Rehearsal of
THE FINAL JOURNEY
-- M.S.Islam WRITER’S NOTE: This book can be printed, copied or reproduced for non- commercial use. The book can also be translated in any language without written permission from the writer.
Published By: SALMAN, SAJID, NADIA & TASNEEM ISLAM 710 OAK COMMONS BOULEVARD KISSIMMEE, FL 34741 USA
Printed at: Chaman Enterprises 1603, Pataudi House Darya Ganj New Delhi - 110002
Cover designed by: M. Muinul Haq Tanveer CONTENTS
1. PRE-CONDITIONS...... 1
2. OBJECTIVE...... 27
3. THE HAJJ...... 32
4. HAJJ IN QURAN...... 39
5. HAJJ OF RASULULLAH SALLALLAHU ALAIHE WA SALLAM...... 43
6. THE REHEARSAL...... 58
7. BE MINDFUL OF...... 74
8. GUIDE TO THE HAJJ AND UMRAH...... 80
9. THE CONDITIONS FOR HAJJ...... 83
10. THE FARD OF HAJJ...... 83
11. THE WAJIBAT OF HAJJ...... 84
12. PERFORMANCE OF UMRAH...... 85
13. THE PERFORMANCE OF HAJJ...... 91
14. OBLIGATIONS DURING IHRAM...... 99
15. VISITATION OF THE PROPHET SALLALLAHU ALAIHE WA SALLAM’S MOSQUE...... 103
16. ON RETURNING HOME...... 109
A SHORT NOTE
The purpose of Hajj has been lost in the formalities of Hajj. Everybody busy himself to learn how to perform Hajj but nobody wants to know why to perform Hajj? What Allah Subhana wa taala wants from Hajj? What are the teachings of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihe wa sallam in Hajj? How to lead life after Hajj. To understand these we must understand whole of Islam. Hajj is not an isolated Ibadat. It is one of the fundamentals of the deen. Unless we have basic understanding and full conviction in our religion there will not be any benefit in performing Hajj.
The purpose of this book is to give some of these understandings. The writer is not an aleem of deen, but sincere efforts were made to collect and compile the information available in the Quran, Hadith and the books of Hajj. If any scholars of deen in future make effort to compile something better than this one, I am sure that will benefit the Ummah. For narrative purposes I have used masculine gender only. Sisters should read the book with equal importance.
-----*----- PRE-CONDITIONS
The mankind has been sent to this world for a short time to prepare for the everlasting life of hereafter. With firm belief in Allah, in the Unseen, in the Revelation, in the Prophets, in Life after death, in the Day of Judgment, in Heaven and Hell one submits himself to the orders of Allah to achieve success in the hereafter. Compared to the eternal life, this life is very short. Just if we compare our 100 year life (if we survive that long) with the Day of Judgment (said to be 50,000 year of our life) then the 100 year life is equal to more or less only three minutes. Even then Allah has kept our ever lasting success of next life in this short worldly life - if we believe. The belief is Iman. “Iman is a general term that includes affirming and believing in Allah, His books and His messengers, and realizing this affirmation through adhering to the implications of what the tongue utters and affirms” (commented by Ibn Jarir). This concept is religion, that in return brings success. For the preparation of the
1 journey to the everlasting life of hereafter one must adhere to the orders of Allah Subhana wa taala and the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad Sallal lahu alai he wa sallam. To achieve that objective, sacrifice is needed. The basic demand of religion (success) is sacrifice. The Iman (faith), Ibadat (rituals of religion) require sacrifice. To bring the belief in Allah, one has to sacrifice the belief in others. Both the belief can not exist together. In other words the love of the creations has to be removed to bring the love of the Creator - that is La ila-ha il lal lah (nothing is worthy of worship but Allah). The success is hidden only in this belief. This belief will enter in the heart only by following the foot steps of the Prophet Alaihe wa sallam. Since the seal of the Prophethood is Muhammad Sallal lahu alai he wa sallam one must follow the ways of him to get the pleasures of Allah. As Allah says in the Quran; Say, if you love Allah, follow me and Allah will love you and forgive you your sins (3:31). To achieve all these, sacrifice is needed. Only through sacrifices we can come closer to Allah. Prophet Ibrahim
2 Alaihe wa sallam and his family gave the sacrifices that Allah demanded from them. Those sacrifices were so difficult yet their Iman made them go through each and every one of them. They never failed! Through those sacrifices Prophet Ibrahim Alaihe wa sallam became the Khalil (friend) of Allah. His and his family’s sacrifice became the rituals (Ibadat) of Hajj for the believers till the day of judgement. As Allah says in the Quran: Behold! Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah. So, if those who visit The House in the season or at other times should compass them round. It is no sin in them (2:158).
As we know, the foundation of our religion is on five basics. Without these five basics in our life we can not claim to be Muslims. Abdullah bin Omor Radiallahu Anhu heard the Prophet Sallal lahu alaihe wa sallam saying: Islam is founded on five pillars: Bearing witness that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad Sallal lahu alaihe wa sallam is His messenger, establishment of Salah, paying of Zakat, performance of Hajj and fasting in the month of
3 Ramadan (Bukhari, Muslim). Out of these five basics three must exist in the life of every Muslim. The Zakat is for those who have enough savings and wealth. Whereas the Hajj is for those who can afford and has brought into life the above other basics. Before going for Hajj one must ask how much he understand and practices the religion. If there is any shortage then spend some time to understand them and bring them into practice.
So before any other obligations, one must have the Iman and firm akin (conviction) in La ilaha illal lah, Muhammadar Rasulullah. In other words nothing is worthy of worship (there is no deity) but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of Allah. The first part of the Iman is La ilaha illal lah. As Allah says in the Quran: And we sent no messenger before you (O Muhammad) except that we revealed to him saying: There is non worthy of worship save me (Allah) so worship me (21:25). Through this invitation all the one hundred and twenty four thousand Prophet Alaihe wa sallam
4 called mankind towards Allah. They conveyed to the entire mankind that only this belief will make them successful in this world and hereafter.
Iman can be built only by knowing Allah. Allah, the Lord of the whole universe, the most Gracious, the Merciful. The Master of the day of judgement. The one that we worship and the one we seek the guidance from. He is Allah - The Mighty (Allah Hu Akbar). To Him do belong all things in the heavens and on earth. Allah Himself says in the Quran: He is Allah, beside Whom none has the right to be worshiped but He, the Knower of the unseen (secret) and the seen (open). He is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. He is Allah beside Whom there is no other God, the Sovereign, the Holy, the One free from all defects, the Giver of Security, the Watcher over His creatures, the Almighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allah. (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the
5 Best Names. All that is in the heavens and in the earth glorify Him. And He is the Almighty, the Wise (59:22-24). Allah continues to say: Allah, none has the right to be worshiped but He, the Ever Living, the One who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world and what will happen to them in the hereafter. And they will never compass anything of His knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursi (throne) extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, The Supreme (2:255).
At another place in the Quran Allah says: And so, as for those who believe in Allah and hold fast to Him, He will cause them to enter into His Mercy and Bounty, and He will guide them to Himself by a straight path (4:175). Allah further says: It is those who
6 believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him alone), and weaken not their belief by wronging themselves, for them (only), there is security and they are the rightly guided (6:82). And those who believe are intense in their love for Allah (2:165) - That is La ilaha illal lah.
Neither words can describe nor the pens can write the attributes of Allah. As we know, if the water of the entire world becomes ink and all the branches of all of the trees become pen still the Blessing of Allah can not be written. That is Allah - Who has created us and to Whom our return is for sure. The Quran says: And if all the trees on earth were pens and the Ocean (were ink) with seven Oceans behind it to add to its (supply), yet would not the words of Allah be exhausted (in the writing), for Allah is exalted in power, full of wisdom (31:27).
Knowing Allah with all His attributes and submitting to Him with full conviction is Iman. Thus once we become Allah’s, Allah will become ours.
7 That is the power of Iman. Anything short, is weakness of Iman.
The Iman in Allah can be built only in the ways of “Muhammadar Rasulullah” - the second part of our belief. Allah says in the Quran: Allah has surely blessed the believers with His favor when He raised in their midst a messenger from among themselves, who recites to them His (Allahs) verses, and makes them pure and teaches them the Book and the wisdom, while they were, earlier, in an open error (3:164). Similarly Allah says: He (Allah) is the One Who raised up, among the unlettered a messenger from among themselves who recites the verses of Allah, and makes them pure and teaches them the Book and the Wisdom (62:2). Thus Allah subhana wa taala explains the responsibilities of the Prophet Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam: - a) Recitation of the verses of the Quran; b) Teaching the meaning (interpretation) of the Quran; c) Through recitation and interpretation of the Quran teaches the wisdom based on the divine guidance; d) In the light of the verses, their interpretation, and teachings of wisdom
8 make the people pure with practical training. In other words he is entrusted with the practical training of the people according to the orders of Allah Subhana wa taala. That is why complete Iman means bringing the ways of life taught by Prophet Muhammad Sallal lahu alaihe wa sallam. Thus we proclaim - Our success in this world and the world hereafter solely depends on obeying the commands of Allah Subhana wa taala in the ways shown by Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam.
Allah says in the Quran: Say, obey Allah and obey the Messenger, then if you turn away, upon him rests what is laid on him and upon you rests what is laid on you. If you obey him (the Messenger) you will be guided (24:54).
O those who believe, obey the Messenger and do not make your deeds vain (47:33). And obey Allah and the Messenger so that you may be blessed (3:132). And whoever obey the Messenger, thereby obeys Allah (4:80). These verses confirms that there is no other way of obeying Allahs’ command
9 except in the ways of Rasulullah Sallal lahu alaihe wa sallam. Therefore it is obligatory for every Muslim to know and practice each and every thing of our life from the teachings of the Prophet Sallal la hu alaihe wa sallam - the sunnah of our deen (religion).
The definition of sunnah, as has been agreed upon by the scholars of hadith is - the words spoken, acts done or confirmation given by the Prophet Muhammad Sallal lahu alaihe wa sallam (The Authority of Sunnah by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani.) Allah Himself declares in the Quran: And he (the Prophet) does not speak out of his own desire. It is not but a revelation revealed (to him) (53:3). Allah says: There is surely a good example for you in the Messengers of Allah, for the one who hopes (to meet) Allah and Hereafter, and remembers Allah abundantly (33:21). Similar verses of the Quran thus teach us complete Iman - La ilaha illal lah, Muhammadar Rasulullah (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger and slave.)
10 Abu Musa Radiallahu anhu narrates: Rasulullah Sallallahu alai he wa sallam said: Take good news and good news to others, that he who bears witness that La ilaha illal lahu, there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and is truthful in his testimony thereof will enter Paradise. (Musnad Ahmad, Tabarani and Majma- Uz-Zawaid).
Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam says: On the day of Resurrection, hell would be forbidden for all those who had recited La ilaha illallah with the sole aim of earning the pleasure of Allah (Bukhari, Muslim).
Abu Hurairah Radiallahu anhu narrates: Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihe wa sallam said: All of my Ummah (followers) will enter into Paradise except he who refused. Then (the Sahabah) said: O Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam, and who would refuse? He replied: He who obeyed me will enter Paradise, and who disobeyed me, refused. (Bukhari).
Thus only by knowing Allah and His Prophet we can build our Iman. The
11 whole Quran is to build our Iman by knowing the attributes of Allah and His Prophets. Beside Iman there is no religion. Once Iman is built Ibadat (amal) become easy and enjoyable. Only Iman gives the pleasure of amal. The firm akin (conviction) in Iman opens the doors of the heart to submit to the commands of Allah. The believer knows that only through total submission to the Will of Allah will bring him everlasting success in the life hereafter. Then only he will be ready to go through the tests and turbulence of this world. No matter what happens he will not be swayed from the path of Iman. Whether in joy or in difficulties he will always remember Allah and beg His favors.
After Iman the most important act of a believer is Salah (the prescribed form of Prayer of a Muslim). For Allah says in the Quran: And I have created not the Jinn and Men except that they should worship Me (alone). I seek not any provision from them nor do I ask that they should feed Me (51:56-57). Allah says in the Quran: For Him (alone) is
12 Prayer in Truth: Any others they call upon beside Him hear them no more than if they were to stretch forth their hands for water to reach their mouths but it reaches them not. For the prayer of those without faith is nothing but (futile) wandering (in the mind) (13:14).
Five time salah is obligatory for every Muslim. Discarding salah is like discarding Islam. Salah is the repeated reminder for a believer of his relationship with Allah during the day and night. It is a reminder of his purpose of life. Salah is to pull him out of the busy life of this world and submit to the will of Allah. Salah is glorification of his Creator, Sustainer and begging of His favors. Salah reminds repeatedly the meaning of success of a believer. Allah says in the Quran: Salah restrains from shameful and unjust deeds (29:45). Allah orders us: O you who believe, seek help with patience, perseverance and prayers, for Allah is with those who patiently persevere. (2:153).
13 Allah Subhana wa taala says in the Quran: Indeed those who believe and do righteous deeds, and establish Salah and give Zakat, their reward is with their Rabb (The Sustainer, Cherisher), and neither fear shall come upon them, nor will they grieve (2:277). Allah says: (O Muhammad) tell my slaves who believed to establish Salah and spend from what we have provided them, secretly and privately before a Day comes in which there shall be no trading, nor any friendship. (14:31). He declares: Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer Salah with all solemnity and full submissiveness. And those who turn away from vain talk. And those who pay Zakat. And those who guard their chastity, except from their wives or that their right hand possess, for then, they are free from blame. But whoever seek beyond that, then those are the transgressors. Those who are faithfully true to their pledges and to their covenants. And those who strictly guard their Salah. These are indeed the inheritors. Who shall inherit the Firdous (Highest Paradise). They shall dwell their in forever (23:1-11).
14 Allah Subhana wa taala again declares: And those who guard their Salah well, such shall dwell in the gardens (Paradise), honored (70:34-35).
Salah, a gift from Allah Subhana wa taala. Salah is the means of communication with Allah. Of all practices, Salah made at fixed hours is most loved by Allah. After Iman Salah was the first and foremost Ibadat ordained by Allah. It will be the first and foremost thing to be reckoned for on the Day of Judgement. Thus Salah is the key to Paradise. A person in Sejda in Salah is nearest to Allah.
To establish Salah we must learn the way our teacher Prophet Muhammad Sallal lahu alaihe wa sallam prayed the Salah. Very few of us made effort to learn this vital Ibadat. And very few of us know the meaning of “establish salah”. Salah is a complete expression of bodily and spiritual submission to Allah. Salah has to be performed with strict devotion, concentration and glorification. Salah has to be a means of communication with Allah. Our scholar
15 says: Best form of Salah is the one when a slave stands for Salah (as if) he sees Allah. The weakest form is to think that Allah is seeing him. Allah Subhana wa taala says in the Quran: Successful indeed are the Believers. Those who humble themselves in Salah (23:1-2).
Discarding Salah is like discarding Iman. Allah the Almighty says: What has caused you to enter Hell? They will say: We were not of those who used to perform Salah (74:42-43). The Quran says further: Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who have given up Salah and have followed (their) lusts. So, they will be thrown into Hell (19:59). Narrated in Tirmidi Prophet Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam said: The covenant which is between us and them (i.e. the disbelievers) is Salah and whoever abandoned it has disbelieved. In Muslim The Prophet Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam said: Between a man and disbelief and shirk is forsaking Salah.
So, what is the benefit of performing Hajj, for those who do not perform Salah? Hajj is not a pleasure trip. One
16 has to earn the qualities of Iman before performing Hajj. Without Salah there is no Iman. It is therefore incumbent upon all believers to acquire the qualities of Iman, at least the basics, on which Islam is founded.
In many places in the Quran along with the orders of establishing Salah, Allah Subhana wa taala has ordered us to pay Zakat. He has used “establish Salah and pay Zakat” to put emphasis that, one is interlinked with the other. Allah Subhana wa taala says: And perform Salah and give Zakat and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship) (2:43). At another place Allah Subhana wa taala says: And be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity; and whatever good ye send for your souls before you, you shall find it with Allah; for Allah sees well all that you do (2:110).
Zakat is obligatory like any other pillars of Islam. Whosoever will have savings in excess of their need for a year - either money or certain assets has to give 2.5% of that to the needy. Allah Subhana wa
17 taala says: It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards East or West, but it is righteousness to believe in Allah and the last Day, and the Angels and the Book, and the Messengers. To spend of your substance out of love for Him, for your kins, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves , to be steadfast in prayer and practice regular charity, to fulfill the contracts which ye have made (2:177). This obligatory duty has been forgotten by so many Muslims that it’s negligence does not even shake our Iman. Whereas the position of paying Zakat is no way less important than praying Salah, fasting in the month of Ramadan and performing Hajj. Each and every command should get equal importance to a believer. How by discarding the commands we can please Allah? Therefore, before going for Hajj one must practice paying Zakat regularly. Remember, the money that is being saved over the years for Hajj has Zakat also.
Ibn Abbas Radiallahu Anhu narrates: The Prophet Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam
18 sent Muadh bin Jabal Radiallahu Anhu to Yemen and said “Invite the people to testify La ilaha illallah and I am Allah’s Messenger and if they obey you to do so, then inform them that Allah has enjoined on them five Salah in every day and night, and if they obey you to do so, then inform them that Allah has made it obligatory to pay the sadaqa (Zakat) from their properties and it is to be taken from the wealthy among them and give to the poor among them. (Bukhari)
Narrated Abu Hurairah Radiallahu anhu: A beduin came to the Prophet Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam and said: “Tell me of such a deed as will make me enter Paradise, if I do it. The Prophet Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam said: Worship Allah, and worship none along with Him; perform Salah, pay the compulsory Zakat, and observe Sawm (fasting) in the month of Ramadan. The beduin said: By Him, in whose Hands my soul is, I will not do more than this. When the beduin left, the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihe wa sallam said, “Whoever likes to see a man of Paradise,
19 then he may look at this man” (Bukhari).
Abu Hurairah Radiallahu anhu narrates: Allah’s Messenger Sallal lahu alaihe wa sallam said: “Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and does not pay the Zakat of his wealth, then on the day of judgement his wealth will be made like a bald headed poisonous snake with two black spots over the eyes (or two poisonous glands in its mouth). The snake will encircle his neck and bite his cheeks and say: I am your wealth, I am your treasure”. Then the Prophet Sallal lahu alaihe wa sallam recited the holy verse: Let not those who covetously withhold of the gifts which Allah has given them of His Grace. Think that it is good for them, nay it will be worse for them: soon shall the things which they covetously withheld be tied to their necks like a twisted collar. On the day of judgement to Allah belongs the heritage on the heaven and the earth; and Allah is well- acquainted with all that you do (3:180). The seriousness of paying Zakat thus should be clear to everyone. Abu Bakr Siddique Radiallahu anhu declared war
20 against those who were hesitant to pay Zakat.
The next pillar of Islam is fasting in the month of Ramadan. By empowering oneself with Iman, Salah and Zakat the slave now can withstand the pain of hunger and thirst. He can refrain himself from things that were permissible in other states but not in the state of fasting. He seeks the Taqwa through his fasting as has been ordered by Allah Subhana wa taala: O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may acquire Taqwa (2:183). Thus Allah made it obligatory for the Muslims to fast in the month of Ramadan. Allah Subhana wa taala says: So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan) he must observe sawm (fasting) that month. (2:185).
Allah subhana wa taala Himself describes the injunctions of Ramadan. He says: Fasting for a fixed number of days (full lunar month) but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the prescribed
21 number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (with hardship), is a ransom. The feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will, it is better for him. And it is better for you that you fast, if you only knew (2:184).
The month of Ramadan is the month of Quran. Jibrael Alaihe wa sallam used to come to listen to the recitation of the Quran by Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam. The believers should similarly recite and understand Quran all the time but specially in the month of Ramadan. Allah Subhana wa taala has made Tarabe Sunnah in the month of Ramadan, to listen to the recitation of the entire Quran. Allah Subhana wa taala says: Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Quran, as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgement (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan) he must observe sawm (fasting) that month. But if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up)
22 by days later. Allah intends every facility for you, He does not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period and glorify Him. In that He has guided you. And per chance you should be grateful (2:185).
Ramadan is the month to build Taqwa. By fasting, by doing excessive Ibadat, by reciting Quran and pondering over it, by giving Zakat and charity in this month and shading tear in supplications one should try to come closer to Allah. Allah Subhana wa taala in that regard says: When my servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every supplicant when he calls Me. Let them also, with a will, listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way (2:186).
Allah Subhana wa taala through His infinite mercy did not separate the husband and wife in the month of Ramadan. He says: Permitted to you on the night of the fast in the approach to your wives. They are your garments and
23 you are their garments. Allah knows what you used to do secretly among yourself. But He turned to you and forgave you. So now associate with them and seek what Allah has ordained for you: and eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from its black thread, then complete your fast till the night appears. But do not associate with your wives while you are in retreat in the mosque (ihtekaf). These are limits (set by) Allah, so approach them not. Thus Allah makes clear His signs (ayat) to men, that they may learn self-restraint (2:187).
The month of fasting is so beloved to Allah, that Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam has said in the hadith narrated by Salman Radiallahu Anhu: On the last day of Shaban, Rasulullah Sallal lahu alaihe wa sallam addressed us and said: O people: Now a great and blessed month comes to you in which lies a night which is more in virtue than 1000 months. In this month Allah has made fasting compulsory during the day and Tarabe sunnah at night. Whosoever intends to please Allah by performing
24 any good deed (nafl) he will be rewarded like one Fard performed any other time. And whoever performs one Fard, he will be blessed with the reward of 70 Fard performed any other time. This is indeed the month of patience and the reward for true patience is Paradise. It is the month of sympathy for others. It is a month in which a true believer’s sustenance is increased. Whosoever feeds a person to break his fast; the feeder’s sins will be forgiven and he will be free from the hell fire. The feeder will receive the same reward as of a person who fasted without any reduction of that person’s fasting reward. (Ibn Khuzaima). Along with many other hadith this one hadith alone should inspire a faithful slave to earn as much as he can in the month of Ramadan.
On the other hand Abu Hurairah Radiallahu anhu reports that Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam said: Whoever eats on one day of Ramadan without a valid reason or excuse or genuine illness (acceptable in Islam) shall never be able to compensate for that day even by fasting the rest of his
25 life (Ahmed, Tirmidi, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah).
In the light of all the discussion so far one should ponder about his past and make Tauba for any shortcomings before making the journey (Hajj). As I have mentioned earlier, if there is any shortage in understanding our deen, then we should spend some time to acquire basic knowledge so that our purpose of life can be understood and we become obedient slave of Allah and His Rasul Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam. Without knowledge we can not fulfill our obligations to Allah Subhana wa taala and perform our duties.
26 OBJECTIVE
Through our obedience, ibadat and sacrifices Allah Subhana wa taala wants us to develop Taqwa. Unfortunately many of us do not know what is Taqwa. Our scholars in Islam say, in one hundred and fifteen places in the Quran Allah Subhana wa taala has addressed the believers to develop Taqwa. About Hajj, Allah Subhana wa taala says: And whatever good you do, Allah knows it. And take provisions for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa. So, fear Me, O men of understanding. (2:197). From this ayat it is also clear that we have to possess Taqwa before going for Hajj.
There is no definition of Taqwa. It is an inner quality of Iman. Piety, righteous- ness, fear of Allah collectively may express the meaning but the actual meaning is the effect of all our deeds in the heart. Like Professor Yusuf Ali tried in a nice way: Taqwa signify the fear of Allah, the beginning of wisdom, restraint or guarding ones tongue, hand and heart from evil, hence signifies righteousness,
27 piety, good conduct. All these ideas are implied (in the translation).
Only one or other of these ideas can be indicated, according to the context. As Allah Subhana wa taala says: And we have given you clothing as beauty. And garments of Taqwa, that is much better (7:26). At another place in reference to Taqwa Allah Subhana wa taala says: O you who believe, fear Allah as He is supposed to be feared and die not unless you are in the state of complete submission (3:102). Ibn Masood Radiallahu Anhu in describing this ayat said that it means to obey Him, and not to disobey Him, to remember Him and not to forget Him and to thank Him and not to be ungrateful. Abu Darda Radiallahu anhu said: The complete form of Taqwa is to fear Allah Subhana wa taala, so much that one begins to fear Him from the potential sin like a mustard seed and leaves certain things that might be halal in the fear that they could be haram. In summary Taqwa should help us to do more good deeds to please Allah Subhana wa taala with constant fear of rejection (for lack of
28 firm akin, concentration and devotion, lack of knowledge, etc.) and ultimate displeasure of Allah Subhana wa taala.
Therefore the qualities of people of Taqwa should reflect what Allah mentions in the Quran: Virtue is not that you turn towards the East or the West. Virtue is the one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, the Prophets and gives his wealth in spite of love for it, to the kinsfolk, to the orphans, and to the poor, and to the wayfarer, and to those who ask, and to set servants free; perform Salah, and gives the Zakah and fulfill their covenant when they make it, and who are patient in extreme poverty, and ailment (disease) and at the time of fighting (during the battles). Such are the people of the truth and Taqwa (2:177). These are the people who are not satisfied with deeds. They struggle more and more to please their Lord. They are always afraid of being rejected even though they are drowned in Ibadat. They are not in the environment where their attention, thinking and actions get deviated from the right direction. They
29 understand nothing but the pleasure of Allah Subhana wa ta ala. They know without Taqwa they are doomed!
Naturally then one wonders, how to acquire Taqwa. As I have mentioned earlier, Taqwa is an inner quality of the believers. Taqwa is the end result of all the Amal and Ibadat. To begin, we have to develop the qualities of Iman and Amal, then ponder over them. Describing the Revelation to previous Prophets of Allah Subhana wa taala, Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam said: A wise person should divide his time in three parts: one part for Ibadat, one part for halal earning and one part for self reckoning. Likewise Omar Radiallahu anhu said: Take account of yourselves, before your account is taken by others. Weigh your deeds, before they are weighed by others. In short to develop Taqwa one should -
a. Possess strong Iman. b. Be steadfast in religious matters. c. Perform Amal and Ibadat with full knowledge,
30 dedication and concentration. d. Perform more and more nafl Ibadat to beg Allah’s favor to open the doors of the heart. e. Recite excessively and try to understand the Quran. f. Ponder over all actions. g. Guard the tongue, ears and eye sights. h. Perform self examination. i. Never look for faults in others, look at yourself.
My limited knowledge came up with those few points but I am certain, the beloved ones of Allah Subhana wa ta ala possess many more qualities than those few. Before I close this chapter I would like to mention one more quotation. Describing what is Taqwa, Ali Radiallahu anhu said: Taqwa is to fear Allah, to act upon the Revelation, to be content with little and to prepare for the Day of Travel. Now let us proceed towards The Day of Travel.
31 THE HAJJ
By following the basics of the deen and acquiring Taqwa now one should prepare for the Rehearsal of The Final Journey - The Hajj. Allah Subhana wa taala says: “Every soul must taste death”. Death of our worldly life is a journey to meet Allah. Meeting Allah is not a task easy and simple. It requires acceptance (Iman), obedience (Submission), Ibadat (following His orders), Zikir (remembering Him all the time), Ikhlas (full conviction) and reminder (constant vigilance). Sacrifice is the norm in any circumstances. Sacrifice of life and wealth. Since our journey is to meet Allah Subhana wa taala and get the rewards of success, we have to sacrifice. Allah Subhana wa taala says in the Quran: “We have purchased the life and wealth of the believers in exchange of Jannah” (9:111). So our time (life) and wealth, can not be ours. Those are the two amana (trust) given by Allah Subhana wa taala. If they are spent (sacrificed) in the service of Allah, then Inshallah we
32 will earn His pleasure, His reward - Jannah.
The story of the Hajj is the story of sacrifice. A Prophet (Prophet Ibrahim) who could never stay at a particular place to claim as his homeland was ordered to go to a desolate hostile place where there was no inhabitants, nothing to sustain life. Moreover he was ordered to leave his wife and infant child there and go somewhere else. What a sacrifice to obey the order of Allah. That is where the story begins.
Allah Subhana wa taala took His beloved Prophet and His family to Bakka (Makkha) where there was no worldly support but the support of Allah Himself to show the believers that we do not need material support for our survival, Allah alone is sufficient for us. From nowhere because of the desperate running of a mother and crying of an infant, Allah Subhana wa taala gushed the water of Zam Zam for their sustenance. That test alone was not sufficient. When Ismael Alaihe wa sallam reached the age of youth, Allah
33 Subhana wa taala put Ibrahim Alaihe wa sallam in the toughest of all tests. A father at the age of eighty six got a son, after so many years of prayers. Now the old father has to sacrifice that son to obey the commands of Allah. Allah Subhana wa taala Himself says in the Quran: And he (Ibrahim) said: I am going to my Lord, He will guide me. My Lord grant me of the righteous (begging for a child). So, He gave him glad tiding of a boy, most forbearing. And when Ismael reached the age of work with him, he said: “O my son! I see in a dream that I offer you in sacrifice; so tell me what is your view? “ He said: “O my Father! Do as you are commanded, you will find me, if Allah so willed, one of the patient”. So when they had both submitted to the will of Allah, and he laid him down upon his brow, we called out to him: O Ibrahim! You have indeed fulfilled the vision, thus we reward those who do right. (37:106-113).
These ayat (verses) describe the whole incident for the believers to teach that no sacrifice is wanted by Allah but Allah
34 wants to test us to see our obedience to His call. That is what has been described, “when they had both submitted to the will of Allah...... thus we reward those who do right”. The rituals of Hajj therefore must generate unconditional desire to submit to the Will of Allah to get the reward from Him.
For not failing to respond to each and every command, Allah Subhana wa taala rewarded Prophet Ibrahim and Ishmael Alaihe wa sallam with the assignment of the House (Kabah). Allah says: And when we assigned to Ibrahim the place of the House: Do not associate with Me anything and purify My house for those who circumambulate (Tawaf) it, who stand to pray and who bow and prostate themselves. And proclaim pilgrimage among people, and they shall come to you on foot, and on every camel lean, through deep and distant mountains, highways (22: 26-27). Allah Subhana wa taala says: Indeed the first house appointed for people is the one of Bakka (Makkah). Blessed and a guidance for the worlds. In it are clear signs, the
35 station of Ibrahim, and whoever enters it shall be in security. It is an obligation upon all people towards Allah to make pilgrimage to the House, whoever has the means to make the journey, and whoever disbelieved, then surely, Allah is in no need of the worlds (3:96-97). Allah Subhana wa taala says: And remember when Ibrahim was put to test by his Lord with certain words which he fulfilled. Allah said: “I will make you an Imam (leader) to the people. He pleaded: “And also from my offsprings”. Allah said: “But my covenant does not extend to evildoers”. And we made the Sacred Mosque a place of assembly and sanctuary for people, and take the station of Ibrahim (Makam-e-Ibrahim) as a place of prayer. And we covenanted with Ibrahim and Ismael that they should purify My House (Kaba) for those who encompass it, and for those who retire to it for devotion and prayer, and for those who bow down: and for those who prostate themselves therein (2:124-125). And when Ibrahim said: O my Lord! Make this a city of peace and provide its people with fruits, those of them who believe in Allah and the Last Day. He
36 said: And whoever disbelieves, I will grant him enjoyment for a while, and then I will drive him to the chastisement of the Fire, an evil destination indeed (2:126). Allah Subhana wa taala says further: And when Ibrahim and Ismael raised the foundation of the House (Kaba), praying: Our Lord! Accept this from us, surely you are the All-Hearing, All-Knowing. Our Lord! Make us submit to your will, and raise from our offspring a nation which will submit to your will and show us the place of our rites (for pilgrimage), and turn to us in mercy. Indeed you are the Relenting, the Most Merciful. Our Lord! Send to them a Messenger from among them who shall recite to them your Signs, and teach them the Book and the Wisdom, and purify them. Surely, you are All- Mighty, All-Wise (2:127-129).
Now, if we just ponder over these few ayat regarding the rewards given for the full submission to the Will of Allah, then our own reward can be guessed, if we also submit to Allah Subhana wa taala. Because of total submission, the actions of the Prophets (Ibrahim and Ismael
37 Alaihe wa Sallam) and Hajera Alaihe wa Sallam became the rituals of Hajj. The Prophets were told to build the House of Allah (Kaba), then Ibrahim Alaihe wa Sallam was told to call the mankind for Hajj. And Proclaim the Pilgrimage (Hajj) among men, they will come to thee on foot and (mounted) on every kind of camel lean on account of journey through deep and distant mountain highways. That they may witness the benefits (provided) for them (22:27-28).
Since they did what they were told, all the Prophets (Alaihe wa sallam) came from their descendants because of their duaa. Not only that, till the day of Qiama, Muslims will be remembering the name of Ibrahim Alaihe wa Sallam in all the prayers. Muslims will be praying at the Makam-e-Ibrahim as long as the world survives. And Muslims will be following their foot steps in performing Hajj.
38 HAJJ IN QURAN
Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah - those who can afford the journey, but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His creature (3:97). And complete Hajj and Umrah in the service of Allah (2:196). For Hajj are the months well known (the months of Shawwal, Zulqad and Zul-Hajj up to the 10th - 13th) are set apart for the rites of Hajj (2:197). If anyone undertakes that duty therein, let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj. And whatever good you do (be sure) Allah knows it. And take a provision (with you) for the journey but the best of Provisions is Taqwa. So fear me, O you that are wise. (2:197). Behold! Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah. So, if those who visit The House in the season or at other times, should compass them (saee) round. It is no sin in them. And if any one obey his own impulse to good, be sure that Allah is He who recogniseth and knoweth (2:158).
39 If anyone continue Umrah in to the Hajj, he must make an offering such as he can afford, but if he can not afford it, he should fast three days during the Hajj and seven days on his return, making ten days in all. This if for those whose household is not in the (precincts of) the Sacred Mosque (2:196).
And celebrate the name of Allah, through the days (8th, 9th and 10th of the month of Zul-Hajj and the two or three subsequent days of Tashriq) appointed, over the cattle which He has provided for them (for sacrifices), then eat a portion thereof, and feed the distressed ones in want. Then let them complete the rites prescribed for them, perform their vows, and again circumambulate (Tawaf-e-ifada) the Ancient House (Kaba). Such (is the Pilgrimage). Whoever honors the sacred rites of Allah, for his it is good in the sight of his Lord. (22:28-30).
