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A Journey of Self Renewal

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Source:islamicity.org

What are the blessings of Hajj? One may describe them in great detail. But, in the Qur’an, where Allah instructs Ibrahim to invite people to come to Hajj, it is said:
So that they may witness things that are of benefit to them…  Al-Hajj 22:28.

Hence, the real blessings of Hajj can only be experienced by those who actually perform it. Imam Abu Hanifah, it is narrated, was unsure which act of worship was more excellent among the various ones laid down by Islam. But once he had performed Hajj, he had no hesitation in declaring that Hajj was the most excellent of all.

The Journey

We usually think of journeys as of two kinds: those made for business and those made for pleasure. In both cases, it is to fulfill your worldly desires and benefit yourselves that you leave your homes, separate from families, spend money-all is done for your own sake. No question arises of sacrifice for any higher, sublime purpose.

But the journey that is the Hajj is quite different in nature. This is not meant for any personal end. It is undertaken solely for Allah and the fulfillment of the duty prescribed by Allah. Nobody can be prepared to undertake this journey until and unless he has love of Allah in his heart, as well as fear of Him, and is convinced that Allah wants him to do what he is doing. That you are willing to bear the privations arising from separation from your family, to incur great expenses on a journey that will bring no material rewards, and to suffer any loss of business or job, all are signs of certain inner qualities: that you love and fear Allah more than anything, that you have a strong sense of duty to Him, that you are willing to respond to His summons and ready to sacrifice your material comforts in His cause.

Virtue and Piety
The closer you get to the House of Allah, the more intense becomes your desire to do good.

You will find that your love of Allah heightens as you start preparing for your pilgrimage journey with the sole intention of pleasing Allah. With your heart longing to reach your goal, you become purer in thought and deed. You repent for past sins, seek forgiveness from people whom you might have wronged, and try to render your due to others where necessary so as not to go to Allah’s court burdened with injustices that you may have done to your fellow beings. In general, the inclination to do good intensifies and abhorrence of doing evil increases.

After leaving home, the closer you get to the House of Allah, the more intense becomes your desire to do good. You become careful so that you harm nobody while you try to render whatever service or help you can to others. You avoid abuse, indecency, dishonesty, squabbles, and bickering because you are proceeding on the path of Allah. Thus your entire journey constitutes an act of worship. How, then, can you do wrong? This journey, in contrast to every other, is a continuing course through which a Muslim attains a progressive purification of the self. On this journey, then, you are pilgrims to Allah.

The Impact of Hajj

It is now easy to see that for two or three months, from the time of deciding and preparing for Hajj to the time of returning home, a tremendous impact is made on the hearts and minds of pilgrims. This process entails sacrifice of time, sacrifice of money, sacrifice of comfort, and sacrifice of many physical desires and pleasures- and all this simply for the sake of Allah, with no worldly or selfish motive.

Together with a life of sustained piety and virtuousness, the constant remembrance of Allah and the longing and love for Him in the pilgrim leave a mark on his heart which lasts for years. The pilgrim witnesses at every step the imprints left by those who sacrificed everything of theirs in submission and obedience to Allah. They fought against the whole world, suffered hardships and tortures, were condemned to banishment, but ultimately did make the word of Allah supreme and did subdue the false powers that wanted a man to submit to entities other than Allah.
Hajj constitutes preparation for the great task, which Islam wants Muslims to do.

The lesson in courage and determination, the impetus to strive in the way of Allah, which a devotee of Allah can draw from these clear signs and inspiring examples, can hardly be available from any other source. The attachment developed with the focal point of his religion by walking around the Kaaba (Tawaf), and the training received to live a mujahid’s life through the rites of Hajj (such as running from place to place and repeated departures and halts) are great blessings indeed.

Combined with the Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (zakah), and looked at as a whole, you will see that Hajj constitutes preparation for the great task, which Islam wants Muslims to do. This is why it has been made compulsory for all who have the money and the physical fitness for the journey to the Ka`bah. This ensures that, in every age, there are Muslims who have passed through this training.

Hajj: A Collective Worship

The great blessings of spiritual and moral regeneration, which Hajj imparts to each person, are before you. But you cannot fully appreciate the blessings of Hajj unless you keep in view the fact that Muslims do not perform it individually: hundreds of thousands perform it communally during the time fixed for it. At one stroke Islam achieves not one or two but a thousand purposes.

The advantages of performing the Prayer singly are by no means small, but by making it conditional with the congregation and by laying down the rule of Imamah (leadership in the Prayer) and by gathering huge congregations for the Friday and `Eid Prayers, its benefits have been increased many times. The observance of the fasting individually is no doubt a major source of moral and spiritual training, but by prescribing that all Muslims must fast in the month of Ramadan those benefits have been greatly increased. The almsgiving, too, has many advantages even if dispensed individually, but with the establishment of a centralized Bayt al-mal (Treasury of the Islamic state) for its collection and disbursement, its usefulness is increased beyond measure.

The same is true of Hajj. If everyone were to perform it singly, the effect on individual lives would still be great. But making it a collective act enhances its effectiveness to a point, which gives it a new dimension altogether.

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Source: islamicity.org

The Status of Hajj in Islam

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The status of Hajj in Islam; Allah, the Exalted, ordained it in the ninth year after Hijrah (the Prophet’s sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) migration from Makkah to Madeenah), according to the preponderant opinion.

Allah Almighty Says (what means): {And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House—for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves—then, indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds.} [Quran 3:97]
Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime on every sane Muslim who has reached the age of puberty and is physically and financially capable of performing it. It is one of the best deeds that draw the person closer to Allah, the Exalted. There are many authentic Ahadeeth that were narrated concerning the virtues of Hajj, and we will mention some of them.

