Question: Are there any signs which appear upon those whose performance of the Hajj or the 'Umrah is accepted?
Response: It is possible for there to be signs for the one whose Hajj, fasting, charity or prayer has been accepted by Allaah and they are: the opening of the heart (to good), happiness of the heart and a lighted face. Certainly, for worshipping (Allaah) there are signs that appear on the body, signs that are visible and signs that are hidden. Some of the Pious Predecessors have mentioned that from the signs that a good (act) has been accepted (by Allaah) is that he will be granted the towfeeq to do (yet) another good (act). Certainly the towfeeq of Allaah for him to do more good (acts) after it, is evidence that Allaah ('Azza wa Jall) has accepted his previous good (acts). He has made it easy for him to do another good act and is happy with him for it.
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen
Daleel al-Akhtaa.a yaqa'a feehaa al-Haaj wal-Mu'tamir wat-tahdtheer minhaa - Page 115
Taken from Fatwa-Online
Question: What is your advice to the one who has performed the obligatory (first) Hajj?
Response: My advice is that he should fear Allaah (and be aware of Him) in performing all that which Allaah has obligated upon him in terms of other acts of worship such as salaah, zakaah, fasting, honouring the parents, enjoining family ties and being good to the creation (of Allaah) and to the animals under ones ownership and other than this from that which Allaah has commanded with. That which encompasses all of this is the statement of Allaah:
{Verily, Allaah enjoins al-'Adl (justice) and al-Ihsaan (being patient in performing one's duties to Allaah), and giving (help) to kith and kin: and forbids al-Fahshaa. (all evil deeds), and al-Munkar (all that is prohibited), and al-Baghee (all kinds of oppression), He admonishes you, that you may take heed. And fulfill the Covenant of Allaah (Bay'ah: pledge for Islaam) when you have covenanted, and break not the oaths after you have confirmed them, and indeed you have appointed Allaah your surety. Verily! Allaah knows what you do}, [Soorah an-Nahl, Aayah's 90-91].
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen
Daleel al-Akhtaa.a yaqa'a feehaa al-Haaj wal-Mu'tamir wat-tahdtheer minhaa - Page 117
Take from Fatwa-Online
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Zamzam Water: Food and Cure
One of my best memories of Hajj is sipping Zamzam all throughout the day while gazing at the blessed Ka'bah.
Below is a nice article which combines the relevant ahadeeth on Zamzam and goes on to discuss the scientific discoveries about it.
From the article:
Now, the question is: Which highly advanced scientific establishments were at the Prophet’s time to give him such amazing information about Zamzam water? Which highly specialized medical research centers attained such astoundingly accurate knowledge about this water? Which gigantic chemical labs analyzed this water, calculated most accurately the rates of minerals and bi-carbonates in it, and helped Prophet Muhammad, (PBUH), to provide such amazingly accurate information about this blessed water? It is, indeed, Allah’s Divine Revelation! It is by no means the Prophet’s human words! It is, undoubtedly, Divine Revelation!
Read the complete article here
Friday, November 13, 2009
Hajj - The Journey of Hearts
by Muhammad Alshareef
Arafah – 10 years after the Hijrah: A man was standing with RasulAllah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam when he was thrown from his camel. The camel stomped and the man’s neck was snapped. He was dead.
“Bathe his body with water and sidr and bury him with both garments,” said Allah’s Messenger sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam. “Do not cover his head, nor touch him with camphor ... for verily he will be returned (to Allah) on the Day of Resurrection in the state of Talbiyah” (Bukhari and Muslim)!
‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aas narrates that when his heart entered Islam he went to the Messenger of Allah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam and said, “Give me your hand so that I may pledge allegiance to you.” The Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam spread his hand, but ‘Amr withdrew his.
The Prophet sal Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam asked, “What is wrong ‘Amr?”
Amr said, “I want to make a condition.”
“And what is that?” asked the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.
“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)!
RasulAllah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam also said about Hajj, “And there is no reward for an accepted Hajj … except Jannah!” This is the ultimate reward.
What is the first verse that you read in Surah Al-Hajj? It does not speak of Arafah, nor does it pronounce the pillars of the Day of Nahr (the day of sacrifice). It simply says:
O Mankind! Fear your Lord, indeed the eruption of the (final) hour is a horrific event. On that day that you shall see it, every nursing mother will be engrossed away from that (child) she was nursing, and every pregnant woman will abort her pregnancy, and you will see the people (appearing) intoxicated, while they are not intoxicated; rather it is the punishment of Allah, severe.
Hajj is not a journey of the body, as are vacations to a tourist attraction; it is a journey of the soul and heart. When one pays careful attention to the verses speaking of Hajj, he will find that verse after verse concludes with a commandment of being conscious of Allah’s presence, or a reminder of Allah’s bounteous favor upon us, or a link between Hajj and the Final Day.
The Destination
In the not-so-far-away days of old, whenever a journey was to be undertaken, proper provisions had to be prepared. The deserts were long, hot, harsh, and unmerciful. There were no gas stations to fill up with chips and refreshments, or rest stops to slurp water from a fountain. In fact, there was not a human in sight for miles upon miles of barren sand dunes and losing the way meant losing your life. Thus, you had to have the provisions with you before you made the journey – enough food, enough water, enough everything to carry you to your destination.
In the verses that speak of Hajj, Allah speaks about the provisions one should take. But while everyone is focused on their journey to the Ka’bah and the material provisions they should take, Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala turns the attention of His slaves to another journey and a different kind of provision. Allah ‘azza wa jall turns our attention to the journey to the Hereafter, to Paradise or Hell, and the provision is taqwa:
And take sustenance (with you) for the journey; verily the best sustenance is taqwa (Al-Baqarah 2/197).
