The Daw n Special Edition

Magazine of Birmingham Central Trust Ltd. Issue No. 160 February 2004 | Dhul Hijjah/Muharram 1424/1425 AH Registered Charity No. 259545 | Company No. 961846

The Pilgrimage – A symbol of submission to and the unity of mankind

‘The first house (of worship of God) appointed Hajj constitutes a form of worship with the totality for men that at Bakka (Makkah) full of blessings of a Muslim’s being, that is with his body, mind and of guidance for all kinds of beings. In it are and soul, with his time, possessions and the signs manifest: The station of Abraham – temporary sacrifice of all ordinary comforts, whoever enters it attains sanctuary Pilgrimage to conveniences and tokens of status and it is a duty men owe to God those who can afford individuality which human beings normally enjoy. the journey.’ The Holy Qur’an 3: 96-97 This is to assume for a few days the condition of a Pilgrimage to Makkah in Saudi Arabia constitutes pilgrim in God’s service and His pleasure. the fifth pillar of , and last of the acts of And (remember when We prepared for worship prescribed by Islam. It is obligatory once in Abraham the site of the (sacred) house, a lifetime for those Muslims who can afford it (saying): “Do not ascribe anything as associate provided there is safety and security for travel and with Me, and sanctify My house for those who provision is left behind for dependents. circumambulate it and those who stand and

those who bow and those who prostrate Hajj is one of the basic pillars of Islam which also themselves (there). had a universal appeal, both for the viewpoints of it, And proclaim the pilgrimage for men; they will semblance as well as emotional expression. It is a come to thee on foot and (mount on every kind unique and most impressive demonstration of faith of lean camel coming through deep on earth. Surely, it occupies human imagination that ravines.’22:26-27 a simple four-wall structure, placed in the centre of a barren, sun baked valley, should be the focal point The Hajj scenario symbolises a complete and for humanity. However, we worship Lord of the unconditional submission to the Will of Allah with House and not the House itself. Precisely this was the uniformity of dress and devotional exercises of the reason that the Holy Prophet chose Hajj as the pilgrims. The pilgrimage is a visible symbol of occasion for his Farewell Address and gave his human unity, representing in concrete form God’s historic charter of human brotherhood. He centrality in the life of the Muslim. The focal emphatically spelt out that all human beings were point for Muslims of all times and places to turn equal in the eye of God and that it was piety, not any toward their Lord in their worship and become one other considerations, which placed one above others. community submitting to the One God. An This proclamation brought into focus of history the endless stream of worshippers facing and circling unreality of al racial, territorial, linguistic and class around the Ka’aba unceasingly, since the time of discriminations which separate man from man and the Prophet Ibrahim gives a sense of history. The generate tension, chaos and bloodshed in the world. various rites of Hajj demonstrate the same straight way that has been the way of the prophets of God and those who followed them.

At Makkah I saw the spirit of unity and true brotherhood displayed by tens of thousands of people from all over the wo rld, from blue-eyed blondes to black skinned Africans. My religious pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah has given me a true insight into the brotherhood of Islam, which encompasses all the races of mankind.

Malcolm X ‘Idul Adha A Day of Rejoice and Sacrifice

The two ‘Ids – ‘Idul Fitr understood and, in his sacrifices by and ‘Idul Adha are two innocence, was slaughtering animals great, unique religious supportive of his from which there is a festivals in Islam. To father’s task to please share of needy and poor. them there can be God. Once they had This Islamic form of nothing similar in any arrived at a location in thanksgiving is a other religion or socio- the mountains, the father wholesome combination political system. The hard-heartedly placed of spiritual devotion and first one is celebrated on his son’s head between humanitarian the first day of Shawwal some rocks and with benevolence. ‘Id day is marking the end of the great sorrow; he raised a ‘Day of Forgiveness’. month of his large knife to sever When the Muslims and the latter his son’s throat. At that assemble in the on the 10th of Dhul moment, Abraham’s son congregation, all Hijjah, next day to Hajj, was replaced with a goat enmities and ill-feelings pilgrimage. which was subsequently among them vanish and slaughtered in the Name true brotherhood ‘Idul Adha is celebrated of God. emerges. to commemorate the sacred memory of Upon realising the feat, Although ‘Id day is a Prophet Abraham’s act the Prophet asked God day of delights, of great sacrifice in the why his son was spared. pleasures and merriment way of Allah in offering God explained to the which must accompany his son Ishma’il, who Prophet that he had any human celebrations was replaced by a ram at fulfilled his loyalty to but recreation, the behest of Allah. God alone when he amusement, singing and placed his son on the eating, etc. should stay The Prophet Ibrahim plinth ready for within the moral bounds was commanded by God sacrifice. Therefore, the set by the Shari’ah. to take his son on a actual sacrifice of his journey in the mountains child was not necessary. Anas reported: and then sacrifice him. Prophet Abraham When the Prophet came This was decreed by returned home joyous to Medina, they had two God to test Abraham’s with his son alive and a days of sport and faith. halal goat for a meal. amusement. The Prophet Ibrahim told his Prophet said: ‘Allah has son that they were to go ‘Idul Adha also marks exchanged these days on a journey and then the completion of Hajj for two days better than explained why he had to (pilgrimage) to Makkah, them: the day of the do what God had as well as those who are breaking the fast and the instructed. His son at home, offer their day of sacrifice.

