TAG: Hajj
ka’bah: The First House Of Worship
The Ka’bah is the first and the most ancient house of worship ever built for all mankind and it was dedicated solely to the worship of Allah. So by facing toward the Ka’bah in our prayers, we are stressing the unity of mankind under the Lordship of the One and Only God. Moreover, by facing toward the Ka’bah, we are stressing the concept of Allah the Almighty being the center of our lives.
Allah says in the Qur’an: “Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah) full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-‘Alamin (mankind and jinn).” (3:96)
Thus, by ordering us to face toward the Ka’bah, we are taken back to our Adamic roots. One of the most essential messages of Islam is to break the barriers such as race, language ethnicity, etc. that separate human beings from one another by stressing their common origin in Adam and Eve. We need not emphasize the fact that racism has been and continues to be the scourge of humanity. Thus, through its entire teachings, Islam cuts at the roots of this menace. It is no wonder then that all of the Islamic rituals of worship stress equality and egalitarianism rather than division and distinction based on caste, clan, or status. One of the last messages delivered by the Prophet (peace be upon him) during his farewell pilgrimage was, “O people, (through Islam) Allah has abolished from your hearts your boasting about your ancestors. Remember all of you descended from Adam and Adam was created from the dust of the ground.”
Islam teaches us to worship One and Only God. Unlike all other religions, which tend to revere their founders excessively often to the point of worshiping them, Allah asks Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to declare: “I am only a human being like you.”
Therefore, nothing is farther from the truth than stating that Muslims undertake the pilgrimage (Haj) to revere the Black Stone or the Ka’bah. While it is true that while going around the Ka’bah, some pilgrims may touch the Black Stone, doing so is not an integral rite of Hajj. It is, therefore, totally absurd and incorrect to say that Muslims go to Makkah to worship the Stone.
Touching the Stone is a mere symbolic act; it is merely intended to symbolize the beginning of the ritual of circumambulation around the Sacred House.
In this context, it is worth remembering what Caliph Umar said while touching the Black Stone: “I know for a certain fact that you are simply a stone; you have no power to benefit or harm anyone; if I hadn’t seen the Prophet (peace be upon him) touching you I wouldn’t have even bothered to touch you.”
We do not attach any importance to this Stone other than the fact that it was placed there by Prophet Ibrahim by the order of Allah. So we are merely renewing our memory of the great Prophet, whose faith and sacrifice is celebrated in the rituals of Hajj.
If anyone thinks otherwise, he is distorting Islam. The source for Islam is the Qur’an and the Sunnah and those who are well versed in these sources.
It is also not true to think that Muslims always turn to the East; rather they always turn toward the Ka’bah while performing their prayers, and its precise direction may be different, depending on where we are located in the world.
Hajj – Merits and Rulings
Hajj is an important pillar of Islam. It has many benefits and meanings for Muslims. Hajj has a form and a spirit. Its form is to have ihram, perform tawaf of Ka’bah (circumambulation) and sa’i (walking between the two hills), go to Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah, do the Rami (throwing pebbles) at the Jamarat and make the sacrifice of a sheep, goat or camel. The spirit of Hajj includes love, devotion, sacrifice, patience, mercy, harmony, unity, etc.
Elaborating the point the late eminent Muslim scholar Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi says that during the period of two to three months, from the time of deciding and preparing for Hajj, to the time of returning home we can judge what great effects are produced in the heart and mind of man.
The process entails sacrifice of time, sacrifice of money, sacrifice of comfort, sacrifice of several worldly affairs as well as sacrifice of many carnal desires and pleasures; and all this is simply for the sake of Allah, with no selfish end. Then, together with piety and virtuousness, the incessant remembrance of Allah and the longing and love of Him pervade the mind of the pilgrim, leaving a firm impression on him which lasts for years to come.
On reaching this sacred land he witnesses at every step the relics of those who sacrificed everything they owned in servitude and obedience to Allah. They fought against the disbelievers, suffered torture, were forced to migrate from their land, and went through unbearable hardship and tribulations, but ultimately raised high the Word of Allah and did not rest content till they subdued every false power that wanted man to become subservient to entities other than Allah.
