Hajj
ACTS OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH'S BELOVEDS
The Holy Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Hajj is compulsory on every Muslim, provided he/she ismentally & physically fit and spares sufficient wealth for smooth Hajj pilgrimage, after fulfilling satisfactorily his/her duties towards his/her parents, relatives, neighbours and others who come in the category of Huququl Ibaad (duties to wards creatures). The Holy Qoran says: "And proclaim the Pilgrimage among men, they will come to thee on foot & (mounted) on every camel, lean through deep & distant mountain highways". (Hajj-27):
" In it are clear sings- the place where Ibrahim stood and whoever enters it shall be safe and performing Pilgrimage there to 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 creatures." (Al-Imran-97):
A person who determines to perform Hajj of the House of Allah is suddenly so highly uplifted that his/her status is termed as 'guest of Allah'. At every step of his/her holy journey he/she comes closer and closer to Allah The Almighty and distances himself from the worldly affairs. The would-be Haji, only remembers Allah The Almighty and the holy acts of His beloveds. When the Haji repeats these holy acts during the Hajj ceremony, he /she becomes a pious person. Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) says , "After Hajj Mabroor, a Haji becomes so free of his/her sins that it is as if he/she has just come out of his/her mother's womb".
Hz. Aba Hazem r.a. reports that he heard from Hz. Aba Huraira saying that he heard from the Holy Prophet s.a.w. saying, 'Who performed Hajj for the Almighty Allah & did not do any sin returned as his mother has just given him birth.' (Hadith)
I would like to say that would be most appropriate to term that Hajj is a pious ceremony of repeating the holy acts of Allah's most beloved ones.
The five days of Hajj period is from 8 th Zil Hijj to 12 th Zil Hijj.
8th Zil Hijj: 1) Niyat for Hajj, 2) Put on Ahram for Hajj, 3) Tawafe Qudoom, 4) Move to Mina before Zuhr Prayer and thereafter stay in Mina.
9th Zil Hijj: 1) Remain stay in Mina up to Fajr Prayer. 2) Move to Arafat just after Fajr Prayer and remain there for whole the day (offer Zuhr & Asr Prayer together) and 3) Move to Muzdalfa as soon as sun sets (without offering Maghrib Prayer).
10th Zil Hijj: 1) Offer Maghrib & Isha Prayer together, 2) Stay whole night in Muzdalfa up to Fajr Prayer, 3) Back to Mina after Fajr Prayer, 4) Stoning Satan, 5) Qurbani (Sacrifice), 6) Shaving the head 7) Put off the Ahraam (dress), 8) Go to Makkah for Tawafe Ziyarat and Saee (if not performed on 8 th Zil Hijj and 9) Back to Mina and remain stay there up to 12th Zil Hijj or 13th Zil Hijj.
11th Zil Hijj: Stoning Satan and stay in Mina.
12th Zil Hijj: Stoning Satan and back to Makkah for Tawafe Wida.
Now I analyse here the spiritual touch of certain important holy acts during the Hajj rituals:
Stay in Arafat: To stay in Arafat on 9th Zil Hijj is the main Hajj. The Guests of Allah thoroughly engage themselves in Hamd-o-Sana, Takbeer-o-Tahleel and Zikr Wa Azkaar of Allah The Almighty and pray from the bottom of their hearts while tears flow from their eyes, repent for their sins i.e. Tauba Wa Isteghfaar and make a firm determination not to repeat them. Pray for the welfare of the two worlds i.e. Dunya & Uqba. Hajis also remember the repentance of Hazrat Adam (Alaihis Salam) for his innocence
and his Duaa that was granted by Allah The Almighty. The Lords of the Universe liked very much the
act of meeting of His beloveds Hazrat Adam (Alaihis Salam) and Hazrat Mother Hawwa at Mount Arafat and made it compulsory for all Hajis to stay in Arafat during Hajj in the loving memory of His beloveds.
The Holy Qoran says, 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 (Arafat, Mina & Muzdalifa)
. (Baqra-198):
Saee: The Saee is performed during Hajj rituals in the memory of Hazrat Hajra (Ridiyallahu Anha), mother of Hazrat Ismail (Alaihissalam), who was abandoned by Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihissalam) for the sake of Allah The Almighty. She stayed alone with the infant Hazrat Ismail (Alaihissalam) near the Kaaba in Makkah as per Allah The Almighty's instructions. Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihissalm) returned home leaving them, where there was no sign of life around Kaaba at that time. Even water and plants and trees were not traceable. Only two hillocks "Safa and Marwa" were their neighbours. With the rise of the sun, the intensity of heat increased, which became unbearable very soon. Infant Hazrat Ismail (Alaihisslam) expressed his thirst by crying due to scorching heat. His kind mother wandered from where to obtain water for her thirsty child, as there was no sign of water around. But her powerful faith in Allah The Almighty urged her to look for water across the two hillocks "Safa & Marwa". She ran seven time between Safa and Marwa, but failed to get water in order to quench the thirst of her thirsty child. Her motherly love compelled her to have a glimpse of her crying child. When she reached near Hazrat Ismail (Alaihissalam) she saw that Hazrat Jibreel (Alaihissalam) had covered Hazrat Ismail (Alaihissalam) with his wings and Holy water has erupted from where Hazrat Ismail (Alaihissalam) was rubbing his holy heels. Hazrat Jibreel (Alaihissalam) saluted her and gave her the gift from Allah The Almighty i.e. Dates from the Paradise and went back saying, "Eat the dates and drink the holy water".
Allah The Almighty liked the faith and trust of Hazrat Hajra (Radiallah Anha) so much that it became compulsory to perform Saee in the memory Hazrat Hajra (Radiallah Anha) during Hajj rituals.
Hazrat Hajra (Radiallah Anha) ran faster in the shallow passage between Safa and Marwa so that Hazrat Ismail (Alaihissalam) might not be out of her sight for longer. Only the male Hajis are required to run faster at this place while female Hajis are exempted.
The Holy Qoran says, "Behold! Safa & Marwa are among the Symbols of Allah. So if those who visit the House (of Allah) in the Season or at other times (Hajj or Umra), should compass them round, it is no sin
in them". (Baqra-158):
Zam Zam The Holy Water: After the departure of Hazrat Jibreel (Alaihissalam) Hazrat Hajra (Radiallah Anha) saw that the holy water has flooded the whole area. She said "Zam Zam" i.e. 'Stop Stop', then the intensity of flow of holy water reduced. Since then the holy water is called "Zam Zam". This pure and sweet holy water is the miracle of Hazrat Ismail (Alaihissalam). All the pilgrims carry this holy water with them to every part of the world throughout the year since that period but its capacity and purity has not been reduced. The pilgrims who visit the Holy Kaaba drink Holy Zam Zam, remember efforts of Hazrat Hajra (Radiallah Anha) and miracle of Hazrat Ismail (Alaihissalam) and ask health, wealth of Deen and Dunya and power of knowledge from Allah The Almighty (after drinking the Holy Zam Zam by standing).
Tawafe Kaaba: Haji encircles the House of Allah seven times and recites du'aa as recited by Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalam) during each circle in the memory of Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihissalam) and Hazrat Ismail (Alaihissalam). They both erected the Kaaba as per the Will of Allah The Almighty.
The Holy Qoran says, 'And when Ibrahim was raising the foundations of the House along with Ismail...' (Baqra127):
The stone which supported Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihissalam) dring the erected of the walls of Kaaba, was moving as per requirement, is preserved near the Kaaba Sharif. The faithful encircles the House of Allah, which is situated exactly at the centre of the earth and just below the "Arsh-e-Muallah" and admires the deep faith of Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihissalam) and Hazrat Ismail (Alaihissalam) in Allah The Almighty.
The Holy Qoran says, "Remember We made the House a place of assembly for men a place of safety; and take you the Station of Abraham as a place of prayer and We covenanted with Abraham and Ismail
that they should sanctify My House for those who compass it round...". (Baqra-125):
Ramal: Out of seven, the first three circles' Hajis perform with the gait like a wrestler. This holy act is termed as "Ramal". Ramal is the symbol of deep faith and love with Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wa Sallam). Ramal is done in the memory of companions of Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho AlaiheWa Sallam) from Madina Munawwara, who had become weak and fragile due to epidemic fever. Kuffare-e-Makkah had planned to overpower the Ansare-e-Madina, when they come for Hajj (or Umra). Envisaging this, Allah's Messenger (Sallallaho Alaihe Wa Sallam) instructed his companions to practice Ramal, during first three Tawafs of Holy Kaaba. On seeing the act of Ramal, the Kuffare Makkah got influenced, discouraged and ultimately fled the scene.
Hz. Ibn Abbas r.a. reported that Holy Prophet s.a.w. & his companion came (to Makkah). The infidels told that a delegation is coming (from Madina) to whom the fever of Yasrab has made weak. The Holy Prophet s.a.w. instructed his companions to do Ramal in first three circle and walk normally between the two corners. (Hadith):
Every Haji performs "Ramal" during Tawaf, shows love and obedience for the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihe Wa Sallam) and the Holy Companions (Ordinarily this type of 'gait' is dislike d by Allah The Almighty).
Black Stone: To kiss the black stone is sunnah of the Holy Prophet s.a.w. Hajis kiss the black stone in the loving memory of his beloved Prophet s.a.w. As per the holy tradition, 'Hz. A abis bin Rabiya r.a. reports that Hz. Omar r.a. came near to the Black Stone and kissed it then said,"I believe that you are a stone, you neither give profit nor loss to any one. If I had not seen the Holy Prophet s.a.w. kissing you, I would have never kissed you ."' (Hadith)
Istelam: Istelam is an act of 'supposing to kiss' the holy black stone of the House of Allah, instead of practically kissing the holy stone. This holy act is related to Hazrat Umar (Radiallahu Anhu), who, during the Tawaafe Kaaba easily managed to pace the way to the holy Stone by force and kissed it.Seeing this, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alahe Wa Sallam) instructed, ''Umar! It is a good deed to kiss the holy stone, but to trouble a Momin is strictly prohibited. Therefore, avoid kissing the holy stone if there is no chance due to great rush and just to Istelam, instead. You will be awarded the same reward of kissing the holy stone by Allah The Almight y". Hazrat Umar (Radiallahu Anhu) did it obediently. Hence, Istelam during Hajj shows deep faith in the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe Wa Sallam) and Hazrat Farooq-e-Aazam (Radiallahu Anhu).
Rami Jamar: Rami Jamar means flinging stones at Satan. When Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihissalam) decided to sacrifice his only son Hazrat Ismail (Alaihissalam), his dearest thing in the entire world, as per Allah the Almighty's Divine Order and took him to the venue of sacrifice at Mina. Satan tried to persuade Hazrat Isamil (Alaihissalam) to revolt against his father and Allah The Almighty. When Satan approached, Hazrat Ismail (Alaihissalam) replied, 'I have only one life' it I had thousand lives, I would have happily sacrificed for Allah The Almighty'. Hearing this Satan tried to stop Hazrat Ismail (Alaihissalam) forcibly. Hazrat Ismail (Alaihissalam) called his father for help. Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihissalam) instructed Hazrat Ismail (Alaihissalam) to fling stone at Satan, which he did obediently. This happened three times. Satan ran away defeated. Actually, son and father, both took part in flinging the stone at Satan.
In the memory of the above episode, all Hajis must fling stone at Satan (symbolic) on 10th, 11th and 12th Zil Hijj and pray to Allah The Almighty to protect us from the influence of Satan.
Sacrifice: Allah The Almighty commanded to Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihissalam) through dream to sacrifice his dearest thing (Hazrat Ismail Alaihisslam) in the way of Allah The Almighty. Dreams of Prophets are actually 'Wahi' i.e. commandment from Allah The Almighty. The very next morning, Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihissalam) took Hazrat Ismail (Alaihissalam) to the venue of sacrifice in Mina and revealed the fact to his son. The faithful s on replied to his great father, 'Dear father, do whatever Allah wants from you. I am quite ready'. Then Hazrat Ismail (Alaihissalam) requested his father to blindfold his eyes so that the strong pledge to Allah The Almighty of a kind father may not tilt to see the loving face of his beloved son at the time of sacrifice. Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihissalam) did so to control his human instinct (i.e. love for a son) and ran the knife over the throat of Hazrat Ismail (Alaihisslam), saying 'Bismillah Allahu Akbar'. The same moment Allah The Almighty accepted the sacrifice from Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihissalam) i.e. his true and final decision to sacrifice his son and titled Hazrat Ismail (Alaihissalam) as Zabihullah i.e. sacrificed for Allah. Allah The Almighty also sent a ram (male sheep) from the Paradise as ''Fidya' i.e. compensation for the sacrifice of Hazrat Ismail (Alaihissalam).
Hajis & Muslims throughout world sacrifice in the memory of Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihissalam) and Hazrat Ismail (Alaihisslam) on 10th,11th & 12th of Zil Hijj. Fasting is not allowed on the day of Idul Fitr and 10 th, 11th, 12th, & 13th of Zil Hijj.
The Holy Qoran says, "FThen, when (the son) reached (the age of) work with him, he said, 'O my son! I have seen in a dream that I offer you in sacrifice. Now see what is your view!' (The son) said, 'O my father! Do as thou art commanded. You will find me Inshallah one of steadfast.'" (Saaffaat
-102):
"When they both had submitted (to Allah) and he had laid him prostrate on his fore head (for sacrifice)." (Saaffaat-103):
"We called out to him, 'O Abraham! You have already fulfilled the dream!' thus indeed do We reward those who do right." (37-104,105):
"And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice...". (Saaffaat-107):
"Peace & salutation to Abraham!" (Saaffaat-109):
Costume of Hajj (Ahram): The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) appealed his companions for the financial contribution at the event of Ghazwa-e-Tabuk. All the companions contributed their best, while Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (Radiallahu Anhu) exceeded the limit by contributing everything except two pieces of coarse cloth covering his body, buttoned with the thorns. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) accepted gladly his contribution and enquired, 'O Siddique! Have you left anything behind?' Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (Radiallahu Anhu) replied, 'I have Allah The Almighty and His Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) with me'. Allah The Almighty appreciated his act so much that Hazrat Jibreel (Alaihissalam) visited to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alai Wa Sallam) to deliver the message of appreciation from Allah The Almighty, wearing the same dress as of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (Radiallahu Anhu). When Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) enquired, Hazrat Jibreel (Alaihissalam) replied, 'Allah is so happy with the act Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (Radiallahu Anhu) that He has commanded all the angels to wear the same dress. Hajis wear the same dress as 'Ahraam' during Hajj. (The expedition of Tabuk took place in 9th Hijri in the month of Rajab. The Hajj was declared obligatory in 9th Hijri. The Holy Prophet s.a.w. sent Hz. Abu Bakr Siddique r.a. as 'Amir -ul-Hajj' in the very first Hajj i.e. Hajj of 9th Hijri).
