Hajj: the Sacrifice of Abraham (as)
Whenever
Hajj is evoked, the Sacrifice of Abraham (as) is also evoked. It is
reported that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “When anyone of you
intends to sacrifice the animal and enter in the month of Dhul-Hijjah
(since the first of Dhul-Hijjah), he should not get his hair cut or
nails pared till he has offered his sacrifice.” (Muslim).
So
it is recommended for all those taking part in the animals (the
Qurbani) not to cut their hair from the 1st of
Dhul-Hijjah. Note that the days and nights of Dhul-Hijjah
are sacred and therefore fast (maximise this time in fasting) and do
good works. Do not have suspicions, and do not make palavers, do not
argue because all this is the work of Satan. Allah and His angels do
not stay among those categories of people. Respect the elders, have
love and obedience for them, supplicate Allah (Duahs) and
remember Him (Zikrullah), read the Qur’an, try to transform
yourselves, move away from evil deeds, replace all bad deeds with
good deeds, so that you can have the love of Allah and that Allah
(swt) be pleased with you.
It
is Allah Who is the Almighty, the Creator of all things. He does not
need our prayers and our actions as He clearly tells us in the Holy
Qur’an:
“The
first House (of worship) appointed for men was that at Bakkah
(i.e. Makkah):
Full of blessing and of guidance for all the worlds (for all people):
In it are clear signs (such as) the standing place of Abraham. And
whoever enters it shall be safe. Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe
to Allah - for whoever is able to find thereto a way. And
whoever disbelieves, then surely Allah is not in need of (any of His)
creation.” (Al-Imran 3: 97-98).
In
many other verses this concept is clearly exposed to humanity that
Allah (swt) has no need of creatures and their prayers. This is also
repeated in a Hadith Qudsi (Sacred Hadith) where Allah says:
“O
My servants, you will not attain harming Me so as to harm Me, and you
will not attain benefiting Me so as to benefit Me. O my servants,
were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the
jinn of you to become as pious as the most pious heart of any one man
of you, that would not increase My kingdom in anything. O My
servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you
and the jinn of you to be as wicked as the most wicked heart of any
one man of you, that would not decrease My kingdom in anything. O My
servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you
and the jinn of you to rise up in one place and make a request of Me,
and were I to give everyone what he requested, that would not
decrease what I have, any more than a needle decreases the sea if put
into it.” (Muslim, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah).
We
can conclude that the obligations established in Islam as well as the
forbidden actions are based on the knowledge and wisdom of Allah
(swt) in perfect harmony with the nature of man as created by Him
(swt) and the mission and goals of man in this world have been
assigned to him so that he is rewarded accordingly in the afterlife.
In a nutshell, do’s and don’ts are meant to benefit humanity and
society in general.
Once
this is clear to our mind, the Hajj being a pillar of Islam clearly
demonstrates the tremendous spiritual, mental, physical and even
financial benefits to humanity as a whole and society.
Prayers
and forms of devotion in Islam have a direct bearing on our spiritual
as well as material life as mentioned in the following verses:
“Seek
the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He
may grant you good enjoyment…” (Hud 11 :
4).
“O
my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him (in
repentance): He will send you the skies pouring abundant rain, and
add strength to your strength.” (Hud 11 : 53).
As
it is also mentioned in the traditions of the Holy Prophet (pbuh):
“If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will
appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every
anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects
not.” (Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah)
The
verses of the Quran are also in the same wavelength as this Hadith:
“Perform Hajj and Umrah consecutively; for they
remove poverty and sin as bellows remove impurity from iron.”
(An-Nasai).
The
benefits of Hajj:
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said concerning the fifth pillar of Islam: “Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew.” (Bukhari)
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said concerning the fifth pillar of Islam: “Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew.” (Bukhari)
To
accomplish the Umrah is an atonement for the sins committed
(between the previous Umrah, and the new one). And the reward of a
Hajj Mabrur (accepted by Allah) is none other than paradise.
(Bukhari).
We
can notice that our beloved prophet (pbuh) insisted, in the two
Hadiths mentioned, on the conditions for us to enjoy the benefits of
Hajj: He who abstains from sex with his wife and does not commit
any sin.
An
Accepted Hajj:
Therefore, we must be vigilant during the Hajj not to
commit sin, as this is a condition specified by the Holy Prophet
(pbuh), in order to be able to enjoy the benefits associated with
this pillar of Islam. Insha-Allah.
Pious
Visit (Ziarat) to Medina Sharif:
When you go for Hajj and Umrah, you should also take the opportunity to go to the city of the Holy Prophet (pbuh): Madina Al-Munawara.