It was narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) was asked: “What is the best deed?” He said: “To believe in Allah and His Messenger.” He was asked, “Then what?” He answered: “Performing Jihad in the path of Allah.” He was asked, “Then what?” He said: “(Performing an) acceptable Hajj.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said, “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! We find Jihad to be the best of deeds. May we (i.e. women) participate in it?’ He replied: ‘The best Jihad for you (i.e. women) is an accepted Hajj.’” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “The ‘Umrah to the following ‘Umrah expiates the sins committed in between them, and there is no reward for an accepted Hajj except Paradise.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] The accepted Hajj is the one in which one does not commit sins.

It was narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that he heard the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) saying: “Whoever performs Hajj for the sake of Allah during which he neither has sexual relations (with his wife) nor commits sins will return (after Hajj, as sinless) as he was on the very day his mother gave birth to him.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
After learning about the great reward of Hajj, in addition to it being one of the pillars of Islam, no Muslim should miss out on it; rather, he should hasten to perform it as soon as he is capable of doing so. This is because one does not know when he will die, and he should take advantage of his life before his death. We seek the Help of Allah to enable us to do good.

The Pilgrims’ Chant (The Talbiyah):

“Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka la shareeka laka labbayk. Innalhamda wanni‘mata laka walmulk, laa shareeka lak.” (O Allah, here I am, at Your service. There is no partner to be associated with You. Praise, grace and sovereignty are Yours. There is no partner to be associated with You).

Allah, the Exalted, Says (what means): {And proclaim to the people the Hajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass.} [Quran 22: 27]

The Scholars of Tafseer (interpretation of the Quran) said that when Ibrahim, may Allah Exalt his mention, completed building the Sacred House, Allah Almighty ordered him to call the people to Hajj. Ibrahim, may Allah Exalt his mention, said, “O Lord, my voice will not reach them?” Allah Almighty Says, “Call them, and I will make it reach them.” So Ibrahim, may Allah exalt his mention, ascended the mountain of Abu Qubays and said, “O mankind! Your Lord has established a House, so come for pilgrimage to it.” It is said that the mountains lowered themselves so that his voice would reach all the corners of the earth, and those who were still in their mothers’ wombs and their fathers’ loins would hear the call. The response came from everything that heard him, from stones, trees, and those for whom Allah has decreed to make Hajj, until the Day of Resurrection: “We answer your call, O Allah, we answer your call.”

“Come to you on foot,” means that they will walk to perform the Hajj, as Ibrahim and Ismaa‘eel, may Allah exalt their mention, performed pilgrimage walking on foot. Also, Al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali performed the Hajj twenty-five times on foot while there were camels with him. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal may Allaah have mercy upon him performed Hajj on foot twice.

A Story and a Lesson Learned:

When Ja‘far As-Saadiq may Allaah have mercy upon him set out for Hajj and intended to recite the Talbiyah, the color of his face changed, and his body trembled. It was said to him, “What is wrong with you?” He said, “I intend to say the Talbiyah, but I fear I would hear something else (other than the response to the Talbiyah).”
‘Abdullah ibn Al-Jallaa’ said:

I was in Thul-Hulayfah and I saw a young man who wanted to assume the state of Ihram, so he said: “O Allah, I want to say ‘Labbayka Allahumma labbayk’ (O Allah, here I am at Your service), but I am afraid that You answer me by saying that my Talbiyah is not accepted.” The man kept repeating this while shedding tears, then he said, “O Allah, I respond to Your call.” He said this with a prolonged pronunciation, and he died on the spot may Allaah have mercy upon him.
When Al-Fudhayl ibn ‘Iyaadh may Allaah have mercy upon him stood at ‘Arafah while other pilgrims were invoking Allah Almighty, he was crying like a bereaved mother who lost her child and could not even supplicate Allah Almighty. When it was almost sunset, he clutched at his beard and raised his sight to the sky and said, “O Allah, how ashamed I am of my sins before You, even if You have forgiven me!”

The Story of Building the Sacred House

Ibrahim, may Allah exalt his mention, took Ismaa‘eel and his mother Hajar and went to the place of the Sacred House. When they reached Makkah, he made her sit under a tree at a place near Zam Zam where neither people nor water could be found. He left them there and left a water-skin containing some water and a bag of dates with them and went away. Ismaa‘eel’s mother followed him and asked: “Are you going to leave us in this valley where nobody lives?” She repeated the question but he ignored her, so she asked: “Did Allah order you to do so?”

He answered: “Yes.” She said, ‘Then He will not let us go to waste.’ She returned to her place and Ibrahim went away until he reached a place where they could not see him; he faced the place of the House, raised his hands, and supplicated Allah saying: {Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your Sacred House, our Lord, that they may establish prayer. So make hearts among the people incline toward them and provide for them from the fruits that they might be grateful.} [Quran 14:37]

Hajar drank from the water-skin and suckled her child until all the water was used up and she and her son became thirsty. He was writhing with thirst, so she left him, hate to see him in that state. She ascended Mount Safa, which was the closest mountain to where she was, and looked around, hoping to see somebody, but in vain. She came down to the valley and ran in a state of exhaustion until she reached Mount Marwa. She ascended it and looked around, hoping to see somebody, but in vain. She ran to and fro (between the two mountains) seven times. Ibn ‘Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet Sallallahu`Alayhi wa Sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “That is why people perform Sa‘y between them (meaning As-Safa and Al-Marwah).”

