Hajj & Qurbani
This year, while the world is prey to conflicts, political tensions and war, these rites remind us that true peace lies in submission to one Creator, one God, the Only True God: Allah (twa). They also make us realise that as long as we, Muslims, are not faithful to Islam as we should be, as long as we are not faithful to its teachings, whether in terms of Qur’anic teachings or prophetic teachings (the Sunnah), then Islam and Muslims will continue to feel weakened within, despite the fact that Allah has given us the capacity to prevail over adversaries and relentless enemies who wish to eradicate Islam and Muslims from the surface of the earth.
Today in Mauritius we are
celebrating Eid – Eid-ul-Adha or Bakr Eid, while in Arabia, Eid
was celebrated yesterday. Basically, for the greater Eid, the Ummah receives
after Hajj three days of Eid, during which Qurbani (animal sacrifice) may be
performed. Although the dates of Eid (10 Dhul-Hijjah) in different countries
are not always aligned with the date of Eid in Arabia, this difference does not
change the unity of hearts among pilgrims of Hajj and other Muslims around the
world who have the means to participate in Qurbani, and even those who do not
have the means to participate in Qurbani, but nevertheless, as one family of
Islam, our faith and devotion to Allah and to Islam must vibrate deep within
us, and this vibration must be felt in our environment and daily life as well.
Hajj is an obligation for those who
have the financial means to accomplish it, as well as good health, and it is
also necessary that one has no debts. The Qur’an calls us in these terms: “And it is a duty towards Allah for those who have the
means, that they go to perform the pilgrimage to the (Sacred) House”
(Al-Imran 3: 98).
This verse clearly establishes that
Hajj is a sacred duty but with certain conditions; one must not perform Hajj
under compulsion (by force) or through indebtedness. The Holy Prophet Hazrat
Muhammad (pbuh) affirmed that this rite (of Hajj) is an act of sincerity, and
not a burden imposed beyond one’s capacity. Thus, Hajj is a meeting with Allah,
an immersion in a sacred history lived by two prophets of Allah, Hazrat Ibrahim
(as) and Hazrat Isma’il (as), and revived in the time of the Holy Prophet
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) with the advent of Islam as the official Deen
(Way of Life) for all times.
The rites of Hajj begin with Ihram
– where the one who has made the Niyyah (intention) of Hajj enters into
a state of purity and equality. When he comes to Makkah for Hajj, he must enter
into this state of Ihram before entering the Sacred Territory. Ka’aba Shareef
is the Sacred House, renovated since the time of Hazrat Adam (as) and properly
built by Hazrat Ibrahim (as) and Hazrat Isma’il (as), and renovated several
times thereafter by the Quraysh and also by different Muslim rulers over
several centuries.
Thus, when the pilgrim has entered
into his state of Ihram, having made the Niyyah of Hajj, before entering
into this state he must shave, cut his nails, wash his body thoroughly, and
then put on his Ihram: that is, he dresses in two pieces of white cloth or
towels not sewn, one wrapped around the waist, and the other draped over the
left shoulder, leaving the shoulder and right arm uncovered. He wears sandals
and remains bareheaded. During the whole period in the state of Ihram, he must
not use perfume, must abstain from sexual relations; he has no right to shave,
cut his nails or hair, nor kill any animal or insect – only when the 10th
Dhul-Hijjah comes, then he must perform his animal sacrifice.
A woman must wear simple clothing;
she must not cover her face. Each pilgrim (Hajji) must repeat: “Allahumma Labbaik, Labbaik, Laa sharika Laka-Labbaik,
Innal-hamda wan-nihmata laka wal mulka, Laa sharika laka Labbaik” (O
Allah, I am here for You! You have no partner! I am for You alone! All Glory is
Yours! All blessings emanate from You! You have no partner. I am here for You
alone.)
When he arrives in Makkah, after taking a shower (bathing), he goes to Haram Shareef and performs seven circuits around the Ka’aba (the Tawaf).
Tawaf is this walking around Ka’aba Shareef, but only in
the counter-clockwise direction, which is a reminder of the unity of the Ummah
and the Oneness of Allah. Then he performs seven times the journey Safa-Marwa
(the Sa’i), either walking briskly or running lightly. The Sa’i, that is, the
walk between Safa and Marwa, commemorates the desperate search of Hazrat Hajra
(ra) to find water for her son who was dying of thirst; each step in the Sa’i
is an invocation, each breath a call to Allah. Allah said in the Qur’an in
reference to Sa’i between Safa and Marwa: “Safa
and Marwa are among the signs (or symbols) of Allah. So whoever performs Hajj
or Umrah to the House (Sacred), there is no sin upon him if he goes between
Safa and Marwa. Whoever does good voluntarily, Allah gives him something in
return and Allah knows all.” (Al-Baqara 2:159).
On the 8th day of Dhul-Hijjah, in the morning he goes to Mina, about three miles from Makkah, and performs his five daily prayers starting with Zuhr.
The culminating moment of Hajj is
Arafat. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “Hajj is Arafat” (Tirmidhi,
An-Nasa’i). On the 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah, pilgrims stand in the
plain, raising their hands towards the sky, seeking forgiveness and mercy from
Allah. It was on this plain of Arafat that this verse was revealed: “Today, I have perfected for you your Deen (religion),
and completed upon you My favour, and it pleases Me to give you ISLAM as Deen
(Way of Life/Religion).” (Al-Maida 5: 4). This moment is the
spiritual summit of Hajj, where invocations are accepted, hearts purified.
