Hajj is the Fifth Pillar of Islam
Hajj is one of the five
pillars of Islam. It is also known as the pilgrimage. The Hajj takes
place during the twelfth Islamic month known as Dhu al Hijjah. The
Hajj is a required duty of all Muslims, who are physically and
financially able. It must be performed at least once in their
lifetime. If you are unable
the Quran
says: [002.196] Perform the pilgrimage and the visit (to Mecca) for
Allah. And if ye are prevented, then send such gifts as can be
obtained with ease, and shave not your heads until the gifts have
reached their destination.
And who ever
among you is sick or hath an ailment of the head must pay a ransom
of fasting or almsgiving or offering. And if ye are in safety, then
whoso ever contented himself with the visit for the pilgrimage
(shall give) such gifts as can be had with ease. And whoso ever
cannot find (such gifts), then a fast of three days while on the
pilgrimage, and of s even when ye have returned; that is, ten in
all. That is for him whoso folk are not present at the Inviolable
Place of Worship. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is
severe in punishment.
Umrah
Umrah or little hajj as it
is called, is not an obligation, nor does it count as your Hajj. The
rituals are similar but are shortened and fewer in number. Umrah can
be done anytime of year but your reward is greater during Ramadan.
During Umrah you visit the Ka'bah, perform Tawaf [circling] around
it, walking between Safa and Marwah seven times.
The History
The History of Hajj starts
with Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh). Ibrahim (pbuh) was instructed by Allah
to take his son Isma'il (pbuh), who was still a baby and his wife
Hajirah from Kin'an to Hejaz. Hejaz was located deep in the desert
of Arabia. It was a barren and waterless place. Ibrahim (pbuh)
placed Isma'il (pbuh) on the ground near were the Ka'bah stands
today. Beside him he placed a bag filled with dates and skin of
water. He started to walk away. Hajirah called him, begging him not
to leave them. He did not listen. Finally she asked him if Allah had
commanded him to leave them there. Ibrahim (pbuh) told her yes. She
to had faith in Allah, that if this is the will of Allah, she knew
that no harm would come to them. He left them in the desert with a
sorrowful heart, placing their lives in the hands of Allah.
In time she and Isma'il
(pbuh) ran out of supplies, she had begun running between the two
hills, in search of people or subsidence. Seven times from the hill
of Safa to Marwah she ran in her quest of water. Isma'il (pbuh)
became so thirty, that he began crying and kicking the ground with
his heels. The ground were his heels had hit, a small spring rushed
miraculously forth from the ground. This water is still running to
this day it is known as the Zam Zam water.
Years later Allah also
commanded Ibrahim (pbuh) and his son Isma'il (pbuh), to build the
Ka'bah in Mecca. To serve as a House of worship for Allah. Isma'il
(pbuh) and Ibrahim (pbuh) began to call people to prayer at the
Ka'bah. The Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) asked his son to bring a good
stone to mark the corner of foundation. So that for all times this
place would be marked, as Allah had commanded. The black stone was
placed in the corner. It is said to have come directly from the
heavens. The stone was known as Hajar al-Aswad. When they completed
the Ka'bah, both of them prayed to Allah for acceptance of their
service.
Thousands of years passed
and the Ka'bah fell to ruin. The people of Mecca had turned to idol
worshipping. The Ka'bah was turned into a house for storing idols.
The authority in Mecca was divided among the ten senators who
constituted the governing body of the Arabian Commonwealth. A storm
had ripped threw Mecca, damaging many of the building's including
the Ka'bah. A group of young men from each tribe had assembled in
shifts to repair the Ka'bah, afraid that it would collapse. even
though most of Mecca worshiped idols, many of them felt the Ka'bah
was the only remaining connection to the Prophets of the past. The
project was half way completed, and was time to replace the Hajar
al-Aswad (the black stone). The tribes began to argue on who should
have the honor. They all decided, the next one to enter the
courtyard would decide the matter for them. The first to come was
Muhammad (pbuh), the people cried out ‘Al Ameen, he will decide’.
Muhammad (pbuh) listened to
the tale of what happened. Then he got a large sheet and placed the
black stone on it with his bare hands. He asked the chiefs of each
clan to take hold of the cloth and then carry it to the wall. When
they reached the wall he told them to raise it up high. Muhammad
(pbuh) again took the stone with his hands and placed it in
position. The tribes we’re all very pleased with his wisdom.
Muhammad (pbuh) had averted a war between them.
Many years passed and
Muhammad (pbuh) was receiving the divine message, and was teaching
others of the oneness of Allah. They we're living in Medina and the
number of the Muslims had increased immensely, they decided they
would travel to Mecca ad make the first pilgrimage. A huge number of
Muslims led by Muhammad (pbuh) entered the city of Mecca. The
idolaters became nervous not knowing what the intention of the men
were and decided to meet with them. This would result in the non
believers and the Muslims coming together to sign the treaty of
Hudaybiya. The treaty simply put is this: The Muslims could not
enter the Ka'bah that year. They would be allowed the following year
and according to the agreement, the city would be vacated by the non
believers. They would pitch their tents on the hills surrounding the
holy precinct. The Muslims were disappointed but they performed
their ritual sacrifices at their encampment, and returned to their
homes. The Prophet assured them, they may return the next year.
The following year, the
Muslims left there home and headed for Mecca. The non believers
evacuated the city per the agreement and watched the strange sight.
They saw the Muslims perform the rituals of Umrah, all clad in white
robes, quiet and somber in behavior. There was no music, dancing,
drinking or noise. Their hearts were stirred by the discipline and
organization of the Muslims. In accordance with the treaty, the
Muslims left Mecca at the end of three day's.
Even with the peaceful
conduct of the Muslims, many of the disbelievers among the people
still wanted to cause harm. They breached the contract, by killing
members of the Muslim alliance. No peace talks could be met at these
actions. Muhammad (pbuh) collected a large army and entered the city
of Mecca. Unable to stop the army of Muhammad (pbuh), the Quraish
had no choice but to surrender.
The city that had
humiliated, and caused them so much pain, now lay at their mercy. He
warned them to accept Islam. The head of Quraish agreed and was the
first to accept. He informed the others of the mercy of the
Muslim's. Muhammad (pbuh) declared that anyone who came forward and
accepted Islam would be forgiven of their past crimes. They came
forward in great numbers accepting Allah as the truth and Muhammad
(pbuh) as His Messenger. In the light of such a momentous
achievement the believers went to the homes that they had lost and
reunited with their family. The Profit declared that Mecca would
know be known as a sanctuary for all people.
During one year in the
month of Pilgrimage, the Prophet banned the pilgrimage of any
idolatry from that year on. He had his cousin Ali read this
proclamation aloud. At the end of the year the Prophet entered the
Ka'bah and joined Ali to break the idols. They cleaned the ground
and prepared for the first prayer of the Muslims. Bilal, called the
first Adhan in a melodious style that brought tears to the
congregation. In light of all that had transpired in the last few
years they prayed, thanking Allah for all of his mercy. Subhana wa
Ta'ala
Muhammad (pbuh) took his
final pilgrimage in the year 632. A vast sea of Muslims joined him.
The number was between ninety thousand to one hundred and forty
thousand people. Before completing the Hajj he addressed the
assembly from the top of Mount Arafat. He told them to cherish their
lives. To remember the oaths that they took to provide protection to
their wives, and that couples have rights over each other. Not to
forget that on the day of judgment they would be held accountable
for actions good and bad. To take care of their slaves, see that
they feed and cloth them only in things that they themselves would
use. To also treat them well because they are the servants of the
Lord and are not to be harshly treated. To remember their prayers
and that all Muslims belong in one brotherhood, never take from your
brother without his consent. Then he told them, to tell the people
that were not there, everything he said. Then he asked Allah to
verify that he had fulfilled his message and accomplished his work.
The Muslims cried out: "Yea, verily you have." The Prophet (pbuh)
again exclaimed: "O Lord, I beseech You, bear witness to it." The
Muslims finished the Hajj with stronger vigilance, then returned to
their homes in Medina.
It was at Khum-e-Ghadir,
about half way to Medina when Jibril brought the last revelation
from Allah. The Prophet (pbuh), after receiving the message
immediately stopped the caravan and called the Muslims together. He
then announced to the people that he was to leave them soon, and
they should follow the two things he was leaving behind, Allah's
Surahs and his teachings. Muhammad (pbuh) told them the message.
"This day, we have perfected your religion and perfected you in My
grace. "
It was shortly after his
last Hajj that the Prophet (pbuh) fell sick and passed away We
remember Ibrahim (pbuh) and Isma'il
(pbuh), by performing the
rituals around the Ka'bah. Circling the Ka'bah four times and then
three times recalling how they turned the Ka'bah into the sacred
place of worship and peace. We also remember the running of Hajirah
as she searched for water for her son, by rapidly walking seven
times back and forth between the hills of Safa and Marwah.
Reasons for Hajj and Umrah
Performing the hajj is our
chance to wash ourselves of our sins, and bring our hearts closer to
Allah. Since the time of our Prophets Ibrahim (pbuh) and Muhammad
(pbuh), Muslims from every race, culture, class and region of the
world come to Mecca to unite in prayer, and praise Allah. Proving
their obedience to Allah. Bringing about an equality to all Muslims
sister or brother. Stripping them of all wealth and placing them in
simple white garments and sandals.
The Requirements
The Quran says
[002.197] The pilgrimage is (in) the well-known months, and who ever
is minded to perform the pilgrimage therein (let him remember that)
there is (to be) no lewdness nor abuse nor angry conversation on the
pilgrimage. And what so ever good ye do Allah knows it. So make
provision for yourselves (Hereafter); for the best provision is to
ward off evil. Therefore keep your duty unto Me, O men of
understanding.
The Hajji (one who is
performing hajj) may not commence in the following activities during
hajj:
- engage in sexual
relations
- shaving of hair,
cutting of nails, or wearing jewelry
- perfume, colognes, or
scented oils or soaps
- killing of living
things including hunting
- fighting, arguing, or
annoying one another
Men are only allowed
clothing without stitches, (ihram cloth). The garment consists of
two sheets of white cloth that are not hemmed. They are held
together with a belt at the waist. Females wear white or black dress
with head covering. Women must not cover their face.
Eid al-adha
The end of the pilgrimage
is marked by a festival, the Eid al-Adha, or the festival of
sacrifice. Eid al-Adha lasts for four days. Eid is celebrated with
prayers and the exchange of gifts. Muslims also commemorate this
occasion by sacrificing an animal and sharing its meat among family,
friends and the needy as a special act of charity. The festival is
celebrated throughout the Muslim world as a remembrance of Prophet
Ibrahim (pbuh) and his willingness to sacrifice everything for God,
including the life of his son Isma'il (pbuh).
Hajj Today
Currently about two million
Muslims perform Hajj each year. The government of Saudi Arabia
issues special visas to foreigners for the purpose of the
pilgrimage. They had to put limits on each country as to how many
Hajjis may come. Saudi Arabia provides the pilgrims with water,
transportation, and health facilities. You can buy Hajj packages at
travel agencies that specialize in Hajj and Umrah or get a discount
by going with a group of friends or family. No where in the world,
is there an event of such magnitude. Inshallah may all of us have
the chance to perform hajj.
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