Secrets of Tawaf: Difference between revisions

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== Monotheistic Secrets of Tawaf ==

In the view of many commentators and researchers, Tawaf is a manifestation of practical monotheism; a circular movement around a center that reminds believers of their sole destination, which is God.<ref name=":0">Sahba-ye Hajj, p. 190; Surah al-Anbiya, verse 97; Pish Daramadi bar Farhangnameh Asrar va Ma'aref Hajj, vol. 1, p. 207.</ref>

In the view of many commentators and researchers, [[Tawaf]] is a manifestation of practical monotheism; a circular movement around a center that reminds believers of their sole destination, which is God.<ref name=":0">Sahba-ye Hajj, p. 190; Surah al-Anbiya, verse 97; Pish Daramadi bar Farhangnameh Asrar va Ma'aref Hajj, vol. 1, p. 207.</ref>

Tawaf is considered a form of prayer<ref name=":5">Awali al-La'ali, vol. 2, p. 167.</ref> and a movement towards closeness to God and detachment from others, which polishes the heart and familiarizes the soul with God.<ref name=":2">Asrar Irfani Hajj, p. 363.</ref> Its continuity is also a symbol of the servant's constant remembrance of God, and without this remembrance, the purpose of Tawaf is not achieved.<ref>Mahajjat al-Bayda, vol. 2, p. 350.</ref> Circumambulating the [[Kaaba]] also signifies love and affection for God<ref>Hajj Maqbool, p. 114.</ref> and leads to His special attention to those performing [[Tawaf|Tawaf]].<ref>Mustadrak al-Wasa'il, vol. 9, p. 376.</ref>

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On the other hand, the seven rounds of Tawaf refer to movement through the seven climes or the seven heavens<ref>Asrar al-Shari'ah, p. 243.</ref> and have similarities with the seven stages of prayer from standing to salutation.<ref>Asrar Irfani Hajj, p. 365.</ref> In some sources, this number has been linked to the seven thousand years of distance between angels and God during their protest against the creation of man.<ref>Ilal al-Shara'i, vol. 2, p. 407.</ref> It has also been said that each round of Tawaf reminds one of attaining one of the seven inner meanings of the Quran and its interpretations.<ref>Asrar al-Shari'ah, p. 240.</ref>

The number seven in Tawaf is also consistent with other Hajj rituals; such as seven times [[Sa'i]] and seven pebbles for [[Ramy|Ramy al-Jamarat]].<ref name=":4" /> This harmony is also seen with the cosmic order: the Quran speaks of seven heavens<ref>Baqarah, 29.</ref> and seven seas,<ref>Luqman, 27.</ref> Surah al-Fatiha is known as Sab' al-Mathani with seven verses, and a week also has seven days.<ref name=":4" /> Thus, the number seven in Tawaf is a symbol of cosmic order and the connection of worship with the structure of creation.{{مدرک}}

The number seven in Tawaf is also consistent with other [[Rites of Hajj al-Tamattu'|Hajj rituals]]; such as seven times [[Sa'i]] and seven pebbles for [[Ramy|Ramy al-Jamarat]].<ref name=":4" /> This harmony is also seen with the cosmic order: the Quran speaks of seven heavens<ref>Baqarah, 29.</ref> and seven seas,<ref>Luqman, 27.</ref> Surah al-Fatiha is known as Sab' al-Mathani with seven verses, and a week also has seven days.<ref name=":4" /> Thus, the number seven in Tawaf is a symbol of cosmic order and the connection of worship with the structure of creation.{{مدرک}}

Ultimately, seven rounds of Tawaf are considered to signify the completion of an act of worship<ref>Asrar Irfani Hajj, pp. 370 and 371.</ref> and in mystical sources, it also refers to the seven stages of spiritual journey and human ranks.<ref>Asrar Irfani Hajj, pp. 366-370.</ref>

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 == Monotheistic Secrets of Tawaf ==
-In the view of many commentators and researchers, Tawaf is a manifestation of practical monotheism; a circular movement around a center that reminds believers of their sole destination, which is God.<ref name=":0">Sahba-ye Hajj, p. 190; Surah al-Anbiya, verse 97; Pish Daramadi bar Farhangnameh Asrar va Ma'aref Hajj, vol. 1, p. 207.</ref>
+In the view of many commentators and researchers, [[Tawaf]] is a manifestation of practical monotheism; a circular movement around a center that reminds believers of their sole destination, which is God.<ref name=":0">Sahba-ye Hajj, p. 190; Surah al-Anbiya, verse 97; Pish Daramadi bar Farhangnameh Asrar va Ma'aref Hajj, vol. 1, p. 207.</ref>
 Tawaf is considered a form of prayer<ref name=":5">Awali al-La'ali, vol. 2, p. 167.</ref> and a movement towards closeness to God and detachment from others, which polishes the heart and familiarizes the soul with God.<ref name=":2">Asrar Irfani Hajj, p. 363.</ref> Its continuity is also a symbol of the servant's constant remembrance of God, and without this remembrance, the purpose of Tawaf is not achieved.<ref>Mahajjat al-Bayda, vol. 2, p. 350.</ref> Circumambulating the [[Kaaba]] also signifies love and affection for God<ref>Hajj Maqbool, p. 114.</ref> and leads to His special attention to those performing [[Tawaf|Tawaf]].<ref>Mustadrak al-Wasa'il, vol. 9, p. 376.</ref>
@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 On the other hand, the seven rounds of Tawaf refer to movement through the seven climes or the seven heavens<ref>Asrar al-Shari'ah, p. 243.</ref> and have similarities with the seven stages of prayer from standing to salutation.<ref>Asrar Irfani Hajj, p. 365.</ref> In some sources, this number has been linked to the seven thousand years of distance between angels and God during their protest against the creation of man.<ref>Ilal al-Shara'i, vol. 2, p. 407.</ref> It has also been said that each round of Tawaf reminds one of attaining one of the seven inner meanings of the Quran and its interpretations.<ref>Asrar al-Shari'ah, p. 240.</ref>
-The number seven in Tawaf is also consistent with other Hajj rituals; such as seven times [[Sa'i]] and seven pebbles for [[Ramy|Ramy al-Jamarat]].<ref name=":4" /> This harmony is also seen with the cosmic order: the Quran speaks of seven heavens<ref>Baqarah, 29.</ref> and seven seas,<ref>Luqman, 27.</ref> Surah al-Fatiha is known as Sab' al-Mathani with seven verses, and a week also has seven days.<ref name=":4" /> Thus, the number seven in Tawaf is a symbol of cosmic order and the connection of worship with the structure of creation.{{مدرک}}
+The number seven in Tawaf is also consistent with other [[Rites of Hajj al-Tamattu'|Hajj rituals]]; such as seven times [[Sa'i]] and seven pebbles for [[Ramy|Ramy al-Jamarat]].<ref name=":4" /> This harmony is also seen with the cosmic order: the Quran speaks of seven heavens<ref>Baqarah, 29.</ref> and seven seas,<ref>Luqman, 27.</ref> Surah al-Fatiha is known as Sab' al-Mathani with seven verses, and a week also has seven days.<ref name=":4" /> Thus, the number seven in Tawaf is a symbol of cosmic order and the connection of worship with the structure of creation.{{مدرک}}
 Ultimately, seven rounds of Tawaf are considered to signify the completion of an act of worship<ref>Asrar Irfani Hajj, pp. 370 and 371.</ref> and in mystical sources, it also refers to the seven stages of spiritual journey and human ranks.<ref>Asrar Irfani Hajj, pp. 366-370.</ref>