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A Journey of Self Renewal

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Source:islamicity.org

What are the blessings of Hajj? One may describe them in great detail. But, in the Qur’an, where Allah instructs Ibrahim to invite people to come to Hajj, it is said:
So that they may witness things that are of benefit to them…  Al-Hajj 22:28.

Hence, the real blessings of Hajj can only be experienced by those who actually perform it. Imam Abu Hanifah, it is narrated, was unsure which act of worship was more excellent among the various ones laid down by Islam. But once he had performed Hajj, he had no hesitation in declaring that Hajj was the most excellent of all.

The Journey

We usually think of journeys as of two kinds: those made for business and those made for pleasure. In both cases, it is to fulfill your worldly desires and benefit yourselves that you leave your homes, separate from families, spend money-all is done for your own sake. No question arises of sacrifice for any higher, sublime purpose.

But the journey that is the Hajj is quite different in nature. This is not meant for any personal end. It is undertaken solely for Allah and the fulfillment of the duty prescribed by Allah. Nobody can be prepared to undertake this journey until and unless he has love of Allah in his heart, as well as fear of Him, and is convinced that Allah wants him to do what he is doing. That you are willing to bear the privations arising from separation from your family, to incur great expenses on a journey that will bring no material rewards, and to suffer any loss of business or job, all are signs of certain inner qualities: that you love and fear Allah more than anything, that you have a strong sense of duty to Him, that you are willing to respond to His summons and ready to sacrifice your material comforts in His cause.

Virtue and Piety
The closer you get to the House of Allah, the more intense becomes your desire to do good.

You will find that your love of Allah heightens as you start preparing for your pilgrimage journey with the sole intention of pleasing Allah. With your heart longing to reach your goal, you become purer in thought and deed. You repent for past sins, seek forgiveness from people whom you might have wronged, and try to render your due to others where necessary so as not to go to Allah’s court burdened with injustices that you may have done to your fellow beings. In general, the inclination to do good intensifies and abhorrence of doing evil increases.

After leaving home, the closer you get to the House of Allah, the more intense becomes your desire to do good. You become careful so that you harm nobody while you try to render whatever service or help you can to others. You avoid abuse, indecency, dishonesty, squabbles, and bickering because you are proceeding on the path of Allah. Thus your entire journey constitutes an act of worship. How, then, can you do wrong? This journey, in contrast to every other, is a continuing course through which a Muslim attains a progressive purification of the self. On this journey, then, you are pilgrims to Allah.

The Impact of Hajj

It is now easy to see that for two or three months, from the time of deciding and preparing for Hajj to the time of returning home, a tremendous impact is made on the hearts and minds of pilgrims. This process entails sacrifice of time, sacrifice of money, sacrifice of comfort, and sacrifice of many physical desires and pleasures- and all this simply for the sake of Allah, with no worldly or selfish motive.

Together with a life of sustained piety and virtuousness, the constant remembrance of Allah and the longing and love for Him in the pilgrim leave a mark on his heart which lasts for years. The pilgrim witnesses at every step the imprints left by those who sacrificed everything of theirs in submission and obedience to Allah. They fought against the whole world, suffered hardships and tortures, were condemned to banishment, but ultimately did make the word of Allah supreme and did subdue the false powers that wanted a man to submit to entities other than Allah.
Hajj constitutes preparation for the great task, which Islam wants Muslims to do.

The lesson in courage and determination, the impetus to strive in the way of Allah, which a devotee of Allah can draw from these clear signs and inspiring examples, can hardly be available from any other source. The attachment developed with the focal point of his religion by walking around the Kaaba (Tawaf), and the training received to live a mujahid’s life through the rites of Hajj (such as running from place to place and repeated departures and halts) are great blessings indeed.

Combined with the Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (zakah), and looked at as a whole, you will see that Hajj constitutes preparation for the great task, which Islam wants Muslims to do. This is why it has been made compulsory for all who have the money and the physical fitness for the journey to the Ka`bah. This ensures that, in every age, there are Muslims who have passed through this training.

Hajj: A Collective Worship

The great blessings of spiritual and moral regeneration, which Hajj imparts to each person, are before you. But you cannot fully appreciate the blessings of Hajj unless you keep in view the fact that Muslims do not perform it individually: hundreds of thousands perform it communally during the time fixed for it. At one stroke Islam achieves not one or two but a thousand purposes.

The advantages of performing the Prayer singly are by no means small, but by making it conditional with the congregation and by laying down the rule of Imamah (leadership in the Prayer) and by gathering huge congregations for the Friday and `Eid Prayers, its benefits have been increased many times. The observance of the fasting individually is no doubt a major source of moral and spiritual training, but by prescribing that all Muslims must fast in the month of Ramadan those benefits have been greatly increased. The almsgiving, too, has many advantages even if dispensed individually, but with the establishment of a centralized Bayt al-mal (Treasury of the Islamic state) for its collection and disbursement, its usefulness is increased beyond measure.

The same is true of Hajj. If everyone were to perform it singly, the effect on individual lives would still be great. But making it a collective act enhances its effectiveness to a point, which gives it a new dimension altogether.

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Source: islamicity.org

Journey of a lifetime in black and white

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Although the pilgrims have to leave the holy city of Makkah, something deep down never goes away: The indelible memories of this spiritual journey, the journey of a lifetime.

I interviewed Reem Al-Faisal in 1996 when she was having her first major exhibition about the port of Jeddah. I was stunned by the choice of subject but could not help but marvel at her immense talent and boundless creativity.

I knew then that Reem Al-Faisal would never settle for anything easy and ordinary.

She became one of the few women to have covered in depth Hajj.

“One is swept away by the sheer motion and size of it and you find yourself moving at another level of your consciousness. As you perform one ritual after the other you slowly discover the rhythm of the universe … and it is hard to leave Hajj without it altering your personality forever,” explains Reem Al-Faisal.

During three years, Reem Al-Faisal photographed the largest gathering of men and women from all nationalities. A keen observer, she followed the pilgrims in their daily lives and took pictures of men and women praying, walking, eating, reciting the Qur’an or simply relaxing.

The photographs were the first part of an exhibition and have now been published in a book, “Hajj”, launched recently in Cairo.

The text has been written by Seyyed Hossein Nasr, an eminent professor of Islamic studies at George Washington University and the author of more than 30 books.

In the preface, Nasr remembers how he made his first pilgrimage 40 years ago in the presence of King Faisal, Reem Al-Faisal’s grandfather.

Nasr and Reem Al-Faisal has produced a book which is particularly moving.

Unforgettable images and powerful words help us understand the inner side of faith. And one can only hope that this book will open the hearts of both Muslims and non-Muslims to the beauty of Hajj.

Reem Al-Faisal admits being shy especially if she is in the midst of a crowd.

However, when she carries a camera, she feels empowered and reacts as if she is someone else.

This inner strength helped her deal with the harsh criticism she faced from pilgrims who were against photography.

The photographs present in the book are divided into five sections preceded by a short introduction: “Arrival”, “The Pilgrims as Tourists”, “Makkah”, “Hajj” and “Departure”.

Reem Al-Faisal’s choice of black and white is particularly well suited to the subject of Hajj.

Black and white photography exudes a surreal atmosphere, creating a void whereby we, the viewers, are disconnected from reality.

Unlike color, which distracts, black-and-white forces us in a way to focus our attention on the image. Black and white is also a more artistic form of photography which “gives you the metaphysical side of art” explains Reem Al-Faisal.

In the first segment of the book entitled “Arrival”, we are reminded that we tend to believe that it is easier to travel to Makkah.

“But that is not really the case … In the old days, all one needed to undertake the spiritual journey was the financial means to join a caravan to Makkah and provisions for the way. Otherwise, the road was open to one and all. There were no quotas, no government regulations, no visa required. Now, one spends practically the same amount of time, if not more, to fulfill all the bureaucratic requirements that one would have previously spent crossing vast tracts of land on horseback or on a camel,” writes Nasr.

The section on the “Hajj” is particularly intense.

According to the Hadith: “Hajj is Arafat” and it is there that all the pilgrims gather to pray to God, the One and Only.

“Hajj in a sense is the journey of life itself, as life if well lived takes us finally to the One from Whom we come and to Whom we return,” writes Nasr.

This awesome and touching book on Hajj ends with a final section on “Departure”.

When Hajj is accepted by God, the pilgrim becomes a new person and he brings back the barakah of the center to the circumference of the Islamic world.

The last picture features a lonely bird gliding through the sky at sunset over Makkah, the Blessed City.

Source: islamicity.org

Modern Challenges to the Spirit of Hajj

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Modern Challenges to the spirit of Hajj that was prevalent at the time of the Prophet and his trusted companions. It is this spirit of Hajj that is now being challenged by the modern business-dominated society and hierarchy of rich and poor culture.

There was a time when people would spend months and months preparing themselves financially and spiritually to live the real meaning of Hajj. However, nowadays Hajj is offered as a holiday package.

Many Hajj agencies all over the world offer value packages with super programs, deluxe programs, and a short executive program. These programs offer the best and closest accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, best available food and best possible position in the House of Allah.

Depending on how much you pay, you can get the finest place in Makkah and Madinah. If you happen to be the guest of royalty, then probably, no one can ever compete with your placement in the two mosques.

When the Prophet performed his only Hajj, the only provision that he had with him was worthy of no more than four dirhams as narrated in several books of ahadith.

Hajj was meant to teach the pilgrims endurance and perseverance for higher causes, yet it has been turned into an exercise in convenience. Hajj was meant to express the utmost humility in the presence of the rest of humanity by declaring that “Here I am, Here I am, I will not make anyone Allah’s partner. Allah is the one who is in control of everything and He alone is the one who is the source of all blessings and praise.” Yet, today, Hajj, for many have become, a badge, a symbol of spiritual pride.

Hajj is an institution that is supposed to reassure the people that ethnic, cultural, linguistic, geographical, wealth-based, race and color differences that humans have imposed upon themselves have no reality in the presence of God. All are one and the purpose of all is to follow the divine guidance to create universal humanity to the well being of everyone. Hajj is meant to be a pledge to live the example of Hajj beyond the Hajj. It is an occasion to create a personality without dimension and space.

Yet, through social engineering and manipulation of resources, Hajj is rapidly adopting social elements that distinguish the rich from the poor, the very institution that it is supposed to demolish. Divisions among pilgrims on the basis of their ethnicity and money are visible throughout the Hajj journey.

While the pilgrims coming from poorer regions of the world may find accommodation miles away from the Haram, those who are rich can find accommodation within the vicinity of the Kabah.

The Quran describes Kabah as a center of guidance to humanity: Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Makkah – blessed and a guidance for the worlds. (Aal Imran 3:96)

The place was not only a place for bringing together all the people but it is a center for promoting peace. (Al-Baqarah 2:145). It was a place that was meant to help humanity realize its universality rather than divisions (Al-Ma’idah 5:97)

For this great purpose of helping humanity realize its dream of removing all the differences and divisions among themselves the institution of Hajj come up with the clear example of making us understand and observe that unity of humanity is possible. For this, the Quran asked Prophet Ibrahim to invite people to Hajj, so that they may witness the beauty and magnificence of the guidance of Allah.

Hajj is like a united nation in its real sense without the five elite powers. With no hidden agenda and security council privileges, each nation and community come to Makkah with the single purpose of serving God and reiterating their covenant with Him.

Hajj provides the opportunity for everyone to witness the common bonds among people regardless of their differences. Hajj promotes the idea of the dignity of human beings, male or female, young or old and rich and poor.

Hajj also creates space for intellectual ideas among people so that they could all remain focused on their main agenda of serving humanity by following the guidance of God.

However, among all this razzmatazz, still, there are people who come to Hajj to take the inspiration to transform themselves for a better future both for themselves and for others. They are the ones who do not care about big hotels or better facilities. They are the ones who spend their days and nights in Mina, Arafat, Muzdalfah, Makkah and Madinah.

Here they remember the covenant that Allah made with Prophet Abraham, the builder of Kabah. Prophet Abraham was told by God, Almighty: Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people. (Al-Baqarah 2:124).

Encouraged by this honor, the Prophet asked: “And of my descendants?” [ Allah ] said, “My covenant does not include the wrongdoers.” (Al-Baqarah 2:124)

In these simple words thus was described the real intent and purpose of the Hajj and all other faith-based institutions. The dignity and honor do not come with buying this or that package. It comes through dedication and commitment to the divine values and living up to them.

Someday, the Hajj will be restored to its original intent by those unknown and unrecognized faces who come from all over the world quietly without any fanfare and who spend every moment of their presence in the noble sanctuaries and the pilgrimage path with the determination to follow their real leaders: Prophets Ibrahim, Ismail and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon them) in every aspect of this great institution.

The re-enactment of acts performed during the Hajj is attributed to Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail and Mother Hagar. They are primarily meant for the purpose of reminding humanity that in order to bring people together, God’s guidance is received, acknowledged, accepted and followed by a small group of people who may not be present physically to see the fruits of their efforts. Prophet Ibrahim created that nucleus for perpetual change in human behavior and for that he was honored by God who declared him as an Imam (role model) for humanity.

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Source: islamicity.org

Hajj – The Journey of a Lifetime

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The Journey of a Lifetime

The hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, a central duty of Islam whose origins date back to the Prophet Abraham, brings together Muslims of all races and tongues for one of life’s most moving spiritual experiences.

For 14 centuries, countless millions of Muslims, men, and women from the four corners of the earth, have made the pilgrimage to Mecca, the birthplace of Islam.  In carrying out this obligation, they fulfill one of the five “pillars” of Islam or central religious duties of the believer.

Muslims trace the recorded origins of the divinely prescribed pilgrimage to the Prophet Abraham.  According to the Quran, it was Abraham who, together with Ishmael built the Kabah, “the House of God”, the direction toward which Muslims turn in their worship five times each day.  It was Abraham, too who established the rituals of the hajj, which recall events or practices in his life and that of Hagar and their son Ishmael.

In the chapter entitled “The Pilgrimage”, the Quran speaks of the divine command to perform the hajj and prophesies the permanence of this institution:

“And when We assigned for Abraham the place of the House, saying ‘Do not associate Anything with Me, and purify My House for those who go around it and for those who stand and bow and prostrate themselves in worship.  And proclaim the Pilgrimage among humankind: They will come to you on foot and on every camel made lean By traveling deep, distant ravines.’” (Quran 22:26-27)

By the time the Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, received the divine call, however, pagan practices had come to muddy some of the original observances of the hajj.  The Prophet, as ordained by God, continued the Abrahamic hajj after restoring its rituals to their original purity.