When she was near Al-Marwah, she heard a voice, so she kept silent to make sure of it. It was the angel Jibreel (Gabriel), may Allah exalt his mention, and he hit the earth with his heel or with his wing, so water gushed out. Ismaa‘eel’s mother was astonished and collected the sand around it to make a basin. She drank from the water and suckled her child, and the angel said to her: “Do not be afraid of being neglected, for this is the House of Allah that will be built by this boy and his father, and Allah never neglects His people.’ [Al-Bukhaari: Kitaab Al-Anbiyaa’]
How great is reliance on Allah, and how beautiful is submission to the Orders of Allah? Hajar was subjected to a hard plight, but her trust in Allah was not shaken, and then Allah sent the solution and the water of Zam Zam gushed out, so Hajar, her son Ismaa‘eel, and his descendants became a large Ummah (community), and the seal of the Prophets and Messengers (Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention )) was from his descendants. This small blessed family became the core of life and the origin of prosperity in this place. Days passed and Allah ordered Ibrahim to build the Sacred House. So, Allah responded to Ibrahim’s supplication and the hearts of people became inclined to this House. The Sacred House continued to be under the protection of Allah and continued to be treated with glorification, honor, and respect throughout all times and generations.

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Source: islamweb.net

Sequence of the Rituals of Hajj and ‘Umrah

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Sequence of the Rituals of Hajj and ‘Umrah

On reaching the Miqaat (the location that a pilgrim should not pass without assuming Ihraam), you should take a bath and apply scent to your body, including (for men) the head and beard. You should then assume Ihraam (sacral state) for ‘Umrah intending Tamattu’ (performing ‘Umrah then waiting to perform Hajj) and walk to Makkah pronouncing the Talbiyah (saying “Labbaika Allahumma Laibbaik, Labbaika La Sharika Laka Labbaik, Innal-Hamda Wan-Ni’mata Laka Wal-Mulk La Sharika Lakk” I respond to Your call O Allah, I respond to Your call, and I am obedient to Your orders, You have no partner, I respond to Your call. All the praises and blessings are for You, all the sovereignty is for You, and You have no partners with you.’)

When you reach the Ka’bah, you should do Tawaaf (circumambulation) around it seven times. You should know that the entire Sacred Mosque is a place for Tawaaf, no matter whether you are close to the Ka’bah or not. However, Tawaaf close to the Ka’bah is preferable, as long as you are not harmed by the crowds. If there are large crowds you may make Tawaaf far from the Ka’bah and. After making Tawaaf, you should offer two Rak’ahs behind Maqaam (station) of Ibraheem, may Allah exalt his mention, either near the Ka’bah or far from it. The most important thing is to be in place between the Kaaba and the Maqaam. You should then make Sa’y (walking seven times between As-Safaa and Al-Marwah) beginning with As-Safaa. When you finish the seven courses, you should shave the head entirely or trim your hair equally from all parts of the head (for men), contrary to what is done by many people now who cut hair from one side of the head only.
 
On the eighth of the month of Thul-Hijjah, you bathe and apply scent to your body in preparation for Ihraam for Hajj. You should resume Ihraam right from where you are staying. You should then go to Mina, where you should perform the Thuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib, ‘Ishaa’ and Fajr prayers. All four Rak’ah prayers should be shortened but not combined, as this was the conduct of the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ). At sunrise on the Day of ‘Arafah, you should march to ‘Arafah, pronouncing Talbiyah solemnly and with submissiveness. When you reach ‘Arafah, you should combine the Thuhr and ‘Asr prayers, performing each as two Rak’ahs at the time of Thuhr. You should then devote yourself to supplicating to  Allah The Almighty. While doing this you should be in the state of Wudu’ and facing the Qiblah.
 
You should take care regarding the precincts of ‘Arafaat and its landmarks; a common mistake that many pilgrims make is that they stand outside its boundaries. Whoever does not stand within ‘Arafaat, his pilgrimage will be defective. The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Hajj is (the Day of) ‘Arafah.” A pilgrim may stand at any place on the plain of ‘Arafaat, east, west, north or south, except the bottom of the valley of ‘Urnah. The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said:“I stand here and the entire ‘Arafah is a standing place.”
 
At sunset, you should rush to Muzdalifah, pronouncing Talbiyah with humility and as quietly as you can. This is according to the command of the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ). When he rushed from ‘Arafaat, he straightened the bridle of his she-camel, bending her neck until her head was about to reach his saddle, and saying: “O people! Tranquility! Tranquility!” When you reach Muzdalifah, you should perform the Maghrib and ‘Ishaa’ prayers then spend the night there until the dawn. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention )did not permit anyone to leave Muzdalifah before the dawn except the weak, who were permitted to leave at the end of the night.
Source: islamweb.net

Shaving the Head or Trimming the Hair (Integral)

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After Muzdalifah and MinaMina men shaving the head or trimming

This may be done before throwing the pebbles at Jamratul-^Aqabah. The time for shaving the head or trimming the hair starts by (after) the middle of the ^Id eve.

However, it is sunnah to shave or cut on the day of the ^Id. It is better to do it after sunrise and before performing the integral of tawaf and sa^y.

Before that time, it is prohibited for those performing Hajj to remove even one hair from their bodies. (See Prohibitions.) The least of the obligation of shaving the head or trimming the hair is to shave or trim three hairs from the head. It is sunnah for the bald man to run the razor over his head.

For the man, shaving the whole head is better than just cutting the hair. This is known from the hadith of the Prophet related by al-Bukhari.

When the Prophet made du^a’ that Allah forgive those who shave their heads in the Hajj, some people asked, “What about those who just trim their hair?” The Prophet again made du^a’ for those who shave their heads. Twice again they asked, “What about those who trim their hair?” Then the Prophet made du^a’ for both those who shave and those who trim their hair.

The woman does not shave her head, rather she trims her hair. It is sunnah that she cuts from all sides of her head.

Source: darulfatwa.org.au

Passing by Meeqaat without the intention of performing Hajj or ‘Umrah

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All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, may Allah exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

The person who performs Tamattu’ Hajj comes out of the state of Ihraam whenever he finishes his ‘Umrah unless he immediately enters the state of Ihraam for Hajj. So, he may go Jeddah or anywhere. During his return to Makkah if he passes by Meeqaat intending ‘Umrah then he has to enter in the state of Ihraam otherwise it is not compulsory. The Prophet Sallallahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “And these Mawaaqeet (Plural of Meeqaat) are for the residents of those places, and for travelers who come through those places with the intention of performing Hajj and ‘Umrah.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The same ruling applies if one comes back to Makkah from Madeenah after Hajj; if he intends to perform ‘Umrah, he has to enter in the state of Ihraam from the Meeqaat. If he does not intend ‘Umrah but comes Makkah for any other purpose like collecting his luggage or the like, then entering in the state of Ihraam is not compulsory. Because observing Ihraam is compulsory only to the one who intends to perform ‘Umrah. However, it is preferable to enter in Makkah with Ihraam intending ‘Umrah for the saying of the Prophet Sallallahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ): “Keep on doing Hajj and ‘Umrah, for they eliminate poverty and sin just as the bellows eliminate impurities from iron and gold and silver.” [At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah]

He Sallallahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) also said: “(The performance of) ‘Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the next ‘Umrah, and an accepted Hajj has no less a reward than Paradise.”

Know dear brother that Jeddah is not out of the boundaries of the Meeqaat, there is no Meeqaat between it and Makkah. So, going there is just as going to ‘Arafah and the other places which are within the boundaries of the Meeqaat.
Allah Knows best.

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Source: islamweb.net

Hajj and Umrah Tips – Money Matters

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Hajj and Umrah Tips

Traveler’s cheques are not recommended as they are hard to cash since you won’t be carrying your passport, which will be taken from you just before boarding in Jeddah or at Madinah airport so we think you must be very read out Hajj and Umrah Tips.  You will receive your passport upon your return after performing hajj and umrah at Jeddah airport for the flight back to your home country.
Carry US Dollars or Pounds or Euros larger bills of 100 or 50 dollar bills or pounds.  You can exchange Dollars everywhere in Saudi Arabia into Riyals.
Do not carry all your money with you; place your money at different locations on yourself.  This is a precautionary measure while you are going for Hajj and Umrah.
Take approximately 1000.00 dollars per adult for miscellaneous expenses or emergency needs.  This amount is in addition to all other hajj and Umrah-related expenses.

Source: go-makkah.com

Hajj is a Reflection of the Ummah‎

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Hajj is the reflection of the Ummah (Muslim nation) that reflects its positive and negative aspects, as Hajj is the greatest gathering of the Ummah where the greatest number of people come together from a variety of backgrounds and places.

One of the advantages of a mirror is that it reflects the reality of things clearly and precisely. A person who has a mirror takes care to keep it clean and shiny so that when he looks in the mirror if he were to see anything amiss such as dirty clothes or the like, he would know that the mirror has nothing to do with this as it just reflects reality. A person might be angry and upset when he sees any defect, but if he is sensible, he would attempt to rectify the situation so that his reflection in the mirror would be better. However, those who are foolish might break the mirror, and to such people, we say, “You have not only failed to change the reality but you also lost the means that could tell you about the defects.”

Similarly, Hajj is the mirror of the Ummah (Muslim nation) that reflects its positive and negative aspects, as Hajj is the greatest gathering of the Ummah where the greatest number of people come together from a variety of backgrounds and places. Hajj gathers princes, scholars, people of culture, men of letters, and ordinary men and women. Undoubtedly, the mirror of Hajj reflects many positive aspects, such as unity in the worship of Allah

The Almighty and the establishment of equality and unity. At the same time, however, it reflects some defects in the Muslims that clash with these positive aspects.

 It is difficult to ignore the mistakes and faults of the pilgrims, which become noticeable during Hajj, such as defective ‘Aqeedah (creed), innovations in the religion, negligence regarding acts of worship, the absence of Khushoo’ (fear of Allah The Almighty) and ignorance about matters of the religion. Moreover, one can see other forms of ignorance which are exemplified in being negligent about cleanliness and the most basic rules of health and hygiene, not adhering to or complying with health instructions and breaching orders. Other shortcomings include causing chaos, rigidity in one’s dealings, harshness when crowding with others, being irritable, having fanatical feelings towards a certain race or country, or feeling uncomfortable when dealing with others.

This does not mean that there are many negative aspects to Hajj, but at the same time, we should not allow these faults to go unaddressed. We should not break the mirror but be grateful for it, as we have managed to see the defects through it and now simply have to find the remedy.

Hajj is an event that shows the great efforts exerted to turn the Ummah from disunity to unity, from humiliation to dignity, from weakness to strength and from ignorance to knowledge and advancement. There is no doubt that the greatest role is that of the Islamic governments, their mass media, and their educational curricula. Another important role is that of scholars, and their efforts in spreading Da’wah (the call to Allah The Almighty), preserving the ‘Aqeedah of Muslims, declaring the truth, combating ignorance and resisting the invasion of harmful ideas. Other efforts and duties are the initiatives of wealthy people and economic institutions; still, others are related to intellectuals and men of letters. A third category is related to writers and the Imaams who deliver Khutbahs (sermons). Indeed, every Muslim bears part of the great responsibility towards raising the status of the Ummah. Thus, we should encourage every individual in general and every pilgrim, in particular, to fulfill his duty so that the promise of Allah The Almighty may be achieved, as He Says (what means): {Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.}

Source: islamweb.net

Journey of a lifetime in black and white

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Although the pilgrims have to leave the holy city of Makkah, something deep down never goes away: The indelible memories of this spiritual journey, the journey of a lifetime.

I interviewed Reem Al-Faisal in 1996 when she was having her first major exhibition about the port of Jeddah. I was stunned by the choice of subject but could not help but marvel at her immense talent and boundless creativity.

I knew then that Reem Al-Faisal would never settle for anything easy and ordinary.

She became one of the few women to have covered in depth Hajj.

“One is swept away by the sheer motion and size of it and you find yourself moving at another level of your consciousness. As you perform one ritual after the other you slowly discover the rhythm of the universe … and it is hard to leave Hajj without it altering your personality forever,” explains Reem Al-Faisal.

During three years, Reem Al-Faisal photographed the largest gathering of men and women from all nationalities. A keen observer, she followed the pilgrims in their daily lives and took pictures of men and women praying, walking, eating, reciting the Qur’an or simply relaxing.

The photographs were the first part of an exhibition and have now been published in a book, “Hajj”, launched recently in Cairo.

The text has been written by Seyyed Hossein Nasr, an eminent professor of Islamic studies at George Washington University and the author of more than 30 books.

In the preface, Nasr remembers how he made his first pilgrimage 40 years ago in the presence of King Faisal, Reem Al-Faisal’s grandfather.

Nasr and Reem Al-Faisal has produced a book which is particularly moving.

Unforgettable images and powerful words help us understand the inner side of faith. And one can only hope that this book will open the hearts of both Muslims and non-Muslims to the beauty of Hajj.

Reem Al-Faisal admits being shy especially if she is in the midst of a crowd.

However, when she carries a camera, she feels empowered and reacts as if she is someone else.

This inner strength helped her deal with the harsh criticism she faced from pilgrims who were against photography.

The photographs present in the book are divided into five sections preceded by a short introduction: “Arrival”, “The Pilgrims as Tourists”, “Makkah”, “Hajj” and “Departure”.

Reem Al-Faisal’s choice of black and white is particularly well suited to the subject of Hajj.

Black and white photography exudes a surreal atmosphere, creating a void whereby we, the viewers, are disconnected from reality.

Unlike color, which distracts, black-and-white forces us in a way to focus our attention on the image. Black and white is also a more artistic form of photography which “gives you the metaphysical side of art” explains Reem Al-Faisal.

In the first segment of the book entitled “Arrival”, we are reminded that we tend to believe that it is easier to travel to Makkah.

“But that is not really the case … In the old days, all one needed to undertake the spiritual journey was the financial means to join a caravan to Makkah and provisions for the way. Otherwise, the road was open to one and all. There were no quotas, no government regulations, no visa required. Now, one spends practically the same amount of time, if not more, to fulfill all the bureaucratic requirements that one would have previously spent crossing vast tracts of land on horseback or on a camel,” writes Nasr.

The section on the “Hajj” is particularly intense.

According to the Hadith: “Hajj is Arafat” and it is there that all the pilgrims gather to pray to God, the One and Only.

“Hajj in a sense is the journey of life itself, as life if well lived takes us finally to the One from Whom we come and to Whom we return,” writes Nasr.

This awesome and touching book on Hajj ends with a final section on “Departure”.

When Hajj is accepted by God, the pilgrim becomes a new person and he brings back the barakah of the center to the circumference of the Islamic world.

The last picture features a lonely bird gliding through the sky at sunset over Makkah, the Blessed City.

Source: islamicity.org

Common Errors in Hajj and Umrah

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Common Errors in Hajj and Umrah

First: Errors Related to Ihram:

First common errors Some pilgrims bypass the designated Station of ihram on their route without either being in Ihram or entering into ihram there, proceeding until they reach Jeddah or some other place within the precincts of the Stations, at which they enter into ihram. This is against the command of Allah’s Messenger ( Sallallahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention )), which stipulates that every pilgrim should enter into ihram at the Station of ihram which lies on his route.

If this happens to someone, he must either go back to the Station of Ihram lying on his route and there enter into ihram, or he must make expiation by sacrificing a sheep in Makkah and feeding all its meat to the poor.

This applies to all pilgrims regardless of whether one passes the Station of ihram by air, by sea or by land.

If one did not pass through one of the five designated Station of ihram he should enter into ihram at a point which is nearest to the Station of ihram on his route.

Second: Errors Related to Tawaf:

1. Starting the tawaf at some point other than the site of the Black Stone, while it is obligatory to begin tawaf from the Black Stone.

2. Doing one’s tawaf inside the Hijr of Isma’il, which means going around a portion of the K’abah rather than the whole of it since the Hijr of Isma’il is a part of the K’abah which would then be left out of tawaf. Such a tawaf is invalid.

3. Doing ramal (i.e., taking quick short steps) during all seven circuits while ramal is to be done only during the first three of the Tawaf of arrival (tawaf al-qudum).

4. Struggling vehemently to kiss the Black Stone in this process and hitting or pushing people. Such acts, which are injurious to Muslims, are not permissible.

It should be noted that the tawaf remains perfectly valid without kissing the Black Stone. If one does not or cannot kiss the Black Stone, it is sufficient simply to point to it, saying “Allahu akbar” when one comes parallel to it, although one may be at a distance from it.

5. Wiping one’s hand over the Black Stone, seeking “blessings” (barakah) thereby is an innovation (bid’a) with no basis in the Shari’ah of Islam. The Sunnah is to touch it or kiss it only when it can be done easily.

