A Guide On How To Perform Hajj
Introduction
Manners Of Hajj
Pillars And Obligations Of Hajj And Umrah
Types Of Hajj
From Heart To Heart
TAWAF
Maqam E Ibrahim/ Zam Zam
Sa'ee Between Safa And Marwa
Conclusion Of Umrah
Day Of Arafah
Last Sermon Of Prophet Muhammad( Saws)
Rest Of The Day Of Arafah
Tawaf-E-Ifada
Sacrifice Dunya For Akhirah
Reality Of Brotherhood
Jamaraaat
Visitation To Madinah
His Treasures Are Limitless
Introduction
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and its significance cannot be reiterated enough. Allah SWT has made this act of worship incumbent upon every financially able Muslim. There is innumerable literature as well as virtual guides available on Hajj so why should you read this one? Hajj is simple with its pillars and obligations and this knowledge can be attained from any book or website. However, what is more important than anything else is the preparation of the heart for this important journey, and this is what we hope to achieve here.
These words are from my heart meant to penetrate yours and hopefully, bi-idhnillah we can attain the true meaning of Hajj with its outward laws as well as its spiritual dimension.
What Gives Beauty To Any Deed Is
The Manner It Is Performed In.
If You Go To A Dinner,
The Most Important And Lasting Memory...
Is Not That Of Food But Of The Manners Of The Host...
Just like the manners of the host can enhance the experience of otherwise a routine event, our manners enhance the acts of worship we perform. Manners are what give them depth, beauty, and allow us to reap their benefits. Though we discussed the manners of Hajj in our previous article, I would like to reiterate them here as a reminder.
Manners Of Hajj
There are a few things we should do before embarking on this momentous journey:
1. It is very important that we purify our intention for Allah SWT. We should go only for the sake of pilgrimage; don�t have other agendas or take shopping lists with you. It is not prohibited, but shouldn�t be a goal and shouldn�t occupy our thinking or time in anyway.
2. A pilgrim should perform two raka�a Salat-ut-Tawba, seeking complete tawba from Allah SWT from his previous life style before he is purified by this journey.
3. Right before leaving the house, pilgrim should perform two raka�a nafl where he recites surah Al-Kafiroon and Al-Ahad. When stepping out of the door one should say the following du�a:
(I) � Allaah Is The Greatest, Allaah Is The Greatest, Allaah Is The Greatest,
How Perfect He Is, The One Who Has Place This (Transport) At Our Service,
And We Ourselves Would Not Have Been Capable Of That,
And To Our Lord If Our Final Destiny.
O Allaah, We Ask You For Birr And Taqwaa In This Journey Of Ours,
And We Ask You For Deeds Which Please You.
O Allaah, Facilitate Our Journey And Let Us Cover Its Distance Quickly.
O Allaah, You Are The Companion On The Journey
And The Successor Over The Family,
O Allaah, I Take Refuge With You From The Difficulties Of Travel,
From Having A Change Of Hearts And Being In A Bad Predicament,
And I Take Refuge In You From An Ill Fated Outcome
With Wealth And Family.�
�Upon Returning The Same Supplication Is Recited With The Following Addition:
(Ii)�We Return, Repent, Worship And Praise Our Lord.�
4. Payoff all your debts and return anything that you might owe someone. If you have taken personal loan from someone and haven�t paid it off you would need the permission of the lender to go on this journey; that in case you die, he forgives you the loan. If you have mortgage or any other corporate loan, then if your assets can cover the loan, you can travel but leave a will behind stating that in case of your death your assets should be liquidated and loan be paid.
5. Seek forgiveness of those who you might have oppressed in any manner; this includes backbiting, slander etc.
6. Make promises to Allah SWT of changing your life in accordance to His will rather than coming back to your old lifestyle. Have sincere intention to migrate to the life of Akhirah from the materialistic lifestyle.
7. Don�t perform Hajj because someone else wants you to or to get the title of a Hajji; have your intention purely for Allah SWT to get His pleasure and reward, and to fulfill the final pillar of Islam in your life.
