All
thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. All peace and prayers be upon the
most honourable of all messengers.
Dear
all, after the end of this great pillar of the religion; we ought to stop and
reflect upon what we learnt from it. Because Allah makes an act compulsory or
makes an act a part of an Islamic law if and only if it has a benefit or good
that comes out of it to the person or society, benefit in this life or the
next. Islamic laws are all based on justice and mercy.
Allah
says: {I have not
created Jin and mankind but to worship me. I do not want them to sustain me or
feed me. For it is Allah who is the Provider, He is the most powerful, the
Almighty the most sold.}
51- 56,57.
Allah
also said: {Allah
will not get its flesh or blood, but what gets to Him is the fear and
obedience you have for Him}
22-37.
About
fasting Allah said: {You
believers, it has been written upon you to fast just as it was written upon
those before you; so that you may fear Him}
2-183. Indeed, the benefit of this worship is for the individual to fulfill
fear of Allah.
Pilgrimage or Hajj is like just like other types of worships included in
Islamic law by Allah; were brought about for a purpose. It is the duty of each
Muslim to fulfill such purposes and lessons. Lessons for Hajj are:
-
Emphasizing the singularity of Allah, and commonality or unity of humans. It
is the enchantments that every Hajj keeps calling, and the Takbeer made by
every Muslim which indicates that Allah is one, has no partners, and has no
competitors. That makes it necessary to call upon Him alone, ask for His help
alone, and He alone be intended with all our worships. Allah says: {Say
all my prayers, devotion, living and dieing is for Allah the Lord of the
worlds. He has no partners, That is what I was commanded, and I am the first
to be a Muslim}.
6-162. While
the unity of the slaves is made clear by the size of the crowed that assembles
at that blessed location; despite the different habits, costumes, race,
colour, language or creed, yet this religion made them all unite, the
Ethiopian, the Persian and the Roman European. For they all are descendants of
Adam, and Adam was made from dust.
-
The other lesson we learn from this great pillar of Islam is remembering
Allah. This is done through regular verbally uttering His name, or through
repeated supplications, or through frequent praising and glorifying Him (Tasbeeh
and Takbeer).
-
Another lesson learnt from Hajj is the submission and obedience by adhering to
Allah’s command. This is apparent in many rituals of Hajj; even if no
immediate wisdom or benefit can be seen from it. It is done as a form of
obeying Allah. Omar
once stood at the black holy stone at the corner of the Kabba and said: “I
declare by the almighty God, that I know that you are but a rock that can be
bring no harm and no benefit, and if not for seeing the prophet (PPBU) hold
you with his hands I wouldn’t otherwise hold you. He Also said something
similar about the trotting part in instead of strolling between Safa and Marwa
and the uncovering of the shoulders for Hajj. Hager
åÜÇÌöÑ,
the wife of the prophet Abraham, knew the lesson when Abraham was about to
leave her and her baby in the dessert with no food or water. She asked him
repeatedly “Abraham, where are you going and leaving us in this barren valley,
no people in it, and nothing is in it.” He never answered. Then she asked him
“Has Allah orderrf you with this?” he said “yes”. She replied: “Then he will
not leave us” and she turned back.
-
Another lesson we learn from Hajj is patience, and the good behaviour despite
the difficulties; yet all are seeking Allah’s pleasure and Allah’s reward. A
Muslim is commanded to have the best form of interaction and dealing with
others, and commanded to behave well. Allah says: {This who decides to go for
Hajj, let them not do sin, no immoral acts and no clashes, arguments or
quarrels during Hajj} 2-197.
The
messenger (PPBU) said: {A true good devoted Hajj has no reward other than
Paradise. And he was asked: and what makes a Hajj devoted? He said: giving
food for charity, and talking pleasantly to others}
I ask Allah to give us
and keep for us health, well living and security. And may He grant us the
pleasure of worshiping Him. He is the most Generous. And all thanks be to
Allah.
Assalam Alaikum -
The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace
be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching
it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during
leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
Aya (or Ayah):
is a verse of the Koran.
It also means a miracle or a sign from God.
Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
is a mountain
outside the city of Mecca
that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing
Hajj must stay at this location on the same
day.
Badr
- The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the
pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph
- A Muslim ruler. See:
(Khalifa)
Dajjal
- Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah
- The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din)
- Religion or way of life.
Duaa:
a prayer in the form of
talking to Allah;
praising him and asking him for help.
Fatwa
- Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are
the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose:
is the highest level of
the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh
- Religious law.
Hadeeth:
is something reported
that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave.
It is usually narrated or told by one
of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are
reported and checked to be genuine. No
more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar -
The Black Stone set into the corner of the
Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj -
The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in
the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas:
is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith
- The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his
followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is
the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or
Hejrah):
the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This
event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12
months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a
name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah -
Worship. All the words and deeds with which
Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese):
On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used
by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar
or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn
Omar.
Imam
(or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman:
belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) -
The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the
Christians.
Islam
- Submission, the religion of all the
prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah -
The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of
the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad:
is striving in the
line
of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving
oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection
of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the
fight one's self against temptations.
It also means "holy war."
Jinn
-
Supernatural, invisible beings race of
beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst
them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on
Judgment Day.
Ka'aba:
A cube shaped building in
Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say
Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by
Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers.
Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage
in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa:
is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation:
"Successor".
Khutbah -
A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr -
Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for
anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran
- Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book
of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran
literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to
the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the
Arabian
peninsula
(in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to
immigrate to.
Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid -
A
center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah -
A
sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah:
is
the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous
black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim
house of worship.
Muhajir -
(Muhajireen)
Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It
was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median
and Ethiopia.
Muhammad -
the final messenger and
prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He
received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in
Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad
ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim
- One who holds faith to the religion of
Islam.
Nafilah:
a voluntary prayer other
than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara -
Christians. Nasrani:
A Christian individual. Nasraniah:
Christianity.
Ommah:
is the Arabic word for a
nation. It usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise -
Another word for heaven. A
garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and
imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels.
All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty
Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise
is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU
(P.B.U.H.) :
Peace and Prayers Be
Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the
messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar -
Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all
things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr):
The night when the first
revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the
last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to
the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and
few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the
holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla -
The direction which Muslims turn for daily
prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish -
An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger
Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan -
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which
is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat -
Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of
worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is
performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa:
A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion
leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants
of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who
ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk -
Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with
Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of
Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam-
Fasting
Sunni:
is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life
style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah):
Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he
dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought.
Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered
the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an
important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes.
It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all
Muslims.
Surah -
A
chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf:
part of the pilgrimage (Hajj)
ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise
direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed -
Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that
there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement
of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new
Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah -
Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person
to understand God.
Taurat: The old
Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah -
the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah):
A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to
Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic
year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual
done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor -
The
Psalms
Zakat -
The
third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
