool(accepted) or not.
We will only know the result on the day of kieyamah(Judgement Day).
I believe hujjaaj should not feel pressured into “sitting”, because it is after all a cultural tradition, and not a religious obligation.
No one will deny that it’s a beautiful tradition, which brings together families and old friends, who all share in the joy of the chosen ones.
Another kwaai tradition is when thikr jamaahs go to Goejaajies and make thikr.
These practices are unique to Cape Town, and should be preserved as much as possible.
To the older generation, some of these newer practices might seem very unorthodox, maar ons wiet julle wiet oek mos nou hoe om ’n Whatsapp message te stuur and most tieties have a Facebook page met ’n mashallah hijabi profile pic.
So I am sure we will all move with the times eventually.
To the blessed Goejaajies, the chosen ones, may Allah grant all of you a Hajj maqbool, inshallah, ameen.