Furthermore, Muhammad himself instructed the believers in the rituals of the hajj.  He did this in two ways: by his own practice, or by approving the practices of his Companions.  This added some complexity to the rituals but also provided increased flexibility in carrying them out, much to the benefit of pilgrims ever since.  It is lawful, for instance, to have some variation in the order in which the several rites are carried out because the Prophet himself is recorded as having approved such actions.  Thus, the rites of the hajj are elaborate, numerous and varied; aspects of some of them are highlighted below.

The hajj to Mecca is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation upon male and female adults whose health and means permit it, or, in the words of the Quran, upon “those who can make their way there.”  It is not an obligation on children, though some children do accompany their parents on this journey.

Before setting out, a pilgrim should redress all wrongs, pay all debts, plan to have enough funds for his own journey and for the maintenance of his family while he is away, and prepare himself for good conduct throughout the hajj.

When pilgrims undertake the hajj journey, they follow in the footsteps of millions before them.  Nowadays hundreds of thousands of believers from over 70 nations arrive in the Mecca by road, sea, and air every year, completing a journey now much shorter and in some ways less arduous than it often was in the past.

Till the 19th century, traveling the long distance to Mecca usually meant being part of a caravan.  There were three main caravans: the Egyptian one, which formed in Cairo; the Iraqi one, which set out from Baghdad; and the Syrian, which, after 1453, started at Istanbul, gathered pilgrims along the way, and proceeded to Mecca from Damascus.

As the hajj journey took months if all went well, pilgrims carried with them the provisions they needed to sustain them on their trip.  The caravans were elaborately supplied with amenities and security if the persons traveling were rich, but the poor often ran out of provisions and had to interrupt their journey in order to work, save up their earnings, and then go on their way.  This resulted in long journeys which, in some cases, spanned ten years or more.  Travel in earlier days was filled with adventure.  The roads were often unsafe due to bandit raids.  The terrain the pilgrims passed through was also dangerous, and natural hazards and diseases often claimed many lives along the way.  Thus, the successful return of pilgrims to their families was the occasion of joyous celebration and thanksgiving for their safe arrival.

Lured by the mystique of Mecca and Medina, many Westerners have visited these two holy cities, on which the pilgrims converge, since the 15th century.  Some of them disguised themselves as Muslims; others, who had genuinely converted, came to fulfill their duty.  But all seem to have been moved by their experience, and many recorded their impressions of the journey and the rituals of the hajj in fascinating accounts.  Many hajj travelogues exist, written in languages as diverse as the pilgrims themselves.

The pilgrimage takes place each year between the 8th and the 13th days of Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Muslim lunar calendar.  Its first rite is the donning of the ihram.

The ihram, worn by men, is a white seamless garment made up of two pieces of cloth or toweling; one covers the body from waist down past the knees, and the other is thrown over the shoulder.  This garb was worn by both Abraham and Muhammad.  Women dress as they usually do.  Men’s heads must be uncovered; both men and women may use an umbrella.

The ihram is a symbol of purity and of the renunciation of evil and mundane matters.  It also indicates the equality of all people in the eyes of God.  When the pilgrim wears his white apparel, he or she enters into a state of purity that prohibits quarreling, committing violence to man or animal and having conjugal relations.  Once he puts on his hajj clothes the pilgrim cannot shave, cut his nails or wear any jewelry, and he will keep his unsown garment on till he completes the pilgrimage.

A pilgrim who is already in Mecca starts his hajj from the moment he puts on the ihram.  Some pilgrims coming from a distance may have entered Mecca earlier with their ihram on and may still be wearing it.  The donning of the ihram is accompanied by the primary invocation of the hajj, the talbiyah:

“Here I am, O God, at Thy Command!  Here I am at Thy Command!  Thou art without associate; Here I am at Thy Command!  Thine are praise and grace and dominion!  Thou art without associate.”

The thunderous, melodious chants of the talbiyah ring out not only in Mecca but also at other nearby sacred locations connected with the hajj.

On the first day of the hajj, pilgrims sweep out of Mecca toward Mina, a small uninhabited village east of the city.  As their throngs spread through Mina, the pilgrims generally spend their time meditating and praying, as the Prophet did on his pilgrimage.

During the second day, the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, pilgrims leave Mina for the plain of Arafat where they rest.  This is the central rite of the hajj.  As they congregate there, the pilgrims’ stance and gathering reminds them of the Day of Judgment.  Some of them gather at the Mount of Mercy, where the Prophet delivered his unforgettable Farewell Sermon, enunciating far-reaching religious, economic, social and political reforms.  These are emotionally charged hours, which the pilgrims spend in worship and supplication.  Many shed tears as they ask God to forgive them.  On this sacred spot, they reach the culmination of their religious lives as they feel the presence and closeness of a merciful God.

The first Englishwoman to perform the hajj, Lady Evelyn Cobbold, described in 1934 the feelings pilgrims experience at Arafat.

“It would require a master pen to describe the scene, poignant in its intensity, of that great concourse of humanity of which I was one small unit, completely lost to their surroundings in a fervor of religious enthusiasm.  Many of the pilgrims had tears streaming down their cheeks; others raised their faces to the starlit sky that had witnessed this drama so often in the past centuries.  The shining eyes, the passionate appeals, the pitiful hands outstretched in prayer moved me in a way that nothing had ever done before, and I felt caught up in a strong wave of spiritual exaltation.  I was one with the rest of the pilgrims in a sublime act of complete surrender to the Supreme Will which is Islam.”

She goes on to describe the closeness pilgrims feel to the Prophet while standing in Arafat:

“…as I stand beside the granite pillar, I feel I am on Sacred ground.  I see with my mind’s eye the Prophet delivering that last address, over thirteen hundred years ago, to the weeping multitudes.  I visualize the many preachers who have spoken to countless millions who have assembled on the vast plain below; for this is the culminating scene of the Great Pilgrimage.”

The Prophet is reported to have asked God to pardon the sins of pilgrims who gathered at Arafat and was granted his wish.  Thus, the hopeful pilgrims prepare to leave this plain joyfully, feeling reborn without sin and intending to turn over a new leaf.

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Source:islamreligion.com

A Practical Guide to Hajj

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Complete Guide to Hajj

It is important to draw your attention towards the physical difficulties which, as pilgrims, you are going to face during your pilgrimage. We repetitively warn you about the necessity of performing this duty when you still young and healthy. It is a long and hard journey during which you should be patient.

However, one thing is certain: whatever misadventures you’re told, nothing should prevent you from answering to the call of the Almighty to full fill your religious duty.

“ If GOD invites me, I shall not refuse this invitation.”

Despite the difficulty of this mission, nothing compares to the loveliness of heading to the Holy Land. You can enjoy your spiritual journey at most. You just need to be physically AND morally well-prepared.

 One month before, make a good magnesium therapy. You can also try other mixtures prescribed by your doctor or by your grandmother who would be the best to tell what kind of food to consume to prepare one’s body for a long-lasting endeavor.

It is always recommended that you keep on you some sportsmen cereal bars, as well as some sweets (chocolate bars, candies, sugar lumps…etc.). This will be useful in case you would have any discomfort (hypoglycemia), you or any of the other accompanying pilgrims.

 You need to know that we sleep very little in performing one’s pilgrimage.

We sacrifice one’s sleep in favor of taking ample advantages from our journey.

Have your fill of sleeping before leaving, but do not overdo. If you get used to sleeping too much, you will not be able to get up early for the prayers once in HajjorUmrah. In addition, the few hours of sleep you will be limited to will never be enough.

If you are used to sleeping 10 hours a day and to take your car to buy some bread at the corner, you are not really ready for the efforts which you will be making during your Hajj or Umrah.

It is crucial to properly adapt one’s body to the physical effort before undertaking such a challenging journey.

You need to consider this preparation for several weeks in advance. However, you do not need huge efforts; few small exercises will do.

Get used to walking ( half an hour a day would be a good custom). Season your body to a little more effort and perseverance.

It is essential to visit your doctor before leaving Mecca. The latter will advise you on the precautions to employ and medicines to take in your first-aid kit. The doctor will also make a full assessment to determine whether your physical situation allows you to carry out the pilgrimage or not.

A visit to the dentist should also be paid, because a raging toothache or badly looked after caries, would be a misfortune during Tawaf.

Women are advised to go to the gynecologist to help them take the necessary precautions not to have their menstruations during the rites.

Already required for the visa, vaccines protect your body against diseases and infections which could be easily caught due to direct contact with pilgrims coming around the world.

Children too, need to update all the vaccinations according to their age in the immunization schedule.

Prepare your Spirit:

The pilgrimage is a spiritual journey. To fully fulfill this journey, it is essential to have sincere intentions towards God in Hajj or Umrah and to perform all the actions according to Sunna (tradition of the Prophet ).

You need to acquire knowledge of:

1-The rites:

 For those who wish to carry out the Hajj or Umrah, we highly recommend that you study the rites of pilgrimage Following the Quran’s and Sunna’s rules to avoid any ambiguity. (See the section ‘the Rites of Hajj and Umrah’.)

2-The invocations:

 Try to learn by heart the invocations to utter in every place and in every situation. You are allowed to read the invocations from a small book, yet, it is preferable to know them by heart so as to be more focused on the invocation itself.

3-The verses of the Quran:

 In the same line of thought, it is more worthy to pray with Suras of your own choice and which include more than three lines

4-Community life:

Every Muslim is supposed to acquire a minimum of knowledge of his/her own religion.

This spiritual journey will be a very good occasion for you to expand your knowledge of the main lines of Islam, its history, the Holy Places. You will not have a better opportunity.