On the day Buhaym Al-‘Ajlee set out with his companion for Hajj, he looked toward the endless desert awaiting them both and wept, his chest soaking from the tears. “This is something,” said Buhaym, “that has made me understand the most certain journey I must one day take to Allah ‘azza wa jall!”
The Provider
There is debate over whether someone who performs Hajj should be called a Hajji. It is not something found in the Sunnah; rather it has an interesting background in our cultural history. In antique days, when someone decided to perform the journey for Hajj, it was synonymous with bidding farewell to life on earth. This was due to the treacherous obstacles of traveling in the desert – trials such as sickness, starvation, and the struggles of the separate situations. An entire village might gather to bid those people farewell.
When someone would go through such a remarkable journey and return alive, he would dedicate his life to the worship and obedience of Allah ‘azza wa jall. Gone was the cheating, or the lying, or the missed salah; he was now a Hajji.
Today, with the jumbo jets, ocean liners, and Mercedes busses, the facilitation of performing Hajj has taken away the luster of the title Hajji. Some might complain that there are no queen-size mattress beds in Mina, or that the air conditioning motor is a tad too loud.
But dear brothers and sisters, who is it that provided us with all the blessings that we are living in? It is the same Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala that has tests us on the plains of Arafah. The slave of Allah can only truly understand the favor of Allah upon him when it is taken away.
There is no blame upon you for seeking bounty from your Lord (during Hajj). But when you depart from Arafat, remember Allah at Al Mash’ar Al Haram. And remember Him as He has guided you, for indeed you were before that among those astray.
Alhamdulillaah. Indeed the greatest blessing that Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala has favored us with is Islam, and it alone suffices as favor.
Allah knows we are going to get dusty during Hajj, Allah knows it. So don’t be surprised when that dust blows, instead turn to Allah and hit back with patience and a whisper of gratitude to Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala.
Then let them end their untidiness, fufill their vows, and perform Tawaf around the ancient House (Al- Hajj 22/29).
Ibn Al-Qayyim wrote a poem about this journey of the hearts, here is only a glimpse of some of the Arabic verses:
Getting the Heart in Shape
Many years ago, as the Hujjaj swept through the valley of Muzdalifah, a man remarked out loud, “My! Look at the number of Hujjaj!”
A wise man replied, “Nay, the passengers are many, but the Hujjaj are few.”
I once heard the story of a man who was blessed with the opportunity to join the caravan for Hajj regularly. However, his shortcoming was that he could never control his anger during the days of Hajj, and would snap, cursing others.
One person had an idea for him: instead of cursing Muslims during Hajj, write all your bad comments on a piece of paper, fold it, and then when you get mad at someone, just hand him the paper. On the top of the tiny envelope write, “Do not open until after Hajj”. The man agreed to try this idea.
As incident after incident assailed him, the man would simply smile, then frown and hand out the tiny envelope to the provoking party.
Everything was going smoothly until the day when he was walking to the Jamarat and someone stomped his toes. He lost all control. Teeth gritting, he snarled and took out his briefcase of envelopes and dumped it on that poor guy’s head.
In Hajj, I have seen people who snatch for patience and the reward of Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala during those trying moments, like a man panhandles for gold. I asked myself, “What is different from them and those who spend their breath in criticism and argumentation?” It finally dawned on me that it was not the body of Zayd or ‘Amr that I was witnessing, but it was the hearts of Zayd and ‘Amr.
Some people come to Hajj prepared financially. Others come with a prepared heart – that is what’s essential. Whether the grindstone grinds us to dust or polishes us up depends on what we are made of.
How can we get that heart in shape for Hajj?
First, attend lectures and workshops dealing with Hajj. Hajj is one of the pillars upon which Islam is built. When someone intends to perform this rite, it is a must upon him that he learns it well. RasulAllah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Seeking knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim.”
Imam Bukhari writes in his Saheeh, “Knowledge comes before statements and actions.” He then quoted the verse of Allah:
So Know, that there is no deity except Allah and ask forgiveness for your sin (Muhammad 47/19).
Secondly, establish salah and perform Qiyaam ul-Layl. When RasulAllah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam was preparing his heart for the mission of conveying this deen, Allah ordered him to prepare using Qiyam ul-Layl. Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala says:
O you who wraps himself / Arise (to pray) the night, except for a little (Al-Muzzammil 73/1-2)
A student once slept over at Imam Ahmad’s house, rahimahullah. Imam Ahmad had left a vessel of water for him, and upon arriving at Fajr time, found the vessel still full of water. Upon seeing the vessel still full and realizing that the student had not woken during the night, he was shocked and remarked, “How can a person be a student of knowledge and not stand for Qiyam ul-Layl!”
Some people said to Ibn Mas`ood radi Allaahu anhu, "We are unable to wake up to perform Qiyam ul-Layl."
He told them, "You are distancing yourselves from it by your sins."
Thirdly, repent to Allah and make du’a. At Hajj, it was during the days of Tashreeq when Jirbreel alayhis salam came to RasulAllah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam with the words of Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala:
When the victory of Allah has come and the conquest / And you see the people entering into the religion of Allah in multitudes / Then exalt Him with the praises of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is ever accepting of repentance (An-Nasr 110/1-3).
This was the culmination of 23 years of da’wah, jihaad, and work. This was the farewell pilgrimage and it ended with:
Then exalt Him with the praises of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him.
Abu Hurayrah radi Allaahu anhu narrates: I heard the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam say, “Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or transgression, he returns free from sin as the day his mother bore him” (Bukhari).
Arafah – 10 years after the Hijrah: A man was standing with RasulAllah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam when he was thrown from his camel. The camel stomped and the man’s neck was snapped. He was dead.
“Bathe his body with water and sidr and bury him with both garments,” said Allah’s Messenger sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam. “Do not cover his head, nor touch him with camphor ... for verily he will be returned (to Allah) on the Day of Resurrection in the state of Talbiyah” (Bukhari and Muslim)!
‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aas narrates that when his heart entered Islam he went to the Messenger of Allah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam and said, “Give me your hand so that I may pledge allegiance to you.” The Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam spread his hand, but ‘Amr withdrew his.
The Prophet sal Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam asked, “What is wrong ‘Amr?”
Amr said, “I want to make a condition.”
“And what is that?” asked the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.
“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)!
RasulAllah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam also said about Hajj, “And there is no reward for an accepted Hajj … except Jannah!” This is the ultimate reward.
What is the first verse that you read in Surah Al-Hajj? It does not speak of Arafah, nor does it pronounce the pillars of the Day of Nahr (the day of sacrifice). It simply says:
O Mankind! Fear your Lord, indeed the eruption of the (final) hour is a horrific event. On that day that you shall see it, every nursing mother will be engrossed away from that (child) she was nursing, and every pregnant woman will abort her pregnancy, and you will see the people (appearing) intoxicated, while they are not intoxicated; rather it is the punishment of Allah, severe.
Hajj is not a journey of the body, as are vacations to a tourist attraction; it is a journey of the soul and heart. When one pays careful attention to the verses speaking of Hajj, he will find that verse after verse concludes with a commandment of being conscious of Allah’s presence, or a reminder of Allah’s bounteous favor upon us, or a link between Hajj and the Final Day.
The Destination
In the not-so-far-away days of old, whenever a journey was to be undertaken, proper provisions had to be prepared. The deserts were long, hot, harsh, and unmerciful. There were no gas stations to fill up with chips and refreshments, or rest stops to slurp water from a fountain. In fact, there was not a human in sight for miles upon miles of barren sand dunes and losing the way meant losing your life. Thus, you had to have the provisions with you before you made the journey – enough food, enough water, enough everything to carry you to your destination.
In the verses that speak of Hajj, Allah speaks about the provisions one should take. But while everyone is focused on their journey to the Ka’bah and the material provisions they should take, Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala turns the attention of His slaves to another journey and a different kind of provision. Allah ‘azza wa jall turns our attention to the journey to the Hereafter, to Paradise or Hell, and the provision is taqwa:
And take sustenance (with you) for the journey; verily the best sustenance is taqwa (Al-Baqarah 2/197).
On the day Buhaym Al-‘Ajlee set out with his companion for Hajj, he looked toward the endless desert awaiting them both and wept, his chest soaking from the tears. “This is something,” said Buhaym, “that has made me understand the most certain journey I must one day take to Allah ‘azza wa jall!”
The Provider
There is debate over whether someone who performs Hajj should be called a Hajji. It is not something found in the Sunnah; rather it has an interesting background in our cultural history. In antique days, when someone decided to perform the journey for Hajj, it was synonymous with bidding farewell to life on earth. This was due to the treacherous obstacles of traveling in the desert – trials such as sickness, starvation, and the struggles of the separate situations. An entire village might gather to bid those people farewell.
When someone would go through such a remarkable journey and return alive, he would dedicate his life to the worship and obedience of Allah ‘azza wa jall. Gone was the cheating, or the lying, or the missed salah; he was now a Hajji.
Today, with the jumbo jets, ocean liners, and Mercedes busses, the facilitation of performing Hajj has taken away the luster of the title Hajji. Some might complain that there are no queen-size mattress beds in Mina, or that the air conditioning motor is a tad too loud.
But dear brothers and sisters, who is it that provided us with all the blessings that we are living in? It is the same Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala that has tests us on the plains of Arafah. The slave of Allah can only truly understand the favor of Allah upon him when it is taken away.
There is no blame upon you for seeking bounty from your Lord (during Hajj). But when you depart from Arafat, remember Allah at Al Mash’ar Al Haram. And remember Him as He has guided you, for indeed you were before that among those astray.
Alhamdulillaah. Indeed the greatest blessing that Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala has favored us with is Islam, and it alone suffices as favor.
Allah knows we are going to get dusty during Hajj, Allah knows it. So don’t be surprised when that dust blows, instead turn to Allah and hit back with patience and a whisper of gratitude to Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala.
Then let them end their untidiness, fufill their vows, and perform Tawaf around the ancient House (Al- Hajj 22/29).
Ibn Al-Qayyim wrote a poem about this journey of the hearts, here is only a glimpse of some of the Arabic verses:
He says, my slaves have come to me (for Hajj) out of love for me
And I am merciful to them, bounteous and loving.
Glad tidings, O participants of that stand (on Arafah),
A moment when Allah forgives all sins and showers His mercy.
Getting the Heart in Shape
Many years ago, as the Hujjaj swept through the valley of Muzdalifah, a man remarked out loud, “My! Look at the number of Hujjaj!”
A wise man replied, “Nay, the passengers are many, but the Hujjaj are few.”
I once heard the story of a man who was blessed with the opportunity to join the caravan for Hajj regularly. However, his shortcoming was that he could never control his anger during the days of Hajj, and would snap, cursing others.