A lesson in courage and determination, which a devotee of Allah can draw from these clear signs and sacred relics, can hardly be had from any other source. Through the circumambulation of Ka’bah (Tawaf), the rehearsal of Mujahid’s life consisting of the rituals of Hajj (such as running between two points, and repeated departures and halts), which are combined with prayer, fasting, and Zakah, you will realize that these processes constitute training for some big task which Islam wants Muslims to perform.
For this reason, Hajj has been made compulsory for those who have paid all their debts and are capable of undertaking the journey to the Ka’bah so that, as far as possible, Muslims in the largest possible number remain equipped at every period after having fully gone through this training.
Hajj brings about immense rewards. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The performance of one Umrah after another expiates and blots out all the sins committed in between, and Hajj Mabrur (Hajj performed typically according to the rules of the Qur’an and Sunnah) has no reward but Paradise.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
In another authentic Hadith, Ibn Jurayj reports on the authority of Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “This House of Allah (the Ka’bah) is the pillar of Islam; so whosoever head for it with the intention of performing Hajj or Umrah is under Allah’s protection. If he should die (during this journey), he will be admitted to Paradise, and if he should return home safely, he will return with reward and gain.”
Hajj, moreover, blots out all sins. Abu Hurairah (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever performs Hajj solely for Allah’s Sake and, in the course of it, abstains from obscenity and disobedience, returns after Hajj as immaculate as a child just born.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Amr Ibn Al-Aas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: “When Allah guided me to Islam, I went to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said to him: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Stretch out your hand so that I may pledge allegiance to you.’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) stretched out his hand to me, but I withdrew my hand. The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked, ‘O Amr! What is the matter with you?’ I said: ‘I would like to stipulate a condition!’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked, ‘What is that condition you want to stipulate?’ ‘It is that all my past sins be forgiven,’ I said. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘O Amr! Do you not know that embracing Islam removes all the sins committed before it; that Hijrah (migration in Allah’s Cause) wipes off all sins; and that performing Hajj blots out all one’s past sins!“‘ (Muslim)
Abdullah Ibn Masoud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Alternate between Hajj and Umrah, for these two remove poverty and obliterate sins just as the blacksmith’s bellows removes all impurities from metals like iron, gold, and silver. The reward for Hajj Mabrur (Hajj performed typically according to the rules of the Qur’an and Sunnah) is nothing short of Paradise.” (An-Nasaa’i and At-Tirmidhi)
Charity May Be Better Than Voluntary Hajj
IBN Kathir related the following in his famous history book, Al-Bidayah wa An-Nihayah: The scholar – who was also a businessman – Abdullah Bin Mubarak, set out to perform Hajj. As he was passing by a certain region, he noticed a bird that had fallen from the sky and died, so he ordered that it be thrown in a heap of garbage. Later on, when he passed by that heap of garbage, he saw a young girl coming out of her home, going to the pile of garbage, taking the dead bird, and hurrying back to her home.
He went to her and asked her about what she did, and she said, “My brother and I live here, and we own nothing except for our clothing. We have no sustenance except for what is thrown in that heap of garbage; for the past few days, even the dead carcass has become permissible for us.
Our father used to have a lot of wealth, but he was wronged, his wealth was taken away from him, and he was killed.” Ibn Mubarak ordered the supplies for the trip to be taken back to his home, and he said to his agent, “How much do we have in terms of spending money?” He said, “1000 dinars.” ‘Abdullah said, “Take 20 dinars from that, which should be enough for our return journey, and give the rest to her, for that is better than our (voluntary) Hajj this year.” He then returned home.
And that is why the scholar Muhammad Ghazali was of the view that spending money on the needs of Muslims is better than a voluntary Hajj. He said, “To fulfill a need of Muslims is a communal obligatory deed, and the obligatory deed is given precedence over the voluntary deed.”
On Proceeding To Journey
(1) A ‘Hajj’ pilgrim should get his faults excused by his friends and relatives at the time of taking their leave and request them to pray for his well-being. When he intends to get out of his house, he should offer two ‘Rak’at of Nafl prayers. On getting near the exit of his house he should recite Surah Inna Anzalna. (ch.97).
When he comes out he should give whatever he can afford as charity and should recite ‘Ayat-ul-Kursi’.
Thereafter he should pray to Allah in these words:-
“O Allah: I seek Thy protection against that I go or be led astray, or that I oppress or be oppressed; and against that I do an act of ignorance or fall a victim thereto” :
This invocation should also be pronounced:-
“O Allah! We ask Thee for righteousness and piety in this journey of ours. We request Thee to bless us with the acts that may please Thee.”
