Courtesy : http://www.flickr.com/photos/8354235@N05/763933346/

Wathila b. al-Asqa’ reported:

“I heard Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying : “Verily Allah granted eminence to Kinana from amongst the descendants of Ismail and he granted eminence to the Quraish amongst Kinana and he granted eminence to the Quraish amongst Banu Hashim and he granted me eminence from the tribe of Banu Hashim.”"

(Sahih Muslim, Book #030, Hadith #5653)

Friday Khutbah (Sermons) : Lessons from the Farewell Pilgrimage
- by Imam Al-Haramain ‘Abdul-Bari ibn ‘Awad ath-Thubayti
from the Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah, Dhul-Qa‘dah 18, 1422 (February 2, 2002)

The Transcript:

All praise is due to Allah. May peace and blessings be upon the Messenger, his household and companions.

Fellow Muslims! Each time the month of Dhul-Hijjah approaches, a page in Islamic History glitters and a stance of the Messenger of Allah comes to limelight.

Among the major landmarks of Hajj are those comprehensive principles that the Prophet Muhammad announced in his sermon during the Farewell Pilgrimage. The Prophet proclaimed these concepts that were far from mere slogans but formed part of his call right from the onset of his mission and it was never change nor altered by any circumstances. He impressed these principles in the hearts of his companions in order that they could convey them to the mankind, and those principles were made to survive many generations because of their veracity and efficiency.

In that historical sermon, the Messenger of Allah warned against associating any partner to Allah in worship which is a disease that has almost destroyed the humanity, nearly severed man’s relationship with the source of his good and his very existence and dragged him into the abyss of whimsical desires. So, the fundamental meaning upon which the rules of Hajj as well as the rules of acts of worship revolve is Oneness of Allah. Islam is a religion of Monotheism and the House of Allah was specifically built for the purpose of worshipping Allah alone. He says in His Glorious Book,

“And (remember) when We showed Ibrahim the site of the (Sacred) House (the Kaaba at Makkah, saying): ‘Associate not anything in worship with Me and sanctify My House for those who circumambulate it and those who stand up for (prayers) and those who bow (submit themselves with humility and obedience to Allah) and make prostration (in prayer).” (Surah Al Hajj, 22:26)

Hajj is but a manifestation of Oneness of Allah in its brightest form and the Muslim nation has never been in need of re-establishing the essentials of faith as they are during Hajj. There are some people among the Muslims who have bargained the pure faith of Islam with erroneous ideologies, there are some who spread the poison of atheism with their pens; there are some who have conferred some Divine attributes on their leaders who claim to know the hidden things and receive revelations from heaven and there are some who have introduced the idolization of individuals, exempted some people from religious obligations and taken men as intermediaries between themselves and Allah; not to mention those who worship saints, build domes on graves, circumambulate round them, invoke their owners and slaughter for them, thereby causing proliferation of mausoleums and sects.

In the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Messenger of Allah said,

“It is unlawful for you to shed the blood of one another, to take unlawfully the properties of one another or to violate the honour of one another. They are as unlawful as shedding blood on such a day as today, in such a month as this and in such a sanctified city as this (Makkah).” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

These are everlasting basics for fundamental human rights which are unequalled by any man-made system or statute. In protecting human life, Allah says,

“And there is in Law of Equality in punishment, a (saving of) life for you.” (Surah Al Ma’idah, 5:38) In order to preserve people’s honour, He says, “The female and male fornicator, flog each of them with a hundred stripes.” (Surah Al Nur, 24:2)

This punishment is for unmarried man or woman. As for the married, his or her punishment is stoning to death. There should therefore, be no regard for falsehood or immunity for anarchy.

Islam highly respects man’s right to live. It respects the pure and righteous life, not a life of obscenity and crisis nor that of injustice and aggression.

There is no value in the respect for man’s right to live if that respect is not accompanied by a just law and regulation for that life. Islam takes care of man’s right to protect his life in order to make it an honoured one, rich in security, stability and tranquillity.

Islam builds security in the minds of the Muslims then in his life, in order that he may establish justice – based on the Law of Allah – between people, establish power and authority with which the Law of Allah can be consolidated in the earth, promote good relationship between people under the banner of Islamic brotherhood and strengthen the ties of the kith and kin for the sake of Allah.

Among the fundamental human rights in Islam is that, no man should harm another nor backbite him either with word or deed. It is on account of this that Islam prohibits slandering, calumny, ridiculing others and insulting them. The following story illustrates how this principle was applied during the time of the Messenger of Allah, a man was penalised repeatedly for his continuous alcoholic drinking. On an occasion, he was brought before the Messenger of Allah and flogged. A man among those present said,

“May Allah curse him! How many times has he been brought for this same offence!” Upon hearing that, the Messenger of Allah got angry and said, “Do not curse him. By Allah, I know that he loves Allah and His Messenger.” (Al-Bukhari)

Islam not only protects and honours man during his life, it also guarantees honour for him after his death by commanding that he be bathed, shrouded and prayed for after his death. It also prohibits braking of his bones or assaulting his dead body.

As for the present material civilization, it only proclaims ineffective and lame fundamental human rights in the sense that it is influenced and controlled by disgusting racialism as it also has no faith or correct belief. That is why human rights are being violated in the so-called most developed countries.

Where are fundamental human rights where the Quds is being continuously desecrated, when its lands are being wrongfully occupied and the blood of its rightful owners being shed with impunity?! Where are the claimed fundamental human rights when man’s moral values are being systematically destroyed and his humanity being dishonoured?! The Messenger of Allah in his Farewell Pilgrimage said,

“All matters of the time of ignorance have been put under my feet.” (Muslim)

During the time of ignorance (pre-Islamic period), Human life was very cheap, murder becomes widespread and wars and bloodshed were order of the day. This was because those people had no faith that could protect them from their filthy behaviours. Then, Islam came to change this unenviable situation and established basics for the respect of human life and declared unwarranted and illegal killings as crime. Allah says,

“If anyone kills a person – unless it be in retaliation for murder or (by way of punishment) for spreading mischief in the land – it would be as if he killed the whole mankind.” (Surah Al Ma’idah, 5:32)

Before the advent of the Prophet, tribalism was deeply rooted but the Messenger uprooted it. He (SAW) said,

“You are all from Aadam and Aadam was created from clay. The most honourable of you is the most pious. There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab, or for a non-Arab over an Arab, neither is there any superiority for a red-skinned over a white-skinned or for a white-skinned over a red-skinned except by piety.”

It is by this golden statement that Islam cancelled all human differences. Islam makes it meaningless to evaluate man with the colour of his skin, his lineage, wealth or worldly position, for all this is conferred by Allah upon His slaves with no choice of theirs. There is only one criterion for evaluating man that Allah explains in this verse,

“Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is (that believer) who has piety.” (Surah Al Hujurat, 49:13)

So the strongest in faith and best in deeds is the most honourable. When the strange seed was nearly sowed among the pure Muslim society during the Battle of Banee Al-Mustaliq, the Messenger of Allah quickly nipped it in the bud with his famous saying,

“Are you raising the slogans of the time of ignorance while I am still in your midst?”

He was never pleased to see signs of racialism or tribalism among his companions even in utterances. Abu Dharr once insulted a man and called him, “You son of a black woman!” The Messenger of Allah angrily told him,

“Are you insulting him on account of the origin of his mother? You are indeed a man on whom there is a trait of the time of ignorance.”

He also said in another occasion,

“He is not of us, the one who calls to nationalism, fights for nationalism and dies for nationalism.” (Abu Dawood)

It is therefore disappointing to find some Arabs these days calling to nationalism and being proud of that in total disregard for the saying of the Messenger of Allah,

“Keep away from that (racialism), for it is stinking.” (Muslim)

In the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet said,

“The first usury to be cancelled is our own usury: that of ‘Abbaas son of Abdul Muttalib. All of it is cancelled.” (Muslim)

Allah prohibits usury because of its grievous harm. It destroys the conscience, ruins human life with covetousness, greed and selfishness. It kills collective spirit, causes enmity and sows hatred among people. Allah declares war on its practitioners in this life through economic crises and psychological disturbances, and in the Hereafter with a painful torment. He says,

“Those who eat usury will not stand (on the Day of Resurrection) except like the standing of a person beaten by Satan leading him to insanity.” (Surah Al Baqarah, 1:275)

The usury-based economic system is responsible for many financial crisis and woes that confront individuals, societies and nations.

In the Farewell pilgrimage, the Messenger of Allah said,

“Fear Allah as regards women, for you married them on a covenant from Allah.”

This saying highlights the protection and the respect that Islam has for woman’s rights either in her capacity as a mother, wife or daughter. It takes care of her rights from the beginning till the end of her life. It makes her body forbidden to the glances of strangers and gives her the right to inherit and acquire knowledge. It also makes no distinction between her and man in reward and religious obligations. Allah says,

“Whoever works righteousness – whether male or female – while he (or she) is a true believer, verily to him We will give a good life and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they do.” (Surah Al Nahl, 16:97)

In Islam, we do not talk of rights of woman through empty theories and useless conferences. But we invite every body to read the history of the past women believers like Khadijah, Sumayyah, Asmaa’, A’ishah, Hafsah and Al-Hansaa’. We are opening for the humanity the shining pages from the history of the Muslim women so that they can see the living example of their feats. We invite the mankind to understand how Islam elevates woman, purifies her feelings, refines her character and takes her to the high aims and aspirations. The human history has recorded for them glowing and everlasting achievements that testify to their nobility and excellence.

As for those who appointed themselves as reformers and claim that they are leading women to the right path, they accuse others who admonish women to maintain their modesty and chastity with stupidity and backwardness. But when you look deeply into what they proclaim, you will find that their thoughts and behaviours are abnormal, that they have naturally perverted and have become captives to their lusts. These people have been surrounded by insinuations, so their aim is to deprive the Muslim nation of its values, deprive the free women their glory and the chaste her chastity.

In the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Messenger of Allah said,

“I have left for you that which if you hold fast unto it you will never go astray: the Book of Allah and my Sunnah.” (Muslim)

It is the Creator of man who knows best what is of benefit for man and makes him achieve happiness; and that is holding fast unto the Rope of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger. Allah says,

“Verily, this Quran guides to that which is most just and right.” (Surah Al Isra’, 17:9)

That means it guides man to that which is just in matters of interactions, law, politics, finance, economics, science, education and morals. Allah says,

“He has neglected nothing in the Book.” (Surah Al An’am, 6:38)

Further, whoever wants glory and honour, he can only found that in the guidance of the Quran,

“Whoever desires honour, (power and glory let him know that) to Allah belong all honour power and glory.” (Surah Fatir, 35:10)

Whoever is seeking for security and peace, let him seek for that in the Quran,

“It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah) and confuse not their belief with wrong (by worshipping others beside Allah), for them (only) there is security and they are the guided.” (Surah Al An’am, 6:82)

Whoever desires economic prosperity should look for that in the guidance of the Quran,

“And if the people of the towns had believed and had the piety, certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth.” (Surah Al A’raf, 7:96)

Also, let those who want power follow the Quranic injunction on the means of power,

“And make ready against them all you can of power, including steeds of war to threaten the enemy of Allah and your enemy.” (Surah Al Anfal, 8:60)

As regards the foundations of human honour and fundamental human rights, Allah says,

“And indeed We have honoured the children of Aadam, and We have carried them on land and sea and have provided them with lawful good things and have preferred them above many of those whom We have created with a marked preferment.” (Surah Al Isra’, 17:70)

There is also in the Quran a promise of prosperity in this world and everlasting bliss in the Hereafter for those who do good deeds.

Since the first generations of Muslims and the righteous predecessors followed the teachings of the Quran, they became leaders who guided mankind by the will of Allah and established a compassionate Islamic state. But when the later generations of Muslims abandoned these pure teachings, they became divided into factions and sects that killed one another and cursed one another. And this is an act that the Messenger of Allah strongly warned against when he said,

“Do not turn back after me into disbelievers, striking the necks of one another.”

It therefore, becomes clear that it is the abandonment of this noble directive that caused what the Muslims are suffering from in our contemporary time.

Dear Brethren, Farewell Pilgrimage is a reawakening call to the entire Muslims on the occasion of the Hajj in order to achieve the desired self-examination, staying upright on the true guidance in response to the call of the leader of the Messengers – peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all.

Friday Khutbah (Sermons) : Hajj – A Symbol of Tawheed
- by Imam Al-Haramain Husayn ibn ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Aal Sheikh
from the Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah, Dhul-Qa’dah 29, 1421 (February 23, 2001)

The Transcript:

All praise is due to Allah. May His peace and blessings be upon the Prophet saws, his household and companions.

Fellow Muslims! The greatest issue and the obligation upon every human being is At-Tawheed (to have belief in the oneness of Allah and to act in accordance to it.) It is only with Tawheed that one attains good and comfort and without it one’s lot will be misery and hardship. That is why no stage of the Prophet’s (SAW) mission was devoid of calling into Tawheed and waging war against Shirk and its manifestations. All pillars of Islam confirm the importance of Tawheed and embody it, for it is the root of those pillars, while the pillars are its branches and fruit.

Hajj, which is one of the pillars of Islam, is a great symbol of the actualisation of Tawheed in one’s worship, direction and aim. Allah says:

“And for every nation We have appointed religious ceremonies, that they may mention the Name of Allah over the beast of cattle that He has given them for food. And your Ilah (God) is one Ilah, so you must submit to Him alone (in Islam). And (O Muhammad (SAW)!) give glad tidings to the Mukhbitin (those who obey Allah with humility and are humble from among the true believers of Islamic Monotheism).” (Surah Al Hajj, 22:34)

Dear brothers, let us now study some illustrations that reveal the spirit of Hajj in the light of these points:

1. The Prophet (SAW) entered into the state of Ihraam with At-Tawheed. Jaabir (RA) said,

“And he started his Ihraam with At-Tawheed when he said:

Labbayka Allahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-ni’mata laka wal-mulk, laa shareeka lak.

(Meaning: I respond to Your call, O Allah I respond to Your call. I respond to Your call, You have no partner. I respond to Your call. Indeed, the praise and grace are yours as well as sovereignty. You have no partner.)”

One must raise his voice with it for, the Prophet (SAW) said,

“The best Hajj is the one in which the voice is raised with Talbiyah and blood of sacrificial animals flow.”

It is a talbiyah of the one who feels that all acts of worship should compulsorily be directed to Allah alone and realises the danger of shirk and other destructive sins; a talbiyah of the one who sacrifices to none but Allah, calls none but Allah and seeks relief from none except Allah. The pilgrim keeps on reciting this talbiyah until he casts the pebbles of Jamratul-’Aqabah.

2. It is authentically reported from the Prophet (SAW) that during his Tawaaf he only touched the Yamanee Corner and Al-Hajar Al-Aswad. If the pilgrim however finds difficulty in touching them he should point to Al-Hajar Al-Aswad and say, “Allahu Akbar” once as he passes by it. As regards the Yamanee Corner, he should not point to it if he cannot touch it. This is done in order to come closer to Allah, and carry out His commandments. Allah says:

“So let them worship the Lord of this House.” (Surah Quraysh, 106:3)

The Prophet (SAW) also said,

“Circumambulation of the House; running between Safaa and Marwa, and casting the pebbles is only ordained for establishment of the remembrance of Allah.”

These rites were performed by the Prophet (SAW) solely for the purpose of worshipping Allah, and not for the purpose of seeking blessings therefrom. That is why ‘Umar (RA) said when kissing Al-Hajar Al-Aswad,

“By Allah! I know that you are only a stone. You neither benefit nor harm. If it were not that I saw the Prophet (SAW) kissing you, I would not have kissed you.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)

Scholars have agreed that it is not permissible to touch or kiss other than what is reported in the Sunnah that the Prophet (SAW) has touched or kissed. Al-Athram -a companion of Imaam Ahmad-said,

“I saw that people of knowledge among the inhabitants of Madinah did not use to touch the Prophet’s (SAW) grave, they would only stand at a corner and say their salaam to him.”

Abdul-Hasan said,

“Under Islamic Law, the touching and kissing of graves are regarded to be abominable innovations.” He further said, “The Khuraasaanee Jurists said, “Graves should not be rubbed, kissed or touched for that is the practice of Christians.”

At-Tahaawee -the Hanafite scholar- said,

“Graves should not be touched nor kissed for that is the custom of the People of the Book.”

In Islam, nothing is known to be touched except Al-Hajar Al-Aswad and the Yamanee Corner.

3. The running between As-Safaa and Al-Marwa has been prescribed as a pillar of Hajj and ‘Umrah. This is so that pilgrims may be reminded of Hajar and her son (Prophet Ismail (AS)) and the hardship they experienced and how Allah caused Zamzam water to gush forth for them to quench their thirst and as a healing for the sick. Thereby making Muslims believe that refuge should be sought with Allah alone. Allah says:

“Is not He Who responds to the distressed one when he calls Him and Who removes the evil (better than their gods).” (Surah Al Naml, 27:62)

It also makes him know definitely that sincere dependence on Allah coupled by making use of the means is the gateway to success and attainment of desired things.

4. That there is no prosperity or success in this world except through following the path of Prophet (SAW), having faith and doing good deeds. It is in the light of this that he said,

“Take from me your Hajj rites.”

The eagerness of the Companions was embodied in this saying of Ibn Abbaas (RA):

“Do your Hajj as the Prophet (SAW) did his, and do not say: This is sunnah and this is compulsory.”

One of the greatest aims of Hajj is to remember his guidance and to adhere to his path without negligence or exaggeration. The Prophet (SAW) said,

“Whoever performs a deed on which there is no order from us will have it rejected.”

To emphasise the importance of moderation and shunning of exaggeration and negligence in everything, Ibn Abbaas (RA) narrated that:

The Prophet (SAW) told him to fetch his pebbles on the morning of ‘Aqabah (i.e. the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah) while he was on his camel. He said, “I fetched him seven throwing-pebbles. He started sorting them out in his fingers saying, ‘Throw ones like these.’ He then said, ‘O you people! Keep away from extremism in religion, for that which destroyed those who came before you was extremism in religion.’”

Dear brothers, let this great occasion be an avenue for self-examination. Let it be an opportunity for renewing ones allegiance to the book of Allah and the sunnah of His Prophet (SAW). Let it be a time when one shuns exaggerations and negligence in all sorts of worship. Let it also be known that Hajj should not be an occasion where one accuses his brother of abominable things without clear evidence.

Brothers in faith! Adhere to the guidance of the Leader of the Messengers, Muhammad (SAW). Whoever follows his path shall prosper and achieve everlasting happiness. Further, only when this ummah recognises the true guidance of its religion and the path of its Prophet in its true sense that it will attain glory and might. It was said,

“Islam shall become a hard rock upon which the evangelical ships are crumbled as long as the pillars; Al-Quran, Friday Prayers and the Hajj gathering, remain firm.”

Fellow Muslims! Some highly important days have come upon us. They are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Allah swore by them as a token of their importance and merit and to stress the great reward of those who do righteous deeds in them. He says,

“By the dawn! By the Ten Nights!” (i.e. the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah).  (Surah Al Fajr, 89:1-2)

The Prophet (SAW) also said,

“There are no days in which good deeds are more loved by Allah than these days.”

Meaning the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. The Companions (RA) said, “Even jihad in the way of Allah?” He replied, “Even jihad in the way of Allah, with the exception of a man who goes out for jihad with his soul and his wealth, and does not return with either.” (Al-Bukhari)

Good deeds, dear brothers, include righteous sayings, actions and behaviour. An important aspect of that is to visit Muslims wherever they may be, to feel concerned about their affairs, to alleviate their sufferings and to pray for them.

Brothers in Islam! It is recommended to do a lot of Tahleel (saying ‘La ilaha illa Allah’), Takbeer (saying ‘Allahu Akbar’) and Tahmeed (saying ‘Al-hamdu lillah’) in these days. Also, if anyone wants to make a sacrifice for ‘Eid, and it is already in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, he should not cut his hair or nails. The Prophet (SAW) said,

“When you see the moon of Dhul-Hijjah let any one of you who intends to sacrifice an animal for ‘Eid not take anything from his hair or nails until he has made the sacrifice.” (Muslim)

This prohibition is only binding on those who want to sacrifice. As for those on whose behalf a sacrifice is to be made, they are not included in this prohibition.

On this great occasion, we sincerely appeal to eminent Muslim personalities to recognise the enormous responsibilities they have to shoulder so that they can make use of these noble days to propagate Islam and spread the good virtues that Islam promotes in accordance with the commandments of Allah and respect to His limits and injunctions. We should always follow this method, be it during Hajj or other days.

The Holy Quran, Surah Ibrahim, 14:35-41

14.035 Remember Ibrahim said: “O my Lord! make this city one of peace and security: and preserve me and my sons from worshipping idols.”

14.036 “O my Lord! they have indeed led astray many among mankind; He then who follows my (ways) is of me, and he that disobeys me,- but Thou art indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.”

14.037 “O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley without cultivation, by Thy Sacred House; in order, O our Lord, that they may establish regular Prayer: so fill the hearts of some among men with love towards them, and feed them with fruits: so that they may give thanks.”

14.038 “O our Lord! truly Thou dost know what we conceal and what we reveal: for nothing whatever is hidden from Allah, whether on earth or in heaven.”

14.039 “Praise be to Allah, Who hath granted unto me in old age Isma’il and Isaac: for truly my Lord is He, the Hearer of Prayer!”

14.040 “O my Lord! make me one who establishes regular Prayer, and also (raise such) among my offspring O our Lord! and accept Thou my Prayer.”

14.041 “O our Lord! cover (us) with Thy Forgiveness – me, my parents, and (all) Believers, on the Day that the Reckoning will be established!”

Hajj – The Largest gathering in the world each year!

It is the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Makkah, which remains the ultimate symbol of the oneness and brotherhood of man.Here, rich and poor from all nations stand and bow in unison before God in what is the largest gathering of humanity; testifying to the Prophet’s words when he said:

‘There is truly no excellence for an Arab over a non-Arab, nor for a non-Arab over an Arab; nor for a white man over a black man, nor for a black man over a white man; except through piety.’ (Ahmad)

Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah, Ch. 2, Verse 25:

“There is no compulsion in Religion, truth stands out clear from error…”

“And proclaim the Pilgrimage among men: they will come to thee on foot and (mounted) on every kind of camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways;” [Al Quran, Surah Al Hajj, 22:27]

And yes indeed we came. We came from every remote corner of the world. We came from the different economic levels, different education background, different races and different skin colors. We, a blue collar worker from Kerteh, a clove grower from Central Java, a rust engineer from Belgium, a mining worker from South Africa, a factory hand from UK, a surgeon from Cheras, a teacher from Egypt, a civil contractor from Algiers, an onions exporter from Mumbai, a lecturer from Karachi and so on and so forth flocked to the Holy Lands of Madinah and Makkah, as to fulfill the Calling.

We came, brought along with us, the Faith, of however minutes that we have, hoping that it will be increased. The hearts with the black spots of however dirty it were hoping that will be cleaned and the sins will be Forgived, and the Hopes of however high it were and still are, hoping that it will be Granted.

We arrived, at Madinah with tears. We walked the roads of Madinatul Munawarrah, the City of RasulAllah, with all the tender loves that we have for our Prophet. We prostrated at the Raudah with humble hearts that our Prayers will be answered. We visited the Maqam RasulAllah SAW, delivered Salams, as he was sitting there smiling, receiving us. We wet our cheeks in the Masjid-il Nabawi in hoping that we will be accepted as his Ummah and receive his Safaat, in the Days of Resurrection. We were there, silently or openly, crying expressing our never ending loves to the Prophet.

We arrived, at Makkatul Mukarammah with tears and with fears. We were at the House of Allah with other millions yet we felt only us alone there prostrating to the Creator. And everybody felt the same.

“Is not Allah, as our Quran says, Nearer to thee than the vein in thy neck?”

Source: Road To Mecca, Muhammad Assad, pg 127

Islam – The Cure for Racism

When he was in Makkah, Al-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X) wrote a letter to his loyal assistants in Harlem… from his heart:

America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem.

“Never have I witnessed such sincere hospitality and overwhelming spirit of true brotherhood as is practiced by people of all colors and races here in this ancient Holy Land, the home of Abraham, Muhammad and all the other Prophets of the Holy Scriptures. For the past week, I have been utterly speechless and spellbound by the graciousness I see displayed all around me by people of all colors.

“I have been blessed to visit the Holy City of Makkah, I have made my seven circuits around the Kaaba, led by a young Mutawaf named Muhammad, I drank water from the well of the Zam Zam. I ran seven times back and forth between the hills of Mt. Al-Safa and Al-Marwah. I have prayed in the ancient city of Mina, and I have prayed on Mt. Arafat.

“There were tens of thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. They were of all colors, from blue-eyed blonds to black-skinned Africans. But we were all participating in the same ritual, displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experiences in America had led me to believe never could exist between the white and non-white.

“America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem. Throughout my travels in the Muslim world, I have met, talked to, and even eaten with people who in America would have been considered white – but the white attitude was removed from their minds by the religion of Islam. I have never before seen sincere and true brotherhood practiced by all colors together, irrespective of their color.

“You may be shocked by these words coming from me. But on this pilgrimage, what I have seen, and experienced, has forced me to rearrange much of my thought-patterns previously held, and to toss aside some of my previous conclusions. This was not too difficult for me. Despite my firm convictions, I have always been a man who tries to face facts, and to accept the reality of life as new experience and new knowledge unfolds it. I have always kept an open mind, which is necessary to the flexibility that must go hand in hand with every form of intelligent search for truth.

“During the past eleven days here in the Muslim world, I have eaten from the same plate, drunk from the same glass, and slept on the same rug – while praying to the same God – with fellow Muslims, whose eyes were the bluest of blue, whose hair was the blondest of blond, and whose skin was the whitest of white. And in the words and in the actions and in the deeds of the white Muslims, I felt the same sincerity that I felt among the black African Muslims of Nigeria, Sudan and Ghana.

“We were truly all the same (brothers) – because their belief in one God had removed the white from their minds, the white from their behaviour, and the white from their attitude.

“I could see from this, that perhaps if white Americans could accept the Oneness of God, then perhaps, too, they could accept in reality the Oneness of Man – and cease to measure, and hinder, and harm others in terms of their ‘differences’ in color.

“With racism plaguing America like an incurable cancer, the so-called ‘Christian’ white American heart should be more receptive to a proven solution to such a destructive problem. Perhaps it could be in time to save America from imminent disaster – the same destruction brought upon Germany by racism that eventually destroyed the Germans themselves.

“Each hour here in the Holy Land enables me to have greater spiritual insights into what is happening in America between black and white. The American Negro never can be blamed for his racial animosities – he is only reacting to four hundred years of the conscious racism of the American whites. But as racism leads America up the suicide path, I do believe, from the experiences that I have had with them, that the whites of the younger generation, in the colleges and universities, will see the handwriting on the walls and many of them will turn to the spiritual path of truth – the only way left to America to ward off the disaster that racism inevitably must lead to.

“Never have I been so highly honored. Never have I been made to feel more humble and unworthy. Who would believe the blessings that have been heaped upon an American Negro? A few nights ago, a man who would be called in America a white man, a United Nations diplomat, an ambassador, a companion of kings, gave me his hotel suite, his bed. Never would I have even thought of dreaming that I would ever be a recipient of such honors – honors that in America would be bestowed upon a King – not a Negro.

“All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the Worlds.

Sincerely, Al-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz” (Malcolm X)

(From the “Autobiography of Malcolm X” with assistance from Alex Haley, the author of ROOTS)

Years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops.

As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received a steady stream of refusals.

Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer. “Are you a good farm hand?” the farmer asked him. “Well, I can sleep when the wind blows,” answered the little man. Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, hired him.

The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man’s work.

Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired hand’s sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and yelled, “Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!”

The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, “No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows.” Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm.

To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down. Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.

When you’re prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically, you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life? The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he had secured the farm against the storm. We secure ourselves against the storms of life by strenghthening ourselves in the Word of Allah.

From the very beginning of Man’s creation, the issue of gratefulness and thankfulness to Allah has been debated. After refusing to bow to Adam, Satan said, “”Then will I assault them from before them and behind them, from their right and their left: Nor wilt Thou (Allah) find, in most of them, gratitude (for thy mercies).”” [Surah Al A'raf 7:17] This statement from the worst of liars has proven to be true, not only among the disbelievers, but also among the Muslims.

Unfortunately, we Muslims have fallen into the trap of Satan, and have gotten so caught up in our comings and goings, that we very rarely take the time to reflect on the favours of Allah, and to thank Him with the thanks that is due Him. We are so busy conducting our daily lives that we forget who is really incharge, and from where our sustenance comes. This is not the way, for Allah says, “Then do ye remember Me; I will remember you. Be grateful to Me, and reject not Faith.” [Surah Al Baqarah 2:152]

The problem that most of us face is what I call the, “if I only…” syndrome. If I only had a better wife, I would be grateful. If I only had sons instead of daughters, I would be grateful. If I only had a bigger house, a better car, more money, a better job, and the list goes on and on. We are constantly focused on the things we don’t have, instead of being grateful to Allah for the things we do have.