When all pilgrims (Hajjis)
are gathered, the Imam delivers a Khutba (sermon), and they all listen standing
in great silence. After sunset, the Hajji returns to Muzdalifah or
Masharal-Haram, performs his prayers Maghrib and Esha together, and spends his
time in Duahs, Namaz and Zikr.
On the 10th day, after the
morning prayers, he returns to Mina, where he throws seven stones at three
pillars (which symbolically represent striking Shaytan), beginning with the
largest pillar called Jamraat-al-Akaba. This is repeated each day he
remains in Mina. On the same day (10th Dhul-Hijjah), he performs his
sacrifice: he slaughters an animal (goat, sheep, ram, cow or camel).
Qurbani or Udhiya is a pillar of
Hajj. It commemorates the dream that Hazrat Ibrahim (as) had where Allah
commanded him to sacrifice his son Hazrat Isma’il (as). This son, in turn, with
bravery and courage – unparalleled – accepted Allah’s decree. But Allah, in His
mercy, replaced Isma’il with a ram as sacrifice.
The Qur’an tells us: “And when they both submitted and he (Ibrahim) laid him
down upon his forehead, We called out to him: ‘O Ibrahim! You have fulfilled
the vision. Thus do We reward those who do good.’ We ransomed him with a great
sacrifice (Zidbin-Aziim).” (As-Swaffat 37: 104-108).
With the advent of Islam, the rite
of Qurbani is performed each year, as a symbol of submission and total trust in
Allah. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “No action is more beloved to Allah on
the day of sacrifice than slaughtering an animal.” (Tirmidhi)
But this rite must be performed
with respect for animals, for they too are creatures of Allah, living in
communities, praying and glorifying their Creator. Allah says in the Qur’an: “There
is no creature on earth, nor bird flying with its wings, but they form
communities like you.” (Al-Anam 6: 39)
And so, I give you some advice
regarding Zaba (animal sacrifice). The fact is that Zaba is an
act of very great value in the sight of Allah (swt). On the day of sacrifice
(note that a believer has three days to perform his sacrifice), the servant of
Allah has the duty to closely follow all the regulations related to this act of
worship (Ibaadah) and to put them into practice with care so that he may
be among those whose good deeds Allah (swt) has accepted.
1.
Do not deprive the
animal of food and drink before performing Zaba (before sacrificing it).
2.
Turn the animal towards
Ka’aba Shareef (the Islamic Qibla).
3.
Act with gentleness
towards it.
4.
Do not torture it in
any way.
5.
Do not insult the
animal.
6.
Sharpen your knives and
tools well.
7.
Make your intention in
your heart.
8.
Say Bismillah and
Takbir (that is, Bismillah Wallaahu Akbar).
9.
Cut the throat of the
animal and its two jugular veins (the large vein of the neck).
10.
Let the blood flow
properly and do not rush to bring death to the animal (once Zaba is
done, let the blood flow and let death come naturally) and do not do such
actions as breaking the animal’s neck or stabbing it in the neck (No!).
11.
Hide the other animals
to be sacrificed from the one being sacrificed so that the other animals do not
see the death of that animal before their eyes.
12.
Do not make jokes,
ironies or take this moment as amusement.
13.
Keep away from
ostentation (showing off to people) and all kinds of disputes.
14.
Observe the times of Salat
(Namaz) and give priority to the rights of Allah (swt).
Thus, after he has performed his
sacrifice, a Hajji shaves his head, takes a bath, and puts on his
ordinary clothes. He returns to Makkah, performs seven circuits around the
Ka’aba again. He may return to Mina if he wishes, and he may remain there up to
four days (if he wishes). The rites or ceremonies of Hajj thus end.
Each prayer and invocation (Salah
and Duah), each act of charity performed during these blessed days is
multiplied in reward. The pilgrimage, the sacrifice associated with it, the
invocations, all converge towards the same finality: closeness to Allah (twt).
A Hajji must keep in mind
the true spirit of Hajj. He must know the importance of patience and respect
for other pilgrims. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “The Muslim is the one
from whose tongue and hand other Muslims are safe” (Bukhari, Muslim).
During Hajj, where millions of
people gather, this saying takes on a particular dimension; each act of respect
becomes an act of worship. Likewise, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) insisted on the
value of sincerity in invocations: “Allah accepts only what is pure.”
(Muslim). Thus, Hajj is not only a series of outward rites but also an inner
purification.
In a troubled world in this year
2026, marked by wars, the reminder of the sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim (as) and
Hazrat Isma’il (as), and even the great sacrifice of Hazrat Hajra (ra) takes on
an even deeper dimension. Their story is a story that teaches the
implementation of true faith, a demonstration of true courage for the love of
Allah, and it also shows total submission to Allah despite trials.
Hajj and Qurbani/ Udhiya teach us
that inner peace and fidelity to Allah surpass storms and external
difficulties. These sacred rites are beacons projecting a light that guarantees
to the one who is pure and truly sincere in his Hajj that his Aakhirah (Hereafter)
will be better for him than this worldly life, and they are also a reminder
that divine mercy is infinite and that true peace lies in submission to Allah.
May each believer, whether he is in
Makkah, Madina, Mina, Muzdalifa, Arafat or in his native country, find in these
rites the strength to renew his faith and to walk in the blessed footsteps of
all the prophets par excellence of Allah. Insha-Allah. May we keep alive
in our hearts: Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik!
(I have come, O Allah, I am present for You). May Allah allow us always
to present ourselves as sacrifices in His path, and may we reap Him – Himself –
as our reward, Insha-Allah, Ameen.
---Eid-ul-Adha Sermon of 28 May 2026- 10 Dhu'l Hijjah 1447 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.