Lesson from Mina

People often talk about how ihram is a metaphor for death and a great equalizer, where you can't tell the king from a poor man.

While that is true about ihram clothing, Mina camp is a metaphor for life and its disparity in wealth and comforts.

Standing on the balcony of my 6-story hotel-like accomodations in Mina, I could see rows of tents all around me and stretching as far as the eyes could see. Scores of people from the farthest tents were making the miles-long walk to the Jamaraat in 106°F heat. Given my proximity to the jamaraat, that same walk was only 20 minutes for me. Then I looked up at the hills of Mina and saw the luxury buildings where royals and dignitaries stay during Hajj. Those are the fortunate few with secure and private access routes, avoiding the long walk in the sun altogether.

I am so incredibly grateful that I was able to perform Hajj in ease after witnessing so many who had difficulties.

Under different circumstances, I could have been in any one of the far away tents and without much comfort. But Allah gifted me not just my comfortable place in Hajj but also the ability to recognize it as a gift.

Perhaps the people on the hill can look at me and also feel similar gratitude.

وَٱللَّهُ أَخْرَجَكُم مِّنۢ بُطُونِ أُمَّهَـٰتِكُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ شَيْـًۭٔا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَـٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ ۙ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ٧٨

And Allāh has extracted you from the wombs of your mothers not knowing a thing, and He made for you hearing and vision and hearts [i.e., intellect] that perhaps you would be grateful.

Quran | Chapter 16, Verse 78