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Hajj: Intro for non-muslims

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Islam has two major religious celebrations. The first occurs after the completion of Ramadan, the Islamic month during which Muslims (believers in Islam) fast daily from dawn to sunset as part of an effort towards self-purification and betterment. This holiday is known as Eid ul-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast).

The second major Islamic celebration takes place during the time of the Hajj, or annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca). This week-long event occurs two months and ten days after Ramadan ends, during the Islamic month of DhulHijjah, and its culmination is a holiday known as Eid ul-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). The Hajj consists of several ceremonies, meant to symbolize the essential concepts of the Islamic faith, and to commemorate the trials of prophet Abraham and his family. Over two million Muslims perform the pilgrimage annually, and the rest of the over one billion Muslims worldwide celebrate the Eid holiday in conjunction with the Hajj.

In order to teach about the important holidays of Islam, teachers can photocopy the “Information for Students” pages of this packet and distribute them to their students. After providing 15-20 minutes to read the pages, teachers can use the provided questions to guide discussion and elicit responses from the students. Some suggested activities for students are also included in this packet.

ABRAHAM

Abraham is a figure revered by Muslims, Jews, and Christians alike as a righteous person who lived over four thousand years ago. His story can be found in the Bible as well as the Qur’an (the Muslim holy book). Abraham is considered to be the patriach of monotheism, or “belief in the One God,” who sought a personal relationship with his Creator. He left his native city of Ur in Mesopotamia after voicing opposition to his people’s polytheistic practices,and eventually settled in Egypt with his family. Later, he escorted one of his wives, Hajar, and their infant son IIshmael to a desolate valley in Arabia and left them there, trusting in God’s promise to care for them.

Hajar, concerned about feeding her young baby, began searching the surroundings for food and water. According to the Qur’an, in response to Hajar’s prayers, a spring miraculously gushed forth at Ishma’il’s feet to quench their thirst. Hajar climbed nearby hills searching for food and looking for caravans on the horizon. Eventually, some passing traders stopped in the valley, and asked Hajar’s permission to water their camels. In time, the traders decided to settle in the little valley, and eventually, the settlement grew into the city of Makkah. Abraham returned from time to time to visit, and when Ishma’il was about thirteen years old, he and Ishma’il constructed the Katbah, an empty cube-shaped building, as a place dedicated for the worship of the One God. Eventually, Makkah became an important trading post by the time of Prophet Muhammad, twenty- five hundred years later.

THE HAJJ

In commemoration of the trials of Abraham and his family in Makkah, which included Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son in response to God’s command, Muslims make a pilgrimage to the sacred city at least once in their lifetime. The Hajj is one of the “five pillars” of Islam, and thus an essential part of Muslims’ faith and practice. Muslims from all over the world, including the US, travel to Makkah (in modern- day Saudi Arabia). Before arriving in the holy city, Muslims enter a state of consecration (dedication) known as ihram, by removing their worldly dothes and donning the humble attire of pilgrimstwo seamless white sheets for men, and simple white dresses and scarves for women. The white garments are symbolic of human equality and unity before God, since all the pilgrims are dressed similarly. Money and status no longer are a factor for the pilgrims – the equality of each person in the eyes of God becomes paramount.

Upon arriving in Makkah, pilgrims perform the initial tawaf, which is a circular, counter- clockwise procession around the Ka’bah. All the while, they state “Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk,” which means “Here I am at your service, O God, Here I am!” The tawaf is meant to awaken each Muslim’s consciousness that God is the center of their reality and the source of all meaning in life, and that each person’s higher self-identity derives from being part of the community of Muslim believers, known as the ummah. Pilgrims also perform the sa’i, which is hurrying seven times between the small hills named Safa and Marwah, reenacting the Biblical and Qurtanic story of Hajar’s desperate search for lifegiving water and food.

Next, on the first official day of Hajj (8th of Dhul-Hijjah), the two million pilgrims travel a few miles to the plain of Mina and camp there. From Mina, pilgrims travel the following morning to the plain of Arafat where they spend the entire day in earnest supplication and devotion. That evening, the pilgrims move and camp at Muzdalifa, which is a site between Mina and Arafat. Muslims stay overnight and offer various prayers there.

Then the pilgrims return to Mina on the 10th, and throw seven pebbles at a stone pillar that represents the devil. This symbolizes Abraham’s throwing stones at Satan when he tried to dissuade Abraham from sacrificing his son. Then the pilgrims sacrifice a sheep, reenacting the story of Abraham,who, in place of his son, sacrificed a sheep that God had provided as a substitute. The meat from the slaughtered sheep is distributed for consumption to family, friends, and poor and needy people in the community. After the sacrifice, the pilgrims return to Makkah to end the formal rites of Hajj by performing a final tawaf and sa’i.

Muslims believe the rites of the Hajj were designed by God and taught through prophet Muhammad. Muslims believe that since the time of Adam, there have been thousands of prophets, including such well-known figures as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and David, and that Muhammad was the final prophet of God.

The Hajj is designed to develop God consciousness and a sense of spiritual upliftment. It is also believed to be an opportunity to seek forgiveness of sins accumulated thoughout life. Prophet Muhammad had said that a person who performs Hajj properly “will return as a newly born baby [free of all sins].” The pilgrimage also enables Muslims from all around the world, of different colors, languages, races, and ethnicities, to come together in a spirit of universal brotherhood and sisterhood to worship the One God together.

