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Millions of Muslims will gather tomorrow in the holy city of Mecca for the annual pilgrimage: the Hajj. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event for everybody. It is one of Islam’s five pillars and it commemorates the life of the prophet Muslims refer to as the ‘Friend of Allah’: Abraham, peace be upon him. Like Jews and Christians, Muslims revere the Prophet Abraham. The Hajj is a re-enactment of his and his family’s’ struggle to serve the Almighty which culminated in a test of his faith; he was directed to sacrifice his firstborn.

The Hajj will be followed by the Great Eid. Its full name is Eid-ul-Adha which translates as the Feast of Sacrifice.

During the Hajj, men and women will worship alongside one another, circumambulating the Kaaba, the cube-like structure at the heart of the mosque. They will complete rituals in and near Mecca and pray for God’s grace; if their prayers are answered, God-willing, the pilgrims will return to the world cleansed of sin and return reborn.

Although, modernity has transformed a once sleepy desert nation into an air-conditioned oasis which welcomes souls seeking the Divine into its hallowed heart, the Hajj is a true test of the will of the believer. The lesson is there for all of us. In today’s world it is easy to lose ourselves in the tumult of the crowd and push or shove our way forward. But this isn’t the right way. Patience is the one virtue that any pilgrim cannot do without.

Lord, guide us and hold us to your path and strengthen us so we can attain the height of faith and achieve the dignity of your rightly guided servant Abraham peace be upon by sacrificing our impatient selves, Amen.