Page 17 – Hajj and Umrah Packages | Halal Holidays UK

Preparing for Hajj & Umrah

Posted on February 23, 2016October 15, 2020 by admin 49 Views

Preparing for Hajj & Umrah

Every year, millions of Muslims make the journey of their lifetime. They come from all over the world for the sole purpose of fulfilling one of Allaah’s greatest commandments to mankind – the Hajj. Abu Hurayrah may Allaah be pleased with him narrated that “The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) was asked, ‘Which is the best deed?’ He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: ‘To believe in Allaah and His Messenger ( sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention )).’ He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) was then asked, ‘Which is the next (good deed)?’ He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: ‘To participate in Jihaad in Allaah’s cause.’ He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) was then asked, ‘Which is the next?’He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: ‘To perform an accepted Hajj.” [Al-Bukhaari] For over 1400 years, believers have been making Hajj to the House of Allaah in Makkah. It is an obligation for each and every Muslim to perform Hajj at least once in his/her lifetime if he is physically and financially able.
Pre-Hajj preparations
Due to the importance of Hajj, preparations for it should not be taken lightly. Besides planning the actually logistics of the trip, the Muslim needs to prepare Islamically, physically, mentally, and financially for this great act of worship. Islamically, one of the most important preparations for this journey is acquiring the necessary knowledge for performing the rituals of Hajj and ‘Umrah correctly and in accordance to the Sunnah of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ). This means studying and learning about Islam, acquiring a high degree of Eemaan (faith) in order to deal with the emotional and physical demands of Hajj, and learning correctly the actual religious rituals and requirements from the beginning to the end of Hajj and ‘Umrah. Studying and learning about the Hajj can be accomplished in a variety of fashions, from reading books on the subject or using computer programs which utilize a multimedia format, to actually taking classes offered by Islamic centers on the rituals of Hajj and ‘Umrah. Furthermore, many travel groups that specialize in Hajj and ‘Umrah trips offer Hajj preparation classes as well as scholars and students of knowledge that help those going for Hajj perform the rituals of Hajj and ‘Umrah correctly.
In addition, it is important to mention that spiritually preparing for Hajj and ‘Umrah is also a lesson on how to follow the footsteps of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) who taught the Companions may Allaah be pleased with them – a lesson that can be transformed into other acts of worship. Preparing for Hajj is a spiritual experience with a period of self-reflection and a lesson in piety and humility. The pilgrim must focus on his sole intention of performing Hajj. That it is solely for the pleasure of Allaah and in accordance to His Commandment regarding this act of worship. The believer also needs to resolve any conflicts or differences between him and others and seek forgiveness for any acts of transgression. This stage of preparation should take place long before the actual departure for Hajj.
Other preparations that should be planned long before the actual trip are financial in nature. Simply, going to Hajj costs money. Furthermore the pilgrim must pay off any old debts (this includes any type of loans), household bills, and leave enough money to pay any living expenses likely that other members of his family not making Hajj might need. Finally it is important to complete one’s will (wasiyyah) before departing on Hajj.
Another important step in preparing for Hajj is the need to prepare physically for the event. Not only is Hajj a spiritual event, it also requires a lot of physical stamina from the participant. Hajj is not a picnic! Completing the rites of Hajj includes a lot of walking, mixing with many people, living in high temperatures (during summer), and exerting a great deal of effort. Another important step in preparing physically for Hajj is to make sure you are medically fit for the trip. Individuals with chronic health issues need to see their primary care physician in order to discuss any medical risks that need to be addressed prior to their Hajj experience.
Another recommendation is that these individuals also travel with a healthy caretaker in case any problems might arise during the actual Hajj. In addition, pilgrims must have the necessary vaccinations required by the Saudi Government for cholera and meningococcal meningitis. Because of these issues, it is also important to emphasize that one should complete Hajj and ‘Umrah as soon as one is able to both physically and financially. Some people wait until they are old to go for Hajj. This is wrong and makes Hajj more difficult than necessary for the participant and in many cases for his traveling companions. Performing Hajj as soon as possible corresponds to the Hadeeth narrated by ‘Abdullaah Ibn ‘Abbaas may Allaah be pleased with him who said: “The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: ‘He who intended to perform Hajj should hasten to do so.’” [Abu Daawood]
The last pre-logistic preparation centers on preparing mentally for Hajj. This includes learning and accepting that the Hajj experience includes frustration, intense dessert heat (during summer), and various differences in culture and food. The pilgrim can expect to stand in long lines, be shoved and pushed by others while completing the necessary rituals, and be in an uncomfortable close proximity to members of the opposite sex.
One purpose of Hajj is for the individual to be tested. The individual will be tested on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels.

