TAG: Hajj
Supererogatory Acts During Tawaf
It is Sunnah for a pilgrim to perform the following acts while performing Tawaf of Ka’bah.
1) Facing the Black Stone.
2) Al-‘Idtiba (Uncovering one’s shoulder).
3) Ramal or jogging.
4) Touching the Yemeni Corner.
5) Offering two rak’ahs after Tawaf
Facing the Black Stone
A pilgrim should start his Tawaf facing the Black Stone saying Takbeer (Allah-o-Akbar), and Tahlil (La ilaha illallah), and raising one’s hands as they are raised in prayer, and if possible touching it with both hands and kissing it lightly, or placing one’s cheek on it. Otherwise, one may touch it with one’s hand, kiss the hand, or touch it with something, and then kiss it, or if even that is not possible, one may just point to it with a stick, etc. as is mentioned in some of the Ahadith referred to below.
Ibn Umar said: “Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) faced the Black Stone, touched it, and then placed his lips on it and wept for a long time.” Likewise, Umar also wept for a long time. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘O Umar, this is the place where one should shed tears.'” (Reported by Al-Hakim)
Al-‘Idtiba (Uncovering one’s shoulder)
It is reported by Ibn Abbas that the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions stated their intention to perform Umrah from Al-Ji’ranah by wearing the two-piece ihram but left their right shoulders uncovered, bringing their ihram up from under their right armpits while covering the left shoulder. (Reported by Ahmad and Abu Daw’ud)
Majority of scholars hold a similar view and claim that doing so is helpful in Ramal (jogging) while making Tawaf. Malik is of the opinion, however, that doing so is not recommended, for it is not a known (practice), nor did he see anyone doing so. There is a consensus of opinion that it is undesirable to do so during the Tawaf prayer (Salatul Tawaf).
Ramal or Jogging
Ramal means walking quickly and vigorously while moving one’s shoulders and taking small steps, giving a sense of strength and energy. Ibn Umar reported that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) jogged from the Black Stone around the Ka’bah and back to the Black Stone again three times, and then walked the remaining four rounds. (Muslim and Ahmad)
If a person does not jog during the first three rounds, then he is not required to make it up in the last four rounds. Ramal and idtiba’ are prescribed for men only while making Tawaf for Umrah. When a pilgrim performs Haj, Tawaf is always followed by Sa’i (walking between Safa and Marwah hills).
Women are not obliged to jog or uncover their right shoulders, because they must cover themselves properly. Ibn Umar said: “Women are not obliged to jog around the Ka`bah nor while making Sa`i between Safa and Marwah.” (Reported by Al-Baihaqi)
Touching the Yemeni Corner
This is based on the statement of Ibn Umar in which he said: “I never saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) touching any other parts of the Ka’bah except the two corners: the Black Stone and the Yemeni Corner.” And he added, “No matter how hard and difficult the circumstances, I have never failed to touch these two corners — the Yemeni Corner and the Black Stone — ever since I saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) doing so.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Offering Two Rak’ahs after Tawaf
It is Sunnah to offer two rak’ahs after completing the Tawaf at the Station of Ibrahim (peace be upon him), or at any other place in the Sacred Mosque, regardless of whether it is a supererogatory Tawaf or an obligatory one (as in Haj or Umrah).
Jabir reported: “When the Prophet (peace be upon him) came to Makkah, he circumambulated the Ka’bah seven times, then went to the Station of Ibrahim and recited the verse: “… And take you (people) the Maqam (place) of Ibrahim (Abraham) as a place of prayer…” (2:125). He prayed behind it, and then went to the Black Stone and kissed it.” (Reported by At-Tirmidhi)
In these two rak’ahs, it is sunnah to recite Surah Al-Kafirun in the first rak’ah, and Surah Al-Ikhlas in the second, after reciting Al-Fatihah. (Reported by Muslim and others)
These two rak’ahs may be offered at any time of the day or night including the prohibited times.
As Hajj Approaches, Ummah Gets United
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) delivered a passionate and soul-stirring sermon during his first and only Haj on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah – the day of Arafah. The sermon, which is popularly known as the Farewell Sermon, is recorded in several authentic books of Ahadith, including Sahih Al-Bukhari and Musnad Ahmad. The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not live till next year’s Haj and this was his farewell address to the tens of thousands of Muslims who did the pilgrimage with him.
“O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Treat others justly so that no one would be unjust to you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds.”
The Prophet also exhorted the Muslims to fear Allah regarding women and to keep their hands off each other’s wealth and property. The 9th of Dhul Hijjah is sacred even for those Muslims who are not performing Haj. Its fast is an expiation for sins committed in the previous year and the next. (Sahih Muslim, no. 1162)
The sight of hundreds of thousands of Muslims embarking on their journey of Haj, proclaiming the talbiyah, telecast all around the world calls us to think about the time when Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) built the Ka’bah with his son Isma’il in the scorching, arid, and barren valley of Makkah thousands of years ago. He found it incredible that people would one day throng this Sacred House, in this uninhabited land, to answer their Lord’s call for Haj. He therefore prayed for Makkah to be blessed with fruit and provision from all around, and for people’s hearts to be inclined towards its people.
“O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley without cultivation, by Your Sacred House; in order, O our Lord, that they may establish regular Prayer: so fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and (O Allah) provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks.” (Qur’an, 14:37)
He then proceeded, in submission to Allah’s command, to make the call for Haj to all mankind. Allah responded by declaring that a day would come, when this Sacred House would bring forth pilgrims from every distant valley, and on every riding beast available to them; they would come, responding to Allah’s call for Haj.
“And proclaim to mankind the Haj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Haj).” (Qur’an, 22:27)
The blessing is apparent. The Muslim Ummah, though divided today by sects, groups, and international borders, unites into one nation. Yes, we all unite during Haj, Alhamdulillah. We put everything aside to respond to Allah’s call. All pilgrims gather together on a single stretch of land – the plain of Arafah. Away from their comfortable homes, dressed in a pair of unstitched cloths, their faces covered with dust, their heads unprotected from the sun, their bellies half-empty, and their hearts humbled, they stand in remembrance of their Lord, turning to Him in repentance and submission. The most diehard of sinners can, on this day, transform into a humble, penitent servant with the mercy of Allah.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “There is no day on which Allah frees more of His slaves from the Fire than the day of Arafah. He draws close then He praised them before the angels and says, ‘What do these people want?’” (Sahih Muslim, no. 1348)
After returning from Arafah, however, some unfortunate Muslims fall into the trap of Satan and fall into petty disputes about petty matters! They forget the essence of Haj, which teaches valuable lessons of mutual harmony and forbearance, as the Prophet advised in his last sermon.
Nothing rings true as much as the part of his sincere speech quoted below, the message of which, if Muslims were to take back home with them after Haj, would change their attitudes for good: “Know that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim, which belongs to a fellow Muslim, unless it is given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, be unjust to yourselves.” (Al-Bukhari, no. 1623; and Muslim, no. 98)
Learning Hajj Contemplations For Spirituality
1. This is a journey that was under taken by Prophets and Messengers before you. Those who take the path of the Prophets affirm the Tawheed of Allah. Some come to perform Haj with their hearts attached to other than Allah. They invoke the dead and the righteous, whether present or absent. Such actions are the opposite of Tawheed (which means to worship Allah alone). They are Shirk no matter what people may term them because those deeds amount to setting up partners with Allah. So, free your intention from any devotion to other than Allah. Repent and come with a sincere heart submitting to Allah (alone) remembering what Prophet Ibrahim and his son Isma’il (peace be upon him) said when they were raising the foundations of Allah’s House, the Ka’ba:
“Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manasik (all the ceremonies of pilgrimage – Haj and Umrah, etc.), and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.” (Qur’an, 2:128)
2. You are set to depart and you may or may not return to your home. Make this journey to Allah’s House as Allah wants it. Think of the next journey that is surely coming, the one that leads to the meeting with Allah, Most High. This raises questions like: What did I prepare for that Day? Am I following Allah’s Commands? Am I a follower of the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)? Do I really know Allah?
“And invoke not any other ilah (god) along with Allah, La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshiped but He). Everything will perish save His Face. His is the Decision, and to Him you (all) shall be returned.” (Qur’an, 28:88)
3. When you reach the Meeqat, remind yourself that there is another Meeqat that is still to come. It is the Meeqat (appointed meeting) on the Day of Resurrection:
“Say (O Muhammad, peace be upon him): ‘(Yes) verily, those of old, and those of later times. All will surely be gathered together for appointed Meeting of a known Day.’” (Qur’an, 56:49-50)
4. When you start the Talbiyah remember the Command of Allah to Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him):
“And proclaim to mankind the Haj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Haj).” (Qur’an, 22:27)
The Talbiyah you make is in response to Prophet Ibrahim’s (peace be upon him) proclamation to visit Allah’s house of worship.
5. Upon entering Makkah remember that you are in the Secure Sanctuary:
“Have We not established for them a secure sanctuary (Makkah), to which are brought fruits of all kinds, a provision from Ourselves, but most of them know not.” (Qur’an, 28:57)
Let one devote himself to seeking repentance, having a good view of Allah, hoping that Allah will grant him security from His Punishment.