6. Touching the Four Corners of K’abah or its walls, and wiping one’s hands against them. The Prophet (peace be on him) did not touch any part of K’abah except the Black Stone and the Yemeni Corner.

7. Saying specific formulas of supplications reserved for each circuit. The Prophet ( Sallallahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention )) did not specify any supplications except to say “Allahu akbar” when he reached the Black Stone and, at the end of each circuit between the Yamani Corner and the Black Stone, he said;

“Rabbana, Latina’ fid-Duniya hasanat wa fil-akhirati hasana wa qina adhaban-nar.”

(Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and save us from the punishment of the Fire).

8. Raising one’s voice above the voices of others: whether in following or leading the tawaf as it causes confusion among the worshippers.

9. Struggling to pray at the Station of Ibrahim. This is contrary to the Sunnah besides being injurious to other worshipers. It is sufficient to pray the two rakyats of tawaf after completing one’s tawaf anywhere within the Sacred Mosque.

Third: Errors Related to Sa’y:

1. When climbing upon Safa and Marwah, some pilgrims face the K’abah and gesticulate toward it with their hands while saying “Allahu Akbar” as if they were saying takbir for salat. This gesticulating is an error because the Prophet (peace be on him) raised him palms only for supplication. Here you may glorify and magnify Allah the Most High, supplicating Him in any words you wish while facing the direction of the K’abah. It is preferable to recite the dhikr which the Prophet (peace be on him) recited at Safa and Marwah.

2. Accelerating one’s pace throughout the entire distance between the two hills. The Sunnah is to accelerate one’s pace only between the two green posts while walking at a normal pace the remainder of the way.

Fourth: Errors Related to ‘Arafat:

1. Some pilgrims camp outside the boundaries of ‘Arafat and remain there until the sun has set; then they depart for Muzdalifah without standing at ‘Arafat properly. This is a serious error which invalidates their hajj since standing in Arafat is the essence of Hajj, and it is obligatory to be within its boundaries and not outside them, if it is not easy to do that, they may enter before sunset and remain there until sunset. It is quite acceptable to stand in Arafat during the night of sacrifice in particular.

2. Departing from ‘Arafat before the sun has set is not permissible, because the messenger of Allah (peace be on him) stayed at ‘Arafat’ until the sun had set completely.

3. Struggling through crowds in order to climb Mount ‘Arafat is not permissible, because it causes much harm and injury to others. The entire Plain of ‘Arafat is a place of standing and neither climbing Mount ‘Arafat nor making salah there has been recommended.

4. Making supplications facing Mount ‘Arafat’ is incorrect because the Sunnah is to face qiblah while making supplication.

5. Making heaps of earth or pebbles: during the day of ‘Arafat’ at particular places, by some people, has no base in the Shariah of Allah.

Fifth: Errors related to Muzdalifah:

1. Some pilgrims start collecting pebbles to throw at the Stone Pillars in Mina as soon as they arrive in Muzdalifah prior to praying the Magrib and Isha prayers. This is not collected at Muzdalifah.

The correct position is that the pebbles can be collected anywhere within the boundaries of al_Haram (the territory or precincts of Makkah). It is known that the Prophet ( Sallallahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention )) did not ask that the pebbles for Jamratul-Aqabah be picked up for him from Muzdalifah. They were picked up for him, in the morning, after leaving Muzdalifah and on entering Mina. The rest of the pebbles were picked up, for him, from Mina, Too.

2. Some pilgrims wash the pebbles, but this is not recommended.

Sixth: Error Related to Throwing the Pebbles:

Some pilgrims are under the impression that when they are throwing pebbles at the Stone Pillars, they are actually throwing them at shayateen (devils); hence they hurl them with rage and force. However, the throwing of the pebbles has been merely
1. Prescribed as a means of remembering Allah the Most High.

2. Some people throw big stones, shoes or pieces of wood. This is an excess in matters of religion which the Prophet (peace be on him) prohibited, what is allowed is to throw pebbles the size of good beans.

3. Crowding and fighting with others at the Pillars while throwing the pebbles is not permissible. What is prescribed is to be gentle and to throw the pebbles without hurting anyone as much as possible.

4. Throwing all the pebbles at one time is an error. Scholars have said that this would be counted as only one throw. The Shari’ah prescribes throwing the pebbles one by one, saying “Allahu akbar” at each separate throw.

5. Appointing a proxy to throw the pebbles, simply due to fear of the crowds or of hardship, while one is capable of doing it himself. Only sick or weak individuals are permitted to have a proxy for this act.

Seventh: Errors Related to the Farewell Tawaf (Tawaf al-Wada):

1. On the day of their departure, some pilgrims go to Makkah to perform their Farewell Tawaf before throwing the pebbles at the Pillars. Then they return to Mina to throw the pebbles and depart from Mina for their respective countries. Thus their final rite becomes that of throwing the pebbles at the Pillars and not of the tawaf of K’abah. This is an error as the Prophet (peace be on him) said, “No one should depart without his last visit being to the House (K’abah).”

Accordingly, the Farewell Tawaf must take place after one has completed all the rites of Hajj (and before starting his journey for home). After this tawaf, one should not stay in Makkah except during the time it takes to prepare to depart.

2. After finishing the Farewell Tawaf, some people walk backward, facing the K’abah, as they exit from the Sacred Mosque, under the impression that this is a veneration of the K’abah. This act is an innovation (bid’a) in the religion and is without any basis.

3. After finishing the Farewell Tawaf, some pilgrims halt at the door of the Sacred Mosque to make supplications. This is also an innovation with no basis in the Shari’ah of Islam.