Do not shave your heads until the offering reaches the place of sacrifice. And if any of you is ill and has an ailment in his scalp (necessitating
40 shaving), (he should) in compensation either fast (three days) or feed the poor or offer sacrifice (2:196).
O you who believe! Violate not the sanctity of the symbols of Allah, nor of the Sacred Month, nor of the animals brought for sacrifice, nor the garlands that mark out such animals, nor the people resorting to the Sacred House, seeking of the bounty and good pleasure of their Lord (5:2).
Celebrate the praises of Allah during the appointed days (three days after the 10th of Zil-Hajj) but if anyone hastens to leave in two days, there is no blame on him. And if anyone stays on, there is no blame on him. If his aim is to do right, then fear Allah and know that you will surely be gathered unto Him. (2:203).
It is no crime in you if you seek of the bounty of your Lord (during Pilgrimage). Then when you pour down from (Mount) Arafat, celebrate the praises of Allah at the Sacred Monument (Muzdalifa), and celebrate His praises as
41 He has directed you even though before this you went astray. Then pass on at a quick pace from the place, and seek forgiveness from Allah. Certainly Allah is most-forgiving, most-merciful. So when you have accomplished your rites (of Hajj), remember Allah as you remember your forefathers or with far more remembrance. But of mankind there are some who say: “Our Lord give us (your bounties) in this world!” And for such there will be some who say: “Our Lord! Give us in this world that which are good and in the hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire”. For them there will be allotted a share for what they have earned. And Allah is swift at reckoning (2:198-202). These are some of the verses of the Quran that should help us to understand Hajj. Efforts must be made to get the knowledge of Hajj from the Quran and Sunnah, so that this, once in a lifetime journey, for majority of the believers, can benefit all and give the desired direction for rest of our lives.
42 HAJJ OF RASULULLAH SALLALLAHU ALAIHE WA SALLAM
As we know Allah Subhana wa taala does not accept any Amal (ritual) which is not according to the way (sunnah) of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam. Therefore we must know how the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam performed the Hajj. We must not follow the desires of our hearts or follow the “fatwa” of those who give their own interpretation. When the Quran and the Sunnah give us detailed information, we should not wonder around. All we have to know is the correct source of information.
After the accomplishment of the call - Kulu Lailaha Illallah Tuflehunn (say Lailaha illallah and be successful), achieving the foundation of the mission and establishment of the society based on Tawhid and Islamic Shariah the call came for the Prophet to perform the Hajj in the last year of his life. Allah Subhana wa taala already conveyed the message to him, that his life is coming to an end, as was clear when Rasulullah
43 Sallallahu alaihe wa Sallam prior to dispatching Muadh bin Jabal Radiallahu anhu to Yemen mentioned that he may not see him again on coming back from Yemen. Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam through various conversation gave indications that his life of this world is coming to an end. The ayat that was revealed in Arafat therefore made many of the Sahaba Radiallahu anhuma cry. “This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”. (5:3). In that final year the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam made the announcement of going for Hajj. That was the only Hajj he performed after Hijrat. Knowing that the Prophet Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam might not be in this world for a long time, almost 124,000 Sahaba and Sahabia Radiallalu Anhuma joined him for the Hajj (Abu Dawood). This Hajj is therefore known as Hajjatul Wida or Farewell Hajj.
On the 4th of Zul-Hajj, Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam told the companions: A comer, sent by my Lord,
44 has called on me tonight and said: “Pray in this blessed valley and say: I intend Umrah combined with Hajj (Qiran Hajj)” (Bukhari). Accordingly before Zuhur prayer Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam took bath for Ihram. Aisha Radiallahu Anha perfumed him with a perfume containing musk. He then put on his Ihram and performed the Zuhur Salah. Then after two rakah of Salah Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam made the intention of Umrah and Hajj (Qiran Hajj) and started to praise Allah Subhana wa taala by saying Labbaik (Talbia). The companions were given the choice of Qiran, Tammatu or Ifrad Hajj according to their situation (types of Hajj will be discussed in later section.) On his way he performed Salah in the valley of Rawha. He continued his journey by riding his camel “Al- Qaswa” and praising Allah Subhana wa taala all along.
On reaching the outskirt of Makkah, Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam spent the night at Dhi Tuwa. After Fajr prayer he entered Makkah. He Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam went straight
45 to the Masjidul Haram and kissed the Hajre Aswad to start his Tawaf from there. After performing seven circles (Tawaf) Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam performed two rakah of Salah at Makam-e-Ibrahim with Sura Kafirun and Sura Ikhlas. Thereafter he mounted As-Safa and facing the Kaba he made long duaa, takhbir and tahmid. Then he walked between Safa and Marwa mountains seven times. At the end of 7th walk by reaching Al-Marwa Rasulullah told those Sahaba to free themself from Ihram who did not bring the sacrificial animal (Hadee) with them. Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam continued his Ihram since he had the hadee with him and he made the intention of Qiran Hajj.
Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam then camped out at Al-Hajun in Makkah and spent four days in Ihram. The companion who did not have Hadee (the sacrificial animal with them), he Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam told them to shave their heads and come off of Ihram (Tammattu Hajj). The Sahaba Radiallahu anhuma were then told to put
46 on Ihram for Hajj on the 8th of Zil-Hajj. On the 8th of Zil-Hajj he left Makkah after Fajr Salah for Meena where he prayed Zuhur, Asr, Magrib, Isha and the Fajr of 9th Zil-Hajj. He Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam performed Qasr of Zuhur, Asr and Isha. After sunrise on 9th of Zil-Hajj he left for Arafat and stayed near Masjid Namira for a while before going to the valley of Arafat. About one hundred and twenty four thousand (another version says one hundred and forty thousand) gathered around him. He Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam climbed up the Jabal-e-Rahma (Mountain of blessing) and delivered the following khutba: O people! Listen to what I say. For I do not know whether I will ever meet you again after the current year (Ibn Hisham). It is unlawful for you to shed the blood of one another or take (unlawfully) the fortune of one another. They are as unlawful (haram) as shedding blood on such a day as today and such a month as this Haram month and in such a sanctified city as this sacred city (Makkah and the surrounding areas). So regard the life and property of every
47 Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord and He will indeed reckon your deeds.
Behold! All practices of paganism and ignorance are now over. The blood revenge of the Days of ignorance are remitted. The first claims on blood I abolish is that of Ibn Rabi bin Harith who was nursed in the tribe of Said and whom Hudhail killed. Interest (usury) is forbidden and make a beginning by remitting the amount of interest which Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib has to receive. Verily it is remitted entirely.
O People; it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Verily you have taken them on the security of Allah and have made their persons lawful unto you by words of Allah. It is incumbent upon them to honor their conjugal rights and not to commit acts of impropriety which, if they do, you have authority to chastise them, yet not
48 severely. If your wives refrain from impropriety and are faithful to you, clothe and feed them suitably.
Verily, I have left amongst you the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger which if you hold fast, you shall never go astray. (Sahih Muslim). O people I am not succeeded by a Prophet and you are not succeeded by any nation. So I recommend you to worship your Lord, to pray the five times prayers, to fast in Ramadan and to offer the Zakat (poor-due) of your provision willingly. I recommend you to do pilgrimage to the Sacred House of your Lord and to obey those who are in charge of you (the Ameer or the just ruler) then you will be awarded to enter the Paradise of your Lord. (Rahmat-ul- lilalameen).
Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope to lead you astray in big things, so be aware of following him in small things. And if you were asked about me, what you would say of me? All those gathered for Hajj replied: We bear witness that
49 you have conveyed the message and discharged your ministry. He Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam then raised his finger skywards while saying: O Allah, bear witness, O Allah, bear witness, O Allah, bear witness. Allah Subhana wa taala then revealed the following verse to him: This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion (5:3).
Bilal Radiallahu anhu then called the azaan for the prayer. Prophet Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam prayed two rakat after Ikama of Zuhur and immediately told Bilal Radiallahu anhu to make 2nd Ikama to pray two rakat of Asr prayer with no prayer in between.
He Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam then mounted his camel Al-Qaswa and approached the location of the vigil. He directed his face towards Qibla, raised his hands towards the sky, standing, and supplicating (making duaa) till sunset. When the yellow color of the sky vanished a bit the Prophet Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam moved towards
50 Muzdalifa. On reaching Muzdalifa Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam prayed Maghrib (three rakat) and Isha (two rakat)salah with one Azaan and two Ikamah. He then took rest till the Fajr time. Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam performed Fajr Salah with Azan and one Ikama. Mounting his camel Al- Qaswa he moved to Mashar Al-Haram. He faced the Qibla and started supplicating - Allah is the Greatest. There is no god but Allah. He kept on supplicating till the sun rose when he moved to Meena. He Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam went to the big Jamarah (site of stoning Satan) and pelted seven pebbles at it saying: “Allah is the Greatest” (Allah hu Akbar) each time. The pebbles were small, collected from the bottom of the valley. Thereafter he went to the sacrificial place and sacrificed sixty three camels with his own hand and asked Ali Radiallahu anhu to slaughter the others. A total of one hundred and thirty seven altogether were sacrificed. A piece of meat from each slaughtered animal was cooked in a pot, from which he ate and drank the soup.
51 Then after shaving his head the Messenger of Allah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam went to Makkah to perform Tawaf-e-Ifada, where he came upon the children of Abdul Muttalib who were giving Zam Zam water to the people. Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam took a pail of water and drank to his fill. (Sahih Muslim).
On the 10th of Zil-Hajj Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam gave another khutba. Ali Radiallahu anhu narrated the message to those who were standing and sitting (Abu Dawood). A version narrated by Abu Bakar Radiallahu anhu has been reported by Bukhari and Muslim: Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam said: Time has grown similar in form and state of time when Allah created the heavens and the earth. A year is twelve months. Four of which are sacred months. Three of the four are successive. They are Zil-Qad, Zil-Hajj and Al-Muharram. The fourth month is Rajab which comes between Jumada and Shaban. The Prophet of Allah said: (Shedding) the blood of one another and eating or taking one anothers provision
52 (unwillingly) and your honor are all haram. It is unlawful to violate their holiness. They must be as sacred to one another as this sacred day in this sacred month, in this sacred town.
You will be resurrected (after death) by your Lord. There you will be accounted for your deeds. So do not turn into people who go astray and kill one another.
Have I not delivered the Message (of my Lord)? “Yes you have”, said all. “O Allah, Bear Witness” Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam said thrice.” Let him who is present here convey it unto him who is absent. For hopefully many people to whom the message is conveyed may understand my words better than those who listen to me directly (Bukhari).
The Messenger of Allah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam spent 11th, 12th and 13th of Zil-Hajj in Meena, performing the rituals, stoning the three Jamarah and teachings of Islam, remembering Allah (praying), following the ways of
53 guidance of Ibrahim Alaihe wa sallam wiping out all traces and features of polytheism. He Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam delivered more speeches during those days, saying: “All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non- Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black, nor a black has any superiority over a white except by piety and good action. Sura An-Nasr was revealed during the days in Meena after which Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam also spoke to the companions. The talk was quite similar to the talk of the day of sacrifice (An-Nahr).
On the 13th of Zil-Hajj Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam stayed at a high place of a mountain in Meena where he performed Zuhur, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers. After resting for a while he left for Makkah to perform Tawaf Al-Wida. He ordered the companions to do the same. Following that Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam left for Madinah. He went back to Madinah not to seek rest but to
54 resume the strife and struggle in the way of Allah (Bukhari).
Since the message (Khutba) of Arafat is for the entire Ummah till the dooms (Qiama) day, I will mention the whole Khutba as it is printed and distributed all over the world.
O people, perhaps you shall not see me again after this. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.
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. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that he will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived------.
55 Beware of Satan for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things; so beware of following him in small things.
O people, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. If they abide by your rights, then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with anyone whom you do not approve, as well as never to commit adultery.
O people, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to. You know that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. You are all equal. Nobody has superiority over another except by piety and good action. Remember, one day you will appear
56 before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.
O people, no Prophet or Apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore O people, and understand my words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my examples, the Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray. All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again, and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness O Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people.
57 THE REHEARSAL
Before we summarize the rituals of Hajj let us ponder about the signs that are hidden in Hajj. Remember the title of the book: “Hajj - Rehearsal of The Final Journey”. Let us now see the merits behind that thought.
1. Preparation: Nobody undertakes a journey without preparation. What about the preparation of the final journey? This worldly life is to prepare for the journey to the everlasting life of the Hereafter by fulfilling the commands of Allah Subhana wa taala. In the preparation of Hajj everyone is reminded of that fact. This might be the last journey of this world. One should ask: Has my Iman reached the level that is pleasing to Allah? Did I try to obey him to my utmost? Did I ask everyone to forgive me? Have I made enough Tauba for my shortcomings? Am I ready to meet Allah? These may pave our way to prepare now for the last journey when definitely we will not have time to ask these questions. May Allah help us.
58 2. Farewell: After answering the above questions one should sit with the family members to give Nasiha (advise), like one does before death comes (through old age or diseases, etc.). First of all ask everyone of the family to forgive you for your shortcomings. Advise every-one to obey the commands of Allah Subhana wa taala and bring the Sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam in every ones life. Advise them to love and support one another in the family and fulfill the rights of others without expecting any in return. Tell them about any debt or promises you made. Prepare the will or trust keeping in mind that you may not return. Make someone responsible to look after when you are gone or mention that in the will. One should also give religious advise to friends, colleagues, neighbors and Mussullis of the Masjid and community. One must advise everyone to practice “Amar bil maruf, nahianel munkar” (advise towards good and forbid from evil) through dawa for the rest of the life.
59 3. Ihram: After farewell, on reaching Meekat one has to leave everything behind - the wealth, the richness, the vanity, dignity, status, everything and take the gusul (shower) like the gusul before Kafan (burial shroud). Give up everything and put on the two pieces of unstitched white cloth remembering the Kafan of the final journey before burial. Perfume yourself and submit to the prayer. On finishing the prayer, make the Proclamation: Labbayk Allah humma labbayk, labbayk laa sharika laka labbayk, Innal hamda, wa nimata, laka wal mulk. La sharika lak” (Here I am at your service, O Allah here I am. Here I am, no partner, do you have, here I am. Truly the praise and the favor is Yours and the dominion. No partner do you have.) In no other condition you can say “here I am O Allah here I am” (to give the realization in which state one can be nearer to Allah). Remember the order Allah Subhana wa taala gave to Ibrahim Alaihe wa sallam to call mankind for Hajj. The Talbiyya is the answer to that call.
60 In the state of Ihram everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah. Everyone is helpless in a state when one can not do what one desires, like laying in the grave and waiting for the angels to come for questioning. In the state of the Ihram, thus one should ponder about the questions he has to answer in the grave: Who is your Rabb (The Sustainer, The Provider)? What is your Religion (deen)? Who is your Prophet? Are the answers going to be simple as we think? Is the heart having those answers or just the tongue? This is the state when one should ponder and decide what to do to give those answers.
4. Helplessness: On entering into Ihram, like entering into death one can not do what is desired but follow what one is asked to do. No argument, no obscenity, no wickedness, no perfume, no oiling of body or hair, no combing of hair, no hair can be removed, no cutting of nails, no scratching of body, no use of soap, no fragrance, no relationship with wife, no killing of insects, animal or hunting, no plucking of grass or cutting of tree, etc.,
61 no idle talk or back biting, no anger, no foul talk or bad desire. What a helpless condition! Now is the time to remember the helpless situation in the grave. Whereas in this state if we worship Allah more and more, keep ourselves busy in the recitation of the Quran and Zikir of Allah, discuss or read about the deen of Allah, call others to the good deeds and enjoy every moment in proclaiming Labbayk Allah humma labbayk – then certainly at the time of trials of Kabar (grave) and Hashar (the Day of Judgement) Allah Subhana wa taala will show His mercy, provided these are practiced in rest of the life after Hajj..
5. The Kaba: Now proceed to the court of Allah. Submit to the will of Allah. Surrender to the Almighty. See His Grandeur, the Signs of Greatness, the symbol of unity. One entity, one direction, only one way of success. The Point of Arrival. O Master of the Universe,I am here! The fulfillment of my entire life’s aspiration. Look at me and have mercy on me. I have nothing but you. Forgive me and
62 have Mercy on me. Shower your blessings on me O my Lord. Give me success of this world (through your obedience) and success of the hereafter. Go around the Kaba and beg from the heart. Ask what you want.
Look at the Kaba - the House of Allah. Coming to the Kaba is like coming to Allah - responding to His call - the proof of obedience. Till the dooms day the believers will touch their forehead on the ground only in the direction of Kaba as a proof of total submission. As Allah Subhana wa taala says in the Quran: Turn your faces towards the Holy Mosque (Kaba) wherever you be, turn your faces towards it (2:144). No matter whether a King, a Mufti, richest of the rich or poorest of the poor, no matter who he or she, only one direction to submit to the Lord of the Universe - ALLAH. Like the never ending milky way the believers thus rally around the Kaba as soon as they enter the Masjid Al-Haram. No other place to go, no other entity to ask for, so get going with those who are going and glorifying Allah. What a scenario! No eyes have
63 ever seen this. No place to see this. The hair follicles stand up, the tear automatically flows, the heart trembles in joy, the head bows down just at the look of the Kaba. What is there in world that shows the might of any entity, love for any entity, dignification of any entity, the obedience of any entity except what is in and around the Kaba. Millions of billions since the creation have responded to the call of the Master, the Owner of the Heavens and the earth by proclaiming Labbayk Allah humma Labbayk. The never ending rally, twenty four hours a day, around the Kaba is the most beautiful bloom of Islam any eyes have ever seen. This is the place to take the fragrance to your full and glorify Him. Pretty soon we will be meeting our Master of The Universe. Rehearse here to rally around.
6. Safa-Marwa: The walking and running of desperation. Allah Subhana wa taala says in the Quran: “Behold! Safa and Marwa are among the symbols of Allah” (2:158). The Saee is the fulfillment of Allah’s promise of protection and sustenance
64 when He is obeyed. Allah does not need the means to sustain us. He can provide where there is no means to provide. Therefore when Maa Hazera was so desperate for food and water for Ishmael Alaihe wa Sallam, Allah Subhana wa taala provided the stream of Zam Zam. “A tasty (or nutritional) food and a remedy for the illness.” “Therefore, whoever performs Saee between As- Safa and Al-Marwa should remember his meekness, humblensss and need for Allah to guide his heart, lead his affairs to success and forgive his sins. He should also want Allah to eliminate his shortcomings and errors and to guide him to the straight path. He should ask Allah to keep him firm on this path until he meets death, and to change his situation from that of sin and errors to that of perfection and being forgiven, the same providence which was provided to Hazera Alaihe wa Sallam” (Ibn Kathir).
This running should remind the running for help on the Day of Judgement. Like in the baren land there was no one except Allah to help, Inshallah if we obey the commands of Allah Subhana
65 wa taala, He will also help us on that Day.
7. Meena: Forgetting the comfort and luxury one now waits the day of trial. Think about the state of mind who does not know the outcome of a trial. Failure means doom and success is Paradise. How desperate a person will be to prove his case for success. Time is to beg for His favor. Spend the time remembering all the disobedience of the past and beg His forgiveness before going to the field of Arafat - the field of judgement. Spend the night at Meena accordingly.
8. Arafat: The reminder of the day of judgement. In scorching heat under open sky or in the tent one is reminded of when there will be no shade except the shade of the Arsh (throne) of Allah. What will provide us protection on that day? Imam Bukhari and Muslim have narrated the hadith in which Rasulullah Sallah lahu alaihe wa sallam said: The following seven persons will be accommodated by Allah under the
66 shade of His mercy on the day when there will be no shade except His: (1) A just ruler, (2) A young man who worships Allah in his youth, (3) A person whose heart yearns for the Masjid, (4) Those two persons who love, meet and depart only for the pleasure of Allah, (5) A man who is tempted by a beautiful woman and refuses to respond for fear of Allah, (6) A person who gives alms so secretly that the charity of one hand is not known to the other hand, (7) A person who practices Zikr of Allah in solitude, so that tear flows of his eyes. In the field of Arafat one has to ask to himself, where is my place among those seven. Even in the heat of Arafat we can not find comfort, what about on the day of judgement when the sun will be so close to us.
Arafat should remind us about the questions on the day of judgement which we must answer before our feet can move. “The life I gave, how did you spend that? How did you spend your youth? How did you earn and how did you spend? The knowledge of deen that you had, how much of that did you
67 practice?” This is the place and time to find those answers.
Remember the Khutba Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam gave at Arafat? The responsibilities outlined therein? The responsibility to convey to others? The Ayat revealed in Arafat? The deen Allah Subhana wa taala has given us as Niyamah. Have we fulfilled those responsibilities? What will be our response on the day when we will not be able to plea, nor speak. The day when no ones intervention will work. Now is the time to make Tauba and cry for forgiveness. This is the place to renew our pledges. Take the responsibilities that we ignored. Promise to fulfill the jobs for which we were created as Muslim. “You are the best of nations ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and you believe in Allah.” (3:110) “Whose words can be better than his, who calls (people) towards Allah, and performs good deeds, and says I am a Muslim”. (41:33) For our failure to do the jobs (for which Allah created us, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihe sallam
68 spent his entire life to teach us, he gave the Khutba at Hajjatul wida to convey to the others), we must beg to Allah, here, to forgive us. Beg His favor so that we can obey Him. Beg His favor so that we can carry on our responsibilities. Beg His favor so that we call people towards Allah. Beg His favor so that we can convey the message of His deen to others. Beg his favor so that we can stand in the line of the Ummati of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihe wa sallam. Beg, beg, beg, beg for forgiveness. Ask for all the favors you need from Him. This is the place to ask and this is the chance. After this is the real thing when no plea will work. Remember Ibn Akbar Radillalu anhu said: “Hajj is Arafat”. Also, Hajj is duaa. In every location beg from Allah through duaa.
9. Muzdalifa: Under the open sky - homeless, shelterless. How one will feel in real life? Since putting on the Ihram, one by one everything has been given up to come closer to Him. Depend on Him and Him alone. Think what you had and what you have now. Look up to Him. He is there waiting for
69 your call. Call Him and go to sleep depending on Him, Who if remembered under any circumstances will take care of us.
10. Stoning: All the rituals now, certainly, should bring the realization and full conviction on the dependency on Allah. Any thought, any action, any entity that tries to deviate from that must be rejected. As Satan is our number one enemy, he not only is to be rejected but stoned, if necessary. Thus through the stoning of the Jamarat we bring the Greatness of Allah in our hearts. Reject anything and everything to obey the commands of Allah. As Allah says in the Quran: Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred (relatives), the wealth that you have acquired, the business in which you fear a loss, and the homes in which you delight are dearer to you than Allah and His Prophets (messengers) and striving in the path of Allah, then wait until Allah brings His wrath. Allah does not guide the people who are disobedient. (9:24) What else is there in the heart that wants
70 to take us away from His obedience? Reject everything to come closer to Allah. The stoning is that rejection.