8. Money used to perform Hajj has to be from halal sources. If the money is not halal the hajj will not be accepted.
9. Seek forgiveness of family members and neighbors for any intentional or unintentional abuse from your end.
10. Choose a wise and pious companion for your journey. This companion should be someone who can help you remain focused on the purpose of hajj, encourage you to do good deeds, and help you to be patient.
RasulAllah SAW Said:
�A Believer Is A Mirror To His Brother.�
Imagine if you go out and you don�t know what you look like? It is a disease in the ummah now that no one wants to have a mirror. Everyone believes he is perfect the way he is and doesn�t need any advice or correction. It is arrogance which is a quality of shaytaan where as the quality of a believer is humbleness and humility. Can we go to Hajj with this attitude that we don�t need any help and are fine the way we are?
11. Prepare taqwa (fear/awe of Allah) and it is a high level of Iman. This is what we hope to help you attain with our work, InshaAllah. Allah SWT says:
12. Stay in the state of performing intensive amount of dhikr throughout the journey. Journey of Hajj is from the time you leave the house, until you return and every step of the way is blessed. You should recite talbiyah as much as you possibly can.
13. Refocus all your love and fear to Allah SWT, which is the real meaning of talbiyah.
14. Constantly be in a state of thanks to Allah SWT for allowing you to be a Muslim, be a member of the ummah of Muhammad SAW and giving you the bounty of Hajj.
15. Remember the glory of Allah and that Makkah is His haram where no mischief is allowed.
16. Remember your coffin when you see your Ihram; this will help you focus and remove many unnecessary thoughts from your head.
17. Remember that the meeting with Allah cannot be avoided and this journey of Hajj is a preparation for that.
18. Have a budget with you to help the needy Muslims. Everyone is responsible to spend according to his means but our pious predecessors used to spend most of what they had during their Hajj trips. Not only does it strengthen the unity of the Muslim ummah; every penny you spend multiplies 1,000 times in Madinah and 100,000 times in Makkah. Can you think of a better investment for your Akhirah?
19. Rituals of Hajj are reenactment of the trials of Ibraheem AS and his family. Allah SWT wants us to remember the obedience of Ibraheem, Ismaeel and Hajar while performing different rituals of Hajj. Look at their love for Allah SWT; compared to that where is our love? And if we claim we do have love for Allah and Islam, where is our obedience and our actions to prove it? This is the very purpose of Hajj�test of our obedience to Allah SWT. The true love is when the teachings of Allah and His Prophet and their sunnah dictate our lives.
All these manners are extremely important and their significance cannot be stressed enough, as the most important preparation for this journey is the preparation of the heart.
Pillars And Obligations Of Hajj And �Umrah
Arkaan (Pillars) Of �Umrah
1. Ihraam
2, Tawaaf
3. S�ay(walking between as-Safaa and al-Marwah)
Waajibaat (Obligations) Of �Umrah
1. Ihraam from the meeqaat
2. Shaving or trimming (the hair of the head)
Arkaan (Pillars) Of Hajj
1. Ihraam
2. Tawaaf al-Ifaadhah
3. Woqoof (standing) in �Arafah
4. S�ay between as-Safaa and al-Marwah
Waajibaat (Recommended Acts) Of Hajj
1. Ihraam from the meeqaat
2. Remaining at �Arafah till sunset for those who are there by day.
3. Remaining at Muzdalifah till Fajr until the horizon becomes clear (i.e. brightens), except for the weak/excused who may leave after half the night has passed.
4. Spending the nights in Minaa during the days of tashreeq (11th, 12th and 13th of Thul Hijjah)
5. Pelting the big jamarah (stone pillar) in addition to the others on the days of tashreeq
6. Shaving or trimming (the hair).
7. The farewell tawaaf
If you miss some of the Wajibaat, your hajj will still be completed however you will have to pay penalty in any of the following three forms (depending on the act):
1. Pay money
2. Slaughter an animal
3. Fast
Types Of Hajj
Hajj has been grouped into three categories known as Ifrad, Qiran, Tamatu�. The rules and regulations are slightly different depending on what kind of Hajj you intend to perform. You do not need to overwhelm yourself with the details as most of these affairs now are managed by the travel agents. However we are providing a table below that explains these three different types of Hajj.
PLEASE VISIT THE MAIN WEBSITE TO READ THIS SECTION.
From Heart To Heart
Hajj is a very emotional experience and it has a very emotional history. Hajj revolves around the life story of Ibraheem AS and his family who gave a whole new dimension to emotions like love, devotion, and sacrifice. In this section of the article, I will try to give you an overview of the steps of Hajj and will try to make them personal to you; something that we can all relate to and hopefully internalize InshaAllah.
Hajj Is Supposed To Be A Journey
Full Of Promises, Sacrifices, Obedience, Love And Devotion
From The Slave To His Master�Allah SWT.
From the inception of the journey, a pilgrim starts to recite talbiyah which is the declaration of slave�s love and obedience to His Lord and affirms his commitment to serve Him.
Here I Am O Allaah, (In Response To Your Call), Here I Am.
Here I Am, You Have No Partner, Here I Am.
Verily All Praise, Grace And Sovereignty Belong To You. You Have No Partner.�
These words are to be uttered in the same manner that expressions of devotion and promises are uttered by a lover to his beloved.
The Constant Recitation Of Talbiyah Helps You To...
Remain Focused On The Service ...
You Are Supposed To Be Providing To Allah SWT
Instead Of What Your Travel Agent Is Providing You.
If you are busy with the package Allah SWT has promised you instead of the travel agent, you will be unable to stop thanking Him SWT. From the moment of welcome to the farewell, this package contains all that is great; it offers deals such as mercy and ultimate forgiveness.
The Moment Your Eyes Touch The Ka�ba,
Your Du�a Is Accepted.
That Is The Welcome From Akram-Ul-Akrameen�
The Owner Of Generosity!
There are many beautiful supplications for this time though the best of the prayer is what comes from the heart with humility and unshakable conviction. Some of the prayers that one can make at this time are:
"Our Lord! Grant Us Good In This World And Good In The Hereafter,
And Save Us From The Chastisement Of The Fire."
(2:201)
O Allah, Make This A Blessed Hajj,
With Sins Forgiven And Effort That Is Accepted.
Another beautiful du�a that one of our pious predecessors advised his son to make is:
Oh Allah Give Me The Happiness Of This Life And The Hereafter
And Take Care Of All My Affairs In This Life And The Hereafter.
TAWAF
The manner of entering Haram is to perform Tawaf-Qudoom (Tawaf of entering Makkah) as soon as possible. However, if you are in Ihram, this Tawaf will be part of your �Umrah. Try to enter from Bab-as-Salaam (As-Salam Door) as it is the sunnah but it is not mandatory.
Tawaf is to perform seven circuits around the Ka�ba where you admit your weaknesses and beg to be cleansed. Sunnah is to kiss the black stone before starting the Tawaf, however today it is almost impossible due to the incredible crowd and lack of adab (manners) and knowledge in the ummah.
There is shoving and pushing in the vicinity, and it is especially not recommended for sisters to place themselves in that kind of situation. Remember: you are responsible for your manners as others are for their own. Even if you get pushed and abused, you cannot retaliate. That is why I recommend maintaining your calmness and composure and only attempt kissing the black stone when the crowd is at bare minimum.
Tawaf starts with the sign �bidaya wa nihaya� at the corner where the black stone is situated. If you can�t kiss the stone, you can wave your hand as if you are touching the stone saying �Bismillah, Allah-u-Akbar� and have the niyyah of performing Tawaf in your heart.
Now, this niyyah will differ according to what kind of hajj you are performing. This is why it is very important to have a knowledgeable companion in your journey. If that is not possible, make sure you are very clear about the kind of hajj you are performing and the regulations related to that.
Tawaf is a symbol of your attachment to Allah SWT as well as your longing and your need for His proximity. There are certain sunnahs of Tawaf especially for men. Men are encouraged to perform first three circles while speed walking, demonstrating physical strength.
However, there is absolutely no need to be rushing and pushing people out of the way, in order to maintain speed. This practice was encouraged by Prophet Muhammad SAW in order to display strength and power when Makkah was still in the hands of disbelievers. Remember, this is a sunnah whereas respecting others and not abusing them is mandatory!
While performing the first three circuits of Tawaf, Ihram for men has to be worn in a way that the upper cloth covers only the left shoulder and the right shoulder remains uncovered. After that both shoulders need to be covered.
There are of course no such restrictions for women who can wear any of their regular clothing as Ihram. It is best to perform Tawaf individually in order to focus wholeheartedly on Allah SWT and not to get distracted by trying to hold hands, or remaining together etc. Large groups moving together cause accidents as people are pushed out of the way or can slip and be trampled over.
Maqam E Ibrahim/ Zam Zam
After performing the Tawaf you leave calmly from the moving crowd and proceed to Maqam-e-Ibraheem in order to pray two raka�a thanking Allah for this bounty, and to make du�a to Him SWT. You can pray anywhere behind Maqam-e- Ibraheem irrespective of how far you are from it, as long as you are in the vicinity of the Haram.
Another point you might want to keep in mind here is that the restriction of not passing in front of a praying person is not applicable in the Haram, so don�t try to avoid that or get disturbed when it happens. Perform two raka�ah nafl there and then move on to the well of Zamzam.
The well has been closed now so you can go to any Zamzam fountain and drink; the sunnah is to drink to your fill until you can�t take anymore. It is as if Allah is telling us: �go ahead, cleanse yourselves, get washed and along with your spirit fill your body with blessings too.�
I would advise you to drink the water slowly and make lots of du�a since Prophet SAW said:
"The water of Zamzam is good for whatever one intends (while drinking it). If you drink it seeking healing, Allah will give you healing. If you drink it to satisfy your hunger, Allah will satisfy your hunger. If you drink it to quench your thirst, Allah will quench your thirst. Zamzam is a well dug by the angel Gabriel by which Allah quenched the thirst of Isma'il." (Related by AdDaraqutni and Al-Hakim.)
Sa'ee Between Safa And Marwa
From there proceed on to perform Sa�ee between Safa and Marwa in order to imitate Hagar, the mother of Ismaeel AS who did what she could in terms of searching for sustenance for her child.
But it was only after her resignation and pure surrender to Allah, that He SWT opened Zamzam which not only sustained them but caused a whole civilization to spring at this barren valley. All because of a belief of a woman in Allah SWT and her obedience to her husband! Why does Allah SWT want to remind us of that? So that we will do the same�absolute surrender, if we want to receive any opening from Allah SWT.
Sa'ee Is Not Easy;
It Is Full Of Obstacles In The Form Of Crowd,
Sweaty Odorous Bodies Of The Pilgrims, Long Walking Etc
But Again If The Eyes Are On The Prize
And The Heart Is Busy With The Remembrance
Of The Purpose Of This Ritual,
The Task Becomes Meaningful And The Soul Is Full Of Strength.
In order to perform Sa�ee you have to enter from the door of Safa on to the pathway and walk towards Marwa; each walk between Safa and Marwa is considered one circuit and you have to perform a total of seven. Every time you reach the peak of Safa and Marwa, you should look towards the Ka�ba and make du�a; and the best du�a to make there is:
There Is No True God Except Allah.
He Is One And He Has No Partner With Him;
His Is The Sovereignty And His Is The Praise, And He Is Able To Do All Things.
Conclusion Of Umrah
At the end of the seventh circuit, you perform the last obedience of �Umrah which is shaving of the hair for men and trimming for women. This service is available for men just outside the door for a small amount of money. Women, as they can�t display their hair in public, can do it once they return to their hotel rooms; they can cut a few centimeters or so and that would suffice InshaAllah.
Each Hair That Is Snipped, Removes One Sin
From The Scroll Of The Person.