One person had an idea for him: instead of cursing Muslims during Hajj, write all your bad comments on a piece of paper, fold it, and then when you get mad at someone, just hand him the paper. On the top of the tiny envelope write, “Do not open until after Hajj”. The man agreed to try this idea.
As incident after incident assailed him, the man would simply smile, then frown and hand out the tiny envelope to the provoking party.
Everything was going smoothly until the day when he was walking to the Jamarat and someone stomped his toes. He lost all control. Teeth gritting, he snarled and took out his briefcase of envelopes and dumped it on that poor guy’s head.
In Hajj, I have seen people who snatch for patience and the reward of Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala during those trying moments, like a man panhandles for gold. I asked myself, “What is different from them and those who spend their breath in criticism and argumentation?” It finally dawned on me that it was not the body of Zayd or ‘Amr that I was witnessing, but it was the hearts of Zayd and ‘Amr.
Some people come to Hajj prepared financially. Others come with a prepared heart – that is what’s essential. Whether the grindstone grinds us to dust or polishes us up depends on what we are made of.
How can we get that heart in shape for Hajj?
First, attend lectures and workshops dealing with Hajj. Hajj is one of the pillars upon which Islam is built. When someone intends to perform this rite, it is a must upon him that he learns it well. RasulAllah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Seeking knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim.”
Imam Bukhari writes in his Saheeh, “Knowledge comes before statements and actions.” He then quoted the verse of Allah:
So Know, that there is no deity except Allah and ask forgiveness for your sin (Muhammad 47/19).
Secondly, establish salah and perform Qiyaam ul-Layl. When RasulAllah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam was preparing his heart for the mission of conveying this deen, Allah ordered him to prepare using Qiyam ul-Layl. Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala says:
O you who wraps himself / Arise (to pray) the night, except for a little (Al-Muzzammil 73/1-2)
A student once slept over at Imam Ahmad’s house, rahimahullah. Imam Ahmad had left a vessel of water for him, and upon arriving at Fajr time, found the vessel still full of water. Upon seeing the vessel still full and realizing that the student had not woken during the night, he was shocked and remarked, “How can a person be a student of knowledge and not stand for Qiyam ul-Layl!”
Some people said to Ibn Mas`ood radi Allaahu anhu, "We are unable to wake up to perform Qiyam ul-Layl."
He told them, "You are distancing yourselves from it by your sins."
Thirdly, repent to Allah and make du’a. At Hajj, it was during the days of Tashreeq when Jirbreel alayhis salam came to RasulAllah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam with the words of Allah subhaanahu wa ta ‘aala:
When the victory of Allah has come and the conquest / And you see the people entering into the religion of Allah in multitudes / Then exalt Him with the praises of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is ever accepting of repentance (An-Nasr 110/1-3).
This was the culmination of 23 years of da’wah, jihaad, and work. This was the farewell pilgrimage and it ended with:
Then exalt Him with the praises of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him.
Abu Hurayrah radi Allaahu anhu narrates: I heard the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam say, “Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or transgression, he returns free from sin as the day his mother bore him” (Bukhari).
Beautiful Hadeeth about Hajj
by Asma bint Shameem
One day Ibn Umar (RA) was sitting with the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) in the masjid in Mina when a man from the Ansaar and a man from the Thaqeef came. They gave Salaam and said, “O Messenger of Allaah, we came to ask you questions.”
So the Messenger (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “If you want I can inform you why you came and what you want to ask, and I will do so, and if you want I will hold back and you can ask me and I will answer you.”
They said: “Tell us O Messenger of Allaah!”
The man from Thaqeef said to the Ansaari: “Ask.” So the Ansaari man said: “Inform me O Messenger of Allaah!”
The Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “You came to me, to ask about leaving your house and aiming for the Bait-ul-Haraam and the reward for it; about praying two Rakah after Tawaaf and the reward for it; going between as-Safa and Marwa and the reward for it; your staying the evening in Mina, and the reward for it; stoning the Jamarah and the reward for it; slaughtering an animal and the reward for it; and the Tawaaf of al-Ifaadh.”
The man said: “I swear by the One who sent you with the truth! This is what I came to ask you about.”
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “As for you leaving your homes aiming for the Bait-ul-Haraam: then your she-camel does not place its foot nor does it raise it except that Allaah writes for you a reward due to it, and wipes off one of your sins.
As for the two Rakah after the Tawaaf, then it is equivalent to freeing a slave from the Children of Ismaeel.
As for your circuiting of as-Safa and al-Marwa, then it is the same as freeing 70 slaves.
As for you staying till the evening in Arafah, then Allaah descends to the sky of the Duniya and He boasts about you to the Angels, and says: ‘My slaves have come to Me, looking rough, from every deep valley hoping for My mercy, so if their sins were equivalent to the amount of sand or the drops of rain or like the foam on the sea I will forgive them. So go forth My slaves! Having forgiveness and for what or who you have interceded for.’
As for stoning the Jamaar (the pillars), then for every stone that you throw, it removes a big sin from the deadly sins.
As for your slaughtering, then it is saved for you with your Lord.
As for shaving your head, then there is a reward for every strand of hair that you shaved, and a sin is wiped off by it.
As for you performing Tawaaf of the House after all this, then by this time you are performing Tawaaf with no sin upon you and an Angel comes and places his hand between your shoulders saying: “Perform good deeds in what you face of the future, for verily your past sins have been forgiven.”
(at-Tabarani and al-Bazaar--graded hasan by Al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-argheeb wa Tarheeb’)
Subhaan Allaah! What a beautiful hadeeth! And what good news for the pilgrims!