EID-UL-ADHA

Although only the pilgrims in Makkah can participate in the Hajj fully, all the other Muslims in the world join with them by celebrating the Eid ul Adha [eed ul ud-ha], or Festival of Sacrifice. On the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, Muslims around the world wear their nicest clothing and attend a special prayer gathering in the morning. This is followed by a short sermon, after which everyone stands up to hug and greet one another. The traditional Eid greeting is “Eid Mubarak,” which means “Holiday Blessings.” Next, people visit each other’s homes and partake in festive meals with special dishes, beverages, and desserts. Children receive gifts and sweets on this joyous occasion. In addition, like the pilgrims in Makkah, those Muslims who can afford to do so offer domestic animals, usually sheep, as a symbol of Abraham’s sacrifice. The meat is distributed for consumption to family, friends, and to the poor and needy.

The Eid ul-Adha is a major religious event in the lives of Muslims. Usually, communities celebrate tnis occasion over a period of several days.

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Source: islamicity.org

I felt new strength after becoming a Muslim

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I felt new strength after becoming a Muslim

I felt new strength after becoming a Muslim

I went to the mosque for a second time and I wasn’t nervous anymore. That evening, I felt so strengthened and said to God that I commit myself to Him as a Muslim; that I want to be faithful in this path. Since then, I have felt new strength.

Sadiqah Ismat, formerly Stephanie, is from Cape Town, South Africa. Here she writes in detail about her journey to Islam, spread into several phases, which she describes as an extremely complex one. This is the concluding part of her story.

I couldn’t resist it anymore and did loads of research, reading lots of conversion stories, and I began to believe it was possible to let go and let God lead me. As my heart was already long won over, all I had to do was to convince my mind.

So, I read Internet articles and the English translation of the Holy Qur’an, I began to pray in the Muslim way. I prayed to Almighty God that He guided me. I asked Him for a breakthrough.

One day, I read an article called “The Miracle of the Qur’an” by Khalid Baig. He said the following: “Prominent scholar Dr. Hamidullah tells of an effort in Germany by the Christian scholars to gather all the Greek manuscripts of the Bible as the original Bible in Aramaic is extinct. They gathered all manuscripts in the world and after examining them reported: “Some two hundred thousand contradictory narrations have been found… of this one-eighth are of an important nature…

“When the report was published, some people established an institute for Qur’anic research in Munich with the goal of examining Qur’an the same way. By 1933, at least 43,000 photocopies of Quranic manuscripts had been collected. While some minor mistakes of calligraphy were found, not a single discrepancy in the text had been discovered!”

After reading this, I was so impressed that there was only one version of the Qur’an throughout Islamic history. The next week I popped in to buy some dress trimming as an excuse to ask about the job and share my interest in Islam. When I purchased the trimmings, I got into a conversation about Islam with a wonderful lady working there, who gave me her sister’s contact number.

Her sister knew someone who worked at a madrassah (Muslim school) and who would be willing to teach me. The lady taught me a thing which touched my heart — she taught me to say “Assalam-o-Alaikum” (peace be upon you).

I went home, weeping with joy. I phoned the sister of the lady I spoke to, and she said she would contact me soon.

It was Friday, and on the very next day, I felt confident enough to say the Shahada. I prayed that I would have the strength in the time to come. God strengthened me soon afterward.

I went to church that Sunday, and with almost everyone, I knew to be Christian and having misconceptions about Islam, I realized I won’t have much support from the members of my community once I embrace Islam.

No wonder I was afraid to tell them that I was about to become a Muslim. God strengthened me soon afterward.

I was really impatient to take the big step. I spoke to my mother first. But I didn’t tell her outright that I was actually Muslim already; I just told her that I am in the process of learning about Islam and that I kept it from her as I was scared what she would say.

She told me that I must be “careful.” I said a few things about Islam to help clear her mind about the misconceptions regarding the true religion, and that I would be the same person and would always love her. She could see I was serious about it.
My dad was annoyed too. It was hard because I always saw him as an open-minded person.

I went to the mosque for the first time, six days after my reversion, and was welcomed warmly to the family of Islam by the Imam. Praying for the first time with others in union, being led by the imam, was an incredible experience, even though I was nervous at first!

Soon, I started learning at madrassah. My sister also found out from my mom that I had embraced Islam, and was stunned, but seemed to accept it later on. But I feel happy that we are still in a good relationship, alhamdulillah.

I went to the mosque for a second time and I wasn’t nervous anymore. That evening, I felt so strengthened and said to God that I commit myself to Him as a Muslim; that I want to be faithful in this path. Since then, I have felt new strength.

I became Muslim because I felt Islam shows us the best way to live. It was truly my heart’s choice. In fact, Islam has set me free. It set me free from an inordinate attachment to images which had plagued me for 15 years and simplified my life.

I am a Muslim. Alhamdulillah.

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Source: arabnews.com

Importance of Hajj in Islam

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Hajj is one of the most important pillars of Islam and it is one of the greatest religious duties.
Holy Qur’an says in a short and meaningful sentence:

وَ لِلّه عَلَى النّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَیْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطاعَ اِلَیْهِ سَبیلاً.

It is on people for the sake of Allah to perform Hajj of his house, anyone who is able to undertake the journey to him. (2:196)
And it says below this verse:

وَ مَنْ کَفَرَ فَاِنَّ اللّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنِ الْعالَمین

And anyone who disbelieves (and renounces Hajj, has impaired himself), Allah is not in need of any of his created ones in the worlds.”(3:97)

The sentence “It is on people for the sake of Allah …” adding the definition of “disbelieves” (infidelity) for people who renounce the obligatory Hajj. This clears shows it’s extraordinary importance Hajj in Islam.