The pilgrimage to Mecca will expose you to a real intimacy with the other pilgrims; you all will share meals, rites, prayers, and even hotel rooms.

It is important to learn to cohabit with other Muslims. You need to be more helpful and more friendly.

Do not hesitate to give way to the oldest, share the information which the others need, give advice, be pleasant, etc.

The pilgrimage to Mecca is compulsory only when one is fully healthy and wealthy enough to perform this rite without any debts or loans.

The pilgrim must also ensure that the expenses of his/her Hajj or Umrah come from lawful and honestly earned revenues.

GO-Makkah’s Advice:

Some drugs can cause allergic effects in the sun! If you are having a long-lasting treatment, please seek your doctor’s advice.

  • Remember that 90 % of the rites of the pilgrimage are invocations (during Al Tawaf, Al Saayi, Arafat, etc.). It would be useful to prepare them beforehand.

The risks and the precautions

Here are some safety mesures to respect during your pilgrimage:

  • In the desert (Mina, Muzdalifah, Arafat), avoid walking barefoot and lying directly on the ground. To avoid germs, always think of a groundsheet.
  • Avoid any contact with animals, even the domestic ones: rabies is widespread worldwide. Even though its main vectors are the dogs, all mammals (cats, monkeys, bats, fennecs, camels…) can transmit the virus responsible for the disease. This is contained in the animal’s saliva. The transmission can be made not only through biting or scratching, but also through licking a wound, however slight, or through contacting the saliva with a mucous membrane ( projection in the eye or in the mouth).
  • Protect yourselves from insect bites. Apply a repellent on the exposed parts of the body and wear long-sleeved clothes (if you are not in Ihram).
  • Take time to rest on arrival and between the stages of your pilgrimage.
  • Be careful with strong and extended physical efforts under hot weather.
  • Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat, sunglasses, lightweight clothes made with clear-colored-natural fibers; and by applying sun filter cream on the exposed skin (When you are not in Ihram).
  • Avoid “The Rawda“, in Medina, during the day. The best time to go is between 10 p.m. and midnight.
  • Be careful with beggars. Try to distinguish the “real” needy from the swindlers who come with ready speech.
  • Mind the stones during the stoning ritual, even though, the authorities are taking more and more effective measures to assure this zone during the pilgrimage.

Go-Makkah’s Advice in case you got bitten by an insect, an animal, etc…:

* Before seeing the doctor, there are few simple things to do:

  • Wash the skin wound with water and soap.
  • Rinse thoroughly.
  • Apply an antiseptic.

* Several serious diseases are transmitted by insects, which can sting either in the evening, at night, or even during the day.

After your return from the pilgrimage

You have to see your doctor or consult the nearest emergency department to your home at the slightest discomfort, especially in case of fever, headache, neck stiffness, nausea and vomiting.

Further information on health precautions to be taken while travelling is available on the Pasteur Institute website.

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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

Rajab: An ideal time to gear-up for Ramadan

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Rajab: An ideal time to gear-up for Ramadan

As the blessed month of Ramadan is on us, many of us are aiming to spend this Ramadan with a great spiritual effort and sincerity. To turn that intention into reality the Month of Rajab is an ideal time to prepare for the month of Ramadan.
Starting to gear ourselves up from now (in the month of Rajab), when the month of Ramadan dawns upon us we will be able to benefit completely. So in this manner the holy month of Rajab is our first step towards the blessed month of Ramadan.
Allah’s Messenger pbuh said, Rajab is the month of Allah, Shaaban is my month and Ramadan is the month of my followers (i.e. Muslim)
Scholars say: Rajab is the Allah’s month of repentance (istighfar), Shaaban is the month of sending peace and mercy (salawat/durood shareef ) upon the Prophet, and Ramadan is the month of Qur’an.
The month of Rajab is one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Quran,
Rajab is a month in which worship is rewarded magnificently – especially fasting and seeking repentance (Istighfar). Also, making Dua during the first eve of Rajab is highly recommended. In these blessed days of Rajab,
With this in mind, if we don’t want to waste our valuable time of Ramadan and want to get most out of Ramadan then here are some ways to prepare ourselves for Ramadan.
We should increase our Ibaad’ah in this month of Rajab. Then by the time we get into gear, blessed days of Ramadan will approach. This is why the Prophet would recite the following Du‘a after the month of Rajab would commence
O Allah! Bless us in the months of Rajab and Shaaban, and make us reach Ramadan (by granting us life until then) It is mentioned on the authority of Anas Bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) that when the Holy Prophet (saw) sighted the moon of Rajab, he used to pray to Allah in the following words:
‘Allahuma Barik lana fi Rajaba wa Sha’bana wa ballighna Ramadhan’
“O Allah, make the months of Rajab and Sha’ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan (i.e. prolong our life up to Ramadan, so that we may benefit from its merits and blessings).”
One of the greatest virtue of the holy month is 27th night of Rajab, the Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, was taken on the Isra wa Mi’raj (The Night Journey and Ascension to the Heavens).
As most of us aware that there was a great and glorious night, in which the Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, met his Lord and was given the commandment to perform the 5 daily prayers.
To get most out of this holy month we can improve our relationship with the Qurān by increasing the amount we read and seeking to acting upon it.
Being consistent in reading our Adhkār in the morning and evening also a chance of seeking repentance (Istighfar).
Fasting whatever days you are able to, especially Monday and Thursday and the 13th, 14th and 15th days of this month are highly recommended.
Giving charity and doing what you can to help those in need or treating them kindly is a way to put our great efforts in this month.
Worshipping Allah in these nights, especially in the last portion of the night.  Being so particular in night prayers so as to enter into those who Allah praises in the Qur’ān: Those who spend their wealth (in charity) and seek forgiveness in the last portion of the night.
Ask Allah to give us a great portion of the gifts bestowed in this month and that He makes us among those who attain acceptance and felicity in this life and the next.