How Generous Is Allah SWT And How Great Is His Mercy!
How Easy Is It To Get Rid Of Something
That You Know You Will Get Back Such As Hair
But How High The Reward Of Such A Simple Obedience!
After this how can one not utter talbiyah with even more reverence and love! This is the conclusion of �Umrah. It is recommended to perform two raka�a nafl asking Allah to accept it from you. Those performing Tamattu� Hajj are free to remove their Ihram and the restrictions that are placed in that state are lifted from them such as applying perfume etc. They will wear their Ihram again on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah while preparing for �Arafah.
Day Of Arafah
Now you wait to perform the hajj; the main washing cycle of this journey, as �Umrah was only the pre-wash. At the 8th day of Dhul Hijjah, we have to leave to go to Mina for the main day�Yawm �Arafah. We arrive in Mina a night before �Arafah in anticipation and preparation for this big day.
It can be compared to preparatory time before a big surgery where the patient is kept under close watch and special conditions to prepare his body for the surgery. Just like that the waiting night in Mina is the preparation for the soul and a time for reflection before the great day of �Arafah�unarguably the greatest day in one�s life.
All the Muslims are encouraged to fast this day, except the pilgrims, in order to be united as a spiritual body�begging Allah for His mercy and His forgiveness for the entire Muslim ummah.
The Experiences Of The Day Of �Arafah
Are A Reminder Of The Day Of Judgment For A Pilgrim;
The Difference Is That Now We Are Alive
And Have A Chance To Make Amends, Whereas That Day,
We Will Have Run Out Of All Chances.
While standing in the land of �Arafah, we should remember that Day when we will hear the sound of Jahannam and will see the angels of Allah SWT for the first time; the Day when everyone will be standing in front of Allah SWT and will only be concerned about their own salvation. This journey to the land of final standing is supposed to wake us up from our slumber and remind us of the reason of our lives in this world: this is the harvesting ground for the hereafter and our final destination lies with Allah SWT.
Last Sermon Of Prophet Muhammad( Saws)
Pilgrims should reflect over the last sermon of Prophet SAW which was delivered on this very ground and inculcate its message in our lives. Prophet SAW said:
"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and TAKE THESE WORDS TO THOSE WHO COULD NOT BE PRESENT HERE TODAY.
O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your LORD, and that HE will indeed reckon your deeds. ALLAH has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has Judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn 'Abd'al Muttalib (Prophet's uncle) shall henceforth be waived...
Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.
O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.
O People, listen to me in earnest, worship ALLAH, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.
All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.
Remember, one day you will appear before ALLAH and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.
O People, NO PROPHET OR APOSTLE WILL COME AFTER ME AND NO NEW FAITH WILL BE BORN. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the QURAN and my example, the SUNNAH and if you follow these you will never go astray.
All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O ALLAH, that I have conveyed your message to your people".
Pay close attention to the last few sentences. Prophet SAW has entrusted the proclamation of the message of Islam with his ummah. It ends with the advice to those who are present to carry the message to those who are absent. Companions understood it as their duty and we have to realize it as ours also.
This Journey Is Supposed To Be
The Beginning Of A New Era In Our Lives;
One Full Of Sense Of Responsibility, Wisdom And Courage.
But If We Go Back To Our Previous Lifestyle,
Then We Have Lost The Very Purpose Of This Journey!
The moment we perform Hajj, we have a duty�to proclaim the grandeur of Allah SWT to humanity; to make Him Akbar in this earth, with our actions and our speech; and to work for the message of Islam in your own capability. When RasulAllah SAW touched Rukn Yamani, the corner of the Ka�ba before Hajr-al-Aswad, he used to say that there is no living except for the hereafter. This is the understanding and zeal a Hajji is supposed to return with.
Rest Of The Day Of Arafah
The rest of the day of �Arafah is supposed to be spent in the remembrance of Allah, recitation of Qur�an, seeking forgiveness and mercy of Allah for yourself, your ancestors, your progeny, and the entire Muslim nation; supplicating to Allah SWT and making promises to Him to be a better, more obedient slave.