It is interesting that in the interpretation of the holy verse:

وَ مَنْ کانَ فى هذِهِ اَعْمى فَهُوَفِى الاْخِرَةِ اَعْمى وَ اَضَلُّ سَبیلاً.

And anyone who had been blind (from seeing Allah) in this world, will be blind in the hereafter and more deviant from the path”. (17:72)

It has been quoted from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that one of the meanings of the verse is that a person who postpones his obligatory Hajj continuously until his death arrives (he will be blind in the hereafter).1

It has been mentioned in another Hadith: “Anyone who renounces his obligatory Hajj without any excuse will be re-awoken as Jew or Christian”

We read in a Hadith from Imam Sadiq (a.s.): “Persons who perform Hajj and Umrah are guests of Allah. He will grant them their wishes and any prayer that they recite will be accepted. And if they pray for intercession about a person it will be accepted … and if they die in this way Allah will forgive all of their sins”.

Also, we read in another Hadith that:

اِنَّ الْحَجَّ المَبْرُورَ لا یَعْدِلُهُ شَىءٌ وَ لا جَزاءَلَهُ اِلاَّ الجَنَّة.

Nothing compares with the accepted Hajj and it has no reward other than heaven!”

وَ اَنَّ الْحاجَّ یَکُونُ کَیَوم وَلَدَتْهُ اُمُّه.

A Person who performs Hajj purifies himself from sins like the day that he was born”.

And this is the greatest gift, and the best honor and the highest reward.

This Hadith and future ones have been quoted by the late Mohaghegh Yazdi in “al-Urwat al-Wusqa” in the book of Hajj and the late Sheikh Hurr Ameli and other great scholars in the book “Wasael al-Shi’aa” and other famous Hadith books.

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Source: al-islam.org

The Hajj: the greatest trip

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Pieces of advice that are offered to would-be pilgrims before their departure toward the holy sites to perform Hajj or Umrah are of great importance. However, pieces of advice differ and stories and experiences told by those who had already performed Islam’s fifth pillar are ranked first in utility. They lived the experience and performed the rites and surely their stories are paramount to would-be pilgrims. From this standpoint, we decided to make regular interviews with persons who had the opportunity to perform Hajj to share their emotions and feelings during the Hajj period.

Our guest today is Mr. Al-Hassani, one of the residents of the county of Bouzelfa. He originally comes from Sidi Alwan from Mahdia (a city in Tunisia), and he has offered us some photos of his personal experience of his Hajj trip. Al-Hassani says that what pushed him to perform the Hajj is that Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and it is important as the other pillars. He said that each Muslim who has got the financial means and health by which he/she can go to the Hajj should go even if he/she still younger. No one can guarantee tomorrow and the whole world belongs to Allah, the Almighty.

As far as his preparations for the Hajj are concerned, Al-Hassani said that he felt a strong desire pushing him to visit the holy sites and perform Hajj. He said that his feelings cannot be described especially when he realized that he was chosen among millions of Muslims to perform the Hajj. He said that learning the rites is the product of the culture which he gained when studying and when watching television and in mosques too. He said that he has done his best to be restricted to the Sunnah and that he has tried to perform the Hajj as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah) did.

Describing his feelings when he first entered the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the moment of seeing the holy Ka’abah, he said that the situation was similar to the Day of  Judgment and that one feels unprecedented respect and reverence for the sanctity of the place. He added that words sometimes cannot convey meanings and describe such situations. Hajj Al-Hassani said that the greatest treaty between men and his creator is the divine promise to wash out one’s previous sins and from here on it is necessary for one to respect his commitment and this treaty. Hajji Al-Hassani concludes by saying that entering the Grand Mosque and seeing the holy Ka’abah will always remain as the best moments he ever lived.

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Source: go-makkah.com

The Values of Hajj

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The values of Hajj is a collection of actions and recitations. These collections inspire the Muslim’s soul with spiritual sublime feelings.

Generally speaking,The values of Hajj includes a number of prayers performed by the pilgrim during a definite period. Every action, word, and prayer is a symbol that inspires the soul with a vivid feeling and encompasses a secret and an objective.

Ihram, Talbiyah (Tawaf) (circumambulation), Saa’y, Wuquf (staying at Arafat) to name but a few, are a mixture of actions and feelings which are spiritually experienced by the pilgrim. Every action has got a deep meaning and each rite aims at the accommodation of the values of Islam and the demonstration of its purposes in a symbolic and accurate way.

Rites are performed within the hugest gatherings of people. Crowds assemble to worship Allah, the Almighty.  Their target is Allah’s satisfaction and forgiveness, submission, and surrender to his will.

Once a Muslim decides to perform Hajj, his heart will long to reach his purpose, Allah’s satisfaction and the purification of the self.

Performing Hajj is the sacrifice of money and many physical desires and pleasures for the sake of Allah. It leaves an everlasting mark in the Muslim’s heart to constantly remember the Almighty.

It equally renewed society. Performing Hajj cannot be undertaken singly. Its rites have to be performed communally. Herein, lies the basic principles of Islam: Brotherhood, Unity, peace, and equality.

Pilgrims coming from different nationalities will get to know each other, pray and supplicate together so that the Almighty ease their hardships and forgive them.

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Source: go-makkah.com

The essence of fasting

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The essence of fasting

Ramadan is a month characterised by fasting and constant worhship, ibaadah. For the entire month, Muslims abstain from food and drink in order to please Allah.

But how many of us really understand the essence of fasting?