6. You will enter one of the gates of Al-Masjid Al-Haraam. Then there you are before the magnificent House of Allah, Most High, the Ka’bah. Now you see what you hoped to see for a long time. Thank Allah for making this possible and hope that He will grant you the greatest reward of seeing His Majestic Face on the Day of Resurrection. This thankfulness is not just in saying Alhamdulillah, but by obeying Allah while on Haj and for the rest of your life.
7. You start your Tawaf knowing that it is a great time for glorifying Allah. Remember Him by His Names, Attributes and Actions. Also while in Tawaf try to reflect upon the time when Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was prevented from doing the same thing you are doing today.
Then think about what he did in clearing out the site from the symbols that were worshiped besides Allah. All idols were demolished. Make lots of du’a. Ask Allah to guide you to hold on to the correct belief till your death. Ask Allah to save you from all forms of Shirk and Bid’ah.
Occasions On Which To Recite Durood Sharif
It should be remembered that it is compulsory to write or recite Durood when writing the name of Rasulullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم,
or when saying his name. This is greatly emphasized in the Hadith and there are grave warnings for the person who goes against this teaching. Also, it is necessary to write the entire Durood after the name of Rasulullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم. The command of Durood will not be fulfilled by writing (saw) or any other shortened form, nor will a person get reward.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَ سَلَّمِ دَائِمًا اَبَدًا عَلٰى حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ كُلِّهِمْ
1. When passing by a Masjid.
2. When seeing a Masjid.
3. After completing Azaan.
4. On the night of Jumu’ah.
5. On the day of Jumu’ah.
6. On the day of Jumu’ah after Asr.
7. On Monday.
8. In the khutbah of Jumu’a and Eid.
9. During the Takbeeraat of Eid.
10. After the second Takbeer of Janazah Salaah.
11. When placing the deceased into the grave.
12. In the Salaah of Istisqaa-for rain.
13. In the khutbah of Kusoof and Khusoof.
14. When seeing the ka’bah.
15. During Hajj.
16. On Safa and Marwa.
17. When making istilaam of the Hijr e Aswad.
18. At the Multazam.
19. After Zuhr on the day of ‘arafah.
20. In Masjid e Khayf.
21. After completing Talbiyah.
22. When seeing Madinah Munawwarah.
23. When visiting the blessed grave.
24. When completing and leaving the visiting of the blessed grave.
25. When witnessing the signs of Madinah Munawwarah.
26. At Badr.
27. At Uhud etc.
28. In all conditions and at every time.
29. In order to be free from something grave.
30. When meeting relatives and those beloved to one.
31. When going to a gathering.
32. When leaving and separating from a gathering.
33. When completing the Qur’an (at the time of Du’aa).
34. In the Du’aa for memorizing the Qur’an.
35. When getting up from a gathering.
36. Every time when Allah is remembered.
37. When beginning every speech.
38. When mentioning and remembering Rasulullaah e.
39. At the time when spreading and teaching knowledge.
40. When delivering a lecture.
41. When reciting Ahadith.
42. When writing a fatwa.
43. When writing the name of Rasulullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم
Qurbani
Asaan Hajj Qadam Ba Qadam
HAJJ – The Fifth Pillar of Islam
ALLAH’S Command to Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him):
“and announce among people about (the obligation of) Hajj, so that they should come to you on foot, and on every camel turned lean, traveling through every distant hilly pathway, so that they witness benefits for them, and recite Allah‘s name in specified days, over the provision He gave them from the cattle. So, eat thereof and feed the distressed, the poor. Then, they must remove their dirt, and fulfill their vows, and make Tawaf of the Ancient House. Having said that, whoever observes reverence of the things sanctified by Allah, it is good for him with his Lord. And permitted to you are the cattle, except those mentioned to you through recitation (of the verses). So refrain from the filth of the idols and refrain from a word of falsehood, standing upright for (the obedience of) Allah, not ascribing any partner to Him. Whoever ascribes a partner to Allah, it is as if he falls down from the sky, and either the birds snatch him, or the wind drives him away to a far off place. Having said that, if one observes the sanctity of the symbols of Allah, then such things emanate from the piety of the hearts. And for you there are benefits in them (the cattle) up to a specified time. Then their place of sacrifice is by the Ancient House.”
[ALLAH’S Quran – 22:27-29]
May ALLAH, The Exalted, Accept the Hajj of All of His Slaves who have traveled on Foot, by Sea or by Air, from all corners of the Globe.
Learning Hajj
Hajj is one of the best forms of worship and one of the most sublime deeds because it’s one of the pillars of Islam. A Muslim’s religion is incomplete without it. (Any) worship is only acceptable when the following is true:
One devotes it to Allah alone, with a desire for the Hereafter. It cannot be done with the intention of being seen among people or for worldly gain.