“O Allah! make this journey of ours convenient for us and help us in crossing over its distance easily.”
“O Allah! Thou art our companion in this journey and the caretaker of our family behind us.”
“O Allah! I seek Thy protection against the troubles in this journey; against beholding my property and family in bad condition on my return and against being impaired after being settled and against the malediction of the oppressed one.”
(2) If the Arabic text of the invocations is not safe in memory, the subject matter written in the translation underneath may be repeated in one’s own language.
(3) On taking leave of the relatives this invocation should be repeated :
“I commend you to Allah’s protection under whose charge the things are not lost.”
(4) At the time of getting into the traveling carriage ‘Bismillah…….’ along with the following invocation should be pronounced :
“Praise be to Allah who made it submissive to our control and we were not to control it (without the help of His omnipotence). No doubt we are certainly to return to our Lord.”
Islam Ka Bunyadi Rukan Hajj
Islam Ka Bunyadi Rukan Hajj
Three Types Of Hajj
Hajj Al-Qiran – At a Meeqat, in the months of Hajj, one enters into Ihram for Hajj and Umrah at the same time, not coming out of the state of Ihram until the Day of Sacrifice (10th Dhul Hijjah). Alternatively, one may enter into Ihram for Umrah and before beginning the Tawaf, the intention of Ihram for Hajj may be made. The Sa`ee may be done after the Tawaf of Umrah or left to be done after Tawaf Al-Ifadah. One performing this type of Hajj is called a Qarin.
Hajj Al-Ifrad – At a Meeqat, in the months of Hajj, one enters into Ihram for Hajj alone. Like the Qarin he remains in the state of Ihram until the 10th Dhul Hijjah. It is not obligatory for him to sacrifice an animal. No Umrah is required.
Hajj At-Tamattu’ – Many Scholars consider this the best type of Hajj, as it is what the Prophet (peace be upon him) urged his Companions to do. One performing this type of Hajj is called a Muttamatti. This involves performing Umrah first during any of the months of Hajj (Shawwal, Dhul Qada, and the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah), removing the Ihram clothes after Umrah, and then reassumes the Ihram state for Hajj on the eighth day of Dhul Hijjah of the same year.
Note: For those who choose to do At-Tamattu’ or Al-Qiran, a mandatory sacrifice is required from them during the days of Eid. Those who live in Makkah are exempted from this requirement.
Easy Actions For Which Rewards Are Multiplied
Primary reference: “Al-Amal al-Mudaa
afah” (Dar al-Watan, Riyadh)
By Sulaymaan ibn Saalih al-Kharaashi
“So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.” [18:110]
How great will be the regret of those who waste this opportunity?
1. Preserving the ties of kinship: ” Whoever wishes that his provision be increased and his age lengthened, let him maintain the ties of kinship.” [al-Bukhari and Muslim]
2. Performing many prayers in the two noble Harams (in Makkah and Madinah): “Prayer in this masjid of mine is superior to a thousand prayers elsewhere, except for Masjid al-Haram, and prayer in Masjid al-Haram is superior to one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere.” [Ahmad and ibn Majah]
3. Performing prayers in congregation. “Prayer in congregation is superior to praying individually twenty-seven times.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
4. Praying `Isha and Fajr in the congregation: “He who prays Isha’ in Jama’ah [congregation] is as if he has prayed for half the night. As to him who (also) prays Fajr in congregation, it is as if he has prayed all night.” [narrated by Malik and the wording is that of a Muslim who also reported it]
5. Performing voluntary prayers at home. “Superiority of a man’s prayer in his home over his prayer when people see him is like the superiority of an obligatory prayer over a voluntary one.” [al-Bayhaqi, classed as Saheeh by al-Albani]
“The most superior prayer of a person is in his home, except for obligatory prayers.” [al-Bukhari and Muslim]
6. Observing some manners of the day of Jumu`ah. “Whoever ghassala (washes his head, and it is said: has intercourse with his wife so that it be a means to lower the gaze from the haram that day) on the day of Jumuah, then comes in the earliest time and before the first khutbah, walks and doesn’t ride, stays near the Imam, listens and does not speak – for each step [he makes] he has actions of one year, the reward of fasting and standing in prayer in it.” [Ahl as-Sunan]
7. Salat ul-Ishraq. “Whoever prays al-ghadaa (i.e. al fajr) in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until sunrise, then prays two units of prayer, has a complete reward of Hajj and Umrah [The Prophet, sallallahu
alayhi wa sallam, repeated ‘complete’ three times for emphasizing].” [at-Tirmidhi, classed as Saheeh by al-Albani]
How To Perform Tawaf
One must begin Tawaf of the Ka’bah (circumambulation) with one’s right shoulder uncovered, (for men only) and the Ka’bah on one’s left side, while facing the Black Stone, which you should kiss, if possible, touch with one’s hand, or point in its direction. In this regard, we cite what Sheikh Sayyed Sabiq states in his well-known book Fiqh As-Sunnah: One must begin Tawaf (circumambulation) with one’s right shoulder uncovered, (for men only) and the Ka’bah on one’s left side, while facing the Black Stone, which you should kiss, if possible, or touch with your hand, or point in its direction, saying, Bismillah wallahau akbar Allahumma imanan bika wa tasdiqan bikitabika wa wafa’an bi ahdika wa ittiba’an li sunnati nabbiyyika sallalahu alaihi wa sallam (In the Name of Allah. Allah is the Greatest. O Allah! [I begin this Tawaf] believing in You, affirming the truth of Your Book, fulfilling my covenant with You, and following the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him).”
It is encouraged to jog slowly through the first three rounds around the Ka’bah. One should walk quickly, keeping close to the Ka’bah as much as possible, while taking short steps.
During the next four rounds, one should walk at a normal pace. If one is unable to jog or get close to Ka’bah, because of the area being overcrowded, one may perform one’s Tawaf in any way possible.
Touching the Yemeni corner (Ar-Ruknu Al-Yamani) is encouraged, and so is kissing or touching the Black Stone in each of the seven rounds of Tawaf, if possible.
Remembering Allah and supplicating to Him as much as possible is also encouraged. For this purpose, one may choose any supplication that one feels comfortable with, without restricting oneself to any particular supplications or repeating what others may be saying. There are no set supplications prescribed for this purpose.
The supplications that some people consider to be prescribed for various rounds of Tawaf are not authentic. There are no such supplications reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him).
One should pray for oneself, for one’s family, and for the Muslims for anything that is good in this life or in the Hereafter.
Birr (Piety) Towards Parents After Death
Death brings an end to one’s ability to perform good deeds and it is a long journey that requires enough provisions and only three qualities can make this journey easier. Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “When a man dies all his good deeds end, except for three cases; the charity of continuous blessings, beneficial knowledge that he left behind, and a righteous child who prays for him.” [Saheeh Muslim (vol. 3, p.867, no. 4005)]
Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) explained how a child can benefit his parents after their death. Narrated Abu Usayd Malik ibn Rabiah as-Saidi: “While we were with the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), a man of Banu Salmah came to him and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, is there any kindness left that I can do to my parents after their death?’ He replied: “Yes, there are four qualities to perform:-
1. Pray (to Allah to grant them mercy) and invoke (Him) to forgive them,
2. Fulfill their promises (or will),
3. Be generous to their friends,
4. Keep relations with the kindred, which you are kindred through your parents. This is what remains of the kindness that you could perform towards them after they die.” [Sunan of Abu-Dawood (5123)]
Note: The last wishes (wasiyah or will) expressed by the person should be fulfilled so long as they are in accordance with the Sharee’ah.
Performing Hajj on behalf of the Dead:
Another form of worship known from the Sunnah that can be performed on behalf of the dead is Hajj (Pilgrimage). Hajj can only be performed on behalf of the dead after completing one’s obligation of performing Hajj. It was narrated from Ibn Abbas that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) heard a man saying “Labbayka ‘an Shubrumah (At your service, O Allah, on behalf of Shubrumah).” The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) asked: “Who is Shubrumah?” He said, “A relative of mine.” The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said, “Have you ever done Hajj before?” He replied: “No.” Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) ordered him, “Do this Hajj for yourself, then do Hajj on behalf of Shubrumah.” [Abu Dawood (1811). The hadeeth is classed as Saheeh by Shaikh al-Albanee in Irwaa’ al-Ghaleel (4/171)]
- October, 27
- 2427
- Human Rights
- More