Belief Quote by Asghar Ali Engineer
“My personal belief is we should not bow to any object. But Islam was aware of this human weakness and fulfilled that need through Haj to kiss a stone. A stone is a stone but the vacuum was filled and it became the holiest object. I have performed Haj and seen the devotion of people braving stampedes only to kiss that stone.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Hajj, Asghar Ali Engineer, 2005
The quote reflects on human tendency to venerate objects, noting that Islam channels this by making the Kaaba stone a focal point of devotion, turning a simple object into a sacred symbol.
In simple terms: People often worship objects; Islam redirects that to a holy stone.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the power of symbolic rituals.
Themes
faith
ritual
symbolism
human nature
Mood
reverent
reflective
Type
theological
observational
When to use this quote
- pilgrimage
- religious festivals
- crowd dynamics
- spiritual seeking
Key Concepts
sacredness
psychology of devotion
collective identity
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives people to seek physical symbols of faith?
- How can rituals balance devotion and safety?
A Different Perspective
Symbolic objects can also become sources of conflict or exclusion.