Eight: Errors Related to the visit of the Prophet’s Mosque:

1. Touching and wiping one’s hands on the walls and iron grilles, tying threads to the gratings, and other acts of this sort while visiting the grave of the Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be on him) in order to receive a blessing (barakah) are an innovation (bid’a). Blessing comes from following what Allah and His Messenger (peace be on him) have prescribed, and not from following innovations.

2. Going to the caves of Mount Uhud or to the caves of Hira or Thaur near Makkah and hanging pieces of cloth or making supplications there have not been prescribed by Allah. All these are unnecessary hardships, innovations in the religion, and are without any basis in the Shari’ah.

3. Likewise, visiting certain sites under the impression that these constitute “relics” of the Prophet (peace be on him), as for example the place where his camel sat, the Well of ‘Uthman or the Well of the Ring, and gathering soil from these places to obtain “blessings”, are all innovations.

4. Calling upon the dead while visiting the graves at the Baqi Cemetery or the graves of the martyrs of Uhud, and throwing coins in order to seek the blessings of the place or of the people buried there, is a grievous error. Indeed, it is shirk (ascribing partners to Allah the Highest), as has been pointed out by scholars. It is clear from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace be on him) that all forms of worship are for Allah alone. It is not permissible to call upon or to offer sacrifice, give vow or any other form of ibadah (worship) except for Allah alone. Allah the Highest, says:

“And they have commanded nothing except to worship Allah (only), purifying the religion for Him alone.” [Quran 98:5]

And He also says:

Verily, the places of worship are for Allah (alone), so do not call on anyone else apart from Allah.” [Quran 72:18]

We ask Allah, the Highest, to improve the condition of the Muslims and to give them an understanding of the religion, and to turn all of us away from errors and deviations Indeed. He is the Hearing, the Responding.

5 Star Hajj Packages & 5 star Umrah Packages: For over a period of 15 years, British Hajj Travel is consistently offering top quality Hajj and Umrah tour packages.

Source: islamweb.net

Easy ways to earn great rewards

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This does not mean that we are exempt from the obligation to perform the pilgrimage once in our lives, but it means that we can engage in rituals of worship that will earn us great rewards.

As we saw images of thousands of pilgrims flooding into Makkah and the white tents springing up in Mina, our hearts longed to be there. Some of us were unable to perform Haj this year, and we feel that we missed out on a great opportunity to earn rewards and to wipe out our sins.

For those who wish to win the rewards from Allah and attain His mercy and forgiveness but were unable to perform Haj, there are acts of worship that could be equal in rewards to the rewards for Haj. This does not mean that we are exempt from the obligation to perform the pilgrimage once in our lives, but it means that we can engage in rituals of worship that will earn us great rewards.

Forgive others so that Allah may forgive you. Holding rancor and hatred towards others who have wronged you is keeping you from being a better person.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was sitting with a group of his companions in the mosque and he said, “A man will now enter [who is] from the people of Paradise.”

A certain companion walked in, a seemingly regular man. Later, it happened again, and then a third time, and each time this man was described by the Prophet (peace be upon him) as an inhabitant of Paradise.

Abdullah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-Aaas  wanted to find out what was so special about this man, so he asked the man if he could stay at his house for three days. While staying with him, Abdullah watched him closely but he noticed that the man did not do anything out of the ordinary. So after three days, Abdullah told the man the reason why he requested to stay with him, and he asked him what it was that could be the reason why he was from the people of Paradise.

The man could not think of anything, but he said “Every night, before I go to sleep, I forgive whoever has wronged me. I remove any bad feelings towards anyone from my heart.”
Therefore, forgiving others can make us among the people of Paradise.

Praying Fajr in congregation and then dedicating your time for the remembrance of Allah until the sun rises can be equivalent to the reward for Haj.

Anas, the close companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever prays the Fajr prayer in congregation and then he remains sitting mentioning Allah until the sun rises, and then he prays two Rak’ahs, will receive the reward of one Hajj and one Umrah, complete, complete, complete.” (At-Tirmithi)

If we were unable to be among the pilgrims in Makkah this year, we can still be worshippers in the mosques in any city of the world, and we can anticipate great rewards from Allah. Going to the mosque to pray in congregation is highly rewarded, and walking to the mosque is even better. Do not leave the mosque as soon as Fajr prayer is over; sit in the mosque to mention Allah’s name and read the Qur’an and supplicate. How amazing would you feel if the angels were asking Allah to forgive you for your sins?

Abu Hurayrah, the well known transmitter of Hadith, reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “The angels supplicate in favor of one of you so long as he remains in the place where he performed Salat [prayer] in a state of ablution. They [the angels] say, ‘O Allah forgive him, O Allah, have mercy on him.’” (Al-Bukhari)

Join a study group at your local mosque, whether it is to read the Qur’an or study its meanings or to study sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Whether you go to learn or to help someone else learn, your rewards will be as great as that of a pilgrim; just make sure that your intention is to seek the rewards from Allah.

Abu Umamah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever leaves for the mosque in the morning for no reason but to learn goodness or teach others, then he will have a reward as if he has completed the Haj pilgrimage.” (Al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr)

Many of us do not place much importance on the voluntary prayer, Al-Duha prayer, but if we understood how tremendous its rewards are, we would not miss it.

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “None could observe Duha prayer regularly except a penitent.” (At-Tabarani)

A penitent person is someone who repents, who feels sorrow for wrong doings, and who seeks forgiveness from God.

As for the time to pray Al-Duha, it is from sunrise until shortly before noon. You can pray two Rak’aat, or four or six or more.

Donate to orphans, widows, and those in need. We should be giving charity and supporting those in need all year round, and especially in blessed times like Ramadan and Dhul Hijjah.
What are the deeds that would help us earn the pleasure of Allah?

The Prophet (peace be upon him) informs us in his Hadith in which he said, “The most beloved of people according to Allah is he who brings most benefit to people, and the most beloved of deeds according to Allah the Mighty, the Magnificent, is that you bring happiness to a fellow Muslim, or relieve him of distress, or pay off his debt or stave away hunger from him. It is more beloved to me that I walk with my Muslim brother in his time of need than I stay secluded in the mosque for a month.” (At-Tabarani)

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Source: saudigazette.com.sa

50 things to do in Hajj

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50 things to do in Hajj Always intend reward from Allah for everything you go through during Hajj

  1. Smile in other Muslims face
  2. Say Salam to strangers
  3. Shake someone’s hand and ask about their health
  4. Buy tea for someone
  5. Offer to get someone’s groceries
  6. Sit with a Hajj group from another country and ask about Islam in their village
  7. Carry someone’s bags for them
  8. Guide someone ill to the infirmary
  9. Shun vain talk
  10. Recite talbiyah loudly, encouraging others
  11. On the days of Eid, walk through the tents reciting talbiyah loudly reminding others
  12. Gather stones for people
  13. Offer to throw on behalf of unable Hajjis
  14. Guide people to the Jamarat
  15. Lower your gaze
  16. Remind people of the lives of the Sahaabah
  17. Read Qur’an with the Tafseer
  18. Do the authentic Dhikr of the morning and evening
  19. Make dua during your Sajdah
  20. Stand to the side of a gate and offer people water/tea as they leave
  21. Give major attention to shy people in your group
  22. Remind people of patience, why they came here, and the example of our Ulumaa’ in Hajj
  23. Explain a Hajj Khutbah you may have heard to those around you
  24. Explain the importance of purifying one’s actions for the sake of Allah
  25. Phone relatives (from Makkah) on Eid day
  26. Make dua for forgotten friends (and the author of this list)
  27. Don’t allow Muslims to fight during Hajj
  28. Help people find a place to sleep
  29. Remember – during the heat – the unending torment of hellfire
  30. Say ‘Laa ilaaha illa Allah, wahdahu laa sharika lah, lahul Mulk wa lahul hamd, wa Huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in Qadeer’ 100x
  31. Say the dua of entering the market place when you go there
  32. Give charity to those who sell meager things (sandals/eggs)
  33. Attend the Halaqahs that are given in Mina
  34. Stay for the 13th of Dhul Hijjah
  35. Remind people to go home as better Muslims
  36. Forgive people that wrong you
  37. Talk to 10 different people from 10 different countries
  38. Compliment someone sincerely
  39. Visit the hospital and thank Allah for all that he has given you
  40. Take young Muslims and invite them to sit with the elders. Make them the center of attention.
  41. Give a Tafseer class after Salah / ask someone knowledgeable
  42. (For men) On the days of Eid, offer perfume to those around you
  43. Ask about the health of senior women in your group.  Make sure they are attended to.
  44. Focus hard on helping those immediately near you
  45. Take people to the slaughterhouse and help them / Or assist them in purchasing their slaughter coupons
  46. Remember specific blessings Allah has bestowed upon you and say Alhamdulillah
  47. Pray to Allah using his 99 most beautiful names (al Asmaa’ al Husna)
  48. Use a Miswak
  49. Fill your pockets with candies and give to the children that you meet
  50. Always intend reward from Allah for everything you go through during Hajj

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Source: islamicity.org

Supplications Of Hajj

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Supplications Of Hajj

Supplications Of Hajj

“O Our Lord, grant us best in this life and the best in the next life– and protect us from the punishment of the fire.” Supplications of hajj to be said  at Al- Safa and Al- Marwa”

The Talbiyah: When we are in a state of Ihram all along the pilgrimage
Labbaïkal-lâhumma labbaïk, labbaïka lâ sharîka laka labbaïk,
innal-hamda, wan-ni’imata, laka wal-mulk, lâ sharîka lak.
Here I am, My lord, Here I am, You have no partner, Here I am.
Praise, Grace and the kingdom is for you, You have no partner.
The supplication of hajj to be recited between the Yemeni corner and the black stone
( at the Ka’abah) .
Rabbanâ âtinâ fid-dunyâ hassanatan, wa fil-âkhirati hassanatan, wa qinâ adhâban-nâr.

“innas-safâ wal-marwata min sha’âiril-lâh ”

” Indeed As- Safa and Al – Marwa are from the places of worship of Allah ”

” Abda’u bimâ bada’al-lâhu bih .” “I begin with what Allah begin with”

“Allâhu Akbar, allâhu Akbar, allâhu Akbar.”

“Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest.”

“Lâ ilâha ilal-lâhu wahdahu lâ sharîka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa alâ kulli shaï’in qadîr,

lâ ilâha illal-lâhu wahdahu andjaza wa’adah ,wa nassara abdah, wa hazamal-ahzâba wahdah.”

“None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, Without partner. To him belongs all sovereignty and praise and he is over all things

omnipotent. None has the right to be worshipped except Allah alone.

He fulfilled his promise, aided his servant and single-handedly defeated the allies.”

The day of Arafah

Lâ ilâha illal-lâhu wahdahu lâ sharîka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa huwa alâ kulli shaï’in qadîr

None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, Without partner.

To him belongs all praise and sovereignty and he is over all things omnipotent.

When throwing each  pebble at the  Jamaraat

“Allâhu Akbar” – “Allah is the greatest ”

At the black stone

Bismillah wa Lâhu Akbar  –  In the name of  Allah, Allah is the greatest.

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Source: go-makkah.com