This is a very serious illness, for which the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wasallam, has given the cure. He, sallallah alayhi wasallam, admonished us, in terms of worldly things to always look to those beneath us, to those less fortunate than us, for this will keep us thankful. Allah says about the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, that in him we have the best of examples. In terms of showing us how to be thankful to Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala, he is as Allah says. It is narrated by al-Mughira that the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, used to stand (in the salah) or performs salah until both his feet or legs swelled. He was asked why (he offered such an unbearable Salah) he said, “Should I not be a thankful slave.” (Bukhari)

As the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, advised us, the best way to stay thankful to Allah is to count His favours in our lives everyday For Allah says, “And He giveth you of all that ye ask for. But if ye count the favours of Allah, never will ye be able to number them. Verily, man is given up to injustice and ingratitude.” [Surah Ibrahim 14:34] This statement of Allah is so true, yet we put so little value on it, and do not take heed.

The very fact that we got up this morning, that we can offer the salah, that we had breakfast, that we have clothes to wear, water to bathe ourselves, that we have homes to shelter us from the elements, that we have our health, our families, etc., etc., etc., are all favour from Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala. We should take none of it for granted, or become arrogant enough to believe that we attained any of it because of our own efforts alone.

Thankfulness frees the heart from greed, jealousy and envy. When we are thankful to Allah, we remain mindful of Him and His continues Mercy toward us, and this in return humbles us and improves our characters. The very fact that Allah has guided us to Islam and the sunnah of His Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wasallam, in itself should be a source of continual praise. Allah says, “We showed him the Way: whether he be grateful or ungrateful (rests on his will).” [Surah Al Insan 76:3]

Allah also says that only few of His servants thank Him. Let us then strive to be among these few by keeping our tongues wet with His remembrance and hearts soft with His praise.

Tawaaf Is a Cosmic Law
By Prof. Dr. Ahmad Fouad Pasha (Professor at Cairo University)

Allah Almighty says: “It is He Who created the Night and the Day, and the sun and the moon: all (the celestial bodies) swim along, each in its rounded course.” (Surah Al Anbiya 21:33)

This glorious verse refers to a scientific fact concerning the system of the universe. Scientific discoveries have proved that we live in a huge universe that depends on revolution. The earth revolves round the sun once a year, the moon revolves around the earth once per lunar month, and the other planets of the solar system also revolve round the sun, each in its own orbit. Besides, most of these planets have moons that revolve around them, each, also, in its own orbit. Astronomers have discovered more than 60 of these moons so far.

The solar system, likewise, orbits a center of our galaxy, the Milky Way. This galaxy consists of more than 130 billion stars. Galaxies, in turn, revolve round a center that only Almighty Allah knows.

The law of revolution applies also to atoms, the smallest units of elements that cannot be seen even by microscopes. An atom is composed of a nucleus whose diameter is less than a millionth of a millimeter. An atom is surrounded by electrons that move round the atom in an orbit. Since all matter in the universe-whether solid, liquid, or gaseous-consists of atoms, this means that the law of revolution applies to everything: stars, planets, moons, animals, plants, sand, seas, air, and so on.

This includes cells as well. The cytoplasm in the cell moves around the nucleus.

There is a common factor between the orbital movements of all the objects referred to above, this is, their revolution is counterclockwise.

Contemplating the above lines, we come to realize that revolution is a cosmic law.

With a believer’s meditation upon such a scientific fact, another image of revolution is brought to one’s mind: the pilgrims’ circumambulation of the Kaaba, which is a basic ritual of Hajj in Islam.

Circumambulating the Kaaba is a symbolic act of worship, whose wisdom may be hidden form some. It indicates the believers’ utter submission to Almighty Allah alone. The pilgrims go to Hajj in response to the divine order that Prophet Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him) conveyed to people. Allah Almighty says:

“Behold! We gave the site, to Ibrahim, of the (Sacred) House, (saying): “Associate not anything (in worship) with Me; and sanctify My House for those who compass it round, or stand up, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).” And proclaim the Pilgrimage among men: they will come to thee on foot and (mounted) on every kind of camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways;” (Surah Al Hajj 22:26-27)

This signifies that the Kaaba is the spiritual center of the believers. It refers to the close bond that should be between a believer and his Lord. A believer turns toward the Kaaba five times a day during the prescribed ritual Prayers.

A pilgrim circumambulates the Kaaba as if he or she is a celestial body orbiting another greater body. Circumambulation of the Kaaba is to be performed counterclockwise. This indicates that there is a joint factor between a pilgrim’s expressing his ultimate faith in Almighty Allah by circumambulating the Kaaba in that way and between the cosmic law of revolution discussed above. This indicates that there is consistency between the obligations of worship in Islam and the natural laws that govern the universe, which indicates that they all belong to only one source, that is, Almighty Allah.

This proves the truthfulness of the call of Islam that there is no god but Almighty Allah. Thus, Islam is the true religion that provides humankind with a comprehensive view in conformity with the divine truth that is apparent in the natural laws of the universe.

Al-Baqi is the principal graveyard of the people of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah and has been so since the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Of all of the historic places in Madinah, it is the closest to Al-Masjid An-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque). It is located opposite the southeastern section of the wall of the masjid. Recently, some contiguous property was added to it to increase the land area available for burials.

An imposing new, high marble-clad wall has been erected around the entire perimeter of Al-Baqi, so that the old and new areas have been united. Its total area was increased to 56,000 square meters (13.8 acres). Al-Baqi contains the mortal remains of thousands upon thousands of Muslims.

This graveyard has been the final resting place of the residents of Madinah, as well as those of nearby neighboring areas and of visitors, since the time of Hijrah. It was the preferred final resting place of the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all). This is evidenced by the fact that about ten thousand of the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) are buried within. Among the notable Muslims interred there are the Mothers of the Believers (the Prophet’s wives), with the exclusion of Khadijah and Maymunah (may Allah be pleased with them all). Also buried there are the Prophet’s daughters, the Prophet’s son Ibrahim, the Prophet’s uncle `Abbas, the Prophet’s aunt Safiyyah, and the Prophet’s grandson Al-Hasan ibn Ali (may Allah be pleased with them all). There are many, many other respected Muslims from throughout the history of Islam buried here who are too numerous to mention.

Several hadiths of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) mention that visiting Jannatul-Baqi is both virtuous and meritorious.

‘A’isha reported (that whenever it was her turn for Allah’s Messenger [may peace be upon him] to spend the night with her) he would go out towards the end of the night to al-baqi’ and say: Peace be upon you, abode of a people who are believers. What you were promised would come to you tomorrow, you receiving it after some delay; and God willing we shall join you. O Allah, grant forgiveness to the inhabitants of baqi’ al-Gharqad. Qutaiba did not mention his words:” would come to you”. (Sahih Muslim, Book #004, Hadith #2126)

Thus, it is recommended to visit Al-Baqi and supplicate Allah for those buried in its noble earth.

In Islam we are encouraged to be good. Allah will only hold us responsible for our actions. If we even think good, Allah rewards us no matter if we diddnt do the good action. Just thinking good is enough. If we think bad, we will not be punished just for thinking bad unless we do the bad action. If we think bad and then do Astaghfar, we get reward for saying sorry for a bad thought.

People (Muslims or otherwise) from different parts of the world go and settle in new places. Sometimes they have cultral baggages that are not required. They take it with them. These baggages cause problem for them, for the people living there, for others like them who have come in past or will come in future. In the end we are responsible for our actions in front of Allah and also the law of the land. We should always keep this in mind.