Article by: www.islamweb.net

Overall hajj summary and tips

Posted on February 22, 2016February 19, 2020 by admin 27 Views

Overall hajj summary and tips

Hajj has always been referred to as the trip of a life time. I always wondered why this trip to a barren land was so spectacular and such a life altering journey. Alhamdulillaah, I now know.
By the grace of Allaah Almighty, I was able to visit the holy cities, Makkah and Madeenah during 2006 – 2007 with my beloved wife and was able to perform Hajj.
It is a journey which I will remember for the rest of my life. I also hope that I will have opportunities to go back and visit the holy sites again.
Please don’t waste the opportunity to perform an obligation, one of the pillars of Islam. Remember Hajj removes all past sins and it is from the best of deeds. It is in the best days of the year, in the best place and time. Hajj increases wealth and not to do Hajj while being able to is a sign of miserliness. So make the decision to go and do the best you can to make it a successful Hajj.
Below is some general advice that may help my dear brothers and sisters in preparing to perform Hajj:
1) Start planning early, start planning early and start planning early. Can’t stress how important this is. A good trip requires early planning, at least four months before the departure.
2) Pilgrims need to understand that they are going to perform an obligatory worship, but will do so in an overall Islamic character. Don’t perform a voluntary act and destroy an obligation in the process. You will experience this first hand at Hajj.I also hope that Muslim governments and religious organizations will install programs to provide education and training necessary for the intending pilgrims before they leave their home countries.
3) The intending pilgrims need to understand the kind of physical hardships they may go through and mentally prepare themselves to accept such difficulties.
4) Start learning early about the rituals of Hajj.
5) A Hajj guide will help acquaint you with the Hajj places, sites and rituals. Start memorizing some of the supplications in Arabic and understand their meanings.
6) Make contacts with travel agents and other groups for Hajj travel. Obtain the required injections, cholera and meningitis, from your doctor. A health certificate with these injections is needed for a Hajj visa. Make sure you have a valid passport. Your group should be able to provide you with more information.
7) Remember to budget for your Hajj trip. You will also need spending money, how much depends on how much you would like to spend.
8) Your Luggage and Carry on should be kept to a minimum. I only took one Abaya (Men’s Islamic Dress) with me. I took several pieces of underwear, socks and shirts. I had one medium-size suitcase and a carry-on. If you plan to purchase a lot of items, buy an extra suitcase there. The prices are good. I first went to Madeenah, so I purchased my Ihraam and Money Belt from Madeenah. If your waist is a little larger than it should be, consider purchasing a money belt from your homeland to save time looking for one in Saudi.
9) Suggested Books – Quran, Hajj Guides, Du’aa’ Books and general Islamic books that uplift you.
10) Learn how to pray Janaazah (funeral) prayer as there is always a funeral procession after the obligatory prayers in both Madeenah and Makkah. On my trip, there was only one time that there wasn’t a Janaazah prayer after prayer.
11) Get a hold of a small Fortification Du’aa’ Book sold in most bookstores and start memorizing all the relevant Du’aa’s for your trip. You should know the Du’aa’ for when you travel, when you enter and leave the mosque, etc.

Article by: www.islamweb.net

Social wisdom in Hajj

Posted on February 19, 2016July 1, 2019 by admin 24 Views

Allah Has Created people to be different in their living; some are rich and some poor, some well-off, affluent and high-esteemed, and others indigent, miserable and astray in life. That is great wisdom decreed by Allah so that people would exchange work, cooperate with one another, and use one another to achieve their requirements and needs: the rich person spends his money, and the poor person exerts his effort in labor for remuneration. In confirmation of that, Allah Almighty Says (what means): {Do they distribute the Mercy of your Lord? It is We Who Have Apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of this world and Have Raised some of them above others in degrees [of rank] that they may make use of one another for service. But the Mercy of your Lord is better than whatever they accumulate.} [Quran 43:32]

Hajj as a shift against Racism:

Had the difference been limited to the exchange of benefits, it would have been good. But some rich people exalt themselves above the poor, and their arrogance produces hatred among the poor. On the other hand, some poor people envy the rich, with the result that the rich boycott and neglect them; arrogance among some rich people versus hatred among some poor people, and haughtiness among some dignitaries versus envy among some of the common people. In this way, the social classes of the same nation have mutual aversion to each other, cooperation disappears, bonds are undone, and production decreases. The remedy of that disease lies in the religious acts of worship in general, and Hajj in particular, which has a practical healing and effective decisive medicine to put an end to haughtiness, and lay the foundation for equality between all people in the form of (putting on the same clothing of) Ihram, performing Tawaaf, Sa‘y, and so on. In Hajj, no one could be distinguished from others with a particular uniform, clothing, appearance or adornment, because all of them are equal in their simple united appearance. That is indeed equality between individuals as well as between races and peoples, in compliance with what Allah Says (which means): {O mankind, indeed We Have Created you from male and female and Made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the Sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.} [Quran 49:13]

Islamic views on piety:

Our Messenger, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “No Arab is superior to a non-Arab, nor a white-complexioned to a black-complexioned except by virtue of piety.” Is Hajj then, from this point of view, worthy of the care of reformers, the concern of the sincere and the effort of the passionate?
We are all subject to our habits and governed by our traditions as a result of the house in which we live, the school in which we learn, and the environment surrounding us. A lot of our customs and habits are bad and harmful, the majority of our traditions are invalid and superstitious, and the greater part of what we agree upon is false and ignorant. Worship, as they said, is a second disposition, and to be released from traditions is very difficult upon a lot of people. When a reformer likes to straighten the crookedness of his nation, and push it towards the pathways of perfection, he encounters the rocks of habits and traditions. He may perish and die before changing his people from a familiar habit, given that “people are slaves of their traditions”. Hajj comes to release the individual from his habitual customs, and change his familiar traditions. Hajj, in this way, enables the pilgrim to govern himself, control his deeds, give up bad customs, and come away from awful traditions to the immense field of piety, virtues and spiritual elevation. That is because the pilgrim becomes a sovereign over his own self after having been a slave of his habits.
In confirmation of that, Allah Almighty Says (what means): {Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of Ihram], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj. And whatever good you do – Allah Knows it.} [Quran 2:197]
The Messenger of Allah, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, stated that Hajj brings the Muslim out of his sins, misdeeds, bad customs and habits, saying: “Whoever performs Hajj during which he does not have sexual intercourse (with his wife) nor commit wickedness, will become (as sinless) as he was on the very day his mother gave birth to him.” Is Hajj, in this sense, not worthy of the care of educationalists and psychologists? What is worthier of care than a worship-based practical system that releases man from the slavery of loss, and joins him to (Allah) The Most Merciful with a strong bond of truthfulness, certainty and faith? Countries allocate money to physical sports and military exercises, a system for which our youth in schools are preparing. Without doubt, sport is a source of strength, valor, courage and gallantry, and an important support pillar in the construction of the glory of the Ummah. Islam was a forerunner in recognizing the virtue of sport, when it commanded people to learn racing, archery, horsemanship, swimming and swordfight to prepare for Jihaad in the way of security, truth and peace. It joined sport with acts of worship, so that the emotion and feeling would share with the heart in performing it. Thus, sport becomes a physical power and a spiritual worship which has its glorious benefits in this world, and its great reward in the Hereafter.