Fasting is not the mere abstention from food and drink. It is much deeper than that. Fasting affects the very core of our being; our soul. Allah has designed the month of Ramadan in such a manner that the spiritual uplifting gained from fasting is rewarding to the soul and body in this life and the hereafter.

Fasting is an obligation, as Allah commanded Muslims in the Holy Qur’an, {O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that you may attain taqwa.} (Surah Al-Baqarah, Chapter 2, verse 183)

So, as believers of monotheism, we should abstain from food and drink as Allah has commanded us. However, as the continuation of the verse states, fasting helps believers to attain taqwah or God-consciousness. Thus, fasting of the stomach is not the only means of fasting, though it fulfils the basic condition for fasting. To attain taqwa, a believer should fast with all their limbs.

Fasting of the Heart:

The true fast can only be achieved if the heart is engaged in that which is pleasing to Allah. One’s heart should participate in the fast and it should abstain from corruptions, pride, and all that is evil. The believer’s heart should remain pure and sincere whilst enduring the ‘difficult’ conditions of lack of food and drink. They should fast from anger, impatience and frustration, all of which are emotions which could result from hunger and thirst. Among the signs of righteousness in Ramadan is that a fasting person remains calm, carries a smile, is gentle and maintains a good character.

Fasting of the Eyes:

The gaze was described by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as “an arrow from among the devil’s arrows.” (Ahmad) Thus, it is only natural that whilst fasting, a person’s gaze should be restrained. The eyes should fast from gazing freely at that which it is forbidden to look at. As Allah says in the Qur’an, {Tell the believers to lower their gaze…}(Surah An-Nur, Chapter 24, verse 30)

This is for both the men and the women, to lower their gaze. The reward for doing so is that Allah replaces it with a sweetness of strong faith.

Fasting of the Tongue:

The tongue can be one of the best parts of the body or the worst. If used for the remembrance of Allah it can bring heap loads of benefit. However, if used incorrectly it can be the cause of entering the Hellfire, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) told his companion, Mua’dh ibn Jabal, “Shall I show you what will gather for you all of that (good)? Mu’adh replied, “Of course!” He (peace be upon him) said, “Restrain this,” and he took hold of his tongue. Mua’dh asked, “O Messenger of Allah are we accountable for what we speak?” He (peace be upon him) replied that some people will enter Hellfire as a result of what their tongues reaped. (Tirmidhi) The tongue should fast from abusive language, cursing, gossiping, lying, backbiting, and all that will earn you nothing but sins. This Ramadan, save your tongue and voice from uttering sinful and idle talk and instead, recite the Book of Allah. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us, engage in phrases which are light on the tongue, heavy on the scales of our deeds on the Day of Judgment, and dear to The Most Merciful. Repeat phrases such as, “Glory be to Allah”, “All praise is to Allah,”, “Allah is the Greatest”.

I have only given a few examples of how the noble goals of fasting can be accomplished. The list of examples can go on. Each part of our body should fast from doing that which is forbidden and what is displeasing to Allah, so that we may attain taqwa, and draw closer to Allah.

Only when we fully engage ourselves in this respect can we realize and experience the true essence of fasting, and allow our souls to take full advantage of the spiritual treat that Ramadan truly is.

Article by: saudigazette.com.sa

Islam first to teach tolerance

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Islam first to teach tolerance

Islam first to teach tolerance

ONE of the commonest charges brought against Islam generally, and as a religion, by Western authors is that it is narrow minded. This is turning the tables with a retribution when one recalls different certainties: One recollects that not a Muslim is left alive in Spain or Sicily or Apulia. One recalls that not a Muslim was left alive and not a mosque left remaining in Greece after the considerable defiance in 1821.

One recalls how the Muslims of the Balkan landmass, once the larger part, have been methodicallly diminished with the endorsement of the entire of Europe, how the Christian under Muslim standard have as of late been asked on to revolt and slaughter the Muslims, and how retaliations by the last have been censured as very uncalled for.

In Spain under the Umayyads and in Baghdad under the Abbasid Khalifas, Christians and Jews, similarly with Muslims, were admitted to the Schools and colleges; that, as well as were boarded and held up in inns at the expense of the state. At the point when the Moors were driven out of Spain, the Christian vanquishers held a stupendous mistreatment of the Jews. The individuals who were sufficiently blessed to escape fled, some of them to Morocco and numerous hundreds to the Turkish domain, where their relatives still live in isolated groups, and still talk among themselves an out of date type of Spanish. The Muslim domain was a shelter for each one of the individuals who fled from oppression by the Inquisition.

The western Christians, till the entry of the Encyclopaedists in the eighteenth century, did not know and did not want to know, what the Muslim accepted, nor did the Western Christian try to know the perspectives of Eastern Christians with respect to them.

The Christian Church was at that point part in two, and at last, it came to such a go, to the point that the Eastern Christians, as Gibbon appears, favored Muslim guideline, which permitted them to rehearse their own particular type of religion and hold fast to their exceptional authoritative opinions, to the standard of kindred Christians who might have made them Roman Catholics or wiped them out.

The western Christians called the Muslims agnostics, paynims, even misguided worshipers. There are a lot of books in which they are depicted as worshiping an icon; and in the records of the success of Granada there are even portrayals of the huge symbols, which they were claimed to love, though the Muslims recognized what Christianity was, and in what regards it contrasted from Islam.

In the event that Europe had known as a lot of Islam, as Muslims knew of Christendom, back then, those distraught, daring, periodically valiant and chivalrous, however totally over the top flare-up known as the Crusades couldn’t have occurred, for they depended on a complete confusion.