RasulAllah SAW Has Told Us That
It Is A Major Sin To Be Leaving �Arafah While Doubting
Whether Allah SWT Has Forgiven You Or Not.
Prophet SAW Said:
�He Who Makes Pilgrimage To The House,
Avoiding Indecent And Immoral Behavior,
Emerges From His Sins Like A Newborn Baby�
(Ibn Majah)
You have to believe with conviction that Allah SWT has forgiven you or it is an insulting attitude towards the most Forgiving and Generous Lord. One thing to remember is that you want to leave �Arafah with dignity and tranquility as you have just been forgiven by Allah SWT.
People sometimes get so caught up with the sunnah of leaving after Maghrib that they rush and become hasty which is not from the characteristics of a believer. After receiving this immense gift of mercy and forgiveness, the Hajji is put through a series of additional trials by Allah SWT to check the sincerity of the person and the level of gratitude in his heart.
Instead of being transported to the comfort of the hotel after standing in �Arafah all day, the pilgrims are sent to Muzdalifah where they spend the night under the open sky. It is a barren desert land approximately six miles away from �Arafah, but it can take up to five to six hours to reach there. You might be tested with traffic congestion, dust, overbearing heat, need of using the bathroom and inability to reach it, hunger, thirst and many other inconveniences.
If You Have Really Tasted The Sweetness
Of The Mercy Of Allah And His Closeness,
Patience Over This Will Just Add To That Sweetness.
However, Those Who Have Come Away From �Arafah
With Diseases In Their Hearts,
Every Condition Will Be A Major Issue
And It Will Cause Them To Lose Their Temper And Be Agitated.
This night under the open sky with barely a few bathrooms for millions of people, can be the most exciting and happy night of your life. It is the night when you are in a state of absolute purity and here all your efforts and energy should be concerted on how not to dirty that clean scroll of yours.
Stones are collected at Muzdalifah to be thrown at the three Jamaraat for the remainder of stay at Mina. There is a license available for women and elderly to leave Muzdalifah after spending a short amount of time instead of an entire night.
Tawaf-E-Ifada
After spending the night in Muzdalifah when pilgrims wake up, it is the Day of Eid. One should make a lot of du�a as that is what Prophet Muhammad SAW did; pray Fajr and then proceed to Makkah to perform Tawaf-e-Ifada which is mandatory.
What is the purpose of performing another Tawaf when I have already done it earlier? Because now Allah SWT wants you to experience the sweetness of this ritual while being in the state of purity. He SWT wants you to renew your commitment, your level of devotion, love and need for Him with a clean heart and soul. Your du�a is accepted�this is the chance to beg Allah for all you want while holding onto the walls of His house.
After the Tawaf, you go to perform Sa�ee imitating Hajar�s struggle to surrender and her belief�again to inculcate this concept in your heart. After that, you shave and cut your hair and then slaughter the animal and this is the conclusion of your Hajj.
Why does Allah SWT want us to end the greatest event of our life with the sacrifice of an animal? Because this sacrifice is symbolic of our willingness to saceifice all we have�our life, family, wealth, energy, and ability in the way of Allah SWT for the remainder of our days, InshaAllah. Allah wants us to remember the story of Ibraheem, Ismaeel and Hagar and to internalize it by living it to a certain extent.
Sacrifice Dunya For Akhirah
I would like to make a point here that there is a big difference between spending and sacrificing. A person can spend a portion of his wealth and he doesn�t feel the absence of it; but sacrifice is to spend all that you have for a cause and purpose you believe in.
Quran Chapter 3 Surah Al E Imran
By No Means Shall Ye Attain Righteousness
Unless Ye Give (Freely) Of That Which Ye Love;
And Whatever Ye Give, Of A Truth Allah Knows It Well.
(Verse : 92)
Allah SWT wants us to be ready to sacrifice our dunya for akhirah when the time comes. It shows that the love for the one you are giving to is higher than the love for what you have. So, when the time comes, you will give your wealth, which you love, for Allah who you love more than your wealth.