O Allah, bless us in Rajab and Shaaban, allow us to reach Ramadan and assist us in fasting and praying in the night.(Ameen).

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Source: Saudi Gazette

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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The Rituals of Hajj: Symbols of Tawheed

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The Rituals of Hajj: Symbols of Tawheed

There is no prosperity or success in this world except through following the path of Prophet,  having faith and doing good deeds. It is in the light of this that he said, “Take from me your Hajj rites.” The eagerness of the Companions was embodied in this saying of Ibn Abbaas  “Do your Hajj as the Prophet did him, and do not say: This is Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) and this is compulsory.” One of the greatest aims of Hajj is to remember his guidance and to adhere to his path without negligence or exaggeration. The Prophet,  said, “Whoever performs a deed on which there is no order from us will have it rejected.”
•   To emphasise the importance of moderation and shunning of exaggeration and negligence in everything, Ibn Abbaas narrated that the Prophet,  told him to fetch him pebbles on the morning of ‘Aqabah (i.e. the tenth day of Thul-Hijjah) while he was on his camel. He said, “I fetched him seven throwing-pebbles. He started sorting them out in his fingers saying: ‘Throw ones like these.’ He then said: ‘O you people! Keep away from extremism in religion, for that which destroyed those who came before you was extremism in religion.’”
Hajj should be an avenue for self-examination and recognizing one’s faults and shortcomings. Make it an opportunity to renew your allegiance to the book of Allah The Almighty and the Sunnah of His Prophet, It is a time when one shuns exaggerations and negligence in all acts of worship. Therefore, Hajj should not be an occasion where one accuses his brother of abominable things, or where people utter foul words and behave in a way that goes against the Sunnah.
We should adhere to the guidance of the Leader of the Messengers, Muhammad son of Abdullah,  Whoever follows his path shall prosper and will achieve everlasting happiness. Further, only when this Ummah (Muslim nation) recognizes the true guidance of its religion and the path of its Prophet in its true sense, far from the tangle of misinterpretation and confusion, will it attain glory and might. The Prophet, said: “Islam shall become a hard rock upon which the evangelical ships are crumbled as long as the pillars; Al-Quran, Friday Prayers and the Hajj gathering, remain firm.”
Allah The Almighty swore by the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah, which clearly indicates their importance and merit, and stresses the great reward of those who do righteous deeds in them. He Says: {By the dawn! By the Ten Nights!}(i.e. the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah). [Quran, 89: 1-2]The Prophet,  , also said: “There are no days in which good deeds are more loved by Allah than these days.” (Meaning the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah)The Companions  said, “Even Jihad in the way of Allah?” He replied:“Even Jihad in the way of Allah, with the exception of a man who goes out for Jihad with his soul and his wealth, and does not return with either.” [Al-Bukhaari]
The good deeds referred to in this Hadeeth include righteous sayings, actions and behaviour. An important aspect of that is to visit Muslims, wherever they may be; to feel concerned about their affairs, to alleviate their sufferings and to pray for them. In addition, it is recommended to do a lot of Tahleel (saying ‘La Ilaaha Illallaah’), Takbeer (saying ‘Allaahu Akbar’) and Tahmeed (saying ‘Alhamdulillaah’) during these days. Also, if anyone wants to make a sacrifice for ‘Eed, and the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah have already arrived, he should not cut his hair or nails. The Prophet, said: “When you see the moon of Dhul-Hijjah let anyone of you who intends to sacrifice an animal for ‘Eed not take anything from his hair or nails until he has made the sacrifice.” [Muslim] This prohibition is only binding on those who want to sacrifice; those on whose behalf a sacrifice is to be made are not included in this prohibition.
Moreover, eminent Muslim personalities can utilize these noble days to propagate Islam and spread the good virtues that Islam promotes in accordance with the commandments of Allah The Almighty while respecting His limits and injunctions. This method should always be followed, whether during Hajj or otherwise.