That was the sort of “history” on which the people in Western Europe used to be encouraged. Those were the thoughts which motivated the general population of the crusader in their assaults on the most socialized people groups of those days. Christendom viewed the outside world as accursed endlessly, and Islam did not. There were great and compassionate men in Christendom who thought it dismal that any individuals ought to be accursed interminably, and wished to spare them by the main way they knew — transformation to the Christian confidence.

It was not until the western countries infringed upon far from their religious law that they turned out to be more tolerant; and it was just when the Muslims fell far from their religious law that they declined in resilience and different confirmations of the most noteworthy society.

Hence the distinction clear in that tale is not of conduct just but rather of religion. Of old, resilience had existed here and there on the planet, among illuminated people; yet those people had dependably been against the pervasive religion.

Resilience was respected of un-religious, if not skeptical. Prior to the happening to Islam it had never been lectured as a fundamental piece of religion.

For the Muslims, every one of the three religions — Judaism, Christianity and Islam — are yet three types of one religion, which, in its unique immaculateness, was the religion of Abraham: Al-Islam, that impeccable Self-Surrender to the Will of God, which is the premise of Theocracy. The Jews, in their religion, after Moses, constrained God’s benevolence to their picked country and thought about His kingdom as the domain of their race.

Indeed, even Christ himself, as a few of his truisms appear, pronounced that he was sent just to the lost sheep of the House of Israel and appeared to see his central goal with regards to the Hebrews just; and it was simply after an uncommon vision vouchsafed to St. Dwindle that his supporters in after days viewed themselves as approved to lecture the Gospel to the Gentiles.

The Christians constrained God’s kindness to the individuals who trusted certain doctrines. Each one who neglected to hold the doctrines was an outsider or a villain, to be abused for his or her spirit’s great. In Islam just is show the genuine way of the Kingdom of God.

The two verses (2:255-256) of the Qur’an are supplementary.

Where there is that acknowledgment of the glory and domain of Allah Almighty, there is no impulse in religion. Men pick their way — devotion or resistance — and it is adequate discipline for the individuals who restrict that they draw further and assist far from the light of truth.

What Muslims don’t by and large consider is that this law applies to our own particular group the same amount of with regards to the people outside, the laws of Allah being all inclusive.

Prejudice of Muslims for other men’s sentiments and convictions is confirmation that they themselves have, right now, overlooked the vision of the glory and kindness of Allah Almighty, which the Qur’an presents to them.

— A shortened rendition of Pickthall’s address that he gave on a few parts of Islamic human progress at the welcome of The Committee of “Madras Lectures on Islam” in India, in 1927.

Article by: arabnews.com

Jamaraat after tawaf wida

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Jamaraat after tawaf wida

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah’s Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

I performed the tawaf al widah and stayed in minah to perform the stone throwing on 3 rd day and then left the mecca. Is my HAJJ is OK or I have to give “DUM” for being in mecca after the tawaf al widah and performed the HAJJ manasik.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Jamaraat after tawaf wida

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Abdullah Ibn Abbas (r.a.) reported that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: “Let none of you leave Makkah berore making a Tawaf around the Ka’bah (Tawaf-ul-Wida) as the last of the Hajj rites.”

Related by Muslim and Abu Dawood.

Malik has related in Al-Muwatta that Hadrat Umar ibn Al-Khattab (r.a.) said, “The last rite of Hajj is the Tawaf around the Kaabah (Tawaf-ul-Wida).”

To observe and fulfill the Tawaf-ul-Wida as the last rite of Hajj is considered one amongst the obligatory rites of Hajj.

If you performed the Tawaf-ul-Wida with the intention to leave Makkah, and on your way out of Makkah went to Muna and stoned the Jamaraat, and then left immediately for your final destination.the absolute majority of the scholars and jurists in Islam are of the opinion that although not preferred, there is no harm and there is no sacrifice of atonement or damm due from you.

But if you performed the Tawaf-ul-Wida first, then went to stone the Jamaraat in Muna.but rather than leaving for your final destination immediately, you halted or stayed over-night in MUna.then indeed a sacrifice of atonement or damm would be due from you. And Allah Alone Knows Best.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allahs Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

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Article by: islamhelpline.net/answer/7587

The four sacred months

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The four sacred months

The four sacred months

Among the twelve lunar months in the Hijri calendar, some months are favored over all other months, like Ramadan because it is the month of mercy, the month of Qur’an, and the month of forgiveness. Four other months are also favored in the Islamic tradition and are called the Sacred Months.
The sanctity of these months was established long time ago, even before the birth of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The four sacred months were known since the time of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him).
The main purpose of the sanctity of these months was to ban battles and make the Haj journey, the pilgrimage, towards the Kaabah safe. In addition to the month of Haj (Dhul Hijja), a month preceding it (Dhul Qidah) and a month succeeding it (Muharram), and also the month of Rajab were specified as being sacred.