Quran Chapter 9 Surah Al Tawba
Say: If It Be That Your Fathers, Your Sons, Your Brothers, Your Mates, Or Your Kindred; The Wealth That Ye Have Gained; The Commerce In Which Ye Fear A Decline: Or The Dwellings In Which Ye Delight - Are Dearer To You Than Allah, Or His Messenger, Or The Striving In His Cause;- Then Wait Until Allah Brings About His Decision: And Allah Guides Not The Rebellious. (Verse:24)
Reality Of Brotherhood
It is very important that the wealthy of this ummah take a significant portion of their money for the assistance of their needy brothers and sisters. This is the reality of the brotherhood that Prophet SAW mentioned of this ummah:
"The Believers, In Their Love, Mutual Kindness, And Close Ties, Are Like One Body; When Any Part Complains, The Whole Body Responds To It With Wakefulness And Fever." [Muslim] He SAW Also Said, "The Faithful Are Like One Man: If His Eyes Suffers, His Whole Body Suffers." [Muslim] ...
A Muslim Is The Brother Of A Muslim. He Neither Oppresses Him Nor Humiliates Him Nor Looks Down Upon Him. The Piety Is Here, (And While Saying So) He Pointed Towards His Chest Thrice. It Is A Serious Evil For A Muslim That He Should Look Down Upon His Brother Muslim. All Things Of A Muslim Are Inviolable For His Brother In Faith; His Blood, His Wealth And His Honor. [Muslim]
Allah's Apostle SAW Also Said, �Verily, Allah, The Exalted And Glorious, Will Say On The Day Of Resurrection: O Son Of Adam, I Was Sick But You Did Not Visit Me. He Will Say: O My Lord, How Could I Visit Thee When Thou Art The Lord Of The Worlds? Thereupon He Will Say: Didn't You Know That A Certain Servant Of Mine Was Sick But You Did Not Visit Him, And Were You Not Aware That If You Had Visited Him, You Would Have Found Me By Him? O Son Of Adam, I Asked You For Food But You Did Not Feed Me. He Will Say: My Lord, How Could I Feed Thee When Thou Art The Lord Of The Worlds? He Will Say: Didn't You Know That A Certain Servant Of Mine Asked You For Food But You Did Not Feed Him, And Were You Not Aware That If You Had Fed Him You Would Have Found Him By My Side? (The Lord Will Again Say
O Son Of Adam, I Asked You For Something To Drink But You Did Not Provide Me With Any. He Will Say: My Lord, How Could I Provide Thee With Something To Drink When Thou Art The Lord Of The Worlds? Thereupon He Will Say: A Certain Servant Of Mine Asked You For A Drink But You Did Not Provide Him With One, And Had You Provided Him With A Drink You Would Have Found Him Near Me.� [Muslim]This topic cannot be stressed enough. It is also one of the signs of the accepted Hajj! When Prophet SAW was asked about the signs of an accepted Hajj, he SAW said: sweet tongue and generosity.
Jamaraaat
After the rituals of Hajj are completed, you have to go back to Mina and camp there for two or three nights, depending on your package. It is a sunnah and a wajib of Hajj. Why? The Hajj is done! We have to stay in Mina in order to perform jamaraat�throwing of the stones�imitating Ibrahim AS�s rejection of the enticements of Shaytaan when the cursed one came to him to dissuade him from sacrificing his son.
On the day of Eid, we stone only one pillar known as Jamarat-Al-�Aqaba�the big one. The following two or three days we have to stone all three. Why all these rituals if we have already been cleansed at �Arafah? Allah SWT wants us to prepare ourselves for the remainder of our lives. Allah SWT wants to give us some time for reflection, contemplation, making promises to ourselves and Allah SWT. It is like a rehab unit where a post-operative patient is kept to regain strength.