2 Decrees of ‘Idul Adha

The prayer of ‘Idul Adha 6.The (sermon) was prescribed in the first after ‘Id prayer is a Fast on year after the migration. As and so is listening to it. the noble prophet always 7.It is forbidden to fast on performed this prayer so it ‘Id day whereas it is Sunnah ‘Arafa Day i.e., is a Sunnah mu’kkaddah. to fast on the day of Hajj Hajj day He is reported to have (9th Dhul Hijjah) for those (9th day of Dhul-Hijjah) ordered the men, women who did not go to perform and children to proceed to Hajj. the ‘Id prayer ground. Even 8.Although ‘Id prayer is Abu Qutadah reported the menstruating women are Sunnah, but it has far more that the Messenger of encouraged to go to the ‘Id importance than other nafl ground although they are or . If Allah said: not participating in salat but someone misses ‘Id can listen to sermons and congregation due to some “Fasting on the share in duas (supplication). excuse, he should either pray individually or if there day of ‘Arafah is 1.It is Sunnah to make are many who missed it, an expiation for (bath), to wear beautiful then they can offer it in clothes and apply best congregation. two years, the perfume, one could afford. 9. On returning home from year preceding it 2.For, ‘Idul Adha, the eating salat, it is recommended to should be delayed until one take a different route than and the year returns from the ‘Id prayer that which was taken to the following it. and then he may eat out of prayer. his sacrifice if he has 10. It is commendable to Fasting the day sacrificed an animal. congratulate one another on 3. Own way to ‘Id the day of ‘Id. of ‘Ashurah is an congregation, Takbirat 11.It is Sunnah to expiation for the should be pronounced pronounce the takbirat on loudly. ‘Id days. Allah says: “that year proceeding 4.The prophet never you may remember Allah it.” performed any nafl prayer during the well known This is related by “the before or after the ‘Id days.” The time for takbirat group”, except for al- prayer. during the ‘Id of the Bukhari and at- 5.There is no (call sacrifice is from the day of for prayer) or Iqamat for ‘Id Arafat until the time of the Tirmidhi. prayer. ‘Asr on the thirteenth of Dhul-Hijjah.

TAKBIRAT-E-‘ID

Alla hu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, La il aha illa Allahu There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah Wa Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, And Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest Wa Lillahe-I-hamd and all praise are for Him.

The Takbirat should be pronounced loudly while going to ‘Id place

3 The Sacrifice

God the Glorified says in the Qur’an: It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches God, it is your piety that reaches Him. 22.37

In pre-Islamic times, the is an offering of thanksgiving authentic traditions establish Arabs used to offer the flesh to the Good of Creation who that the prophet (peace be of the animals they sacrificed has been so benevolent t upon him) used to sacrifice at the altars of idols. In like mankind. Furthermore, it animals on the occasion of manner, they brought the teaches the well-to-do to ‘Id al-Adha during the flesh of animals so sacrificed share their blessings to eat Madinan period of his life, to the Ka’bah, smearing the thereof (the sacrifice) and and that sacrifice came into walls of the Ka’bah with their feed the beggar and the vogue among Muslims for blood. Exposing the suppliant. (22:36) that reason. Abu Hurayah underlying folly of this The sacrifice upholds the narrates that the Prophet practice, the Qur’an points sacredness of life that it, in (peace be upon him) said: out that what reaches God is fact, constitutes a pledge that ‘He who has the means and not the blood or the flesh of one will slay for sustenance yet does not offer sacrifice the sacrificed animal, but alone. shall not approach out Prayer rather piety. If a man place.’ (Ibn Majah). sacrifices an animal out of It must also be pointed out Whilst all narrators of this genuine feelings of gratitude that the Qur’anic injunction tradition are reliable, the only to God, and does so with with regard to sacrifice is not disagreement there is relates purity of intention and for the just meant for pilgrims. Nor to whether the tradition goes sake of God alone, then the is it meant to be performed back to the Prophet himself purity of his spirit and only in Makkah at the time of or stops at the Companions. intention is bound to reach Hajj. Sacrifice is obligatory According to another God. Devoid of that purity of on all Muslims who can tradition narrated by ‘Abd spirit, however, the mere afford it, regardless of where Allah ibn ‘Umar: offering of blood and flesh they might be. For, by ‘The Prophet (peace be upon are meaningless. The same offering this sacrifice, they him) stayed in Madina for ten point is made in the can thank God for making the years and every years he following which states cattle subservient to them and made a sacrifice.’ (Tirmidhi) that the Prophet (peace be thereby, extol the greatness upon him) said: of God. Indeed, Muslims According to still another ‘God does not look at your who are unable to perform tradition, Anas ibn Malik faces or complexions; He Pilgrimage, often sacrifice narrates that on the day of ‘Id rather looks at your animals at the time of Hajj, al-Adha the Prophet (peace intentions and your deeds.’ and in this way at least they be upon him) said: ‘He who (Ibn Majah) are able to do one thing that has slaughtered before the all pilgrims do in the Prayer should repeat his The sacrifice has many neighbourhood of the sacrifice. As for him who meanings: it commemorates Ka’bah. sacrifices after Prayer, his Abraham’s offering of his sacrificial duty is completed, son’s life and God’s rejection The obligatory nature of and he will be deemed to of this sacrifice in exchange sacrificing animals is amply have correctly followed the for Abraham’s submission to borne out a number of way of Muslims.’ his will. It marks the end of sayings of the Prophet (peace idolatry among the Arabs. It be upon him). Many (Bukhari)