One follows the Prophet’s example, in words and deeds. This cannot be accomplished except by gaining knowledge of the Sunnah.
The three types of Hajj:
Tamattu: A pilgrim wears Ihram for Umrah only during the months of Hajj, which means when a pilgrim reaches Makkah, he/she makes Tawaf and Sa’i for Umrah. Then shaves or clips the hair. On the day of Tarwiya, which is the eighth of Dhul Hijja, the pilgrim puts on his Ihram for Hajj only and carries out all of its requirements.
Ifrad: A pilgrim wears Ihram for Hajj only. When he reaches Makkah, he performs Tawaf for his arrival and Sa’i for Hajj. He doesn’t shave or clip his hair as he doesn’t disengage from Ihram. Instead, he remains in Ihram till after he stones Jamrah Al-Aqaba on the Eid day. It is permissible for him to postpone his Sa’i for Hajj until after his Tawaf for Hajj.
Qiran: A pilgrim wears Ihram for both Umrah and Hajj or he wears Ihram first for Umrah, then makes intentions for Hajj before his Tawaf for Hajj. The obligations on one performing Ifrad are the same as those on one performing Qiran, except that the latter must slaughter whereas the former is not obligated to do so.
The best of the three forms is Tamattu. It is the form that the Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged his followers to perform. Even if a pilgrim makes his intention to perform Qiran or Ifrad he is allowed to change his intention to Tamattu. He can do this even after he has performed Tawaf and Sa’i.
When the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed Tawaf and Sa’i during the year of the Farewell Hajj with his Companions, he ordered all those who hadn’t brought sacrificial animals to change their intention for Hajj into intention for Umrah. cut their hair, and disengage from Ihram till Hajj. He said, “If I hadn’t brought the sacrificial animal, I would have done what I have ordered you to do.”
– By Sheikh Muhammad Bin Saleh Al-Uthaymeen
– Excerpt from the book How to Perform the Rituals of Hajj and Umrah
The Fruits of Hajj – II
Hajj allows Muslims to exchange benefits and experience in general. Scholars and decision-makers from around the world can meet and study the situation and needs of the Muslims, and the importance of cooperating with them.
Muslims achieve true submission to Allah by standing in the holy places in Al-Masjid Al-Haram and Arafat.
In Hajj, the Muslims find forgiveness of sins because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever performs Hajj and does not use any obscene words or commit any sin will go back cleansed of sin as on the day he/she was born.”
Hajj proclaims that Islam is the religion of organization because during Hajj the ritual times are organized, with every action done in a set place and at a time defined for it. Hajj also trains Muslims to spend in charity and to avoid miserliness.
Hajj increases piety and makes the heart fit to honor the Symbols of Allah . ” … and whosoever honors the Symbols of Allah, then it is truly from the piety of the hearts.” (22:32)
Hajj trains the rich to give up their distinct clothing and accommodation and makes them equal with the poor in clothing and in the rituals of Tawaf, Sa’i, and throwing the pebbles. This teaches the rich to be humble and to realize the insignificance of this worldly life.
The pilgrim persists in worshiping and remembering Allah during the days of Hajj. This is a kind of intensive training in worship and remembrance of Allah.
Hajj develops good characteristics, such as forbearance and putting up with annoying people, because the pilgrim will inevitably be exposed to crowding and arguments, etc. Allah says: “The Hajj (pilgrimage) is (in) the well-known (lunar year) months (i.e. the 10th month, the 11th month and the first ten days of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar). So whosoever intends to perform Hajj therein (by assuming ihram), then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj.” (2:197)
Hajj trains the pilgrims to share, be patient and to put up with difficulties such as heat, long distances, being apart from their families, going back and forth between the holy sites and the crowded conditions in them.
Hajj teaches the pilgrims not to despair of the mercy of Allah, no matter how great their worries and distress maybe, for the way out is in Allah’s hand.
The mother of Isma’il thought her son was about to die, and she started to run from one mountain to the other, looking for a solution. It came to her from a source she could never imagine when the angel came down and struck the ground, and out came the water of Zamzam with its healing for diseases of the heart and body.
The pilgrims remember that in doing these rituals, they are the guests of the Most Merciful. The gathering of Hajj is not at the invitation of any government or organization or king or president; rather it is at the invitation of the Lord of the Worlds Who has made it an occasion on which the Muslims meet on a footing of equality in which no one is superior to anyone else.
An-Nasa’i reported that Abu Hurairah said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “The guests of Allah are three: the warrior for the sake of Allah, the pilgrim performing Hajj and the pilgrim performing Umrah.”