Archives

by Ayesha Yusuf

Thousands of Muslims from all parts of the world will converge on the Holy City of Mecca to perform and fulfil the pilgrimage of Haj, which is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is in answer to Allah's command that takes them there.

It is the only place in the world, where the largest number congregate for one purpose in submission to the call of Allah, their Lord and Creator.

Haj, the pilgrimage of sacrifice, is incumbent on every Muslim, who has the ability and the means to do so. Allah says: "And complete Haj and Umrah as a duty to Allah" (Ch.2-196). Also "Pilgrimage to the house is a duty on Mankind, that he owes to Allah, for whoever can find a way there". (Al Quran).

Haj commemorates the sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim in compliance with Allah's command, to sacrifice his only son Ishmael, and is what all who congregate at Mecca have to keep in mind. It is in this deep sense of humility that they submit themselves to the Lord our Creator. This sense of duty it is, that those who congregate there recall, as they prepare to sacrifice their comforts of home, family and wealth.

Spiritual revival

The spiritual revival thus created, brings about various forms of worship, such as sincerity and piety, as also humility and obedience, sacrifice and complete submission to Allah's commands. Those who undertake this journey, have to prepare themselves to the commitment of Taqwa (Remembrance of Allah) and submission to his will.

All over the world, people journey to various places for diverse purposes, or to fulfil their personal needs, and spend their time and money for such needs. Haj, however, is a journey, different altogether, intended solely for Allah's sake in submission to the Lord our Creator. It is the spirit of sacrifice, that takes him on this journey, with strong conviction, leaving behind kith and kin, spending of his wealth, besides bearing the rigors of travel and the rituals of Haj, he is called upon to perform with devotion.

Tawaaf or circumambulating the Holy Kaabah seven times, and Sai, walking between Safa and Marwa, brings to mind of the pilgrim, how Prophet Ibrahim left his wife and infant son Ishmael alone in the barren desert, in compliance with Allah's command. When she ran out of water, she ran frantically between the two mountains 7 times when she came upon the spring of Zam Zam, bubbling at the feet of the infant.

Spring of Zam Zam

The spring of Zam Zam exists even today, and is now released by way of connecting pipes to ease the use of this water. After the pilgrim has done Sai, he drinks his fill of the water. Abu Dharr reported that the Holy Prophet said concerning Zam Zam: Verily it is like food for the hungry and healing for sicknesses. After Tawaaf and before Sai, the pilgrim prays two rakaats, behind Maqaam Ibrahim or in its precincts. Ihraam is a state of entering religious purity whereby every pilgrim who intends doing the Umrah has to put on a special garment, before one of the five boundaries (Meeqat) as we enter the Holy City.

This special garments consists of two unsewn lengths of white cloth for men and women have to be properly covered except her hands and the face.

The physical demands of Haj, involve Tawaaf - circumambulating the Kaabah 7 times and Sai - walking between Safa and Marwa.When the pilgrims converge towards the Haram and the Kaabah in Ihram, he begins to recite the Talbiyah "Here I am O allah! Here I am. You have no partner here I am. All praise, grace and dominion is yours. You have no partner". Here the King and the slave, the ruler and the ruled, the rich and the poor stand shoulder to shoulder, as one in complete submission to Allah.

Talbiyah

The Talbiyah is a re-affirmation of the pilgrims belief in Tawheed (Oneness of Allah) and a confirmation of submission, spiritual and physical to Allah's command.

As the pilgrim steps into Masjidul Haram, it is recommended that they recite the following dua "Oh Allah, Open the doors for your mercy for me". the pilgrim remembers Allah, and His blessings, and seeks forgiveness in his own words. After the Tawaaf and the two rakaats at Makkam Ibrahim, the pilgrim does Sai, walking between Safa and Marwa, when they recall Hajara's running frantically in search of water, when she was left alone with the infant in the desert.

After Sai, and having taken his fill of Zam Zam, he completes Umrah.

On the 8th day of Zulhijja, he puts on the Ihram and leaves for Mina, where he spends the whole day and night in prayer.

When he moves on to Arafat on the 9th day after sunrise. Here he strives to seek forgiveness and mercy from Allah and prays for guidance.

After sunset they leave for Muzdalifah, where they pick seven pebbles. The rest of the pebbles are picked up at Mina, to throw at the 3 pillars of Jamrah. At Muzdalifa they rest after prayers. The Holy Prophet did not pray extra prayers after Isha, but took the opportunity to rest. After Salatul Fajr, they leave Muzdalifa for Mina before sunrise, reciting Talbiyah on the 10th day of Zulhijja. On arrival at Mina, he throws the 7 pebbles at the largest Jamrah, saying Allahu Akbar 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 Zulhijja.

Stoning by the weak and old, who are feeble and not fit for this can be done on their behalf.

On the same day (tenth of Zulhijjah) after returning from Mina, the pilgrim sacrifices an animal. This sacrifice is made by Muslims all over the world, at the time of Eid-ul-Adha that commemorates the Spirit of Supreme Sacrifice, made by Prophet Ibrahim. This act of sacrifice, symbolizes and confirms the fact, that all man's possessions, truly belong to Allah and he is prepared to give it away for Allah's sake.

The Holy Prophet himself revived this spirit of sacrifice and devotion in all aspects of life, and declared as commanded by Allah in the Holy Quran: Say O Muhamad Verily, My prayer, my sacrifice, my rites of worship, my life and death are for Allah. The Lord of the Al Amin, who is without partners, and this is what I have been enjoined to do, and I am the first to surrender to him and accept Islam". (Ch.6-162, 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 meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, it is the spirit of piety that reaches Him. Thus have we made them subject to you, that you magnify Allah for his guidance to you!" (Ch.22-37).

At Mina on the 10th day of ZulHijja, the pilgrim shaves or clips the hair. On the twelfth day after the final casting of the seven stones, the pilgrim returns to Mecca to perform Tawaaful Widaa or the final Tawaaf. The Haj that is graced by Allah's acceptance, has a lasting effect on the one who performs Haj.

A deep spiritual transformation takes place in the individual that can be observed in his or her life. Taqwa (God consciousness) achieved thus makes the pilgrim invite others to this spiritual reformation in practice and theory. If there is no change, and the pilgrim returns to the same lifestyle, such a Haj is not accepted and is only an obligation and no benefits from Haj.

Merits of Haj

The two greater mgrits of Haj, that all sincere believers yearn form is self purification of sins and a place in paradise. The Holy Prophet expressed those as, "The person who makes pilgrimage to Allah's house, and does not count any acts of evil or disobedience to Allah, will return home as pure as he was the day he was born, and the reward for a Haj Mabroor (accepted by Allah's grace is nothing less than paradise).

Here, one recalls the last sermon of the Holy Prophet 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 Quaran, and the Sunnah, my way of life".

He also made this revelation in the name of Allah (God): "This day I have perfected your religion for you, and completed my favour unto you, and have chosen for you, Islam as your religion (Ch. 5-3).

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager