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INTRODUCTION..
Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca is one
of the five pillars of Islam. Hajj was made obligatory in the
9th year of Hijra. The Holy Prophet sent off 300 Muslims under
the leadership of Hazrat Abubakr Siddique (may Allah be
pleased with him) to Mecca so that they could perform Hajj.
That was the year when it was banned for the Mushrikeen (those
who associate partners with Allah) to enter Ka’ba. It was also
made unlawful to perform Tawaaf (circling of Ka’ba) with naked
body.
The following year, 10th Hijra, the Holy Prophet
(peace be upon him) announced a head of time he himself would
perform Hajj that year. He led tens of thousands of Muslims to
Hajj that year and demonstrated to Muslims how to perform all
the rites and rituals of the Hajj. This Hajj is known in
history as Hajjatul Wida’ or Farewell Pilgrimage because this
proved to be the last Hajj the Holy Prophet (peace be upon
him) performed. At the end of this farewell pilgrimage, the
divine revelation that had started some 22 years ago came to
an end with the following verse of Surah
Al-Maidah:
“This day have I completed My commandments
for you, and have brought to its fullness the favor that I
have bestowed upon you, and have chosen Islam as your
religion”
.Hajj is an act of worship just like Salat
(five daily prayers) and Sawm (fasting in the month of
Ramadan). Muslims from all over the world gather in Mecca in
the last month of Muslim calendar and worship Allah. Hajj is a
special worship that lasts for several days. This is an
occasion that brings Muslims of all countries, colors, and
races to one place – the Ka’ba. This is a unique opportunity
of worshipping Allah collectively in a large gathering at one
place.c
2. Significance
& Philosophy of hajj
Every nation and society has a
center of unity where they get together to worship God. They
see prosperity and culture as relics of unity. People of the
society get to know each other and understand each other’s
difficulties. They form a unified front to remove these
difficulties and achieve their goals. Allah says in the Holy Quran: “And to every people We appointed rites of sacrifice,
that they might mention the name of Allah…”
(22:34)
With this idea, Hajj has been made a pinnacle
of worship in order that Muslims who gather to perform Hajj
can praise their Lord and Master, be thankful for His
blessings, and humbly pray to Him for the removal of their
difficulties. Muslims living in various parts of the world get
to know each other, lay the foundation of social culture, give
advice to each other, and provide opportunity for collective
struggle.
3. Upon Whom Is It Obligatory To
Perform Hajj
An adult Muslim of a sane mind, an
able body and having means to bear the expenses must perform
this act of worship once in his/her lifetime. There should be
peace on the way to Mecca and there should be no hindrance or
restriction in traveling to Mecca. Hajj is not obligatory for
children, the sick, and those who are unable to bear the
expenses for Hajj.
4. What are
the Timings of Hajj (Pilgrimage)
There are specific months for
performing the Hajj and are called “Months of Pilgrimage.”
These three Islamic months are Shawwal, Ze-Qa’d and Dul-Hajj.
During these three “Months of Hajj”, one prepares for the
pilgrimage, attains good morals, and completes other physical
conditions for the pilgrimage. All the essential duties of the
pilgrimage have to be completed between 8th and the 13th day
of Dul-Hajj. Additional tawaaf (circling around the
Ka’ba), however, may be performed until the end of the month
of Dul-Hajj.
5. Pillars of Hajj
There are
three basic pillars for performing Hajj:
1.To
enter into state of “Ihram” and have the intention to perform
the pilgrimage.
2.To stay at the field of
“Arafat” on the ninth of Dul-Hajj If someone cannot go to the
field of Arafat even for a short time then his/her pilgrimage
will not be complete. He/she has to perform the pilgrimage
again the following year.
3.Additional circling
of the “Ka’ba” that is done after the stay at the field of
“Arafat” and performed from the tenth to the end of the
month.
6. Sequence of
Rites and Actions for performing
Hajj:
A. Departure From Home
A Muslim
must be mindful of his/her duties towards family and fellow
human beings. A Muslim who intends to perform Hajj must make
sure, before departing for Hajj that his family is provided
for during the period he is away for the Hajj. He should pay
up his debt and seek forgiveness from fellow human being whom
he might have caused harm in the past. He should be diligent
in observing Salat (five daily prayers) and Sawm (fasting) in
the month of Ramadhan as well as carrying out other religious
obligations. He must shun all arrogance and exhibit a
character of modesty and humbleness. He must not use
unlawfully acquired money or unlawful means to perform Hajj.
He should seek sincere repentance from Allah of all his past
sins. In short, one should depart for Hajj just like one would
wish to depart from this world.
One should spend some
money in charity as well. A woman is not allowed to perform
Hajj alone and must be accompanied by an adult Muslim Mahram
(father, husband, son or brother etc.)
One should say
two Rakat Nafl (supererogatory) prayer before leaving home for
Hajj.
B.
Ihram at Miqat
When one
reaches “Miqat” (any one of the appointed places in Mecca where
pilgrims make a vow of pilgrimage) one must perform ablution or take
a bath, use perfume, and put on two clean, unstitched, preferably
white, pieces of cloth. This pair of clothing is called Ihram. One
sheet should be wrapped around the lower part of the body and the
other sheet around the upper body; the head should not be covered.
Women can perform pilgrimage in the cloths they are wearing. Under
normal circumstances a woman’s face should not be covered unless she
comes face to face with a stranger and she has to conceal herself.
During the five days of Hajj, all Muslims engaged in this worship
must remain in this same simple dress. As soon as a pilgrim puts on
Ihram and declares his intention to perform Hajj, he/she enters into
the state of Ihram and his/her Hajj begins.
C.
Talbiyah
After putting on the
Ihram, men and women offer two Raka’ts of Nafl (supererogatory)
prayer followed by recitation of their “intention” and saying the
following words:
“Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik; La Shareeka-laka
Labbaik; Innalhamda wan-na’mata-laka wal-mulka Lashreeka-laka"
Translation:
“Here I am, O Allah! Here I am in Thy August
presence; there is no associate with Thee, here am I; surely all
praise is Thine and all favors are Thine and the kingdom is Thine,
there is no associate with Thee.”
These words are recited in
Arabic and called “Talbiyah”. These words are an essential part of
the state of Ihram and Ihram will not complete without reciting
these words. After saying Talbiyah pilgrim is ready to fulfill his
obligation of Hajj and is required to fulfill all the conditions
laid down for Hajj. While one is in the state of Ihram it is
strictly forbidden to engage in foul talk, sexual conduct,
arguments, or enter into a war. Allah says in the Holy Quran: “ …so
whoever determines to perform the Pilgrimage in these months, should
remember that there is to be no foul talk, nor any transgression,
nor any quarreling during Pilgrimage. …” (2:198)..........................................Continue..>>>Page--2 |