Almighty Allah says to us in the Glorious Quran:

“And proclaim the Pilgrimage among men: they will come to thee on foot and (mounted) on every kind of camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways; That they may witness the benefits (provided) for them, and celebrate the name of Allah, through the Days appointed, over the cattle which He has provided for them (for sacrifice): then eat ye thereof and feed the distressed ones in want.” (Surah Al Hajj 22:27-28)

This is the call from our lord Allah. He made it holy by His majesty, and did this for His faithful servants. It is a call from the one, Allah, to the nation of Islam to fulfill these sacred rites. Indeed, these rites are so very much a part of the foundations of Islam.

Almighty Allah tells us in the Quran:

“Behold! We gave the site, to Ibrahim, of the (Sacred) House, (saying): “Associate not anything (in worship) with Me; and sanctify My House for those who compass it round, or stand up, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).” (Surah Al Hajj 22:26)

From the first moment, the Kaaba was established for the sake of tawheed and the Lord of the Kaaba commanded Prophet Ibrahim who built it that when he finished building it he should call people to pilgrimage and invite them to the sanctified house of Almighty Allah. He promised Ibrahim that the people would obey this call and come in great numbers to the Kaaba which is a blessed place. He promised that the people would come from all directions and all regions, and that they would come running and riding every vehicle that Almighty Allah has subjugated for human beings.

As we see this promise is still being fulfilled today as it was back then. The hearts of the believers still desire to go to the sacred Kaaba. They move and wish to visit it, see it and go round it and be in this blessed place.

Prophet Ibrahim called the people from the Mount of Abi Qubais as his Lord had commanded him to do, and indeed, Almighty Allah made generation after generation heed this call and He made all those who were able to respond to do so, and He made those who believe in one God, the faithfully obedient to respond. For this reason, they say “I am in your service O Lord! I am in your service. There is no god by You. I am in Your service and indeed all praise and favor is Yours and all sovereignty. There is no god but You.”

Hajj is a great responsibility and replenishment for the soul and indeed, Almighty Allah made this service and these sacred rites as a distinguished reinforcement for the soul as compassion and mercy from Him for the Muslims.

The Muslim performs Hajj in a state of ihram and this means that upon Hajj and the intention for Hajj to the house of Almighty Allah, the pilgrim frees himself from everyday clothes, and worldly comforts and enters a state which represents the veils of the dead. Then along with the great gathering crowd the pilgrim remembers the Day of the Gathering; the Day of Standing before Almighty Allah.

The journey of Hajj awakens the self with many reminders of the suffering of Porphet Ibrahim and Ismail and it takes him back to the time of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him); a reminder and insight to his life. All these places, sites and images the pilgrim sees awaken him to wonder that maybe at this place stood the best of mankind, our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings upon him); maybe he prayed at this place; maybe our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) fell prostrate at this place; and maybe it was at this place that he shed his tears, pure and true. When the pilgrim imagines these sites, the importance of work or action becomes important to him; it brings strength to his faith to continue striving and it widens his capacity to change that which is in the self that he may become rectified and pure. The pilgrim hopes that he may join our righteous predecessors; those who were of this blessed place.

On the day the people stand at Arafat, the heavens meet with the earth and the angels of the merciful descend upon the people of that place. Almighty Allah pours forth His mercy on all those present at that place, and gathering all the angels He says in hadith Qudsi:

“Oh My angels, look at My servants, they come to me disheveled and covered in dust, all of you bear witness that I have forgiven them all.”

Therefore, blessed is the one who answers the call of Ibrahim and blessed be the one who performs Hajj to the sacred house of Almighty Allah.

These meanings are meant to penetrate the Muslim to the core of his very own being and let him return in a new reborn state. This is the state he was in when he was born, with a pure heart. It gives him new resolve to be obedient to Almighty Allah.

Therefore, Hajj is turning to Almighty Allah in repentance, wanting to rid oneself of wrong doings and to become firm on the religion. Those who are blessed with this gift should choose for themselves a good companion to go with so that they can remind each other of the many things they encounter during Hajj. If one forgets then the other will remind him, and if one becomes distressed, the other will be a comfort and support.

Actions in Islam are accepted when they are in accordance with Shariah, the sacred law of Islam, along with a pure intention. Let us be sure that we do all things for the sake of Almighty Allah.

When the pilgrim sees the Kaaba, the magnificence of the place should enter his heart and he should be thankful to Almighty Allah that he reached it. The pilgrim should remember Allah much when he circumambulates the Kaaba and when he touches the Black Stone. The pilgrim should know that this signifies his pledge of allegiance with Almighty Allah to obey His commands. When he comes near to the place of the Kaaba called Al-Multazim and he takes the cloth of the Kaaba in his hand, he should remember that Allah is his refuge from this world and he seek as much forgiveness as he can for his sins and mistakes in this world.

The pilgrim should remember when running between As-Safa and Al-Marwah that this symbolizes his plight running between hope and fear; fear of rejection from Almighty Allah and hope in Allah’s favor, whose mercy encompasses all things.

He should constantly remember that it is upon us to act and exert ourselves in this life seeking nearness to Almighty Allah and seeking His good pleasure. Indeed, this is the greatest of all hopes.

When the pilgrim throws and casts the stones, he should remember his war and conflict to save his own soul from evil desire and harm; his war with the devil. This is a war from which there is no cessation and no break from the responsibilities of it until he meets Almighty Allah .

If the pilgrim goes to Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, the holy city of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he should know that this is the land that Almighty Allah chose for His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and that he emigrated to this land and there he built his house and lived and there live the remnants of his people even until today. In this land, our Prophet’s soul was received and his body was prepared to go to the grave. Therefore, when the pilgrim stands before his grave, he should make sure to pause and send his peace and salutations properly and say:

“Here I am Messenger of Allah. I am from those who follow you and I am from those who believe in you and follow your way and I am upon this covenant and I promise to carry this trust and I will call to Islam as much as I possibly can. So return to me my greeting, Messenger of Allah so that the Lord’s mercy might come to me and bear witness for me in front of your Lord and intercede for me on the Day of Terror.”

When the pilgrim finishes all the rituals, he should make his intention to go back to the Kaaba before leaving this holy land and go around the Kaaba to bid farewell and ask that he may be of those who return to it and ask his Lord to accept his deeds.

The Call of Ibrahim
Article written by Muhammad Al-Shareef

When Ibrahim (peace be upon him) completed the structure of the Kaaba, Allah commanded him to call the people to Hajj. Ibrahim (peace be upon him) pleaded, “O Allah! How shall my voice reach all of those people?” Allah told him that his duty was only to give the call and it was up to Allah to make it reach the people.

Ibrahim (peace be upon him) then climbed Mount Arafat and called out in his loudest voice, “O People! Verily Allah has prescribed upon you Hajj, so perform Hajj.”

Allah revealed in the Quran:

“And proclaim the Hajj among mankind. They will come to thee on foot and (mounted) on every camel, lean on account of journeys through deep and distant mountain highways.” [Noble Quran 22:27]

To this very day millions upon millions of Muslims continue to answer the call of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him). Perhaps this year you shall be amongst those who answer the call.

‘Amr ibn Al-’Aas narrates, “When Islam entered my heart, I went to the Messenger of Allah and said, ‘Give me your hand so that I may pledge allegiance to you.’ The Prophet spread his hand, but I withdrew mine. He said, ‘What is wrong ‘Amr?’ I said, ‘I want to make a condition.’ ‘And what is that?’ he said. I said, ‘That Allah will forgive me.’ Then the Messenger of Allah said, ‘Did you not know that Islam wipes out what came before it, and that Hijrah wipes out what came before it and that Hajj wipes out what came before it!” (Sahih Muslim).