The following verse in the Holy Qur’an:

The following verse in the Holy Qur’an mentions that there are four sacred months in the year.
{Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve (lunar) months in the register of Allah (from) the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion (i.e. way), so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous (who fear Him)} (Chapter 9, verse 36)
In these four sacred months, people could travel and move about in safety and without fear. People performed Haj or Umrah during these months. Another major benefit experienced by the people during these months was that the trade caravans moved about their business, crossing the Arabian Desert towards Syria in the north and Yemen in the south.
A historical incident took place in the sacred month of Rajab in the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), two years after migration. This incident was mentioned in the Holy Qur’an.
{They ask you about the sacred month – about fighting therein. Say, “Fighting therein is great [sin], but averting [people] from the way of Allah and disbelief in Him and [preventing access to] al-Masjid al-Haram and the expulsion of its people therefrom are greater [evil] in the sight of Allah. And fitnah is greater than killing}. (Chapter 2, verse 217)
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent a small detachment of eight men to a place called ‘Nakhlah’, a valley midway between the cities of Makkah and Taif.  The Prophet (peace be upon him) had given clear instructions to the detachment to only watch the movement of the enemy, Quraish, and their allied camps and try to find out if they had any plans to attack Muslims in Madinah. It was supposed to be an exploratory expedition.
Although this detachment had not been given permission to fight, a skirmish and ambush resulted. They erroneously assumed that the sacred month of Rajab was over. They attacked a small caravan of the Quraish, killed one amongst them, and took the rest as prisoners, and brought them to the Prophet (peace be upon him) in Madinah along with their merchandise.
Quraish, the Jews, and even the hypocrites of Madinah made a huge hue and cry. They raised an extremely strong objection over the whole of Arabia against the Muslims and the Prophet (peace be upon him) for fighting and shedding blood in a sacred month.
Because the Prophet (peace be upon him) had not given permission to the detachment to fight or kill or violate the sanctity of the Sacred Month, it was indeed considered an unlawful and unauthorized act of the over-zealous detachment.  The Prophet (peace be upon him) set those prisoners taken in the ambush at Nakhlah free, gave them back their goods, and even paid the blood-money to the heirs of the one who was killed in the ambush; and thus reaffirmed the sanctity of the prohibition of fighting and war in the four Sacred Months.
Meaning of the Sacred Months

Muharram:

It is the very first month in the Hijri calendar. The literal meaning of Muharram is ‘forbidden’. It has always been considered a holy period in which Arabs used to avoid fighting with each other.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to fast in this month. It is reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadan is the fasting of Allah’s month of Muharram.” (Muslim)

Rajab:

It is the seventh and sacred month meaning ‘to respect’, as it was always considered as a sacred time. It falls between Jumada Al-Akhir and Shabaan. In the month of Rajab, even in pre-Islamic times, there was a ceasefire among the Arabs to permit people to peacefully travel and perform Umrah.

Dhul Qidah:

It is the eleventh month, which was always a sacred time of the year and was the first one in which the Arabs avoided fighting.

Dhul Hijja:

It is the last and one of the most auspicious months of the Hijri calendar, which is named so because Haj (pilgrimage), the fifth pillar of Islam is performed in this month.
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) once said, “Whoever performs Haj and does not commit any obscenity or transgression shall return [free from sins] as he was on the day his mother gave birth to him.” (Al-Bukhari)
These four months were called sacred for the gravity of committing a sin during them and for the position Allah gave them. Sinning during the sacred months is more evil than sinning during the other months. Likewise, the reward for righteous deeds is greater in these four sacred months.

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Gaining True Benefit from Hajj

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Gaining True Benefit from Hajj

Acts of worship in Islam are rites performed by the Muslim that are ordained upon him by his Lord, to which he has to submit and comply with in order to obey the commands of Allaah The Almighty and show servitude to Him. Besides, they bear a lot of meanings, establish good morals and produce numerous social benefits that bring about a great deal of good to the Muslim individual and society.
Hajj, economically speaking, is a season of trade, and at the same time, according to the Sharee‘ah (Islamic legislation), a season of worship. It is an obligatory duty in which the affairs of both the World and the Hereafter meet together, and so does the past and present heritage of creed. Traders and merchants find in the season of Hajj a brisk market, where fruits of all kinds are brought to the sacred places from the different ends of the earth; and pilgrims come from every distant pass and city, bringing with them the bounty of their own countries that has been bestowed in the different parts of earth. All of these gather together in the sacred places at the same time. It is thus a season of trade, an exhibition of products and a veritable global market that is held annually. Moreover, it is a season of worship, where souls are purified, while feeling their closeness to Allaah The Almighty in His sacred House.
Of course, the tangible benefit of this would be evident and bear fruit when the Islamic countries attain a greater level of distinction and productivity, which allows for the exchange of Islamic commodities and artifacts.
These benefits would empower the Islamic economy globally, enabling the pilgrims to become intermediaries or peddlers of the commodities from the East and the West.
At that point, Hajj would turn into a means of mutual recognition and consultation, strategization of plans, unification of forces, exchange of commodities, benefits, sciences resulting in an authentic Islamic experience.
This is confirmed by the notion that Hajj is not only a spontaneous journey on which the Muslim utilizes his time, effort and property; rather it is a journey in which the glory of brotherhood and moral, social, economic and political benefits seems evident.
Those are the great objectives of Hajj. It entails compliance with the injunctions of Sharee‘ah (Islamic legislation); a boost to faith, an educational provision and an opportunity for exchanging benefits.
The wisdom behind Hajj
No doubt, by virtue of His wisdom and greatness, Allaah the Almighty has chosen that good and pure place in Makkah to honor it with a privilege that is unique to it apart from any other place in the world from the time of the mankind was created. In other words, He favored it to be a place for His sacred House and a destination of meeting and gathering of all Muslims from all parts of the world, from among those upon whom Allaah grants the favor of capability, that enables them to answer the call of Allaah The Almighty,by virtue of which they direct themselves to that ancient House.
In confirmation of this, Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Makkah — blessed and guidance for the worlds. In it are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Ibraaheem (Abraham). And whoever enters it shall be safe. And [due] to Allaah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves – then indeed, Allaah Is free from need of the worlds.} [Quran 3:96-97]
When we read that wise saying (which means): {Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind} we rest assured of the reliability of the statement that the angels of (Allaah) The Most Merciful were the first to build that House, for the word ‘mankind’ is given to Aadam may Allaah exalt his mention and his offspring, and this means that this ancient House was established before, or, at least, synchronous to the first of people on earth, i.e. Aadam may Allaah exalt his mention.
In another interpretation, it was said that this verse was revealed by Allaah The Almighty as a reply to the Jews when they claimed that Bayt Al-Maqdis is better and greater than the Ka‘bah, for it is in the holy land, where the Prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention, descended. By that verse, Allaah The Almighty showed the status of the Sacred House in Makkah, bringing to mind that this was the first house to be established for mankind, and the most honored place for worship: {…and a guidance for the worlds.}

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Hajj: The Global Conference of the Ummah

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Hajj: The Global Conference of the Ummah

Hajj: The Global Conference of the Ummah

We are all familiar with global summits and conferences during which presidents and other heads of state meet. Besides, foreign ministers, ministers of defense or others meet during other conferences. In the professional context, there are conferences for physicians, others for engineers and the same for other professions. For each of these conferences, there are authorities that organize them, call for them, determine their places and organize their programs.
Hajj is a great and unique global conference for the Muslim nation, and if the nation of Islam realizes and benefits from its merits and goals, its state would be better than it is nowadays.
The invitation to this great conference came from Allaah The Almighty to His Prophet Ibraaheem, the intimate friend of Allaah may Allaah exalt his mention. Allaah The Exalted Says (what means): {And proclaim to the people the Hajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass.} [Quran 22:27] It is a historic and genuine invitation that is not renewed or revoked. The permanent place of holding the conference that never changes is the Sacred House of Allaah and its holy environs that combine divine blessing, historic antiqueness and religious sanctity. The agenda with all the words and deeds contained therein is dictated by virtue of the Order of Allaah The Almighty to Muhammad the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) who said: “Learn your rituals from me (by seeing me performing them).”The people invited to this conference are Muslims, whether rulers or ruled, rich or poor, men or women, with no conditions or privileges other than Islam. The only qualification is to be a Muslim –and that is it.
As a result, this conference has been held periodically for thousands of years in the sacred sites. You can see the entire nation of Islam represented in it in various categories such as its rulers, scholars, common masses, leaders, soldiers, men, women, elderly and youth. Can a conference like this be without benefits or impact?
It is a question that should be on the mind of every Muslim and every pilgrim in order to meditate and reflect, then to benefit and work. The following are some reflections on the great conference of Hajj:

  • Every pilgrim travels long distances and crosses many borders. Some pilgrims come from the countries of disbelief or countries of oppression and suppression. All of them strive and suffer in order to reach the sacred sites and participate in the gathering. By crossing all the barriers and overcoming all the difficulties, they declare that the superiority of faith is greater, the caller towards Allaah The Almighty is worthier of being answered, the path of Islam is straighter and that the brothers of faith are nobler.
  • Its unique uniform distinguishes this conference, which is not a condition in other conferences. The pilgrim abandons his ordinary clothes and adornment and devotes himself to Allaah The Almighty. In this way, he declares that this world is not in his heart, that his value lies in the essence not the appearance. He testifies that if the caller to Allaah The Almighty calls and he hears the call to worship, the whole world with its adornments will never act as a barrier in his way; rather, he is ready to relinquish it for the Sake of Allaah The Almighty.
  • This conference reminds the nation to remove all the matters that divide it and to hold firm to the Islamic divine methodology and path. When they make Tawaaf around the honorable Ka‘bah, they declare this important principle that makes humble submissive worship to Allaah The Almighty and a continuous relationship with Allaah The Almighty the center of their lives.
  • This conference is an opportunity for setting the general policies of the nation, discussing problems, guiding and instructing through sermons in the season of Hajj , just like the comprehensive and all-inclusive Prophetic sermon in the Farewell Hajj.

Finally, Hajj is the season of practically demonstrating the unity of the Islamic nation where differences such as color, race and language dissolve. This unity is with respect to destination and intention, acts and deeds, dress and shape, and standing and movement. In addition, it unites the souls and strengthens ties along with the fulfilling a much greater purpose, which is linking the nation to its Creator, following His Sharee‘ah (Islamic law), elevating the Islamic standards and abolishing worldly criteria.
Does the Muslim nation realize the importance of these meanings and others? Do individual Muslims know these landmarks? There should be an initiative by the responsible leaders, pious scholars and all Muslims to achieve, along with fulfilling the obligation, the major benefits for the nation that is now suffering woes, defeat and division. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And [mention, O Muhammad], when We Designated for Ibraaheem (Abraham) the site of the House, [saying], “Do not associate anything with Me and purify My House for those who perform Tawaaf and those who stand [in prayer] and those who bow and prostrate. And proclaim to the people the Hajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass – That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the Name of Allaah on known days.} [Quran 22:26-28]

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Hajj: Ancient journey in modern times

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Hajj Ancient journey in modern times

