|
Prophet Ibraheem's (AS) Legacy
Hajj demonstrates the essence of Islam which is belief in ONE GOD. Allah
(SWT), ALONE. All the ceremonies a pilgrim performs, all the places through
which he goes during Hajj reminds him of a great deal of history of this
belief, Tawheed (Islamic Monotheism).
An inherent part of the history of Tawheed is the story of Prophet Ibraheem
(AS) who rebuilt the first House of Allah (SWT), the Ka'ba, as the focal
point for the worship of Allah ALONE.
The story of Prophet Ibraheem (AS) is a long story of great sacrifices and
complete submission to Allah (SWT). Coming through tremendous trials and
sacrifices for the sake of Allah (SWT), he was elevated to the leadership of
mankind.
Allah (SWT) says:
"And (remember) when the Lord of Abraham (Allah) tried him with (certain)
Commands, which he fulfilled. He (Allah) said (to him), "Verily, I am going
to make you a leader (Prophet) of mankind." (Abraham) said, "And of my
offspring (to make leaders)." (Allah) said, "My Covenant (Prophethood)
includes not Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers)." (Al-Baqarah 2:124 )
When Ibraheem (AS) stood up to call people to the way of Allah (SWT), a
series of trials and mountains of calamities fell on him. He was deported
from his home, abandoned by his parents, relatives and friends, thrown in
the fire meant to burn him alive, and, at last, exiled by the king of the
country.
Ibraheem (AS) survived all these trials and stood as firm as a rock for the
sake of truth. While in exile he wandered in the parts of the known world at
that time calling to the path of Allah (SWT). But still he had to face
another trial from His Lord. He was blessed with a son at old age after
having completely despaired of it. Allah (SWT) wanted to test him through
this son too as a final test, and ordered him to sacrifice his beloved son.
Ibraheem (AS) was successful in this test too. He took his son, Isma'eel
(AS) to a mount called Marwah near the Ka'ba and laid him prostrate, face
down, to slaughter him with his own hands. Satisfied with Ibraheem's (AS)
complete submission and profound love, Allah (SWT) ransomed Isma'eel (AS)
with a sacrificial animal. Nahr. (It is in commemoration of this very event
that animals are sacrificed during Hajj and by Muslims all over the world on
the occasion of Eid al-Adha).
In this manner, leadership of humanity was entrusted to Ibraheem (AS) and he
became the pioneer of the universal Islamic movement. Now in order to give a
driving force to this movement, he felt the need of men who would settle
down in different areas and operate from there as his deputies.
Thus he appointed his elder son Isma'eel (AS), younger son Ishaq [Isaac
(AS)] and nephew Lut [Lot (AS)] in various parts of the known world of that
time. Isma'eel (AS) was kept in Arabia at Makka and Ibraheem (AS) himself
stayed with him for a long time to spread the teaching of Islamic Monotheism
in all parts of Arabia.
"They said: "Burn him and help your aliha (gods), if you will be doing. We
(Allah) said:
"O fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibrahim (Abraham)!" (Al-Anbiya
21:68,69)
Allah (SWT) says:
"They said: "Build for him a building (it is said that the building was like
a furnace) and throw him into the blazing fire!
So they plotted a plot against him, but We made them the lowest.
And he said (after his rescue from the fire): "Verily, I am going to my
Lord. He will guide me!"
‘My Lord! Grant me (offspring) from the righteous.’
So We gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing boy.
And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: "O my son!
I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offer you in sacrifice to
Allah), so look what you think!" He said: "O my father! Do that which you
are commanded, Insha-Allah (if Allah wills), you shall find me of the
patient.
Then, when they had both submitted themselves (to the Will of Allah), and he
had laid him prostrate on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for
slaughtering);
And We called out to him: ‘O Abraham!
You have fulfilled the dream (vision)!’ Verily! Thus do We reward the
Muhsinun (good-doers, who perform good deeds totally for Allah’s sake only,
without any shoe off or to gain praise or fame, etc. and do them in
accordance to Allah’s Orders).
Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial -
And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice (i.e. a ram);
And We left for him (a goodly remembrance) among the later generations (to
come) in later times.
‘Salamun (peace) be upon Ibrahim (Abraham)!’"(As-Saffat 37:97-109)
Construction of the Ka'ba Sharif
At this place both father and son constructed the focal point of Tawheed
which is distinguished all over the world today, as the Ka'ba. Allah (SWT)
himself selected this center and suggested its site. The full details of how
this center was erected, with what sentiments and prayers both father and
son raised its walls and how Hajj was initiated are given thus in the Holy
Quran. Allah (SWT) says:
"And (remember) when Abraham and (his son) Ishmael were raising the
foundations of the House (the Ka'bah at Makkah), (saying), ‘Our Lord! Accept
(this service) from us. Verily! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.’