Hajj is the fifth pillar upon which Islam stands. Allah made it compulsory upon every able Muslim male and female to perform it, at least once in a lifetime. Allah revealed:

“Hajj thereto is a duty mankind owes to Allah, those who can afford the journey, but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of His creatures.” [Noble Quran 3:97]

Performance of the Hajj washes away all sins. Abu Hurayrah narrates: I heard the Prophet say, “Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any Rafath (obscenity) or Fusuq (transgression), he returns (free from sin) as the day his mother bore him” (Sahih Bukhari).

Hajj is one of the greatest deeds one can accomplish in his or her lifetime. Abu Hurayrah narrates: The Prophet was asked, “What deed is the best?” He said, “Imaan in Allah and His Messenger.” “Then what?” “Jihad in the sake of Allah.” “Then what?” “Hajj Mabrur, a Hajj accepted by Allah.”

Abu Sha’tha’ said, “I contemplated the good deeds that a person does. I found that Salah as well as fasting are a jihad of the body. And that Sadaqah is a jihad of someone’s wealth. But Hajj is a jihad of both body and wealth.”

Hajj is the greatest jihad. Ai’shah asked the Prophet (peace be upon him), “We find that jihad is the best deed, shouldn’t we (women) do jihad?” The Prophet replied, “Rather the best jihad is a Hajj Mabrur!” Ai’shah later said, “I’ll never cease performing Hajj after I heard that from the prophet of Allah” (Agreed Upon).

The Du’a of the one in Hajj shall be accepted. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The soldier in the path of Allah and the one who performs Hajj and the one who performs ‘Umrah, all are the delegation of Allah! He called them and they answered. And they asked Him, and He shall grant them (what they ask for)!” (Authentic, narrated by Ibn Majah and Ibn Hibban).

In the Islamic history books it was narrated that on the day of Arafat, a man from Turkmenistan stood on the plains of Arafat in Hajj. To his left all he could see was Muslims crying and praying to Allah. To his right all he could see was Muslims crying and praying to Allah. Because of his native tongue, he could not imitate the lengthy prayers of the others. At this realization everything blurred in front of him. His face reddened, his eyes poured tears as he raised his hands, “O Allah! Grant me everything that they are asking for! Grant me everything that they are asking for!” And Allah accepted his Du’a.

There is not a single day that the sun has come up on more beloved to Allah than the Day of Arafat. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “There is no day on which Allah frees more of His slaves from Fire than the Day of Arafat, and He verily draws near, then boasts of them before the angles, saying: ‘What do they seek?’” (Sahih Muslim). And in another Hadith: “Verily Allah boasts of the people of Arafat before the people of Heaven (angels) saying: ‘Look to my servants who have come to Me disheveled and dusty.’”

Abdullah ibn Al-Mubarak narrates: I went to Sufyan ibn al-Uyaynah as the day of Arafat was setting. He sat on his knees, his hands raised to the Heavens, and tears moistened his cheeks and beard. He turned and looked at me, so I asked him, “Amongst the people who have gathered here for Hajj, who is in the worst state?” Sufyan ibn al-Uyaynah said, “He who thinks that Allah will not forgive him.”

Ai’shah would see the Prophet (peace be upon him) standing in prayer at night so much so that his feet would crack. She would ask him, “Why do you do this when Allah has forgiven all your sins, the past and anything you may do in the future?” And he would reply, “Shouldn’t I be a thankful slave?”

With this example of the Prophet (peace be upon him), what should our attitude be when we hear of Paradise and forgiveness of sin for those who perform Hajj? Does it mean that after Hajj we fall back into all the disobedience that we went to Hajj with? Does it mean that we are promised Jannah no matter what sin we do after Hajj? Many people think this to be the case and it is a very dangerous presumption.

You will find in many of the Hadith regarding the virtue of Hajj, the term Hajj Mabrur. Do you know what Mabrur means? It means an accepted Hajj. A Mabrur Hajj is one in which Allah is not disobeyed during or after. Others have said that a Hajj Mabrur is one that is accepted, and the sign of its acceptance is that a person will go back in a better state then when he came, and that he will discontinue the sins that were between him and Allah.

I once saw a group of Hajjis with all of their paraphernalia. Plastered on their t-shirts and hats was ‘Hajj Mabrur 1997!’ I remembered then when Ibn Umar was on his deathbed and his son reminded him of all the good deeds that he did with the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the companions. He told him, “Quiet! Don’t you know whom Allah accepts from? Verily Allah only accepts from the God-Fearing (Al-Muttaqun).”

When Ali ibn Al-Husayn wore his Ihram towels and sat upright on his camel in preparation for the journey to Makkah, his face changed color, his skin shivered and he cried, unable to say the Talbiyah, ‘Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk.‘ Someone asked him, “What’s wrong?” And he replied, “I’m afraid that when I say it, it shall be replied, ‘La Labbayka wa La Sa’dayk’ (May you never have come and may you not have happiness).”

With that spirit, let us march forward in the search of the Mercy of Allah and His forgiveness, to the first house of Allah on earth, to Hajj.

In the Hajj of 1996 you may have heard of the Jamarat crowd in which 600 people died. It was Dhuhr time that it happened and I had been sitting there from the early morning waiting for noon to throw my pebbles. About 30 minutes before Dhuhr a wave of people, like dominoes, toppled over us. I had said to myself earlier that if I were ever in an emergency situation I would jump up on a bus or anything high to escape the crowd. Now, I saw people doing just that and I knew this was the situation that I had feared. My friend said, “What shall we do?” With a glance over the sea of people I knew there was no way we could walk opposite of the crowd and so I replied, “Go and throw our Jamarat.”

People died that day. Ambulance sirens were blaring and helicopters were thundering above. In the pain and exhaustion, losing my friend, I sat leaning, my back on a sister and her back on me. We did not even realize what we were doing. I tasted what the Prophet (peace be upon him) meant when he said that on the Day of Judgment people would be naked and Ai’shah asked him, “Won’t the men and women look at each other?” And he replied, “Ai’shah, the issue is more severe than that.”

I saw 3 men looking anxiously for their friend and I just sat staring at them. All of a sudden their faces exploded in happiness, “Ahmad! Ahmad!” they called, and one of them could not handle the happiness and he cried and cried.

Limping back to the Kaaba I found a place with shady trees and a carpeted patio leading to a villa. The owner, an older man, stood watching as all the people walked by. And I sat watching him.

People would come up to him and beg for a glass of water. He would jump and bring them the coldest water he had. They would pray from the bottom of their hearts for him. I knew what kind of Du’a that was, because I was feeling the same thirst that they all felt. Whenever he saw someone sick, he would spring out to the road and invite them in, giving them a bed and food to relax them.

I was shy at first, but the thirst overcame me and I asked him for water. I had been on that patio for some time and when I asked him, he realized he had not offered me anything. He ran inside, and in addition to the water, he brought me packets of fruit juice. I thought about this man as I made my way back to the Kaaba. If a human was so merciful to these people who had come for Hajj, these people who had come for no other reason than to say ‘La ilaha illa Allah’, how merciful was Allah going to be to these Hajjis?

Indeed, the Prophet said, “And there is no reward for an accepted Hajj… except Jannah!”