Dr. Allama Iqbal, poet of the East, says:
'Khudi Ko Kar Buland itna ke har Taqdeer se pahle,
Khoda Bande Se Khud Pooche Bata Teri Raza Kiya Hai.'
(Interpretation: 'Uplift yourself spiritually so high (to please Almighty Allah & His Prophet s.a.w.) so that beyond the luck, Allah Himself asks His servant's desire').
Stay in Muzdalfa: Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihe Wa Sallam) moved to Muzdalfa just after the sunset of 9th Zil Hijj from Arafat and stayed there for the whole night, engaged in prayers. Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihe Wa Sallam) first offered Maghrib & Ishaa prayers together and remained busy in Takbeer & Tahleel & Tauba Wa Isteghfaar throughout the night. Then offered Fajr prayer at early hours and thereafter engaged himself in 'Duaa' for the forgiveness of his people(Ummah). Here is a tradition in context of this Duaa. Hazrat Abbas Bin Mirdaas (Radiallahu Anhu) said that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihe Wa Sallam) prayed for pardon for his people on the lateevening of Arafa and received the reply, I have forgiven them all but acts of oppression, for I shall exact recompense for him who is wronged from his oppressor.' He (s.a.w.) said, 'O my Lord! If Thou wilt Thou mayest give the oppressed some of Paradise and forgive the oppressor,' but he (s.a.w.) did not receive a reply that evening. So he (s.a.w.) repeated the supplication at Muzdalfa in the morning and was given an answer to what he (s.a.w.) asked, whereupon he smiled. Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umar (Radiallahu Anhuma) then said to him (s.a.w.), 'You for whom we would give our fathers and mothers as ransom, what has made you smile, for this is not a time at which you have been accustomed to smile? May Allah give you cause for smiling all your life!' He (s.a.w.) replied, "when Allah's enemy, the Iblees, knew that Allah Who is Great and Glorious had answered my supplication and forgive my people, he took some dust and began to throw it on his head crying out 'Woe and destruction'. The sight of his distress made me smile." (Ibn Maja & Baihaqi)
Hajis stay in Mazdalfa in loving memory of their beloved Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam).
Stay in Mina: Hajis stay in the valley of Mina for two or three days after 10th of Zil Hijj in the loving memory of the Holy Prophet s.a.w. The Holy Qoran says, 'Remember Allah during the Appointed
Days (2 or 3 days after 10th of Zil Hijj when Pilgrims stay in the valley of Mina for prayer and praise). And remember Allah in counted days: so whoever hastens by departing in two days, there is no sin on him and whoever stays on, there is no sin for him
- for the pious...' (Baqra-203):
Visit to the Holy Masjid of The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.): On 12th Zil Hijj faithfuls return to Makkah and perform Tawafe Kaaba (Tawafe Widaa) and move to Madina Munawwara to visit the holy shrine and Masjid of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihe Wa Sallam), where 'Riyazul Jannah' i.e. Garden of Paradise is located, adjacent to the holy shrine of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihe Wa Sallam). In order to thank and offer Salaat-o-Salam upon the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe Wa Sallam) who guided us the holy rituals of Hajj: a way of absolute salvation. Haji's visit to the Masjid of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe Wa Sallam) also confirms the solidarity with the mission of our beloved Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe Wa Sallam) and faith in the predecessor Prophets, angels and the holy companions of our Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe Wa Sallam). Hajis feel most noble and holy act and are proud of this visit, as if visiting Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihe Wa Sallam) in his holy life. As per an authentic Hadith, 'One who visits my holy grave is same as if he visited me in my holy life'.
An other holy tradition, 'One who performs Hajj and does not visit my grave, troubles me'.
Another holy tradition says, 'One who visited my grave my intercession is wajib for him.'
I pray to Allah The Almighty to accept our Hajj as 'Mabroor' and make every Muslim a Haji, Aameen.
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