As the fifth pillar of Islam, Hajj is a must for those faithful who are physically and financially able to make the journey. Over the years, the numerical rise of the pilgrims has been phenomenal. From the hundred thousand plus who performed Hajj with the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) in 10 A. H., we have some 2.5 million doing so today every year. The number would be 10 times more if the Saudi government had not enforced a pilgrim quota for Muslim countries due to logistical reasons.
Speaking of soulfulness of Hajj, the year Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) performed Hajj, a Companion may Allaah be pleased with him fell from his camel, which accidentally stomped on him breaking his neck. The Companion may Allaah be pleased with him died of injuries. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Bathe his body with water and Sidr (lotus tree leaves) and bury him with both garments. Do not cover his head, nor touch him with camphor … for verily he will be returned (to Allaah) on the Day of Resurrection in the state of Talbiyah! (saying Labbayk Allaahumma Labbayk).” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
In another incident, ‘Amr Ibn Al-‘Aas may Allaah be pleased with him narrated: “When Islam entered my heart, I went to the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) and said, `Give me your hand so that I may pledge allegiance to you.’ The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) spread his hand, but I withdrew mine. He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said, `What’s wrong, ‘Amr?’ I said, `I want to make a condition.’ ‘And what is that?’ he sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said. I said, `That Allaah will forgive me.’ Then the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Did you not know that Islam wipes out what came before it, and that Hijrah (migration) wipes out what came before it and that Hajj wipes out what came before it!” [Muslim]
He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) also said: “Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or transgression, he returns (free from sin) as the day his mother born him.” [Al-Bukhaari]
The reward for an accepted Hajj, said the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is nothing but Jannah (Paradise).
This is the key: The reward of Jannah comes from an accepted Hajj and acceptance results from the purity of intention and adherence to Allaah’s Commands. Some of us come from the Hajj feeling an inner tranquility; some feeling uneasy that they were not always patient during the Hajj; others expressing unhappiness at not having received the promised comfort from their tour operator.
Western pilgrims generally get plenty of advice about what to do, and what to expect during Hajj. Yet there is no substitute to the awe-inspiring, hair raising personal experience. Despite its challenges, our Hajj is a picnic compared to that performed by the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) and Muslims of earlier times. Then were no airplanes or cars, no five-star hotels; even ships were flimsy by today’s standards. Traveling over sea and through desert exposed the pilgrims to pirates and robbers. The journey to Makkah took weeks. People bade farewell to pilgrims as if they were embarking on a journey of no return.
The Quran refers to the travels of earlier pilgrims thus (what means): “And proclaim to the people the Hajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass.” [Quran 22: 27]
Today, most passengers fly in comfortable jetliners, where they are served with lavish amount of food, beverages and snacks. They are then transported in air-conditioned buses and housed in cozy hotels that are within walking distance from the Haram (the Sacred Area). Yet some of us complain that that wasn’t good enough, or that they did not get their meals on time.
What’s the purpose of Hajj? Is it to test our physical endurance, financial sacrifice, or to show us the equality of the Muslim Ummah (Nation) before Allaah? Some have compared the standing in ‘Arafah, the most important ritual of the Hajj, to the humanity’s facing its Creator on the Day of Judgment. Although there is nothing like the Day of Judgment in our experience, the comparison points to something important.
Consider the first two verses of the chapter of Al-Hajj (which mean):
“O mankind, fear your Lord. Indeed, the convulsion of the [final] Hour is a terrible thing. On the Day you see it, every nursing mother will be distracted from that [child] she was nursing, and every pregnant woman will abort her pregnancy, and you will see the people [appearing] intoxicated while they are not intoxicated; but the punishment of Allaah is severe.” [Quran 3: 22]
During the Hajj, we do become engrossed in our own affairs to the extent of being selfish, although only a tiny fraction of humanity is gathered there compared to the Day of Judgment, when everyone will be present. That day will be like no other. Reflecting on the first verse of the Chapter of Al-Hajj makes it quite apparent why Allaah exhorts us to fear Him. Fearing and obeying Allaah in this life seems to be the only option if we want to be spared the frightfulness and grief of the Day of Gathering.
Hajj also reminds us that if the travel is difficult and requires a lot of preparation and provision, what is it that we have prepared for that final journey? While everyone may not be able to go for Hajj, the entire humanity, without exception, will have to die and make the final journey.
When someone anxiously asked the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) about the end of time, he sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) returned the question: “What have you prepared for it”? [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
No matter the amount of money and preparation we make for Hajj, it is the sincere intention that counts the most. As for the final journey, the best provision is what Allaah has prescribed in the verse (which means): “…And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allaah. And fear Me, O you of understanding.” [Quran 2: 197]
By providing a glimpse of that journey, Hajj should help us prepare for it. Among other things, Hajj instills in our hearts the Taqwa (piety) needed for that journey. It is the story of man’s triumph over Satan and his whispers, of Prophet Ibraaheem’s may Allaah exalt his mention supreme sacrifices, a tale of his virtuous wife Haajar’s devotion to Allaah, and righteous son Ismaa’eel’s may Allaah exalt his mention obedience to Allaah’s Command. It is a mirror in which we can see the history of the Ka’bah, the House of Allaah that Ibraaheem and his son, may Allaah exalt their mention, built. It’s a reaffirmation of how Allaah elevates the remembrance of His sincere servants and endears them in the hearts of posterity. The House of Allaah that Prophet Ibraaheem and his son, may Allaah exalt their mention, built is a living miracle. It is a witness to the unceasing, uninterrupted glorification of Allaah.
It is important that we remember the spiritual aspect of Hajj and refrain from pursuing excessive physical comfort. Hajj is not a vacation, but a duty we owe to Allaah. The deluxe packages, five-star flights, and comfortable buses do not contribute to Hajj’s acceptance; in fact they may distract from Hajj.
During Hajj, we should concentrate on the rituals, overlook others’ mistakes, and seek Allaah’s forgiveness. A simple reflection while standing in ‘Arafah can become an atoning experience. Upon return from Hajj, we should avoid dwelling on the negatives. A tranquil and forgiving heart and upright actions would be good signs, Allaah willing, that the Hajj was accepted.

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