‘Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and show us of our offspring a
nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manasik (all the ceremonies of
pilgrimage - Hajj and 'Umrah, etc.), and accept our repentance. Truly, You
are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.’
‘Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own [and indeed Allah
answered their invocation by sending Muhammad (SAW)], who shall recite unto
them Your Verses and instruct them in the Book (this Quran) and Al-Hikmah
(full knowledge of the Islamic laws and jurisprudence or wisdom or
Prophethood, etc.), and purify them. Verily! You are the All-Mighty, the
All-Wise.’" (Al-Baqarah 2:127-129)
Allah (SWT) also says,
"Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at
Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-'Alamin (mankind
and jinns).
In it are manifest signs (for example), the Maqam (place) of Abraham;
whosoever enters it, he attains security. And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to
the House (Ka'bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, those who can
afford the expenses (for one's conveyance, provision and residence); and
whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a
disbeliever of Allah], then Allah stands not in need of any of the 'Alamîn
(mankind and jinns)."(Al-‘Imran 3:96-97)
Allah (SWT) says,
"And (remember) when Abraham said: ‘O my Lord! Make this city (Makkah) one
of peace and security, and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols.’
‘O my Lord! They have indeed led astray many among mankind. But whoso
follows me, he verily is of me. And whoso disobeys me, - still You are
indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’
‘O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a land with no
cultivation, by Your Sacred House (the Ka'bah at Makkah); in order, O our
Lord, that they may offer prayers perfectly (Iqamat-as-Salat), so fill some
hearts among men with love towards them, and (O Allah) provide them with
fruits so that they may give thanks.’"(Ibrahim 14:35-37)
Allah (SWT) also says,
"And (remember) when We showed Abraham the site of the (Sacred) House (the
Ka'bah at Makkah) (saying): "Associate not anything (in worship) with Me,
[La ilaha ill-AllAh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) -
Islamic Monotheism], and sanctify My House for those who circumambulate it,
and those who stand up for prayer, and those who bow (submit themselves with
humility and obedience to Allah), and make prostration (in prayer, etc.);"
And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot
and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide)
mountain highway (to perform Hajj)."(Al-Hajj 22:26-27)
This House was not meant merely for the purpose of worshipping; on the
contrary from the very first day it was made the Headquarters of the
universal Islamic mission. Its purpose was that believers in Allah (SWT),
drawn from all parts of the world, should assemble here each year, perform
Ibadat (worship) collectively and go back to their countries carrying with
them the message of Islam.
Realization of Ibraheem's (AS) Prayer
In the course of history, descendants of Ibraheem (AS) and Isma'eel (AS)
went astray from the path of Tawheed, and gradually adopted all those bad
practices which were rampant among the other ignorant communities. Hundreds
of idols were installed in that very Ka'ba which was built as a center of
preaching and exhortation for the worship of one God. Ironically enough,
idols were made of Ibraheem (AS) and Isma'eel (AS) themselves whose lives
were spent in exterminating the practice of idol-worship.
Then the time came for granting the prayer of Ibraheem (AS) and Isma'eel
(AS) which they had invoked while raising the walls of the Ka'ba: "’Our
Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own [and indeed Allah answered
their invocation by sending Muhammad (SAW)], who shall recite unto them Your
Verses and instruct them in the Book (this Quran) and Al-Hikmah (full
knowledge of the Islamic laws and jurisprudence or wisdom or Prophethood,
etc.), and purify them. Verily! You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.’"
(Al-Baqarah 2:129)
A perfect man rose from the progeny of Ibraheem (AS) whose name was Muhammad
ibn Abdullah (SAW). He (SAW) revived the genuine and pure religion of
Islamic Monotheism. He (SAW) purified the Ka'ba of idols and revived Tawheed
in its purity. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) exterminated all the shameful and
brutal practices of Jahiliyya (ignorance) which Arabs were accustomed to --
idol worship, spattering the blood and flesh of sacrificed animals on the
walls of the Ka'ba, obscene behavior, indecentcy, wrangling,
circumambulation of the Ka'ba in the state of nudity and other evil customs.
Thus the Ka'ba regained its real position as the focus of Tawheed and Hajj
was re-established in its real meaning and content.... Allahu Akbar (Allah
is Great)!!! |