4 Decree of Sacrifice (Qurbani) Birmingham Central Mosque

Qurbani of sacrificial slaughter days after ‘Id: Dhul Marriage Bureau & Introductions on ‘Idul Adha is a strongly Hijjah 11,12,13. Every Monday – 2pm – 4pm (Mr Q. A. Lodhi – 0121 446 4157) recommended tradition. It 4. Qurbani can be goat, reflects the fact that the Muslim sheep, cow, bull or being a committed, obedient camel of either sex. Family Counselling & Divorce servant of Allah is always ready Pregnant female Every Tuesday – 2pm – 4pm (Dr. Saeeda & team – 0121 446 4157) to sacrifice anything, even his animals should not be life, in Allah’s way. slaughtered. Seven In case of any changes to services, persons can share in the please call to check first.

Prophet (peace be last named animals. upon him) lived in Medina for 5. The meat of the Lessons in Qur’án Tafseer & Hadith ten years and every year he slaughtered animal in English sacrificed in the way of Allah. should be divided into Birmingham Central Mosque The following are essentials of three parts. It is highly Every at 7.30pm sacrifice: recommended to give by the visiting Khateeb of one third as a gift to the Birmingham Central Mosque Imám Qári M. Ismail Rashid of 1. Sacrifice animal should poor and needy. One Sheffield

be fat and healthy; a third should be given to sick or defective animal friends and relatives is not accepted. and the remaining one The Dawn

2. Allah’s name third for domestic (Bismillahi Allahu consumption. The Dawn is distributed free in many Akbar) must be said 6. For one who intends to city on the last Friday of every while slaughtering. make the sacrificial month. It is also sent to other religious 3. Qurbani cannot be slaughter, it is sunnah and educational institutions, libraries, slaughtered before ‘Id not to shave or cut his hospitals and prisons. However, any prayer because it is not hair or clip his nails individual wishing to receive a copy valid before the prayer after Dhul Hijjah moon regularly for a year by post is requested and has to be repeated. is sighted, until the to complete this form and return it with a donation, a minimum of £10, to the It should be done time of slaughter. mosque at the address below. immediately after ‘Id (Muslim) prayer or in the three Please send me …… copy/ies of The Dawn monthly. I enclose a generous donation of £……………… Name: IMPORTANT NOTICE ______EID CELEBRATION PARKING ARRANGEMENTS Date: ______

A high number of people and vehicles are expected in and around this area (Highgate) to celebrate Address: Eid in February. ______You can help reduce traffic congestion by sharing lifts with others and allowing plenty of time to get ______to the mosque. If you park on the road, think carefully about where you park. In the past, vehicles have blocked Postcode: ______access to houses, resulting in numerous complaints from local residents. Photocopies of the above form are accepted. Also, some vehicles were double parked in the road and across the pavement, causing Please make all cheques payable to ‘Birmingham inconvenience to other drivers and pedestrians. Central Mosque Trust’. Please state if it is a new membership or a renewed one. Safety is paramount. If you park in this way, you may be issued with a fixed penalty fine and face the possible removal of your car.