11. Kurbani (The Sacrifice): The most difficult test that was put to Ibrahim Alaihe wa sallam and Ishmael Alaihe wa sallam was for a father to sacrifice a son. The command of Allah was to show the mankind that no sacrifice should be considered an obstacle in fulfilling the commands of Allah. Allah does not need even the slaughtering of animals forget about son, as He mentions in the Quran: Neither their meat, nor their blood reaches Allah but the piety from you reaches Allah. (22:37) The act of sacrifice should reflect that determination in our heart as has been mentioned in the Quran: Say: my Salah, my ibadat, my living, my dying are for Allah, The Cherisher, The Sustainer of the whole universe. (6:162).
12. Shaving of Head: The first test of sacrifice for a pilgrim is giving up the “beauty”, that was preserved for the whole life, to obey the commands of Allah Subhana wa taala as
71 He mentions in the Quran: Then let him complete their prescribed duties (of Hajj), perform their vows, and go around the ancient house (the Kaba) (22:29). Do not shave your heads until the offering reaches the place of sacrifice (2:196). One proof of sacrifice through slaughtering of animal, the other proof through own action.
13. Tawaf (Ifada): Is coming back after purifications of Iman to rally around Allah; to depend on Allah. The slave now proclaim in his heart: O my Allah, I have seen your Greatness, I have realized who I am, I did not hesitate to give up everything you asked me to, I have realized my destiny, so here I am. Please accept me among those who rally around you. Do not chant “slogans”, cry from heart for His acceptance. Ask Him for the reward He has promised. You have obeyed, you have gone through the tests, now is the time to beg for you and for all those you love.
With satisfaction and happiness in heart and soul the slave then goes back to
72 Meena to glorify Allah and reject the Satan - the deceptor. Prior to leaving for home, again perform the Tawaf-al-Wida to pledge to Allah Subhana wa taala to bring ever lasting obedience in the life still left. As one scholar of Islam said: Take home the life of Makkah from Makkah and life of Madinah from Madina (of Muhammad Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam), to practice for rest of your life.
73 BE MINDFUL OF
In the book, “A Guide to Hajj, Umrah and Visiting the Prophet’s Mosque”, the Muslims have been warned about things that nullify Islam. Ten most common violations are mentioned, which I will quote here -
The First
Associating partners with Allah (Shirk). Allah Most High says: “Truly, if anyone associates partners with Allah, Allah will forbid him the Garden and his abode will be the Fire; the wrongdoers will have no helpers”.
The Second
Setting up intermediaries between oneself and Allah, making supplication to them, asking their intercession with Allah, and placing one’s trust in them is unbelief (Kufr).
74 The Third
Anyone who does not consider polytheists (mushrikeen) to be unbelievers, or who has doubts concerning their unbelief, is himself an unbeliever (Kafir).
The Fourth
Anyone who believes any guidance other than the Prophet’s guidance to be more perfect, or a decision other than the Prophet’s decision to be better, is an unbeliever. This applies to those who prefer the judgement of misguided individuals to the Prophet’s judgement. Some examples of this are -
a. To believe that systems and laws made by human beings are better than the Shariah of Islam; for example, that the Islamic system is not applicable in the twentieth century. That Islam is the cause of backwardness of Muslims. That the relationship of an individual with Allah is a private matter
75 which should not be brought into the public domain.
b. To say that enforcing the punishment prescribed by Allah, such as cutting off the hand of a thief or stoning an adulterer, is not advisable in this day and age.
c. To believe that it is permissible to give a ruling without taking into consideration what Allah has revealed in matter of law, punishment or other affairs. Although one may not believe such ruling to be superior to the Shariah, he in effect affirms such a stand by declaring a thing which Allah has totally prohibited, such as adultery, drinking alcohol or usury, to be permissible. According to the consensus of Muslims, and who declares such things to be permissible is an unbeliever (Kafir).
The Fifth
Anyone who hates any part of what the Messenger of Allah Sallal lahu alaihe wa sallam has declared to be lawful has
76 nullified his Islam, even though he may act in accordance with it. Allah Most High says: “Because they dislike what Allah has revealed, their deeds are brought to nothing.”
The Sixth
Anyone who ridicules any aspect of the religion of the Messenger of Allah Sallal lahu alaihe wa sallam, or any of its rewards or punishments, becomes an unbeliever. Allah Most High says: “Say, Do you ridicule Allah, His revelations and His Messenger? Make no excuse, you have disbelieved after your (profession of ) faith”.
The Seventh
The practice of magic. Included in this is, for example, causing a rift between a husband and wife by turning his love for her into hatred, or tempting a person to do things he dislikes by using black arts. One who engages in such a thing or is pleased with it is outside the pale of Islam. Allah Most High says: The two
77 (angels Harut and Marut) did not teach anyone (magic) without warning them. Indeed, we are a trial, then do not disbelieve.
The Eighth
Supporting and aiding polytheists against Muslims. Allah Most High says: The one from among you who supports them belongs to them. Truly, Allah does not guide the people who do wrong.
The Ninth
Anyone who believes that some people are permitted to deviate from Shariah of Muhammad Sallal lahu alaihe wa sallam is an unbeliever by the word of Allah Most High. If anyone seeks a religion other than al-Islam, it will not be accepted from him, and in the hereafter he will be among the losers.
The Tenth
To turn completely away from the religion of Allah, neither learning its
78 precepts nor acting upon it. Allah Most High says: “Who does greater wrong than the one who is reminded of the revelations of his Lord and turns away from them. Truly, we shall recompense the guilty.” And He also says: “But those who disbelieve turn away from that about which they are warned”.
It makes no difference whether such violations are committed as a joke, in seriousness or out of fear, except when done under compulsion.
We seek refuge in Allah from such deeds as entail His wrath and severe punishment.
79 GUIDE TO THE HAJJ AND UMRAH
In the light of Quran and Sunnah the scholars of Islam have come up with certain guidelines. One can study any authentic book. Here I am going to mention mostly from the book Printed and Published by the Presidency of Islamic Research, IFTA and Propagation of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
There are three ways of performing Hajj:
1. Hajj al Tamattu: This means entering into Ihram for the Umrah during the months of Hajj that is in the month of Shawwal, Zil-Qidah and the first ten days of Zil-Hajj and take off Ihram after performing Umrah. Then to enter into Ihram again to perform Hajj from Makkah on the 8th of Zil-Hajj during the same year in which Umrah was performed. For Tamattu Hajj Saye must be done both during Umrah and Tawaf-al- Ifada. Sacrificing an animal (sheep, goat or one seventh of a camel or cow) is obligatory or in lieu fasting for 10 days (3 days before day of Arafat
80 and seven days after returning home). There are different options about the 3 days, some opinion before the day of Arafat others up to the last day of Meena. Allah says: .... but if he can not (afford it), he should fast three days during the Hajj and seven days after his return (2:196). Tawaf-al-wida has to be performed before leaving Makkah for home. 2. Hajj al-Qiran: This means entering into Ihram for both Umrah and Hajj at the same time, not taking off the Ihram (after Umrah) until the day of sacrifice (the 10th day of Zil-Hajj). Alternately one may first enter in to Ihram for Umrah and before beginning the tawaf may make the intention for the Hajj as well. Perform Saye only once - the Sunnah is to perform Saye during Umrah. Sacrificing an animal is also obligatory but if one cannot afford then Allah said to fast for ten days (3 days before day of Arafat and seven days after returning home). About 10 days please see above comments. If one did not perform Saye during Umrah he has to perform Saye after Tawaf-al-Ifada.
81 Tawaf-al-wida has to be performed before leaving Makkah for home. 3. Hajj-al-Ifrad: This means entering into Ihram for Hajj either from the Miqat or from Makkah if one resides in Makkah or from places between Miqat and Makkah in the event that one has brought a sacrificial animal with him and remain in Ihram until the day of sacrifice (10th of Zil-Hajj). If one has not brought an animal for sacrifice, he is required to come out of Ihram after performing Umrah (Tawaf, Saye, shaving of head). Then re-enter into Ihram on the 8th of Zil-Hajj. The same applies to a person who is performing Hajj-al-Qiran in the event that he has not brought with him an animal to sacrifice it is required that he comes out of Ihram after Umrah as described above. Saye has to be done only once for both Hajj- al-Qiran or Hajj-al-Ifrad either during Umrah (on arrival at Makkah) or after Tawaf-al-Ifada. There is no obligation in Hajj-al-Ifrad to sacrifice an animal but all five schools of thoughts agree that it is better to sacrifice voluntarily. For Hajj-al-Ifrad the Tawaf-al-Wida (farewell tawaf) is not obligatory.
82 THE CONDITIONS FOR HAJJ:
Hajj is obligatory for a Muslim who is adult, has the sanity and capability. Hajj is not obligatory for a child. A person must have enough provision to leave for his family, if they are not accompanying him. For a women she should be accompanied by her husband or a Mahram. According to Maliki and Shafi schools of thought, company of the husband or Mahram is not a condition.
THE FARD OF HAJJ:
1. Wear Ihram. 2. Be present within the boundaries of Arafat. 3. Perform Tawaf al-Ifada.
If any of the above three are omitted one has to come back for Hajj again.
83 THE WAJIBAT OF HAJJ:
If any of the following is omitted then for each omission one has to give fidyah (penalty) one goat or sheep or one seventh share of cow or camel.
1. Saye. 2. Staying at night at Muzdalefa. 3. Throwing pebbles at the pillars. 4. Shaving head. 5. Tawaf-al-Qudum(1st Tawaf). 6. For Qiran Hajj giving sacrifice. 7. Tawaf al-wida (farewell Tawaf).
84 PERFORMANCE OF UMRAH:
1. There are five Miqat where from one has to wear Ihram. The Miqats are at Al-Juhfa, Dul-Hulaifa, Al- Datirq, Qarn Al-Manjil and Al- Yalamlam. On reaching the prescribed Miqat take ghusl (shower), use perfume if available, and then put on the clothes of Ihram (two pieces of white un-sewed clothes). Remember that if you are flying by air Jeddah is after passing Miqat, so either you have to put on Ihram before you get in the plane or you must put on the Ihram inside the aeroplane. Once you reach the Miqat (the pilot may make the announcement) you start the Talbiyya. Women also make ghusl but she does not use perfume and make ups. She may wear any clothes available as long as they do not display her body shape and beauties. She should be completely covered except her face and hands. It is preferable that before Ihram is put on, one should clip nails, shave underarm and pubic hair and trim mustache. After putting on the Ihram and for women appropriate clothes, make intention to perform Umrah, pray
85 two rakah of Salah, uncover the head (men only) and say Talbiyya loudly as follows:
Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk Labbayk La Shareeka laka Labbayk Innal-hamda, wa nimata, laka wal-mulk la shareeka lak. (Here I am at Your service O Allah, here I am. Here I am, No partner, do you have, here I am. Truly, the praise and favor is Yours, and the dominion. No partner do you have.)
Men should utter the Talbiyya aloud, while women should say it silently. Repeat the Talbiyya frequently and engage in the zikir of Allah; in supplication and in the enjoining of what is good and forbidding of what is evil (that is give dawa).