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10 Pieces of Advice Before You Leave for Umrah

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Some people may be heading out for the spiritual journey of a lifetime soon, so I just wanted to take a moment and give a few pieces of advice for those who will be traveling soon to perform the beautiful Umrah journey.  The following pieces of advice are amongst those that I received and some that I thought of while I was abroad in the sacred sites:

  1. Do your homework
    Learn about Mecca and Madinah.  Learn about Umrah.  When I was preparing for my journey, I came across many different books that discuss Hajj and the virtues of Hajj.  However, I found it difficult to find information on Umrah.  Sure, the books on Hajj made references to Umrah and had short chapters in it, but those snippets didn’t satisfy my craving to learn more.  I did eventually come across a nice book on Umrah entitled, “The Ultimate Guide to Umrah.”  I am not endorsing one specific book over another, but I would urge you to learn about what you are about to experience before you go.  Also, make a copy of your passport and important documents and email them to yourself and your loved ones so you have a copy if something goes awry.
  2. Company makes a man
    If you are going with other people, then make sure they are good people.  A company makes a man, and it’s true when you are in the sacred sites as well.  Having good company can make a lasting impact on your journey.  Are the people you are with going to encourage you to pray Tahajjud in the Haram and do extra tawaf or are they going to instead encourage you to eat the 4000 calorie meal from McDonalds at 2 am so you experience a food coma and have trouble waking up for fajr?
  3. Know the rules of Ihram
    There are simple rules that people can violate without thinking.  For example, know that you can’t use scented soap when in ihram, so try to get some unscented soap before you leave.  Another rule is that you can’t cover your head with your ihram (for men).  So even if it’s really sunny, don’t wrap that towel to protect yourself.  Another issue is it’s important to cover your awrah while in the state of ihram.  Don’t expose yourself while you are wearing it, just be careful insha’Allah.  If you get a chance, check out Shaykh Yasir Qadhi’s transcribed lecture entitled, The Fiqh of Hajj and Practical Advice for Hajj, which has some good tips when it comes to ihram.
  4. Barber hygiene
    At the conclusion of Umrah, it is customary for men and women to cut their hair.  For men, don’t just cut a snip of your hair.  Instead, cut your hair all around, even if you don’t want to shave it.  If you do decide to shave it (recommended), then make sure the barber whom you visit uses a brand new disposable blade.  The Saudi government requires it and most barbers follow this rule, but just be extra careful and have your barber open up your blade in front of you.  You wouldn’t want some blood-borne disease such as Hepatitis C to be transferred to you from the dried blood of the customer before you.  For women, don’t expose yourself and cut your hair at the Kaaba.  Wait until you get back to the hotel so that you can take off your hijab and cut your hair.  Don’t sacrifice your modesty because you’re in a hurry to finish your Umrah.
  5. Take some Vaseline
    This advice is specific to men.  When you are in a state of ihram, you aren’t wearing any boxers or underwear.  Your legs will chaff and Vaseline can make a world of a difference.
  6. Visiting the Rawdah
    The best time to visit the Rawdah in Madinah is at night time.  The Rawdah is a piece of paradise found in the Prophet’s masjid in Madinah.  It is floored with green carpet and so it is easy to identify but difficult to take advantage of.  Many people have a goal of trying to pray in the Rawdah while in Madinah and so large fluxes of people are vying for a very small area.  After talking with people that lived in Madinah, the best time to try to visit the Rawdah (for men) is at night.  If you wait several hours after isha or a few hours before fajr, the rush at the Rawdah is less and it is much easier to pray and have some peaceful time for reflection in the Rawdah without the hustle and bustle that may be present at other times.
  7. Visit the sites in Madinah
    The best time to visit the sites in my opinion is in the morning time sometime between sunrise and Dhuhr prayer.  You can visit places like the site of the battle of Uhud as well as masjid Quba, which is the first masjid built by the Prophet Muhammad .  Don’t forget to pray 2 rakats in masjid Quba and reap the reward of Umrah while you’re there, insha’Allah!
  8. Contact back home
    If you have a smartphone, you can download apps like Viber or MagicJack that make it easier to call home for free on WiFi, which is available in some hotel lobbies.  Keep your phone on airplane mode and turn on the WiFi so that you don’t get charged extraordinary roaming charges.  Also, if you have an iPhone, you can use iMessaging to text other iPhone users while the phone is still in airplane mode using WiFi for free as well!
  9. Talk with people
    Ask them where they are from.  I met people from countries I never expected to meet people from.  There are people from all over the world.  Mecca and Madinah are places of gathering for people from all over the world.  Have you ever met people from Azerbaijan or Mauritius?  Become enlightened on the beautiful brotherhood/sisterhood of our amazing faith.
  10. Make du’a
    Simple to say, but very important to do.  Make du’a for yourself, for others, for the entire Ummah.  You are blessed with being in such a spiritual place.  Take advantage of that beautiful spiritual high and make lots and lots of du’a, insha’Allah!

Have a beautiful journey.  May Allah accept from you, Ameen!

Article by: muslimmatters.org

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