The Prophet successful leadership and benevolence during Hajj

Posted on February 18, 2016January 29, 2020 by admin 43 Views

The Prophet’s successful leadership and benevolence during Hajj

Allaah, Almighty, gave the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) perfect moral values. He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) therefore fulfilled all the requirements of ideal benevolence and successful leadership. People came to him with open hearts. They raced to perform the Hajj with him when they learned of his intention to perform this important pillar of Islam. Everyone wanted to accompany him and be under his banner. Thus, some one hundred thousand pilgrims performed the Hajj with him. [Muslim]
They all were desirous of following his example and of having first hand knowledge from him. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) left a profound impression on their souls. He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) gave them the best guidance and for them he was an exemplary leader. In fact, he sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) was the greatest leader and inspirer the world had ever seen. Following are just a few examples in this regard:
i) His modesty
Modesty is one of the attributes of good conduct for which Allaah rewards his servants. Abu Hurayrah may Allaah be pleased with him narrated, “Allaah will elevate those who worship Him in humility.” [Ibn Maajah] Modesty in fact, was an order from Allaah to the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ). Allaah Says (what means): “And lower your wing to the believers who follow you.” [Quran, 26:215] Thus, the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) obeyed Allaah, and attained an unsurpassable degree of modesty. This was seen during his Hajj on different occasions:
He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) refused to receive any special treatment as he insisted on drinking from the same basin as everybody else, although people were dipping their hands into the water. “I don’t want it,” he sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said when they offered to bring him clean water, “Give me some of the water that people are drinking.” [Al-Bukhaari]
He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) also allowed Usaamah Ibn Zayd may Allaah be pleased with him to ride behind him in public from ‘Arafah to Muzdalifah. [Muslim]
He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) stopped to listen to a woman from the public to answer her question. [Muslim]
ii) His mercy
During the Hajj, the Prophet’s sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) mercy for the people can be seen on many occasions:
The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) ordered those who did not offer Hady to end their state of Ihraam completely; this would permit them to have sex with their wives, to be dressed in their normal clothes, and to wear perfume. This was an act of mercy for the nation and alleviation of their burden. [Muslim]
He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) combined Asr (afternoon) and Thuhr (noon) prayers at ‘Arafah, [Al-Bukhaari], and delayed his prayers when he per-formed Ifaadhah (moved) to Muzdalifah, [Al-Bukhaari], thereby making it easier for the people to perform the rituals. Indeed it would have been difficult for the pilgrims to dismount and unpack several times. In so doing, the pilgrims were able to halt their camels and put their belongings at the same spot where they spent the night.
The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) gave permission to the weak to perform Ifaadhah, (to leave) from Muzdalifah ahead of the rest of the pilgrims at night, right after the moon had set. Thus, they were able to perform their rituals easily and comfortably on Slaughter Day before the others. [Al-Bukhaari]
At the time when pilgrims went to spend the night in Mina, the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) permitted his uncle Al-‘Abbaas may Allaah be pleased with him to stay in Makkah to continue providing people with drinking water. [At-Tirmithi]
Further, he sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) allowed shepherds to cast their Jimaar (pebbles) in one day instead of two after Slaughter Day. [Muslim]
Being merciful to his people, the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) would sometimes perform the rituals in a less favorable manner than they should ideally be performed. For example, he sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) performed Tawaaf on his camel back and touched the Black Stone with a stick instead of kissing it or touching it with his hand. He did not perform Tawaaf or Sa’y on foot, which would have been better because he did not want people to be turned away or get hurt in his presence. [Muslim]
iii) His magnanimity
The good deeds of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) as leader of the pilgrims during the Hajj were countless and evident for all around. Here are just few examples:
The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) was so generous in giving alms and charities, that he gave away the one hundred badanas (sacrificial camels)—including their meat, hides and coverings. [Muslim] He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) also donated in other charities on many occasions. [Al-Bukhaari]
The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) was so kind to the weak that he mentioned them in his exhortations. [Ahmad]
Committed to saving his people, the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) invoked Allaah at ‘Arafah and Muzdalifah, to accept them and to forgive them their sins. [Ahmad] When asked by a pilgrim to invoke Allaah on his behalf, he offered a general invocation and said, “may Allaah forgive you all.” [At-Tirmithi]
He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) spoke clearly and repeatedly to the pilgrims, giving them general information but without going into details. He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) dealt with the fundamentals of Islam, explained the grave sins and clarified some principles so that people would better understand them. [Al-Bukhaari]
iv) His patience
During his Hajj, the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) showed all of the three types of patience simultaneously. He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) was most enduring in obeying Allaah’s commands and offering sacrifices. He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) did it in complete relaxation, tranquility and submissiveness to Allaah. [Al-Bukhaari]
The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) was a most religious, most knowledgeable and most observant of Allaah’s limits and never transgressed them. The patience and endurance he sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) exhibited when he led the pilgrims without any sign of complaint or resentment is indeed commendable.
v) His responsibilities
The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) was keenon perfecting submission and surrender to Allaah, and on performing the Hajjrituals perfectly. He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) was the leader of thepilgrims and in charge of their general unity and welfare. Additionally, he wasthe educator and guide of these massive crowds, teaching them good and warningthem against evil. He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) was doing his utmost toconvey his message and to explain Islamic rulings in a perfectmanner.
vi) His leniency
The Prophet’s sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) leniency during the Hajj is exemplified on different occasions:
He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) took shelter in the shade and moved between the sacred sites on camel back. Had he done otherwise, it would have been difficult for the Muslims to follow his example. [Muslim]
He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) also appeared publicly during the Hajj, so pilgrims had no difficulty in following in his footsteps and asking his opinion about whatever problems they had. [Abu Daawood]
He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) made matters easier for pilgrims, and never asked them to do anything beyond their capacity, whether in performing the rituals or in leading them and shouldering the responsibility for them. [Al-Bukhaari]
Moreover, he sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) did not come near the Ka’bah after the Tawaaf of arrival until he had returned from ‘Arafah, [Abu Daawood], and settled in Mina on the Days of Tashreeq. This leniency is clearly shown when he did not go to Haram until he was ready to leave Makkah. [Al-Bukhaari]
Further, he sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) ordered his companions may Allaah be pleased with them to be kind to themselves. Upon seeing a man walking and leading his badana (sacrificial camel), the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said to him “Ride on it.” “It is a badana (a camel intended as a ritual sacrifice),” the man replied.” “Ride on it, woe to you,” the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said (woe to you) on the second or third time. [Muslim]