Rejoice and celebrate! Those of you going for Hajj this year! What more could you ask for?!!
Remember this hadeeth as you leave your homes for this honorable journey, whether it is by plane, ship, car or camel. Remember that Allaah will forgive your sins at each step you get closer to your destination and reward you at each step.
And remember this hadeeth as you circumambulate the Kaa'ba and say your two rakaat....And during your Sa'ee as you get tired......and on the Day of Arafah as you spread out your hands and ask for His Mercy and
forgiveness....remember this hadeeth and cry. Weep out of your fear of Him and beg Him to pardon you and to guide you to Jannah.
And as you stone the Jamaraat with the crowds, remember this hadeeth and thank Allaah for this opportunity to have your major sins forgiven. And when you slaughter your animal and shave your head only for His sake, remember to thank Him and praise Him and glorify Him, for no one but Him Alone made all this possible for you. No one but Him Alone can forgive you and guide you. And no one but Him Alone can accept all this from you.
And finally, as you make Tawaaf of al-Ifaadhah....remember this hadeeth and firmly resolve to be good, to fear Him, to be honest and upright.....a follower of the Sunnah....a true Muslim in word and deed, not just by name.
Promise Him that you will try your best to have taqwa and keep away from all that is haraam. And direct all praise and thanks to Allaah Alone who honored you by first inviting you to His Noble House then enabled you to perform Hajj and then forgave you your sins. Alhamdulillaahi Rabb il-Aalameen. Can we ever thank Allaah for His kindness and blessings?!!
And if you do all that, sincerely following the Sunnah, you will be forgiven, just as the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) promised us. And your reward will be Jannah.
As for those of us who couldn't go this year, make firm intention NOW, to go for Hajj next year. No, not in the near future. Next Year. That's it. Don't delay it. Make a promise to yourself and ask Allaah to make it happen. If you ask sincerely, He will surely make it come true.
For, how can one read this beautiful...beautiful hadeeth and not want to take benefit from it?!!
How can one stand not to be the one to whom this hadeeth applies?!!
How can one not be one of the Haajis??!!!
May Allaah enable all those of us who have not yet gone for Hajj to do so and may He accept all those who did go. Ameen.
One day Ibn Umar (RA) was sitting with the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) in the masjid in Mina when a man from the Ansaar and a man from the Thaqeef came. They gave Salaam and said, “O Messenger of Allaah, we came to ask you questions.”
So the Messenger (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “If you want I can inform you why you came and what you want to ask, and I will do so, and if you want I will hold back and you can ask me and I will answer you.”
They said: “Tell us O Messenger of Allaah!”
The man from Thaqeef said to the Ansaari: “Ask.” So the Ansaari man said: “Inform me O Messenger of Allaah!”
The Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “You came to me, to ask about leaving your house and aiming for the Bait-ul-Haraam and the reward for it; about praying two Rakah after Tawaaf and the reward for it; going between as-Safa and Marwa and the reward for it; your staying the evening in Mina, and the reward for it; stoning the Jamarah and the reward for it; slaughtering an animal and the reward for it; and the Tawaaf of al-Ifaadh.”
The man said: “I swear by the One who sent you with the truth! This is what I came to ask you about.”
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “As for you leaving your homes aiming for the Bait-ul-Haraam: then your she-camel does not place its foot nor does it raise it except that Allaah writes for you a reward due to it, and wipes off one of your sins.
As for the two Rakah after the Tawaaf, then it is equivalent to freeing a slave from the Children of Ismaeel.
As for your circuiting of as-Safa and al-Marwa, then it is the same as freeing 70 slaves.
As for you staying till the evening in Arafah, then Allaah descends to the sky of the Duniya and He boasts about you to the Angels, and says: ‘My slaves have come to Me, looking rough, from every deep valley hoping for My mercy, so if their sins were equivalent to the amount of sand or the drops of rain or like the foam on the sea I will forgive them. So go forth My slaves! Having forgiveness and for what or who you have interceded for.’
As for stoning the Jamaar (the pillars), then for every stone that you throw, it removes a big sin from the deadly sins.
As for your slaughtering, then it is saved for you with your Lord.
As for shaving your head, then there is a reward for every strand of hair that you shaved, and a sin is wiped off by it.
As for you performing Tawaaf of the House after all this, then by this time you are performing Tawaaf with no sin upon you and an Angel comes and places his hand between your shoulders saying: “Perform good deeds in what you face of the future, for verily your past sins have been forgiven.”
(at-Tabarani and al-Bazaar--graded hasan by Al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-argheeb wa Tarheeb’)
Subhaan Allaah! What a beautiful hadeeth! And what good news for the pilgrims!
Rejoice and celebrate! Those of you going for Hajj this year! What more could you ask for?!!
Remember this hadeeth as you leave your homes for this honorable journey, whether it is by plane, ship, car or camel. Remember that Allaah will forgive your sins at each step you get closer to your destination and reward you at each step.
And remember this hadeeth as you circumambulate the Kaa'ba and say your two rakaat....And during your Sa'ee as you get tired......and on the Day of Arafah as you spread out your hands and ask for His Mercy and
forgiveness....remember this hadeeth and cry. Weep out of your fear of Him and beg Him to pardon you and to guide you to Jannah.
And as you stone the Jamaraat with the crowds, remember this hadeeth and thank Allaah for this opportunity to have your major sins forgiven. And when you slaughter your animal and shave your head only for His sake, remember to thank Him and praise Him and glorify Him, for no one but Him Alone made all this possible for you. No one but Him Alone can forgive you and guide you. And no one but Him Alone can accept all this from you.