Hajj in Pre-Islamic Times
Written by Dr. Bilal Philips

Hajj and its rites were first ordained by Allah in the time of Prophet Ibrahim. However, with the passage of time both the form and goal of Hajj rites were changed. The process of distortion reached its peak with the introduction of idols to the Kaaba, as was previously mentioned. Many major tribes with their allies and slaves used to come to Makkah and encamp there separately. Poets praised the bravery, renown, dignity, strength and generosity of their fellow tribesmen. They also satirized the other tribes by inventing exaggerated tales of the latter cowardice, stinginess and weakness. Competitions in generosity were also staged. In order to assert his superiority, the chief of every tribe set up huge cauldrons, slaughtered numerous camels and cooked the flesh which was then freely distributed for the “pilgrims”. The sole objective of this extreme generosity was for their name to be exalted in the whole of Arabia and for it to be publicized that this person slaughtered so many camels and gave food to so many people. Singing, drinking, adultery and various kinds of immorality were indulged in, and the thought of God scarcely occurred to anybody.

The religious rites of Tawaf (circling of the Kaaba) was reduced to a circus. Women and men went round and round the Kaaba performing Tawaf stark naked. They said: “We shall go before God in the same condition in which our mothers gave birth to us.” Prayer in the Masjid of Ibrahim was accompanied by hand-clapping, whistling and the blowing of horns. The name of God was pronounced in the prayer of intent known as Talbiyah (Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk: “Here I am present, My Lord, I am present.”) However, even this expression of reverence was distorted the following additions: “No one is your partner except one who is permitted by you. You are his master and the master of what he possesses.”

Sacrifices were also made in the name of God; however, the blood of the sacrificed animals was poured on the walls of the Kaaba in the belief that Allah demanded flesh and blood. Even the four months of Hajj (Shawwal, Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram), which Prophet Ibrahim had declared as sacred and free from war and bloodshed were not safe from their tampering. Later generations paid little regard to the sanctity of these months, and when they wanted to fight, they merely turned a sacred month into ordinary month for that year, then compensated for it in the next year.

Some people who were good intentioned in religion used to set out for Hajj without any provision for journey, and traveled there begging food along the way. They considered this form of begging an act of piety. They claimed that they were Mutawakkilun (those having full trust in God) and that they were proceeding towards the House of God, therefore, they were not in need of worldly materials. Doing business or working for one’s livelihood during the Hajj journey were considered unlawful. Others used to give up food and water during Hajj and regarded this abstention as part of worship, while others stopped talking from the beginning of Hajj until its end.

These distorted Hajj rites continued to be practiced for nearly two and a half thousand years. No Arab Prophet was born during this long period, nor did any Prophet’s genuine teaching reach the people of Arabia. Ultimately, however, the time arrived for granting the Du’a (prayer) of the Prophet Ibrahim which he had invoked while raising the walls of the Kaaba.

“Oh Lord! Raise up in their midst a Messenger from among them who will recite to them your revelations and instruct them in the Scripture and in wisdom and who will reform their morals.” [Noble Quran 2:129]

Consequently, a man arose from the progeny of Ibrahim whose name was Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullah. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) revived the same genuine and pure religion which was taught by Prophet Ibrahim. In the course of 21 years he completed the mission of purifying the Kaaba and establishing Allah’s religion as the law of the land, and he again declared the Kaaba as the universal centre for worshippers of the one True God.

Along with the revival of Hajj, all the deviant and idolatrous customs of the period of ignorance which had become rampant since the time of Prophet Ibrahim were completely eliminated. All the idols in Kaaba were smashed and removed, and the worshipping of other than Allah that was being done there was stopped. All invented rituals were wiped out and all fairs and carnivals were stopped. Furthermore, it was ordered that Allah’s worship should only be carried out in the prescribed manner. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Take your rites of Hajj from me alone.”

All indecent acts were strictly banned in Allah’s statement:

“There is to be no lewdness or wrangles during Hajj.” [Noble Quran 2:197]

Competitions among poets in the exaltations of their forefathers and clansmen’s achievements were all stopped. Instead Allah told them:

“And when you have completed your rites (of Hajj), then remember Allah as you used to remember your fathers, nay with a more vigorous remembrance.” [Noble Quran 2:200]

All competitions in generosity which were meant solely for pride and fame were terminated and in their place was revived the system which existed in Ibrahim’s day, whereby animals would be slaughtered exclusively in the name of Allah in order that poor pilgrims may be fed during Hajj. Allah said:

“Eat and drink but do not be excessive. Verily He does not love the wasteful.” [Noble Quran 7:31]

“So mention the name of Allah over these animals when they are drawn up in lines. Then when their flanks fall (dead), eat from them and feed the beggar and the supplicant.” [Noble Quran 22:36]

The practice of spattering the blood of the sacrificed animals on the walls of Kaaba and throwing of their flesh there was also stopped. Allah informed them that:

“Their flesh and their blood do not reach Allah, but it is the devotion from you that reaches Him.” [Noble Quran 22:37]

Circling the Kaaba in a state of nudity was strictly prohibited by the Prophet (peace be upon him) on Allah’s command. And Allah further explained:

“Say, who has forbidden the adornment (dress) given by Allah which he has bought forth for his servants.” [Noble Quran 7:32]

It was also strictly prohibited to interchange the months of Hajj so as to turn the Haram months in Halal ones for the purpose of battle. Allah said:

“Postponement (of sacred month) is only an excess of disbelief whereby those who disbelieve are misled. They allow it one year and forbid it another year so that they may make up the number of the months which Allah has allowed in order to permit what Allah has forbidden.” [Noble Quran 9:37]

It was also prohibited to start for Hajj without taking provision and Allah said:

“You must take provision for the journey because (not to take provision for a journey in the world does not mean taking provision for the Hereafter) the best provision for the Hereafter is piety.” [Noble Quran 2:197]

It was formerly considered an act of piety not to trade during Hajj because it was regarded as being unlawful in this condition to utilize sources of livelihood. This concept was also rejected by Allah who said:

“It is no sin for you that you seek the bounty of your Lord (by trading).” [Noble Quran 2:198]

The system of performing Hajj without talking, without eating and without drinking was ended. After abolishing all other pre-Islamic customs. Hajj was made a model of piety, fear of Allah, purity, simplicity and austerity. When the pilgrims set out from their homes, they were ordered to purify themselves of all worldly pollution, abandon sexual relations with their wives and abstain from filthy language and indecent acts.

On all roads leading to Kaaba, marks were fixed from scores of miles away to indicate that before proceeding beyond these limits, all pilgrims must put on the simple dress of Ihram, which consisted of only two sheets for men, so that the rich and the poor may become equal, distinctions of different nationalities may be eliminated and all may appear in the court of Allah in a state of oneness as worshipper full of humility. It was made Haram to kill any animal while in a state of Ihram or even speak of killing a human being. The object was to create an atmosphere of peace and to make the minds of the pilgrims spiritually inclined.

The four months of Hajj were again made sacred so that peace would reign on all roads leading to the Kaaba and no pilgrim would be molested en route. When the pilgrims reached the Kaaba in this manner, there were no festivals or carnivals, no fun and games and no frolic and revelry. There should only be the remembrance of Allah at every step. There are prayers, animal sacrifices, and circling of the Kaaba. The only slogan which should be proclaimed in a loud voice is the Talbiyah: “Here I am present, Oh Allah for you I am present. I am present. You have no partner, I am present. Verily all praise and blessings are due to you. And to you belongs the entire sovereignty. You have no partner.”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said the following about a neat, clean, selfless and sincere Hajj: “Whoever performs Hajj solely for Allah and in the course of it abstains from sensual and sinful acts, he will return as pure as a new-born child.”