Article by: www.islamweb.net

Tawaaf (Circumambulation)

Posted on February 17, 2016February 19, 2020 by admin 42 Views

Tawaaf (Circumambulation)

Ibn ‘Umar may Allaah be pleased with him and his father, said, “Enjoy this House, the Ka‘bah; it was destroyed twice, but the third time, it will be lifted [i.e. it will never be rebuilt again].” [Ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh, and Al-Haakim in his Mustadrak. Al-Haakim ranked it as Saheeh (authentic) according to the conditions stipulated by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Furthermore, Ibn ‘Umar may Allaah be pleased with him and his father, reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said:“He who performs circumambulation around the Ka‘bah and two Rak‘ahs [units of prayer], his reward shall be equivalent to that of freeing a slave.”[Ibn Maajah, Al-Albaani: Saheeh]
‘Ali may Allaah be pleased with him said,“Perform plenty of Tawaaf around the Ka‘bah before you cannot do so – before a man with a small head and small ears will demolish it with his shovel.” [‘Abd Ar-Razzaaq in his Al-Musannaf ]
Abu ‘Ubayd reported in his book Ghareeb Al-Ahaadeeth that ‘Ali may Allaah be pleased with him said, “Perform plenty of Tawaaf around the Ka‘bah before you cannot do so. It is as if I am looking at him – an Abyssinian man with a bald head [or he may have said, with small ears] and lean legs, sitting by it while it is being demolished.”
These narrations are proven true by the authentic Hadeeths that were reported on the thin legged man who would demolish the Ka‘bah. Abu Hurayrah may Allaah be pleased with him narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said:“Thu As-Suwayqatayn [literally: one with two lean legs], from Abyssinia will demolish the Ka‘bah.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Other Hadeeths on destroying the Ka‘bah were reported but this is not the place to cite them. Al-Bukhaari may Allaah have mercy upon him allocated a whole chapter of his Saheeh titled Hadm Al-Ka‘bah (the Destruction of the Ka‘bah) where he cited these narrations.
Scholars stated that it is recommended for Muslims who go to Al-Masjid Al-Haraam (the Sacred Mosque) to perform Tawaaf as much as they can and to the best of their abilities, and some of them were of the view that performing voluntary Tawaaf is better than performing a voluntary prayer in Al-Masjid Al-Haraam.
Ibn Taymiyyah may Allaah have mercy upon him said, “Tawaaf is the Hajj ritual that involves the most work; it is prescribed for the person arriving at Al-Masjid Al-Haraam to perform the Arrival Tawaaf. It is also prescribed for the pilgrim to perform the Farewell Tawaaf, apart from the obligatory Ifaadhah [Return from Mina] Tawaaf after staying in ‘Arafah. It is also recommended to go to Makkah to perform Tawaaf during one’s stay in Mina, and in general. Tawaaf is recommended throughout the year.”
He also said, “It is far more beneficial and virtuous for a person to circumambulate around the Ka‘bah than any other walking possible.”
Thus, it can be concluded that circumambulation around the Ka‘bah is one of the best acts of worship and righteous deeds for Muslims heading for Al-Masjid Al-Haraam, whether he is a pilgrim performing Hajj or ‘Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) or a visitor. However, the person who performs a voluntary Tawaaf should avoid the times when people are more likely to crowd during Tawaaf, such as the Day of An-Nahr (the 10th day of Thul-Hijjah) and the days of Tashreeq (the 12th, 13th and 14th of Thul-Hijjah) so as not to crowd others who are performing obligatory Tawaaf, and he shall be rewarded for such an intention, if Allaah wills.

We have a wide range of packages given below:

Umrah Packages | Hajj Packages | Ramadan Umrah Packages | December Umrah Packages

Article by: www.islamweb.net

Sincerity in Hajj

Posted on February 16, 2016February 19, 2020 by admin 28 Views

Sincerity in Hajj

How can the pilgrim be sincere towards Allaah in performing the rituals? If he wants to do business and seek to earn a living as well as doing Hajj, does that mean that he is not being sincere towards Allaah?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Sincerity (ikhlaas) is a necessary condition in all acts of worship, and no act of worship is valid if anything or anyone is associated with Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord” [al-Kahf 18:110]
“And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allaah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him), and perform As‑Salaah (Iqaamat‑as‑Salaah) and give Zakaah, and that is the right religion” [al-Bayyinah 98: 5]
“So worship Allaah (Alone) by doing religious deeds sincerely for Allaah’s sake only.
3. Surely, the religion (i.e. the worship and the obedience) is for Allaah only” [al-Zumar 39:2-3]
According to a saheeh hadeeth qudsi, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah, may He be blessed and exalted, says: ‘I am so self-sufficient that I am in no need of having an associate. Thus he who does an action for someone else’s sake as well as Mine will have that action renounced by Me to him whom he associated with Me.'”
What is meant by sincerity towards Allaah in worship is that nothing motivates the person to do that act of worship except love and veneration for Allaah, and the hope for His reward and pleasure. Hence Allaah says of Muhammad the Messenger of Allaah(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him):
“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah. And those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and falling down prostrate (in prayer), seeking Bounty from Allaah and (His) Good Pleasure” [al-Fath 48:29 – interpretation of the meaning]
No act of worship, whether it is Hajj or anything else, will be accepted if a person is doing it to show off to other people, or he is doing it so that other people will see him and say, “How pious So and so is, how much he worships Allaah” and so on.
No worship will be accepted if the motivation behind it is to see places or see people, or other such things that are contrary to sincerity. Hence the pilgrims who go to the Sacred House must make their intention sincerely for the sake of Allaah and not make it their intention to see the Muslim world, or to do business, or so that it will be said that So and so goes for Hajj every year, and so on.
There is nothing wrong with a person seeking the bounty of Allaah by doing business whilst travelling to the Sacred House, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“There is no sin on you if you seek the Bounty of your Lord (during pilgrimage by trading)” [al-Baqarah 2:198]
What goes against sincerity is when a person’s only intention is to business and earn money. This is a person who seeks worldly gain by doing actions that have to do with the Hereafter. This means that the act of worship is invalid or that it is sorely lacking. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Whosoever desires (by his deeds) the reward of the Hereafter, We give him increase in his reward, and whosoever desires the reward of this world (by his deeds), We give him thereof (what is decreed for him), and he has no portion in the Hereafter” [al-Shoora 42:20]