And finally, as you make Tawaaf of al-Ifaadhah....remember this hadeeth and firmly resolve to be good, to fear Him, to be honest and upright.....a follower of the Sunnah....a true Muslim in word and deed, not just by name.
Promise Him that you will try your best to have taqwa and keep away from all that is haraam. And direct all praise and thanks to Allaah Alone who honored you by first inviting you to His Noble House then enabled you to perform Hajj and then forgave you your sins. Alhamdulillaahi Rabb il-Aalameen. Can we ever thank Allaah for His kindness and blessings?!!
And if you do all that, sincerely following the Sunnah, you will be forgiven, just as the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) promised us. And your reward will be Jannah.
As for those of us who couldn't go this year, make firm intention NOW, to go for Hajj next year. No, not in the near future. Next Year. That's it. Don't delay it. Make a promise to yourself and ask Allaah to make it happen. If you ask sincerely, He will surely make it come true.
For, how can one read this beautiful...beautiful hadeeth and not want to take benefit from it?!!
How can one stand not to be the one to whom this hadeeth applies?!!
How can one not be one of the Haajis??!!!
May Allaah enable all those of us who have not yet gone for Hajj to do so and may He accept all those who did go. Ameen.
Monday, November 2, 2009
The Inner Dimensions of Hajj
Excerpts from The Fundamentals of Islam: by Syed Abul Ala Maududi
Nature of journey for Hajj
The people of the world are usually aware of two kinds of journey.
One journey is that which is made to earn livelihood. The second one is that which is undertaken for pleasure and sight-seeing.
In both [of] these journeys, a man is impelled to go abroad by his need and desire. He leaves home for a purpose of his own, he spends money or time for his own requirements, therefore, no question of sacrifice arises in such a journey.
But the position of this particular journey which is called Hajj is quite different from that of other journeys.
This journey is not meant to gain any personal end or any desire of Nafs. It is intended solely for Allah, and for fulfillment of the duty prescribed by Allah.
No person can prepare himself to undertake this journey until and unless he has love of Allah in his heart as well as fear of Him, and feels strongly that the Fard (obligation) ordained by Allah is incumbent on him.
Therefore, whosoever sets out for Hajj parting from his family and relatives for a long period, allowing his business to suffer, spending money and bearing the rigors of the travel, he furnishes by his act of devotion a proof of the fact that there is in his heart fear of God and love for Him as also a sense of duty.
[It also indicates] that he possesses the strength to leave his home, when called upon to do so, for the cause of God, and that he can face hardships and willingly sacrifice his wealth and comfort for the pleasure of God.
Inclination towards virtue and piety
When the pilgrim gets ready for the journey with this holy intention, his disposition assumes a different color.
His heart, which is aflame with exuberance of the love of God and which is pulsating with a longing to visit His House, starts harboring only virtuous thoughts.
He does penance for past sins, seeks forgiveness from people whom he might have wronged, tries to render his due to others where necessary so as not to go to God's court trammeled with the unfulfilled rights of his fellow beings, shuns vice and develops fondness for virtue.
Then, as he steps out to begin the journey, the more he proceeds toward the House of God, the more keen he becomes to do good deeds. He is careful to see that nobody is harmed by him, while he tries to render whatever service or help he can to others.
His own nature desists from abuse, indecency, dishonesty, squabbles and bickerings because he is proceeding on the path of God.
A man may be making [a] journey towards the Divine Haram and yet indulging in bad habits? How can such a shameless thing be possible [for] anybody?
Thus the entire journey of his constitutes a complete Ibadah.
Oppression and vice can find no place in contrast to all other types of journey. This is the one which continuously keeps on purifying man's Nafs. It is like a great reformatory course to be compulsorily gone through by every Muslim who sets out to perform Hajj.
Blessings and effects of Hajj
From all the details you have heard you can judge that during the period of two to three months, from the time of deciding and preparing for Hajj to the time of returning home, what great effects are produced in the heart and mind of man!
The process entails sacrifice of time, sacrifice of money, sacrifice of comfort, sacrifice of several worldly relations and sacrifice of many corporeal desires and pleasures.
And all this simply for the sake of Allah, with no selfish end.
Then, together with piety and virtuousness, the incessant remembrance of God and the longing and love of Him pervading the mind of the pilgrim, all leave a firm impression on his mind which lasts for years to come.
[On] reaching this sacred land he witnesses at every step the relics of those who sacrificed everything [of] theirs in servitude and obedience to Allah.
They fought against the pagan Arabs, suffered tortures, became migrants, suffered unbearable hardships, but ultimately did raise aloft the Word of God and did not rest content till they subdued every such false power which wanted man to become subservient to other entities than Allah.
A lesson in courage and determination, which a devotee of God can draw from these clear signs and sacred relics, can hardly be available from any other source.
If the attachment developed with his focal point of Deen (religion) through the circumambulation of [the] Kaba [and] the rehearsal of a Mujahid's life [through] the rites (Manasik) of Hajj (such as running about, and repeated departures and halts) are combined with Salah, fasting and Zakat, and they are all seen conjointly, you will realize that these processes constitute a training or some big task which Islam wants Muslims to execute.
For this reason, Hajj has been made compulsory for those who are solvent enough and are capable to undertake the journey [to and from the] Kaba so that, as far as possible, Muslims in the largest possible number remain equipped in every period after having fully gone through this training.
Hajj: a collective Ibadah
[You] will be unable to appreciate fully the benefits of Hajj unless you keep in view the fact that each and every Muslim does not perform Hajj individually but that only one single period has been fixed for Hajj for the Muslims of the whole world, and, therefore, [hundreds of thousands] of Muslims jointly perform it.
What I have stated before has only brought home to you the effect produced by this Ibadah on every Haji individually.
Now I shall explain to you[...] how these benefits have been enhanced 100,000-fold by appointing one single period of Hajj for all the world.
The excellence of Islam lies in this very fact that by one stroke it achieves not only two but 1,000 purposes.
The advantages of offering Salah singly are by no means small but by making it conditional with congregation, enforcing the system of Imamat in Salah and by enlarging the congregations of the Friday and Eidain [the two Eid] prayers, its benefits have been increased to a limitless extent.
The observance of fasting separately by each person is also a very big source of reformation and training but by appointing only one month of Ramadan for all Muslims, these benefits have been increased so much that they cannot be counted.
Zakat too has many advantages even if dispensed individually. But with the establishment of Bait-ul-mal (Public Exchequer of the Islamic State) its usefulness has been increased to such a great extent that you cannot estimate it till such time as an Islamic government is formed and you witness with your eyes how much goodness and plentifulness result from collecting the Zakat of all Muslims at one place and distributing it among the deserving persons in organized form.
Similar is the case of Hajj. If every [person] were to perform Hajj singly, even then it will bring about a big revolution in his life but by formulating the rules for all the Muslims of the world to perform it together at one time, its benefits have been increased to a limitless degree.
Growth of piety and virtuousness
When every intending Haji [decides] to perform Hajj and immediately with this intent the virtues of fear of God, piety, penance, Istighfar (seeking forgiveness from God) and good morals begin to cast their influence on him; [when] he starts [saying] farewell [to] his relatives, friends, professional and other associates; and [when he] settles all his affairs as if he is no longer the same man as before (his mind is now pure and clean because of the newly-kindled spark of love of God), you can imagine the effect of the changed condition of the Haji on so many people around [him].
And if every year in each of the different parts of the world 100,000 Hajis at an average get prepared for Hajj in this manner, their influence will improve the moral state of a vast number of people.
Then the hearts of [a] large number of people [will be] warmed at places through which the Hajis' caravans pass, by seeing them, meeting them and by hearing from them the [sound] of Labbaik, Labbaik.
There will be many whose attention will be diverted towards Allah and Allah's House, and the eagerness for Hajj will create a stir in their slumbering souls.
And when these people, filled with the thrill of Hajj, return from the Center of their Deen to their cities and towns spread over all parts of the world and [are] met by numerous persons, then this [ interchange] and the accounts related by the former of their Hajj experience enliven religious sentiments among countless circles.
Nature of journey for Hajj
The people of the world are usually aware of two kinds of journey.
One journey is that which is made to earn livelihood. The second one is that which is undertaken for pleasure and sight-seeing.
In both [of] these journeys, a man is impelled to go abroad by his need and desire. He leaves home for a purpose of his own, he spends money or time for his own requirements, therefore, no question of sacrifice arises in such a journey.
But the position of this particular journey which is called Hajj is quite different from that of other journeys.
This journey is not meant to gain any personal end or any desire of Nafs. It is intended solely for Allah, and for fulfillment of the duty prescribed by Allah.
No person can prepare himself to undertake this journey until and unless he has love of Allah in his heart as well as fear of Him, and feels strongly that the Fard (obligation) ordained by Allah is incumbent on him.
Therefore, whosoever sets out for Hajj parting from his family and relatives for a long period, allowing his business to suffer, spending money and bearing the rigors of the travel, he furnishes by his act of devotion a proof of the fact that there is in his heart fear of God and love for Him as also a sense of duty.
[It also indicates] that he possesses the strength to leave his home, when called upon to do so, for the cause of God, and that he can face hardships and willingly sacrifice his wealth and comfort for the pleasure of God.
Inclination towards virtue and piety
When the pilgrim gets ready for the journey with this holy intention, his disposition assumes a different color.
His heart, which is aflame with exuberance of the love of God and which is pulsating with a longing to visit His House, starts harboring only virtuous thoughts.
He does penance for past sins, seeks forgiveness from people whom he might have wronged, tries to render his due to others where necessary so as not to go to God's court trammeled with the unfulfilled rights of his fellow beings, shuns vice and develops fondness for virtue.
Then, as he steps out to begin the journey, the more he proceeds toward the House of God, the more keen he becomes to do good deeds. He is careful to see that nobody is harmed by him, while he tries to render whatever service or help he can to others.
His own nature desists from abuse, indecency, dishonesty, squabbles and bickerings because he is proceeding on the path of God.
A man may be making [a] journey towards the Divine Haram and yet indulging in bad habits? How can such a shameless thing be possible [for] anybody?
Thus the entire journey of his constitutes a complete Ibadah.
Oppression and vice can find no place in contrast to all other types of journey. This is the one which continuously keeps on purifying man's Nafs. It is like a great reformatory course to be compulsorily gone through by every Muslim who sets out to perform Hajj.
Blessings and effects of Hajj
From all the details you have heard you can judge that during the period of two to three months, from the time of deciding and preparing for Hajj to the time of returning home, what great effects are produced in the heart and mind of man!
The process entails sacrifice of time, sacrifice of money, sacrifice of comfort, sacrifice of several worldly relations and sacrifice of many corporeal desires and pleasures.
And all this simply for the sake of Allah, with no selfish end.
Then, together with piety and virtuousness, the incessant remembrance of God and the longing and love of Him pervading the mind of the pilgrim, all leave a firm impression on his mind which lasts for years to come.
[On] reaching this sacred land he witnesses at every step the relics of those who sacrificed everything [of] theirs in servitude and obedience to Allah.
They fought against the pagan Arabs, suffered tortures, became migrants, suffered unbearable hardships, but ultimately did raise aloft the Word of God and did not rest content till they subdued every such false power which wanted man to become subservient to other entities than Allah.
A lesson in courage and determination, which a devotee of God can draw from these clear signs and sacred relics, can hardly be available from any other source.
If the attachment developed with his focal point of Deen (religion) through the circumambulation of [the] Kaba [and] the rehearsal of a Mujahid's life [through] the rites (Manasik) of Hajj (such as running about, and repeated departures and halts) are combined with Salah, fasting and Zakat, and they are all seen conjointly, you will realize that these processes constitute a training or some big task which Islam wants Muslims to execute.
For this reason, Hajj has been made compulsory for those who are solvent enough and are capable to undertake the journey [to and from the] Kaba so that, as far as possible, Muslims in the largest possible number remain equipped in every period after having fully gone through this training.
Hajj: a collective Ibadah
[You] will be unable to appreciate fully the benefits of Hajj unless you keep in view the fact that each and every Muslim does not perform Hajj individually but that only one single period has been fixed for Hajj for the Muslims of the whole world, and, therefore, [hundreds of thousands] of Muslims jointly perform it.
What I have stated before has only brought home to you the effect produced by this Ibadah on every Haji individually.
Now I shall explain to you[...] how these benefits have been enhanced 100,000-fold by appointing one single period of Hajj for all the world.
The excellence of Islam lies in this very fact that by one stroke it achieves not only two but 1,000 purposes.
The advantages of offering Salah singly are by no means small but by making it conditional with congregation, enforcing the system of Imamat in Salah and by enlarging the congregations of the Friday and Eidain [the two Eid] prayers, its benefits have been increased to a limitless extent.
The observance of fasting separately by each person is also a very big source of reformation and training but by appointing only one month of Ramadan for all Muslims, these benefits have been increased so much that they cannot be counted.
Zakat too has many advantages even if dispensed individually. But with the establishment of Bait-ul-mal (Public Exchequer of the Islamic State) its usefulness has been increased to such a great extent that you cannot estimate it till such time as an Islamic government is formed and you witness with your eyes how much goodness and plentifulness result from collecting the Zakat of all Muslims at one place and distributing it among the deserving persons in organized form.
Similar is the case of Hajj. If every [person] were to perform Hajj singly, even then it will bring about a big revolution in his life but by formulating the rules for all the Muslims of the world to perform it together at one time, its benefits have been increased to a limitless degree.
Growth of piety and virtuousness
When every intending Haji [decides] to perform Hajj and immediately with this intent the virtues of fear of God, piety, penance, Istighfar (seeking forgiveness from God) and good morals begin to cast their influence on him; [when] he starts [saying] farewell [to] his relatives, friends, professional and other associates; and [when he] settles all his affairs as if he is no longer the same man as before (his mind is now pure and clean because of the newly-kindled spark of love of God), you can imagine the effect of the changed condition of the Haji on so many people around [him].
And if every year in each of the different parts of the world 100,000 Hajis at an average get prepared for Hajj in this manner, their influence will improve the moral state of a vast number of people.
Then the hearts of [a] large number of people [will be] warmed at places through which the Hajis' caravans pass, by seeing them, meeting them and by hearing from them the [sound] of Labbaik, Labbaik.
There will be many whose attention will be diverted towards Allah and Allah's House, and the eagerness for Hajj will create a stir in their slumbering souls.
And when these people, filled with the thrill of Hajj, return from the Center of their Deen to their cities and towns spread over all parts of the world and [are] met by numerous persons, then this [ interchange] and the accounts related by the former of their Hajj experience enliven religious sentiments among countless circles.
United Colors of Islam
"O humanity! We have created you from a single male and female and have made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another (not that you have pride over one another). Verily, the most honourable of you in Allah's sight is the one most pious." The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 49, Verse 13
As for nationalism, with its factionalising of Muslims along ethnic and tribal lines, it is considered an evil innovation.
"If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your tribe, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger and striving hard in His Cause, then wait until Allah brings about His Decision. And Allah guides not a rebellious people” The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 9, Verse 24.
The Prophet said:'...whoever fights under the banner of the blind, becoming angry for nationalism, calling to nationalism, or assisting nationalism, and dies: then he dies a death of jahiliyya (i.e.pre-Islamic ignorance and disbelief.)' (Muslim) In fact, the Muslims in and of themselves constitute a single body and supra-nation, as the Prophet explained:' The parable of the Believers in their mutual love and mercy is like that of a living body: if one part feels pain, the whole body suffers in sleeplessness and fever.' (Muslim)
" Thus We have made you (Believers into) a (single) justly balanced community” The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 2, Verse 143.
Read the complete article here
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Hajj Links
Bismillah.
Below is a list of some really benificial links on Hajj.
Fatwa Online
Kalamullah.com
Perform Hajj
Hajj: Getting Ready
Audio Lectures on Hajj
Official Hajj Website of Saudi Arabia
You are welcome to suggest more !
Below is a list of some really benificial links on Hajj.
Fatwa Online
Kalamullah.com
Perform Hajj
Hajj: Getting Ready
Audio Lectures on Hajj
Official Hajj Website of Saudi Arabia
You are welcome to suggest more !
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