As far as crime reduction is concerned, please do not leave valuables on show in your vehicle. Editorial Managing Board Close all windows and make sure doors are locked. PLEASE DON’T MAKE IT EASY FOR Dr. M. Naseem, Mr. Muhammad THIEVES. Sarwar, Ch. Abdul Rashid

If you have any concerns, please contact me at Digbeth police station or via the secretary at the mosque. I am sure that with your co-operation, this important event will pass off without incident and the day Editor: will be enjoyable for everyone. KHURRAM BASHIR AMIN

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Businesses, promotions & companies featured in The Dawn Newsletter are featured as commercial sponsors and not necessarily as mosque endorsements and/or affiliations. BIRMINGHAM CENTRAL MOSQUE 180 Belgrave Middleway, Birmingham B12 0XS. Tel: 0121 440 5355 Fax: 0121 446 6140 PRAYER TIMETABLE "Indeed prayers are enjoined on believers at a stated time." - Al- 4:103 Feburary 2004 | Dhul Hijjah/Muharram 1424/1425 AH Februrary Dhul Hijjah Fajr Sunrise Zawál Dhuhr Asr Sunset Maghrib Isha Date Day Lunar Date Start Jamát Start Start Jamát Adhán Start Jamát 1 Sun 9 6.11 7.15 7.46 12.21 12.26 3.03 3.30 4.57 5.02 6.37 7.30 2 Mon 10 6.10 7.00 7.44 " " " " 3.05 3.45 4.58 5.03 6.38 " " 3 Tue 11 6.09 " " 7.43 " " " " 3.07 " " 5.00 5.05 6.40 " " 4 Wed 12 6.07 " " 7.41 12.22 12.27 3.09 " " 5.02 5.07 6.42 " " 5 Thurs 13 6.06 " " 7.39 " " " " 3.10 " " 5.04 5.09 6.44 " " 6 Fri 14 6.04 " " 7.38 " " " " 3.12 " " 5.06 5.11 6.46 " " 7 Sat 15 6.03 " " 7.36 " " " " 3.14 5.08 5.13 6.48 " " 8 Sun 16 6.01 " " 7.34 " " " " 3.16 " " 5.10 5.15 6.50 " " 9 Mon 17 6.00 6.45 7.32 ' '' " " 3.18 4.00 5.12 5.17 6.52 " " 10 Tue 18 5.58 " " 7.30 " " " " 3.19 " " 5.14 5.19 6.54 " " 11 Wed 19 5.56 " " 7.28 " " " " 3.21 " " 5.15 5.20 6.55 " " 12 Thurs 20 5.55 " " 7.27 ' '' " " 3.23 " " 5.17 5.22 6.57 ' '' 13 Fri 21 5.53 " " 7.25 " " " " 3.25 " " 5.19 5.24 6.59 " " 14 Sat 22 5.51 " " 7.23 " " " " 3.26 " " 5.21 5.26 7.01 " " 15 Sun 23 5.49 " " 7.21 " " " " 3.28 " " 5.23 5.28 7.03 " " 16 Mon 24 5.47 6.30 7.19 " " " " 3.30 4.15 5.25 5.30 7.05 " " 17 Tue 25 5.46 " " 7.17 " " " " 3.32 " " 5.27 5.32 7.07 " " 18 Wed 26 5.44 " " 7.15 " " " " 3.33 " " 5.29 5.34 7.09 " " 19 Thurs 27 5.42 " " 7.13 " " " " 3.35 " " 5.30 5.35 7.10 " " 20 Fri 28 5.40 " " 7.11 12.21 12.26 3.37 " " 5.32 5.37 7.12 " " 21 Sat 29 5.38 " " 7.08 " " " " 3.39 " " 5.34 5.39 7.14 " "

22 Sun 30 5.36 " " 7.06 " " " " 3.40 " " 5.36 5.41 7.16 " "

23 Mon Muharram 5.34 6.15 7.04 " " " " 3.42 " " 5.38 5.43 7.18 7.45 24 Tue 2 5.32 " " 7.02 " " " " 3.44 " " 5.40 5.45 7.20 " "

25 Wed 3 5.30 " " 7.00 " " " " 3.45 " " 5.42 5.47 7.22 " "

26 Thurs 4 5.28 " " 6.58 " " " " 3.47 " " 5.43 5.48 7.23 " "

27 Fri 5 5.26 " " 6.56 12.20 12.25 3.49 4.30 5.45 5.50 7.25 " "

28 Sat 6 5.23 " " 6.53 " " " " 3.50 " " 5.47 5.52 7.27 " "

29 Sun 7 5.21 " " 6.51 " " " " 3.51 " " 5.49 5.54 7.29 " " Daily Dhuhr Congregation at 1.15pm Jumm'ah (Friday) Congregation at 1.15pm (Urdu sermon begins at 12.30pm | English sermon begins at 12.45pm | Main Khutba is at 1.15pm) www.centralmosque.org.uk | [email protected] | [email protected]

Birmingham Central Mosque Trust | Registered Charity No. 259545 | Company No. 961846