We have a wide range of packages given below:

Umrah Packages | Hajj Packages | Ramadan Umrah Packages | December Umrah Packages

Article by: en.islamway.net

The Farewell Pilgrimage

Posted on February 15, 2016January 29, 2020 by admin 44 Views

When the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), completed the proclamation of the message, Makkah was conquered and people embraced Islam in multitudes, Allaah The Almighty enjoined the performance of pilgrimage at the end of the ninth year of Hijrah. So, the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), resolved to perform Hajj and he declared his intention for that purpose. Therefore, a lot of people came to Al-Madeenah with the intention of accompanying the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), to perform Hajj when they heard the news.
On 25 Thul-Qa‘dah, 10th year of Hijrah, the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), left Al-Madeenah in the afternoon and proceeded until he reached Thul-Hulayfah where he bathed for Ihraam, applied hair oil, and perfume, put on his Izaar and Ridaa’, and marked the camels he intended to offer a sacrifice, then he raised his voice with Talbiyah for performing both pilgrimage and ‘Umrah. He proceeded while making Talbiyah and saying: “Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk, Labbaykah laa shareeka laka labbayk. Innalhamda wanni‘mata laka walmulk, laa shareeka lak.” (O Allaah, here I am at Your service. There is no partner to be associated with You. Praise, graces, and dominion are Yours. There is no partner to be associated with You.)
When he was close to Makkah, he stopped at Thu Tuwa where he spent the night of Monday, 4th of Thul-Hijjah, and performed dawn prayer there, then he bathed and entered upper Makkah by day. When he entered the Sacred Mosque, he circumambulated the Ka‘bah and hastened between As-Safaa and Al-Marwah. He did not terminate his Ihraam because he intended to perform both Hajj and ‘Umrah and had brought the sacrificial animals along with him. He ordered those who did not bring sacrificial animals to intend their Ihraam to perform ‘Umrah, circumambulate the Ka‘bah, hasten between As-Safa and Al-Marwah and then terminate their Ihraam.
.
The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) and his Companions stayed in Makkah for four days – from Sunday to Wednesday. In the forenoon, Thursday 8th of Thul-Hijjah, the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), together with the Muslims headed for Mina where he performed Thuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib, ‘Ishaa’ and Fajr prayers. He remained there until the sun had risen, and afterwards he ordered a hair tent to be pitched at Namirah, a place near ‘Arafaat, not a part of ‘Arafaat itself. The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), proceeded until he reached Namirah. When the sun reached its zenith, he ordered his she-camel, Al-Qaswaa’ to be saddled, and he rode to ‘Uranah valley where thousands of people gathered around him.
He gave a comprehensive Khutbah (sermon) in which he reminded those present of the foundations and rules of Islam, saying:
Your blood is unlawful beyond shedding and your properties are unlawful beyond prohibited seizure, in the same manner, this day is inviolable, in this month and in this country. All matters related to the pre-Islamic era are invalid, and there must not be retaliation for those who were killed in that era – this to be extended first to the case of the son of Rabee‘ah ibn Al-Haarith who was nursed in Banu Sa‘d and killed by Huthayl tribe. The usury of the pre-Islamic era is no longer valid– this to be applied first to the entire usury of ‘Abbas ibn ‘Abdul-Muttalib.
Fear Allaah The Almighty towards women, for you married them with a divine covenant to care for them and to be good husbands to them, and they became sexually lawful for you by virtue of the word of Allaah. Your wives must not permit anyone unfavorable to you in your houses. If they did, you are permitted to hit them lightly. Your wives are entitled to provision and clothing according to what is acceptable. I leave the Book of Allaah, the Quran, beyond which you will never go astray if you adhere to it. You will be asked about me, so how will you answer?
The people replied, ‘We testify that you have proclaimed the message perfectly and had a whole-hearted concern for our welfare.’ Therefore, the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) raised his forefinger to the sky and beckoned to the people, saying:”O Allaah, witness! O Allaah, witness! O Allaah witness!”
Then, the calls for Athaan and Iqaamah were made, and the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), led Thuhr prayer, then Iqaamah was made again and he led ‘Asr prayer. He did not pray in between.
Afterwards, the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), rode to the standing place of ‘Arafaat where he faced the direction of Qiblah and stood until sun set, and there Allaah The Almighty revealed to him the verse that says (what means): {This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.} [Quran 5:3]
When the sun set, the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), departed from ‘Arafaat and let Usaamah ibn Zayd may Allaah be pleased with him ride behind him. He rushed off and ordered the Muslims to be tranquil until he reached Muzdalifah where he performed Maghrib and Ishaa’ prayers after one Athaan and two Iqaamahs had been made. He did not pray in between. He, then, slept till dawn and prayed Fajr early in the morning. He rode to Al-Mash‘ar Al-Haraam, a place in Al-Muzdalifah, where he faced the direction of the Qiblah and continued supplicating Allaah The Almighty, observing Takbeer and Tahleel and announcing the oneness of Allaah The Almighty. He stood there until the morning was bright. He went quickly to Mina before the sun rose while continuously making Talbiyah. He ordered Ibn ‘Abbaas may Allaah be pleased with him to pick up seven pebbles for him, and when he reached Mina he hurled seven pebbles at Jamratul-‘Aqabah making Takbeer each time he hurled a pebble.
Then, he gave an eloquent Khutbah in which he told people about the merits and inviolability of the Day of An-Nahr (slaughtering), the special inviolability attached to Makkah apart from other places, and he ordered them to listen and obey, learn the pilgrimage rites from him and to propagate his proclamations. Also, the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), forbade them from turning to disbelief by killing one another.
Afterwards, the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), left to the slaughtering place where he slaughtered sixty-three camels and ordered ‘Ali may Allaah be pleased with him to slaughter the rest of the hundred camels. Having completed the slaughtering, the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), summoned the barber to shave his head, and then he divided the shaved hair among those who were around him.
After that, the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), departed to Makkah while riding, performed Tawaaf Al-Ifaadhah , prayed Thuhr prayer at Makkah, and then he returned to Mina on the same day and spent the night there. When it was morning, he waited until the sun was at its zenith and the noon was due, and at that time he went to the Jamaraat and started to hurl pebbles at the Al-Jamrah As-Sughra, then Al-Wusta and then Al-‘Aqabah, throwing seven pebbles at each Jamrah and making Takbeer each time he hurled a pebble. He did the same during the 11th, 12th and 13th of Thul-Hijjah. During these days, he stayed at Mina to perform rites, teach people the legislations of Islam, remember Allaah The Almighty, establish monotheism and obliterate the features of Shirk (polytheism).
On the 13th of Thul-Hijjah, the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), rushed from Mina and stopped at the valley of Banu Kinaanah in Al-Abtah zone and stayed there for the rest of the day and the whole night. Then he prayed Thuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib and ‘Ishaa’ prayers and took a nap after which he rode to the Ka‘bah, circumambulated it for farewell and then returned to Al-Madeenah.
Thus, the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), finished his pilgrimage having explained its rites to the people and educated them about the Divine obligations to undertake therein and the violations that they should avoid. His was the pilgrimage of proclamation, the pilgrimage of Islam and the pilgrimage of farewell, after which he lived only a few months then passed away.