When you go for Hajj and Umrah, you should also take the opportunity to go to the city of the Holy Prophet (pbuh): Madina Al-Munawara.
The
city of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) is located about 600 Km north of
Mecca. This is the city to which the Holy Prophet (pbuh) emigrated
from Mecca. This emigration marks the beginning of the Islamic
calendar: Al-Hijjah which means Emigration.
The
city is also universally known as MADINAT-UL-MUNAWARA
(The City of Light), because the Holy Prophet (pbuh) is himself
“light” (Nur). And it was from there that light and
guidance were propagated to all humanity. Visiting this place is one
of the greatest blessings that Allah has reserved for the believer
because the Holy Prophet’s Mosque (pbuh) is there and it is the
most sacred of all mosques after the Ka’aba Sharif, the
first mosque for Humanity.
Moreover,
whoever, after having accomplished the Hajj, finds in himself the
immense desire to offer duahs for the Messenger of Allah
(pbuh) at the Rawdah Mubarak where he (pbuh) rests must do so
with devotion and respect without the least trace of Shirk.
This involves a huge reward that one cannot fathom/ imagine.
According
to a Hadith of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) concerning his mosque
in Medina, reported by Hazrat Abu Huraira (ra), the Messenger of
Allah (pbuh) said:
“A Salat (prayer) in my Mosque is better than a thousand Salat in another mosque, with the exception of the Sacred Mosque (Ka’aba Shareef).” (Bukhari & Muslim).
“A Salat (prayer) in my Mosque is better than a thousand Salat in another mosque, with the exception of the Sacred Mosque (Ka’aba Shareef).” (Bukhari & Muslim).
The
Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “The space between my pulpit (Minbar)
and my house is one of the gardens of paradise.” (Bukhari &
Muslim) This place is known as Rawda-ul-Jannah.
The
Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) also said: “Whoever accomplishes
the hajj and visits my tomb after my death is like the one who
visited me during my lifetime.” (Baihaqi, Tabarani).
In
my humble opinion, everyone should make a special effort to recite
the Darood Sharif extensively. The more Darood Sharif
is read, the more benefits will be derived and the greater our love
for the Messenger of Allah Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) will increase. The
recitation of Darood Sharif is not reserved for those who
perform Hajj or Umrah. It is prescribed for all believers
throughout their lives. But during the Hajj period, it is recommended
to recite it as much as you can, especially for those who visit the
Prophet’s city before or after Hajj or Umrah.
When
you approach Madina Sharif, do it with the utmost respect and be
extremely polite, do not argue, do not squabble by raising your
voice, insulting your brothers or sisters. You must at least have
respect for this sacred city. Do not let your visit to the most
sacred places in the world be in vain. Recite as much Darood
Sharif as you can. Enter the Masjid-an-Nabawi with the
right foot. Then go to Riyadh-ul-Jannah, which is located
between the Rawdah and the Prophet Muhammad’s pulpit
(minbar) and make 2 Rakat of Tahiyatul Masjid (i.e.
prayer upon entering the mosque). Thank Allah the Exalted for giving
you this great opportunity.
While
reading the Darood Sharif move closer to the Rawdah Mubarak
of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), then go a little to the right and
pray (perform duahs) for Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (ra) the 1st
Caliph of Islam, and then for Hazrat Umar (ra) the 2nd
Caliph during your stay in the Holy City of Medina.
Madina
Sharif’s pious visit (Ziarat) is in several stages, as there
are so many historical places to visit, the places and events that
marked Islam at its beginning. There are among others:
-
Jannatul- Baqi
-
Masjid-e-Quba
-
Masjid-e-Qiblatain
-
Masjid-e-Jummah
-
Masjid-e-Ghamama
-
Masjid-e-Ali
-
Masjid-e-Umar
The
cemetery of Jannat-ul-Baqi is the cemetery where a large
number of companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) are buried.
For example, Hazrat Uthman (ra) the 3rd Caliph of Islam,
Hazrat Abbas (ra) the paternal uncle of the Messenger of Allah
(pbuh), Hazrat Aisha (ra) the mother of the believers, Hazrat Bibi
Fatima (ra) daughter the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), etc.
In
this blessed period of Hajj, I pray for all Hajjis (pilgrims)
that Allah may accept their Hajj, forgive them and inspire them to
remain faithful to their reformation in this blessed time and live
their lives in the pleasure of Allah and to die also in the pleasure
of Allah. Ameen. May their journey to fulfil the fifth pillar
of Islam be filled with divine mercy and may Allah inspire them and
their descendants to recognize His signs and manifestations in the
most perfect form/ way. Insha-Allah. Ameen.
--- Extracts from the Friday Sermon of 17 August 2018 (05 Dhul-Hijjah 1439 AH) delivered by Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius.