—and He, exalted be His mention, has spoken in general praise of everyone who calls upon Allah for the righteousness of his offspring: “When he grows to full maturity and reaches the age of forty, he says, ‘My Lord, inspire me to give thanks for the favor You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, to do righteous works that please You, and set right my children for me. Truly I repent to You, and I am indeed of those who submit.’” ⦗Al-Ahqaf 15⦘. For once the servant dies, “all his deeds cease except for three: a perpetual charity, knowledge from which people benefit, or a righteous child who prays for him.”(1)

• Another lesson: the sacred landmarks (al-mashāʿir) and the sites where the rites are performed were legislated, among other wisdoms, to recall the stations of the Friend of Allah and his family in their worship of their Lord, to deepen faith(2) in Allah and His messengers, and to encourage(3) emulation of them in every religious circumstance—for all the conditions of the messengers are, by definition, acts of devotion. Allah the Exalted says, “Take the standing-place of Abraham as a place of prayer.” ⦗Al-Baqarah 125⦘.

• Another lesson: the command to purify the Sacred Mosque from every impurity and from all verbal and physical sins—out of reverence for Allah, and in order to assist and invigorate those who worship within it. The same applies to all other mosques, for He, Most High, says: “Purify My House for those who circumambulate, stand, bow, and prostrate.” ⦗Al-Hajj 26⦘; and He also says, “In houses which Allah has allowed to be raised and wherein His name is remembered.” ⦗Al-Nūr 36⦘.

• And among the lessons: the most excellent of all counsels is that which Abraham and Jacob gave their sons—to cling firmly to the religion, to fear Allah, and to unite upon that foundation. This is likewise Allah’s injunction to both earlier and later generations, for through it lie everlasting happiness and protection from the ills of this world and the next.