Umrah Packages | Hajj Packages | Ramadan Umrah Packages | December Umrah Packages

Article by: www.islamweb.net

My love for knowledge led me to Islam

Posted on February 12, 2016February 19, 2020 by admin 25 Views

My love for knowledge led me to Islam

Al-Haj Ibrahim Khalil Ahmad, formerly Ibrahim Khalil Philobus, was an Egyptian Coptic priest who studied theology and obtained a high degree from Princeton University. He studied Islam to find gaps to attack it; instead he embraced Islam with his four children, one of whom is now a brilliant professor in Sorbonne University, Paris, France. In an interesting way, he reveals himself the following narrative:
I WAS born in Alexandria on the 13th of January 1919 and was sent to the American Mission schools until I got my secondary education certificate there. In 1942, I got my diploma from Asiut University and then I specialized in religious studies as a prelude to join the Faculty of Theology. It was no easy task to join the faculty, as no candidate could join it unless he got a special recommendation from the church, and also, after he should pass a number of difficult exams. I got a recommendation from Al-Attareen Church in Alexandria and another from the Church Assembly of Lower Egypt after passing many tests to know my qualifications to become a man of religion. Then I got a third recommendation from Snodus Church Assembly, which included priests from Sudan and Egypt.
The Snodus sanctioned my entrance into the Faculty of Theology in 1944 as a boarding student. There I studied at the hands of American and Egyptian teachers until my graduation in 1948.
I was supposed, he continued, to be appointed in Jerusalem, had it not been for the war that broke out in Palestine that same year, so I was sent to Asna in Upper Egypt. That same year I registered for a thesis at the American University in Cairo. It was about the missionary activities among Muslims. My acquaintance with Islam started in the Faculty of Theology where I studied Islam and all the methods through which we could shake the faith of Muslims and raise misconceptions in their understanding of their own religion.
In 1952, I got my M.A. from Princeton University in US and was appointed as a teacher in the Faculty of Theology in Asiut. I used to teach Islam in the faculty as well as the faulty misconceptions spread by its enemies and the missionaries against it. During that period, I decided to enlarge my study of Islam so that I should not read the missionaries books on it only. I had so much faith in myself that I was confirmed to read the other point of view. Thus I began to read books written by Muslim authors. I also decided to read the Qur’an and understand its meanings. This was implied by my love of knowledge and moved by my desire to add more proofs against Islam. The result was, however, exactly the reverse. My position began to shake and I started to feel an internal strong struggle, and I discovered the falsehood of everything I had studied and preached to the people. But I could not face myself bravely and tried instead to overcome this internal crisis and continue my work.
In 1954, I was sent to Aswan as secretary general of the German Swiss Mission. That was only my apparent position, for my real mission was to preach against Islam in Upper Egypt especially among Muslims. A missionary conference was held at that time at Cataract Hotel in Aswan, and I was given the floor to speak. That day I spoke too much, reiterating all the repeated misconceptions against Islam; and at the end of my speech, the internal crisis came to me again and I started to revise my position.
I began to ask myself: Why should I say and do all these things, which I know for sure I am a liar, as this is not the truth? I took my leave before the end of the conference and went out alone to my house. I was completely shaken. As I walked through Firyal public garden, I heard a verse of the Qur’an on the radio. It said: “Say: It has been revealed to me that a company of Jinns listened (to the Qur’an). They said: ‘We have really heard a wonderful recital! It gives guidance to the Right, and we have believed therein: We shall not join (in worship) any gods with our Lord’.” (Qur’an, 72:1-2)
“And as for us, since we have listened to the Guidance, we have accepted it; and any one who believes in His Lord, has no fear of either a short (account) or of any injustice.” (Qur’an, 72:13)
I felt a deep comfort that night, and when I returned home I spent the whole night all by myself in my library reading the Qur’an. My wife inquired from me about the reason of my sitting up all night and I pleaded from her to leave me alone. I stopped for a long time thinking and meditating on the verse: “Had We sent down this Qur’an on a mountain, verily thou wouldst have seen it humble itself and cleave asunder for fear of God… .” (Qur’an, 59:21)
And the verse: “Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the Jews and the Pagans, and nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say, ‘We are Christians’: Because among these are men devoted to learning. And men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant. And when they listen to the revelation received by the Messenger, thou wilt see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognize the truth: They pray: ‘Our Lord! We believe, write us down among the witnesses. What cause can we have not to believe in God and the truth which has come to us, seeing that we long for our Lord to admit us to the company of the righteous’?” (Qur’an, 5:82-84)

Umrah Packages | Hajj Packages | Ramadan Umrah Packages | December Umrah Packages

Article by: www.arabnews.com

Haj inspectors go fully electronic

Posted on February 11, 2016February 19, 2020 by admin 19 Views

image source

Haj inspectors go fully electronic

MADINAH — The Directorate of Haj will issue iPads, instead of pen and paper, to its inspectors to record violations.
Director of Haj in Madinah Mohammad Al-Bijawi said the directorate has become 100 percent electronic.
“We no longer use paper to complete our procedures. We plan to expand the dependency on electronic processing over paper processing to Yanbu’s Prince Abdulmohsen Airport and Yanbu commercial port,” said Al-Bijawi.
He also said using iPads is cost efficient and it simplifies the process. “The directorate has an application specially designed for the purpose. The application has a database of all services available for pilgrims, including flight schedules and lists of hotels in Makkah and Madinah where the pilgrims stay,” said Al-Bijawi.
He said easy access to all of these information enables the inspector to check up on any violations committed by the service providers or pilgrims themselves
“The inspector can also record the location of the violation using GPS. The application has a document indexing all services available for the pilgrims,” said Al-Bijawi.
He added the document helps inspectors to guide lost pilgrims to their destinations.
“Now inspectors can focus on doing their work instead of following up with paperwork. The use of electronics will further expand in the future to better serve the pilgrims and to develop the services offered,” said Al-Bijawi.

Umrah Packages | Hajj Packages | Ramadan Umrah Packages | December Umrah Packages

Article by: saudigazette.com.sa

Muslims Unity and the hajj

Posted on February 10, 2016February 19, 2020 by admin 68 Views

Muslims Unity and the hajj

Muslim Unity and agreement lead to strength and victory, while disunity and disagreement lead to weakness and defeat. Powerful nations only succeeded because of unity among its members and integration of its efforts. History is the best witness to this rule. Hence, we find several texts in the Quran and the Sunnah stressing this great principle and warning against disagreement and dispute. Allah The Almighty Says (what means):

{And obey Allaah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allaah Is with the patient.} [Quran 8:46]

Abu Mas‘ood, May Allaah Be Pleased with him, said: “The Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) used to place his hand upon our shoulders at prayer time (when we would form rows for the prayer) and say, ‘Stand in straight rows and do not differ among yourselves, or else your hearts will differ (due to disaccord).’”[Muslim]

Hajj is a great occasion where the Muslims’ unity appears in its most beautiful forms. All differences disappear, all barriers melt and Muslims gather in this imposing scene, which delights the souls and hearts.

Muslims from all over the world gather around this Ancient House, towards which they turn to perform the prayers five times a day, the House towards which they turn their souls and hearts during prayers in their faraway lands. Now, they gather around it to see, consult, love, and shake hands with each ‎other. They took off those different and distinguishing clothes to wear a white uniform indicating the whiteness of their hearts, as well as the purity of their appearance and souls.

Indeed, these are magnificent moments when all pilgrims move from Mina to stand this great standing in ‘Arafah confirming the unity of place, time, clothes and destination.

There are unanimous manifestations of unity in Hajj, including:
– Unity of place and time: Hajj is performed in a specific time and place and it is impermissible to be performed at any other time or in any other place. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of Ihraam], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing duringHajj.} [Quran 2:197]
The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Hajj is the standing at ‘Arafah.”[At-Tirmithi]

– Unity of rituals: All pilgrims are required to perform the rituals of Hajj including Ihraam, Tawaaf, Sa‘y between the Safa and Marwah, standing at ‘Arafah, spending the night at Mina, stoning the Jamraat and so on.

All pilgrims perform the same rituals, the thing that embodies and deepens brotherhood and love among them.
– Unity of aim and feeling: All pilgrims come from every distant pass hoping for the Mercy of Allaah The Almighty, fearing His punishment and raising their hands to implore Him and ask for His forgiveness, bounty and satisfaction.
They have one Qiblah, one Lord, similar feelings and similar clothes. These manifestations of unity that take place in this blessed occasion maintain the feeling of unity and reinforce the feeling of brotherhood among Muslims. They also strengthen mutual sympathy and sharing in joy in addition to religious and worldly cooperation among Muslims.
This was a brief overview of this important issue that occupy the minds of all Muslims, who aspire to a time when the Muslim nation will reunite to achieve superiority over the other nations and restore its leadership that the Muslims lost because of disunity and disagreement. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Allaah Has Promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He Will surely Grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth just as He Granted it to those before them and that He Will surely Establish for them [therein] their religion which He Has Preferred for them and that He Will surely Substitute for them, after their fear, security, [for] they worship Me, not associating anything with Me. But whoever disbelieves after that – then those are the defiantly disobedient.} [Quran 24:55]

We have a wide range of packages given below:

Umrah Packages | Hajj Packages | Ramadan Umrah Packages | December Umrah Packages

Article by: islamweb.net

Islamic Tolerance toward other faiths

Posted on February 9, 2016February 19, 2020 by admin 27 Views

Islamic Tolerance toward other faiths

The dealings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) with other religions can best be described in the verse of the Qur’an: “To you be your religion, to me be mine”

Islam Is the name of Peace

The Arabian Peninsula during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was a region in which various faiths were present. There were Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, polytheists, and others not affiliated with any religion. When one looks into the life of the Prophet, one may draw on many examples to portray the high level of tolerance shown to people of other faiths.
In order to understand and judge this tolerance, one must look into the period in which Islam was a formal state, with the specific laws laid down by the Prophet in accordance with the tenets of the religion. Even though one can observe many examples of tolerance shown by the Prophet in the 13 years of his stay in Makkah, one may incorrectly think that it was only due to seeking to raise the profile of the Muslims and the social status of Islam and in general. For this reason, the discussion will be limited to the period which commenced with the migration of the Prophet to Madinah, and specifically once the constitution was set.
The best example of the tolerance shown by the Prophet (peace be upon him) to other religions may be the constitution itself, called the ‘Saheefah’ by early historians. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) migrated to Madinah, his role as a mere religious leader ended; he was now the political leader of a state, governed by the precepts of Islam, which demanded that clear laws of governance be laid out to ensure harmony and stability in a society which once had been distraught by decades of war, one which must ensure the peaceful coexistence of Muslims, Jews, Christians, and polytheists.

Due to this, the Prophet (peace be upon him) laid down a ‘constitution’ which detailed the responsibilities of all parties which resided in Madinah, their obligations toward each other, and certain restrictions which were placed on each. All parties were to obey what was mentioned therein, and any breach of its articles was regarded as an act of treachery.
The first article of the constitution was that all the inhabitants of Madinah, the Muslims as well as those who had entered the pact from the Jews, Christian, and idolaters, were “one nation to the exclusion of all others.” All were considered members and citizens of Madinah society regardless of religion, race, or ancestry. People of other faiths were protected from harm as much as the Muslims, as is stated in another article, “To the Jews who follow us belong help and equity. He shall not be harmed nor his enemies are aided.” Previously, each tribe had their alliances and enemies within and without Medina. The Prophet gathered these different tribes under one system of governance which upheld pacts of alliances previously in existence between those individual tribes. All tribes had to act as a whole with disregard to individual alliances. Any attack on other religion or tribe was considered an attack on the state and upon the Muslims as well.
The lives of the practitioners of other religions in Muslim society was also given protective status.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever kills a person who has a truce with the Muslims will never smell the fragrance of Paradise.” (Saheeh Muslim)
Since the upper hand was with the Muslims, the Prophet (peace be upon him) strictly warned against any maltreatment of people of other faiths.
He said: “Beware! Whoever is cruel and hard on a non-Muslim minority, or curtails their rights, or burdens them with more than they can bear, or takes anything from them against their free will; I will complain against the person on the Day of Judgment.” (Abu Dawud)
In another article, it states, “the Jews have their religion and the Muslims have theirs.” In this, it is clear that anything other than tolerance would not be tolerated, and that, although all were members of a society, each had their separate religion which could not be violated. Each was allowed to practice their beliefs freely without any hindrances, and no acts of provocation would be tolerated.
There are many other articles of this constitution which may be discussed, but the emphasis will be placed on an article which states, “If any dispute or controversy likely to cause trouble should arise, it must be referred to God and His Messenger.”
This clause maintained that all inhabitants of the state must recognize a higher level of authority, and in those matters, which involved various tribes and religions, justice could not be meted out by individual leaders; rather it must be adjudicated by the leader of the state himself or his designated representatives. It was allowed, however, for individual tribes who were not Muslims, to refer to their own religious scriptures and their learned men in regards to their own personal affairs. They could though, if they opted, ask the Prophet to judge between them in their matters. God says in the Qur’an: “…If they do come to you, either judge between them or decline to interfere …” (Qur’an, 5:42)
Here we see that the Prophet allowed each religion to judge in their own matters according to their own scriptures, as long as it did not stand in opposition to articles of the constitution, a pact which took into account the greater benefit of the peaceful co-existence of the society.
There are many other examples during the lifetime of the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, in addition to the Saheefah that practically portray the tolerance Islam shows for other religions.
Given consent by the constitution, the Jews had the complete freedom to practice their religion. The Jews in Medina at the time of the Prophet had their own school of learning, named Bait Al-Midras, where they would recite the Torah, worship and educate themselves.
The Prophet emphasized in many letters to his emissaries that religious institutions should not be harmed.
Here in a letter addressed to his emissary to the religious leaders of Saint Catherine in Mount Sinai who has sought the protection of the Muslims: “This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them. Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by God! I hold out against anything that displeases them. No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims’ houses. Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God’s covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate. No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. Muslims are to fight for them. If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray. Their churches are declared to be protected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants. No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world).”[1]
As one can see, this Charter consisted of several clauses covering all important aspects of human rights, including such topics as the protection of minorities living under Islamic rule, freedom of worship and movement, freedom to appoint their own judges and to own and maintain their property, exemption from military service, and the right to protection in war.
On another occasion, the Prophet received a delegation of 60 Christians from the region of Najran, then a part of Yemen, at his mosque. When the time for their prayer came, they faced the direction of east and prayed. The Prophet ordered that they be left in their state and not harmed.
There are also examples in the life of the Prophet in which he cooperated with people of other faiths in the political arena as well. He selected a non-Muslim, Amr-ibn Umaiyah Ad-Damri, as an ambassador to be sent to Negus, the King of Ethiopia.
These are only some of the examples of the Prophet’s tolerance of other faiths. Islam recognizes that there are a plurality of religions on this earth, and gives the right to individuals to choose the path which they believe to be true. Religion is not to be, and was never, forced upon an individual against their own will, and these examples from the life of the Prophet are an epitome of the verse of the Qur’an which promotes religious tolerance and sets the guideline for the Muslims’ interaction with people of other faiths. God says: “There is no compulsion in religion…” (Qur’an, 2:256)

Madinah tranquility is incomparable

Posted on February 8, 2016February 4, 2020 by admin 36 Views

Madinah tranquility is incomparable

MADINAH: Pilgrims spend the most beautiful moments in the Prophet’s Mosque. Where they pray in Riyazul Jannah (garden from the gardens of paradise) and get to greet the Prophet, peace be upon him, said the Omani pilgrim, Ahmed Nasser.
“Such deeds give immense comfort and contentment to the pilgrim visiting the Prophet’s Mosque. It is a huge opportunity and a dream fulfilled,” he said.
The Omani pilgrim visited Quba Mosque, the Seven Mosques, Al-Jumah Mosque and Al-Ghamama Mosque.In addition to the Uhud battle site and other well-known historical sites in Madinah.
Nasser said that there is no city in the world like Madinah whereas Muslims feel peace and tranquility during their stay, and are sad to leave. “Madina is the dearest city to all Muslims around the world.”
The pilgrim faced no obstacles throughout his road trip that stared from Oman to the Kingdom so he praised the services provided by the Saudi government around the year for pilgrims as well as the Two Holy Mosques expansion projects.

Article by: www.arabnews.com