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by Ayesha Yusuf

People the world over journey to various places, and for diverse purpose. It may be to even earn a livelihood. One may be compelled to leave home for personal reasons, or to fulfil his personal needs, and spend his time and money for such needs.

However Haj is quite a different journey altogether. It is the only journey that is intended solely for Allah's sake, and to fulfil a duty commanded by Allah.

Allah says: "And complete Haj and Umrah as a duty to Allah" (Ch. 2.196). "Pilgrimage to the House is a duty on Mankind, that he owes to Allah, for whoever can find a way there". (Al-Quran).

As Muslims converge on the Holy City of Makkah to perform Haj, one of the five principles of Islam. Haj is incumbent on every Muslim, who has the means and ability to do so. This is the only place in the world, where the largest number gather at one place at one time for one purpose, to perform Haj and submit themselves, in accordance with Allah's command, that also commemorates the sacrifice made by Prophet Ibraheem at Allah's command, to sacrifice his son Ishmael.

This is the spirit of sacrifice, that all who congregate at the Holy City should keep in mind. It is Allah's call that brings them there, when they submit themselves to his command, with a deep sense of humility.

Thus is created a sense of duty, as he is called upon, and prepares to sacrifice the comforts of home, and wealth, and even parting from the family, for the pleasure of Allah.

It also bring about a spiritual revival, in various forms of worship, such as sincerity and piety, as also humility and obedience, sacrifice, complete submission in compliance with his divine commands.

One who undertakes this journey has to prepare himself. In his commitment to Taqwa (Remembrance of Allah) and complete submission to His will.

The Haj pilgrim sets out with strong conviction of his duty to Allah, leaving behind his kith and kin, and to spend his wealth, and to bear the rigours of travel, and all that forms the ritual of Haj, that he performs, with devotion to his Creator. Allah subhana wa Talah.

The physical demands of Haj, that involves Tawaaf. Circumambulating the Holy Kabaah seven times, and Sai walking between Safa and Marwa. Sai brings to mind of the pilgrim, of the time Prophet Ibraheem left his wife and infant son Ismael alone in the barren desert, in compliance with Allah's command.

When she ran out of water, she ran frantically between the two mountains of Safa and Marawa and after running seven times, between the two mountains she came upon the spring of Zam Zam bubbling at the feet of the infant.

The spring of Zam Zam exists even to day. After the pilgrim has done the Sai, he or she drinks their fill of the water, which is now released by connecting pipes to various points, to ease the use of this water for the use of the pilgrim. Abu Dharr reported that the Holy Prophet (Sal) said concerning Zam Zam. "Verily it is like food for the hungry, and healing for sickness".

After Tawaaf and before Sai, the pilgrim should pray two rakaats, behind Maqaam Ibrahim or in its precincts. Tawaaf or circumambulating the Kaabah begins from the Black Stone, "Hajar-ul-Aswaad" and is done Anti-clockwise.

Thram is a state of entering religious purity, whereby the pilgrim puts on special garments, at or before one of the five boundaries (Meeqaat) and makes intention of performing Umrah or Haj. It is recommended that moustache, finger and toe nails, and unwanted hair be clipped or shaved before, so that one is not obliged to do so during the state of Ihram.

Once Ihram is worn intention for Haj is made, the Muhrim should begin to recite aloud the Talbeeyah. "Here I am O Allah! here I am. Here I am. You have no partner, here I am. Surely all praise, grace and dominion is yours, and you have no partner".

Talbeeyah is in fact the response that every pilgrim makes to Prophet Ibraheem's announcement to visit Allah's house of worship. When recited with sincerity and understanding, the Talbeeyah is a reaffirmation of the pilgrims belief in Tawheed (One ness of Allah) and a confirmation of submission, spiritual and physical to Allahs Command.

As the pilgrim steps with his or her right foot into the Masjidul Haraam (as well as all Masjids) it is recommended to recite the following dua "Oh Allah! Open the doors of your mercy for me. "The only dua of Tawaaf, which is authentic, and has been narrated by the prophet (Sal) is that which is said between the Yemeni Corner, and the Black Stone (Hajar-ul-Aswad) is: "Our Lord give us the good in this world, and that of the hereafter, and shield us from the torment of the Hell fire".

The pilgrim remembers Allah and His blessings, and seeks forgiveness in His own words. On the 08th day of Zul-Hijja the pilgrim puts on Ihram, and leaves for Mina, where he spends the whole day and night in prayer. He or she must spend their time in worship and not indulge in vain talk.