2. On reaching Makkah put your belongings in the hotel room or where you feel they will be safe, then without delay go for the Tawaf of the Kaba (Tawaf al-Qudum). Recite the duaa of entering Masjid Al-Haram and go inside with your right foot and walk
86 towards the Kaba keeping your gaze down. Do not pray Tahiyyat al-Masjid. Remember the duaa after the first sight of the Kaba is accepted by Allah Subhana-wa taala. Once you reach near the open space around Kaba, move away from the walking path of the people and look at the Kaba. Raise your hands and ask Allah what you want. See your dream! Let the stream of water flow non-stop from the eyes. Ask Allah in your duaa to accept all the good duaa you will make in the rest of your life. Thank Him for letting you come to His house. Ask protection from Satan and evil deeds in rest of the life. Beg as long as you want. Then go near the corner of the Black Stone (Hajre Aswad), make intention of the Tawaf of Umrah, raise your hands pointing towards the Black Stone, say Allah hu Akbar and start the Tawaf. Touching and kissing black stone is sunnah but pushing others is haram. Put the top part of Ihram in such way that your right shoulder and right arm remains open during the first three circle (Tawaf), while the left shoulder and arm should be covered. Also during the first three Tawaf move in a way as if you are
87 running. The remaining four Tawaf should be by walking with the people around you. Never push anyone and always protect yourself from the women around you and women should protect from the men around them. There is no prescribed duaa during Tawaf except it is Sunna to say: Rabbana atina fiddunya hasanata wa fil akherati hassanata wa qina azaban-nar, (Our Lord give us good in this world and good in the hereafter and save us from the punishment of the Fire) during Tawaf between the corner of Kaba called Rukne Yeamani and the corner of Hazre Aswad (Black Stone). In the rest of the distance of Tawaf ask Allah whatever your heart wants. It is not Sunnah to read duaa from books or say in a group in loud voice. You may also recite the Quran from your heart or make Zikir of Allah Subhana wa taala.
3. After completing the 7th circle (going around the Kaba) pray two rakah of Salah behind Makame Ibrahim at a convenient place where you will not be disturbed. It is sunnah to recite Sura Kaferun in lst rakah and Sura Ikhlas in
88 2nd rakah. After Salah make duaa again.
4. After the two rakah of Salah you may drink the water of Zam Zam to your fill. Recite the duaa if you know or ask Allah what you want while drinking the water. Zam Zam water can be drunk in standing position, not other water. Allah has kept lots of blessing in the water of Zam Zam including cure of diseases.
5. One can then proceed to the hill of Safa for Saye. On getting up the hill of Safa, face the Kaba and praise Allah by raising your hands and saying Allahu Akbar three times. Make duaa to Allah Subhana wa taala. Repeat the duaa three times as that is the Sunnah. Also to say: “La ilaha illallahu, wah dahu la sharika la, lahul mulk wa lahul hamd, wa hua ala kulli shayin qadeer”, is Sunnah. Repeat it three times (The meaning: There is no deity except Allah; the One without a partner. He is the dominion and His is the praise worthy and He is powerful over everything.) Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wa sallam
89 also prayed silently. One may say the duaas that one can memorize or say from heart what you want from Allah. After duaa descend from Safa and do the Saye of the Umrah. Men should run between the two green lights. Complete going from Safa to Marwa as one walk, Marwa to Safa as second walk. This way seven times. Each time on getting at the “hill top” raise your hands by facing the Kaba and say: “Allahu Akbar” three times and recite the above duaa along with duaa of your heart. There is no specific duaa during Tawaf and Saye. Keep on doing Zikir, recite the Quran from heart and make duaa in your own words.
6. After Saye (completion of seven walk) stand on the hill of Marwa and facing Kaba make duaa. Then shave your head - it is better. If there is problem then may trim the hair of the entire head. Women should trim the tips of their hair. After this the prohibition pertaining to Ihram are lifted except sexual relation with your wife, therefore, you may resume your normal clothes and activities.
90 THE PERFORMANCE OF HAJJ:
1. If you are performing Hajj al-Ifrad or Hajj al-Qiran (that is Hajj combined with Umrah) you enter into Ihram at the Miqat - through which you pass on your way to Makkah. If you are in the Miqat or you are resident of Makkah, then you put on your Ihram at your home. Similarly if you are performing Hajj-al-Tamattu you enter into Ihram for Hajj at your residence in Makkah or in your hotel room on the 8th of Zil-Hajj after Fajr Salah. Perform ghusl (shower), perfume yourself if possible and put on the Ihram like you did for the Umrah. Women likewise perform ghusl but do not use perfume. They may wear any suitable clothes as was told for Umrah. Their clothes must not show the body figure and beauties. Women must cover every part of the body except hands and face. After putting on Ihram recite Talbiyya frequently: Labbayk Allah humma Labbayk. Labbayk la Shareeka laka Labbayk. In nal hamda wa nimata laka wal mulk La sharika lak. Frequently recite the Talbiyya and proceed to
91 Meena. Remember, women should not recite Talbiyya loudly. 2. In Meena five Salah to be prayed, Zuhur, Asr, Maghrib, Isha and Fajr prayers at their proper times, shortening prayers of four rakats to two rakats. DO NOT COMBINE THESE PRAYERS. 3. After the sun rises on the 9th of Zil Hajj proceed to Arafat in a dignified humble manner remembering Allah Subhana wa taala and reciting the Talbiyya frequently. Remember the importance of Arafat. At Arafat pray the Zuhur and Asr Salah shortened and combined at Zuhur time with one Azan and two Iqama as the Prophet of Allah Sallal lahu alaihe wa sallam did. Make sure you are within the boundaries of Arafat. Part of the Masjid Namira is not within the boundaries of Arafat. If you are not within the boundaries of Arafat your Hajj is void and you have to come back again to fulfill your Fardh obligation. Keep yourself busy in the recitation of Quran and other Zikir of Allah Subhana wa taala. Remember the role of Arafat in Hajj as has been discussed in previous chapter. “Hajj is
92 Arafat.” Do not waste your time by talking to others. After the time of Asr Salah, stand up in an area where nobody will disturb you, face Kibla, raise your hands towards the sky and keep on making duaa till sunset. Make Tauba for all shortcomings and beg Allah’s favor. Make duaa for your parents, children, relatives (dead or alive), for the entire Ummah, for mankinds hedayet, and all those who requested you to make duaa. Become like a beggar not to give up. Let all the tears be finished to make Him accept your duaa. Do not give up. This is your chance. He has come closest to you. He is hearing, responding and fulfilling all your calls. Pretty soon you will see the results. Remain in Arafat until after the sunset. 4. When the sun has set, proceed towards Muzdalifa reciting Talbiyya. When you arrive at Muzdalifa pray the Maghrib and Isha Salah combined with one Azan and two Iqama no matter when you reach Muzdalifa. Shorten the Isha to two rakats. There after rest (sleep) in Muzdalifa until Tahajjad or Fajr Salah. After Fajr prayer face the qibla and make duaa till sunrise
93 raising your hands following the practice of the Prophet Sallal lahu alaihe wa sallam. 5. In Muzdalifa pick up the pebbles to throw at the pillars. You may pick up only seven at Muzdalifa and rest at Meena or all 70 (seventy) from Muzdalifa. Do not wash the pebbles.
Women or weak individuals may proceed to Meena at anytime after midnight. 6. When you arrive at Meena do the following:
a. Stone the Pillar of Aqabah (the pillar nearest to Makkah), throwing seven pebbles one after another, saying Allahu Akbar each time. Do not stand. Keep on walking while throwing the pebbles. b. If you are required to sacrifice, slaughter the sacrificial animal after throwing the pebbles. If possible eat some of the meat and distribute the rest to the needy. c. Shave your head since that is better than trimming the hair. Women should cut a fingertip
94 length of their hair. Only after slaughtering the sacrificial animal shave your head since that is the Order of Allah in the Quran.
After the above duties the prohibition of Ihram are over except sexual intercourse with your wife. You can now wear usual clothes and take shower.
7. After taking some rest you then go to Makkah and perform Tawaf-al-Ifadah (the Fardh Tawaf of Hajj). Remember, you have to start your Tawaf from Hazre Aswad (The Black Stone). Do not forget to recite - Rabbana, atina, fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil akhirati hassana wa qina azaban-nar between Rukne Yeamani and Hazre Aswad each time. After seven circles pray behind Makame Ibrahim. Then if you are doing Hajj al-Tamattu you also perform Saye. If you are performing Hajj al-Ifrad or Hajj al-Qiran and you did not perform Saye during Tawaf al- Qudum (The Tawaf of Arrival) then you must do Saye now. After this Saye you do not have to trim or shave hair again. Now you are completely free of your
95 prohibition and you can also resume marital relations. One may delay the Tawaf-al-Ifada until the days spent in Meena are over. In that case the prohibition on marital relation will last till the Tawaf and Saye (if needed) are done.
8. After performing Tawaf al-Ifada on the day of sacrifice, return to Meena and spend two or three days as per plan. Allah Subhana wa taala says in the Quran: And remember Allah during (specific) numbered days. Then whoever hastens (his departure) in two days - there is no sin upon him who fears Allah. And fear Allah and that unto Him you will be returned (2:203). Do not waste your time in worldly talk. Keep yourself busy in Amal, recitation of Quran, religious discussion. Go from tent to tent and meet people from different parts of the world. Give dawa to the ones you visit.
9. At any time in the afternoon of each of the two or three days of stay in Meena stone each of the three pillars starting from the pillar
96 farthest from Makkah, followed by the middle pillar and lastly the pillar of Aqaba. Throw seven pebbles one by one at each pillar saying Allahu Akbar at each throw.
If you stay in Meena for only two days then you must leave Meena after stoning the pillars before sunset on the second day. If the sun sets before you leave the boundaries of Meena then you stay in Meena for the third day and throw pebbles on third day as well. In any case, it is preferable to stay in Meena for three days. It is permissible for the sick and the weak to appoint a proxy to throw their pebbles. The proxy first throws his own pebbles then for others while at the same pillar.
10. If you decide to return to your country after completing the rites of Hajj, you perform Tawaf al-wida (farewell Tawaf) before leaving Makkah. No one is excused from this excepting women who are menstruating or in the period of discharge following childbirth. For Hajj-al-Ifrad the farewell Tawaf is not obligatory.
97 Thus the Hajj is complete. May Allah accept the Hajj of everyone and give opportunity to go for Hajj and Umrah again and again. Ameen.
98 OBLIGATIONS DURING IHRAM:
During the state of Ihram for Hajj or Umrah the following are obligatory:
1. To faithfully observe all that Allah has made obligatory, such as the daily prayers at their proper time.
2. To avoid what Allah has prohibited such as sexual intercourse, wrong-doing, quarreling and committing sins.
3. To guard against injuring the Muslims by deed or by word.
4. To abstain from what is prohibited during Ihram, namely –
a. Do not cut your nails or pull out hair. b. Do not use perfume whether on clothes or on body or in food or drink. There is no harm if the effect of perfume applied before Ihram was put on, remains.
99 c. Do not kill, frighten or assist in hunting any animal as long as you are in Ihram. d. Do not cut a tree or pluck any green vegetation within the sacred precincts of Al-Haram, whether you are in Ihram or not, as the Messenger of Allah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam has prohibited from doing so. e. Do not become engaged to be married, do not get married, do not perform marriage contract for anyone and do not engage in marital intercourse as long as you are in Iham.
All these prohibitions apply equally for men and women alike.
In particular: ! A man may not put any covering on his head. But the shade of Umbrella, etc. are permissible. There is no harm in carrying something on the head. ! A man may not wear shirt, underwear, socks or anything else which is sewn including shoes, slippers on the whole or part of his body.
