Comparing The Pilgrim In The Monkey And The Monk

Spiritual enlightenment and the physical act of undertaking a journey is a key concept in certain religions and world views. The deeper reliance upon on god and the cleansing of the soul while forging the paths that were once walked by the trailblazers of the religion in their quest to forge a stronger relationship with God is seen as a necessity in major world religions. The journey itself and the personal growth and understanding of the shortcomings with one’s own character is also an integral part of the process of pilgrimage and physical journeys. This can be seen in two very different texts and the world views that they preach, The Qur’an and The Monkey and the Monk, both texts tell of journeys from different perspectives and the reasons that they should be undertaken. However, they differ on the reasons for pilgrimage and what exactly the end goal of the journey. The message can be taken from

both the Islamic teachings in the Qur’an and the Hadith and it is clear that the end goal of the pilgrimage is a closer and deeper relationship with Allah.

Although, if the message is taken one of the most influential Chinese texts ever written the message laid out is that the self .

The Hajj is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith and it is mandatory that it must be undertaken at least once in the life of a mature able-bodied Muslim adult. The Hajj is said to mirror many of the journeys taken in the Qur’an that are important in the Islamic faith such as the journey taken by Adam and eve when they were expelled from Eden and the journey of Abrahams wife, Hagar, as she searched between the two hills of Safa and Marwa in search of water for her son and finally, it is thought that the journey is to trace the footsteps of the prophets Abraham and Ishmael during the journey that Allah sent Abraham to sacrifice his son. The importance of pilgrimage in the Muslim faith cannot be over looked and it is written in the

hajj that behind faith and fighting for Allah’s cause the next most important sign of faith is an accepted pilgrimage “The Prophet was asked: "Which deed is the best?" He replied, "Faith in Allah and His Messenger." Then he was asked: "What is next?" He replied, "Jihad (holy fighting) in the Cause of Allah." Then he was asked, "What is after that?" He replied, "Hajj Mabrur (an accepted pilgrimage)." (Hadith). It is also clear in certain passages of the Qur’an of how followers of the faith must view those who willing ignore the call of pilgrimage “And anyone who disbelieves (and renounces Hajj, has impaired himself), Allah is not in need of any of his created ones in the worlds.” (Qur’an 3:97). The Qur’an is clear on what should be undertaken but for the clear meaning in why the Hajj is to be completed is show in the Hadith “'Umra is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise." (Hadith 3:27). It is apparent from the religious texts that the cleansing of the soul if the reason for the pilgrimage and the ability to do the presents itself with a deeper relationship with Allah.