Allah knows that if we go back to dunya, our comforts, our attachments, and occupations right away, we might lose the effect of our Hajj; so He makes it obligatory for us to stay in Mina in order to maximize the effect. Allah SWT erases a major sin from our scrolls with the throw of each stone at Jamarat. Scholars have debated whether it is a major sin before or after the Hajj; Allah knows best but we have to be grateful for this great opportunity presented to us.
Also, I assure you that during this blessed time while situated at Mina, if you make sincere du�a your wishes are granted. What more can you ask for? I would advice that at this time, focus your du�as on Akhirah; though there is nothing wrong with asking for material benefit, but you should elevate yourself above the transitory to the infinity. Make du�a for every stray, sick, needy and desperate of this ummah; Allah SWT loves it when we as a nation remember each other in our prayers. And most of all, ask Allah to use you for the elevation of His deen, InshaAllah.
I would advise you to pay for Udhiya or Qurbani (sacrifice) before time as all the sacrifice is done early in the day of Eid and you don�t want to take chances with last minute affairs. The day of Eid should be spent in Takbeer, Tahleel, and Tahmeed (Allah-u-Akbar, SubhanAllah and Alhamdulillah.)
The advice regarding stone throwing is that it is a sunnah to perform it a little bit after Dhuhr and since everyone tries to stick to that sunnah, it results in massive crowd converging on one location at once and hence the kind of terrible accidents occur that we have seen in the past. There is no harm in changing the timings so try to avoid that time frame, and if you can, perform it later in the day�it could be done any time before �Asr.
After staying the recommended amount of days in Mina, pilgrims return to Makkah and stays there until it is time for their departure. The last thing one should do in Makkah is perform Tawaf-al-Wada� (farewell Tawaf) and leave immediately afterwards as his work there is done. One should leave with sincere du�a to Allah asking Him to make the Ka�ba beloved to his heart, make it a witness to him on the Day of Judgment, and allow him to return year after year.
Visitation To Madinah
The trip to Madinah is a visitation to give salaam to RasulAllah SAW and to get the blessings of the land. It is a sign of respect to our beloved Prophet SAW that we make a trip to his masjid. It is also one of the three masajids in Islam that one should visit as RasulAllah SAW said:
Do not undertake journey but to three mosques; this mosque of mine, the mosque of al-Haraam and the mosque of Aqsa (Bait al-Maqdis). [Bukhari and Muslim]
It is highly desirable to visit Prophet SAW before or after performing the Hajj; however, it is not a ritual of Hajj and inability to go to Madinah does not affect your Hajj in anyway.
His Treasures Are Limitless
Hajj is a journey full of trials and tribulations; Allah SWT asks us to leave our style of life, our physical comforts, our routines; and travel in order to gain His approval. If we go back to the same lifestyle as if we had never left it, what is the point? Ramadan is training of nafs through obedience; Hajj is an even higher form of obedience and controlling of the self. No, not only are we to restrain ourselves from a few acts during the day, we are required to spend money, leave our comfort, sleep under open sky along with millions of others�irrespective of how much money we have.
The Purpose Is To Be Able To Start
A New Chapter In Our Lives Purely For The Sake Of Allah SWT.
During The Hajj, Ask Allah SWT�s Assistance
To Remain On The Right Path.
Connect Your Heart To Him SWT And Ask Him
For Every Goodness You Can Imagine In This Life And The Hereafter.
The treasures of your Lord are limitless and He loves to give those who ask. Don�t be stingy over yourself and keep knocking on the door of the Most Generous Lord. Ask Allah SWT to give you wisdom, light, vision, tranquility, open heartedness, ease of soul, good ending, guidance, and acceptance. Ask Allah to remove the love of dunya from your heart and give you victory over yourself, your weaknesses, and your devils.
RasulAllah SAW Informed Us Of The Signs Of Hajj Mabroor
Being Softness Of Talk And Generosity...
May Allah SWT grant us all Hajj Mabroor InshaAllah. May He allow us to live the real message of Islam and the real message of Hajj! May Allah allow us to reach the highest destination, the one He SWT decorated with His own hands for His chosen slaves�Jannat-al-Firdaws. Ameen.
By~Daee Ahmed Moait