100 ! It is forbidden for a woman to wear gloves on her hands or to cover her face with niqabs or burqah during the state of Ihram.
However if male strangers are around her, she should conceal her face with her head covering or similar things. These rules apply only when she is in the state of Ihram. Thereafter she may wear niqabs and gloves. ! If a person intentionally violates the obligatory acts of Ihram then there is fidyah (penalty) for the violation; otherwise unintentional violation does not require penalty. ! It is permissible to wear sandals (not sewed), rings, watches, glasses, hearing aid, belt or a girdle which protects ones money or documents. ! It is permissible to take shower and change or put on new clothes for Ihram. Do not use soap, oil or scent during shower. It is permissible to wash the clothes of Ihram, if necessary. ! In order to increase the number of Umrahs some people go to Al-Tanim or Al-Jiranah
101 after Hajj to put on Ihram and subsequently return for Umrah. No support of this practice exists in the Shariah.
102 VISITATION OF THE PROPHET SALLALLAHU ALAIHE WA SALLAM’S MOSQUE:
1. Going to Madina Monowara at anytime with the intention of visiting the Prophet Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam’s Mosque is a sunnah; as is performing Salah in it. Abu Huraira Radiallahu anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam said: Praying once in this Mosque of mine is 1000 times better than praying in other Mosques except the Sacred Mosque (Bukhari, Muslim).
Jabir Radiallahu anhu narrated the hadith of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam which says: Praying in this Mosque of mine is 1000 times better than praying in other Mosques except the Sacred Mosque and praying in the Sacred Mosque is 100,000 times better than praying in other Mosques (Ahmad, Ibn Maja).
2. There is no Ihram or Talbiyya for visiting the Prophet Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam’s Mosque.
103 It should be emphasized that there is no connection whatsoever between this visit and Hajj.
3. When you enter the Prophet Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam’s Mosque, enter with humbleness with right foot first by saying the recommended duaa of entering any mosque, including the Prophet’s Mosque: Auzu billahil azim, wa waj hi hil Kareem, wa sultani-hil qadeem mina- shaytani-rajeem. Allah humma, iftahli abwaba rahmatik. (I seek refuge in Allah the Almighty, and in His noble countenance and in His eternal power from Satan the rejected. O Allah, open to me the doors of your mercy.) Thereafter perform two rakats of tahiyyat al-masjid salah preferably at Rawdah Al-Jannah or otherwise anywhere else in the Masjid.
4. After finishing the Salah go to the grave of the Prophet Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam and standing in front of it, say in a respectful and hushed voice “Assalamu alaika, ayyuhan - nabbiyya wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu” (Peace
104 be on you, O Prophet of Allah, and the mercy and blessings of Allah). One may also add: Allahumma atihil waseelata walfadilata wab-athul maqamal- mahmoudal-ladhee wa-adtahu. Allahumma, ajzih an ummatihi afdalal- jaza” (O Lord {Allah} give him the right (of intercession) and the favor, and raise him to the praise worthy station which you promised to him. O Allah, reward him on behalf of his Ummah {followers} with best of rewards.)
Then move a little bit to the right to stand before the grave of Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu. Greet him with Salam and supplicate to Allah to bestow His mercy and forgiveness on him.
Again move a little to the right to stand before the grave of Umar Radiallahu anhu. Greet him with Salam and make supplication for him.
Always face Kibla to make duaa. Do not ask anything from Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam, always ask from Allah Subhana wa taala.
105 5. It is Sunnah to visit the Masjid Quba and offer Salah in it, as the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihe wa sallam prayed there and encouraged others to do the same. Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam said: Whosoever sets out until he comes to this Mosque (Masjid Quba) and prays in it, he will have the reward of performing an Umrah. (Ahmad, An-Nasayee).
6. It is Sunnah to visit the graves of Al-Baqee cemetery and the grave of Uthman Radiallahu anhu, the graves of the martyrs of the Uhud and the grave of Hamza Radiallalu anhu. Prophet Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam used to visit the graves at Al-Baqee and pray for those buried there. He taught his companions when visiting graves to say: Assalamu alaikum, ahlal diyar minal- mumineen wal muslimeen, wa inna insha-Allah bikum lahi qoon. Nasalal- laha lana wa lakumul afiya (Muslim). (Peace be on you, O dwellers of this place from among the believers and Muslims, and we will Insha Allah join you. We ask Allah for security {from
106 the fire of Hell} for ourselves and for you.)
Scholars of Islam have recommended to visit the above places in the light of Sunna. Some people during “Ziarah” also go to The Masjid Qiblataeen and the field of Khandak (Battle of Trenches). The merits of visiting other places in Madina has been discouraged. While visiting the Masjid of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam one must be careful not to commit acts that are not part of Ibadat and in some cases shirk. Like one must not pray to Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam, ask him for anything, face his grave and supplicate, touch the pillars or grill, kiss the member, etc. One must ask all favors from Allah and Allah alone. Always face Kibla and supplicate to Allah not to Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam. Spend as much time as possible in any part of the Masjid of the Prophet Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam, specially in the area of Rawda-Al-Janna. Recite the Quran, send lots of Darud and Allah’s blessing on Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam. Pray lot of nafl Salah and
107 Tahajjud in the Masjid. Do not waste your time in the market place. Spend that time in the Masjid.
108 ON RETURNING HOME
After returning home, first, we should stop at our local Masjid. Pray two rakat of Tahiyyatul Masjid and thank Allah Subhana wa taala for giving the opportunity to visit “His House”, the Prophet Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam’s Mosque and perform the Hajj. Then we should make intention to change the direction of our lives towards the obedience of commands of Allah Subhana wa taala and towards the sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam. Make intention to use our lives and wealth to learn, practice and propagate the deen (religion) of Allah Subhana wa taala.
The one that returns from Hajj gets a new life like that of a newborn baby as has been stated in the hadith. The hajjee has seen the signs of Allah Subhana wa taala. He went through the foot steps and the actions of the most beloved ones of Allah Subhana wa taala (The Prophets Alaihe wa sallam). He now knows what brings a person closer to Allah. After coming back from Hajj one therefore
109 should strive to stay in that path of obedience by following the commandments of Allah Subhana wa taala till he dies.
After Hajj no sacrifice for the pleasure of Allah should be considered supreme. The purpose of the commands of sacrificing Ishmael Alaihe wa sallam was not that Allah Subhana wa taala wanted Ibrahim Alaihe wa sallam to slaughter his son. The purpose was to show the mankind till the doom’s day that even if the need be to that level one should not hesitate to follow the commands of Allah Subhana wa taala. Alas, today forget about sacrificing to that extent we are not even ready to leave our offices, jobs, stores, firms when the call is made to go to the Masjid for prayers. Unless we keep in mind the teachings of the Quran, Sunnah and the lessons learned in Hajj we will get lost in material world where we were before going to Hajj.
My dear brothers and sisters we have read, we have heard and we know what our responsibilities are. The Quran is
110 clear, the Hadith are clear, the lives of the Prophet Alaihe wa sallam are in front of us, the lives of the Sahaba Radiallahu Anhuma are being read again and again and we all are seeing the signs of revival of Islam around us still are we going to be just the silent spectator or are we going to do what Allah Subhana wa taala wants us to do? Allah says in the Quran: And who is better in speech than him who invites (mankind) towards Allah, and does what is right (follow the deen) and says: Indeed I am of those who have surrendered (unto Him, that is a Muslim) (41.33). Allah Subhana wa taala further says: You are the best of the nations that has been raised up for the mankind. You enjoin what is good and forbid what is wrong: and you believe in Allah (3:110). Then Allah Subhana wa taala made it absolutely clear by ordering Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam to tell us: “Say (O Muhammad): This is my way that I call (people) towards Allah with wisdom and strong belief, I and whosoever follow me. (12:108) Those are few of the clear commands of Allah Subhana wa taala about the purposes of our lives. Now is the time to make the
111 intention and try 100% to come on those commands and fulfill our responsibilities. Remember the Khutba Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam gave at Hajj, in which he also conveyed our responsibilities. Maybe one of the reasons for which staying in Arafat is Fard because of the message that was conveyed in the Khutba by Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam, which should be learnt in Arafat and carried out after returning from Hajj. We have been given the responsibility to convey even one ayat (sentence of Quran) to others. The companions of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam did what they were told. We are the followers of the same Prophet and the message is also same. The responsibilities are also same. For that reason we have to do for which we have been included in the Ummah of Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam. The companions of the Prophet Sallallahu alaihe was sallam traded their lives and wealth in exchange of Jannah as has been stated by Allah Subhana wa taala: Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties (in exchange) for
112 that they will have Paradise. (9:111). Therefore we must make intention to strive in the path of Allah with our time (life) and wealth to convey the message of Islam to the mankind. Today, nobody talks to the people about Allah. It is our job to do that. Unless we follow the deen, others will not see Islam in us. The Sahaba Radiallahu anhuma used to say: Kulu mislana (Be like us.). Can we say the same to others? Let us bring Islam in our lives, in business, in dealings, in legal system, in our appearance, etc. People must know Islam from our lives, not from books.
Do not talk about the hardship, if any, that you faced during the Hajj. Talk about the Qudrats (signs that you saw, learned) of Allah Subhana wa taala. Give dawa to Iman and deen of Allah Subhana wa taala. Remember, if you faced any difficulty that most likely was a test to forgive you. Think about the trials Ibrahim Alaihe wa sallam and his family went through. Ask yourself, if your trials were worse than theirs. Did you face more difficulties than them? Did not you go for Hajj knowing that
113 you will be following the foot steps of the Prophet Ibrahim, Maa Hazera and Prophet Ishmael alaihe wa sallam? How one can complain then? So, one should make Tauba and ask Allah Subhana wa taala for forgiveness for any difficulty that most probably happened because of sin committed before or during Hajj. Never blame the Mowallem (group leader), or anyone that make arrangement for your Hajj. They try their best but it is Allah who decides what you are going to face.
Allah Subhana wa taala says in the Quran: And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: If you are grateful, I will add more (favor) unto you: But if you show ingratitude truly My punishment indeed is severe. (14:7) Now if we are not among those who thank Allah Subhana wa taala then the wrath of Allah surely is coming. By doing Hajj if we complain, that is like ungratefulness for the opportunity Allah Subhana wa taala gave. Therefore be very careful in saying things that may sound in negative sense. Also remember, your duaa is accepted by Allah Subhana wa taala
114 after returning from Hajj as has been reported by Ibn Umar Radiallahu anhu - Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam said: When you meet a hajee (on his way home) then greet him, shake hands with him and ask him to beg forgiveness of Allah on your behalf before he enters his home, for his prayer for forgiveness is accepted since he is forgiven by Allah for his sins (Mishkat).
So, please make duaa for the writer of this book and his family along with your beloved ones. Make duaa for the entire Umma. Do not forget to make duaa for the entire mankind for their Hedayet (guidance) so the mankind can save them from Hell Fire. The cry of Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam was for the Hedayet of the entire mankind. All his sufferings were for that reason only. Since he is no more in this world, as his followers it is incumbant upon us to cry to Allah Subhana wa taala for the Hedayet of the mankind. We have not been sent to hurt others but we have been sent to call people to Allah Subhana wa taala and show the path to Jannah (the success).
115 May Allah Subhana wa taala forgive me and my family. May Allah Subhana wa taala accept the Hajj of all those who have performed the Hajj in the past, and will be performing in future. I ask forgiveness from all of you, who read this book, for any mistake you may find and ask Allah to forgive me for those mistakes as well. Ameen.
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