He shortens the Duhr and Asr prayers and joins them (Qasr), and two rakaats each, and Maghrib three rakaats, and Isha shortened two, on the ninth day after salaat-ul-Fajr in Mina he leaves after sunrise for Arafat, which he should enter around noon.

Here too he performs the shortened prayers (Jamun and Qasrah) combined Duhr and Asr, with one Adhaan, and two Iqamahs. The rest of the day should be spent in prayer and contemplation. The sermon (Khutbah) which follows, should be listened to attentively with remembrance of Allah.

After sunset the pilgrim leaves for Muzdalifa, where the prays salahs of Maghrib, and Isha combined form (Jaman and Qasrah) after which he spends the night in sleep or prayer. The Holy Prophet (Sal) himself did not pray additional prayers, after Isha, but took the opportunity to rest.

The pilgrim picks up seven pebbles at Muzdhalifah, and the rest could be collected at Mina, in order to throw them at the three pillars of Jamrah. This stoning of the Jamrah (on the 10th, 11th and 12th of Zul Hijjah) symbolises Prophet Ibraheem taking his son Ismael with the intention of making a human sacrifice of him for Allah's, sake, and satan tried to make him give up his intention.

But Allah in his mercy that Prophet Ibraheem was prepared to make the supreme sacrifice of his son for Allah's sake, substituted a Ram to be sacrifice in his place.

After Salaat-ul-Fajr at Muzdalifah on the 10th day of Zul-Hijjah, the pilgrims set out for Mina, shortly before sunrise, reciting the Talbiyah. On arrival at Mina he throws 7 pebbles at the Jamrah (largest) on the tenth day, saying Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest) with each stone cast.

The rest of the stones (picked up at Mina) should be cast in the same manner on the eleventh and twelfth of Zul Hijjah. Stoning by the weak and old who are feeble and not fit for this, can be done by someone on their behalf, in the same way.

On the same day (tenth of Zulhijjah) after returning from Mina, the pilgrim sacrifices an animal. This sacrifice is also made by Muslims all over the world, on the day of Eid-ul-Adhaa, that commemorates the spirit of supreme sacrifice made by Prophet Ibraheem.

This act of sacrifice, symbolises and confirms the fact that all man's possessions, truly belong to Allah, and he is prepared to give it all away for Allah's sake.

The Holy Prophet (Sal) himself revived this spirit of sacrifice and devotion, in all aspects of life, and declared as God commanded in the Holy Quran: Say O Muhammod. "Verily, my prayer, my sacrifice, my rites of worship, my life and death are for Allah, the Lord of the Alamin. (Mankind, jinns and all that exists) who is without partner. And this is what I have been enjoined to do, and I am the first to surrender to him and accept Islam". (Ch - 162-163) He further clarifies that the spirit of sacrifice, more than the act of sacrifice is of greater importance to him and says "It is neither their, flesh nor their blood that reaches Allah it is the spirit of your piety that reaches him.

Thus have we made them subject to you, that you magnify Allah for his guidance to you. (Ch 22 - 37).

After shaving or clipping the hair in Mina on the tenth of Zil-Hiija. On the twelfth day after the final casting of the seven stones at the Jamrah (the last one) the pilgrim returns to Makkah to perform the farewell Tawaaf known as Tawaafal - Widaa.

The Haj that is graced by Allah's acceptance, has a lasting effect on the ones who perform Haj. A deep spiritual transformation has taken place in the individual, that can be observed in his or her life. Taqwa (God consciousness) achieved thus, will make the pilgrim to invite others to the most powerful spiritual reformation, that of Islam in theory and practice.

If such a change is not there and they return to the same lifestyle, there is no doubt that such a Haj is not accepted and was only an obligation without earning the benefits of Haj. There are greater merits of Haj, two of which all sincere believers yearn for: self purification of sins and a guaranteed place in paradise. The Holy Prophet (Sal) expressed these as first.

"The person who makes pilgrimage to Allah's house and without committing any acts of evil, or disobedience to Allah, will return home as pure as he was the day he was born "The second" The reward for a Haj Mabroor accepted into Allah's grace) is nothing less than paradise.

Here one recalls the last sermon of the Holy Prophet (Sal) and these words "O people! If you hold fast to what I am leaving behind for you, and follow its teachings, you will never go astray. It is the Book of Allah, Al-Quran and the Sunnah, my way of life."

He also: In the name of God he made this revelation; "This day I have perfected your religion for you, and completed my favour unto you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.

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