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Friday Talks |
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118 |
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Friday Talks |
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118 |
Benefits of Hajj
Written by: Sk. Dr. Younis Saleh
Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
17 thol-Kada 1430 H
05 November 2009ac
The Muslim faith gives peace and happiness more than any other faith, and it is the most suited to human nature. And more than any other religion it is better off for humans at any time or any place. It is the religion of faith, and religion of good morals, it instates truth, and outlaws the wrong despite the disliking of the unbelievers. Allah says: {It is He Who has sent His Messenger with Guidance and the Religion of Truth, that he may proclaim it over all religion, even though the Pagans may detest (it)} 61:9.
This religion was formed upon great solid foundations and one of those foundations is pilgrimage or Hajj. Hajj is the fifth corner stone in Islam. Allah says: {And proclaim the Pilgrimage among men: they will come to you on foot and (mounted) on every form of transport through deep and distant route (27) That they may witness the benefits (provided) for them, and celebrate the name of Allah, through defined days, for the cattle which He has provided for them (for sacrifice): then eat ye thereof and feed the distressed ones in want. (28) Then let them complete the rites prescribed for them, perform their vows, and (again) circle round the Ancient House." (29) Such (is the Pilgrimage): whoever honours the sacred rites of Allah, for them it is good in the sight of his Lord} 22:27-30.
Hajj is a holy blessed trip the faithful pass their time in worship, speaking of Allah and asking Allah or Duaa. A trip during which the spirit of the faithful elevate to in a world of clarity, cleanliness and purity. This who comes back from this trip would have their spirit has purified, and their morals and behavior became more refined, and their interaction with others has improved, and their sins forgiven. The messenger (ppbu) said: {whoever comes for Hajj to this house and does not approach his/her spouce for marital relations nor commits sins while performing Hajj, then all his/her previous sins will be forgiven}.
And when the crowds of those performing Hajj start off on their journey towards the old and sacred house to perform the Hajj rituals in fact it is only responding to the everlasting call made by the father of all prophets Abraham (pbu). Allah says: { And proclaim the Pilgrimage among men: they will come to you on foot and (mounted) on every form of transport through deep and distant route} 22:27. Those people are responding to that call and are implementing what their prophet (ppbu) had commanded them when he said: {follow up Hajj and Amrah (mini-hajj) for they eliminate being poor and eliminate sins just as furnace removes the impurities from iron, gold and silver. And the good Hajj has no other reward except paradise}. And as those heading for hajj gets involved with the call taught to them by the their prophet (ppbu):
{ áÈíß Çááåã áÈíß¡ ,
Here I am, Oh God, at Your command
Here I am at Your command
No partners are associated with You
I am at Your command
All thanks, grace and dominion are to you,
No partners are associated with You.}
Hajj is an obligation for a Muslim to be performed once in a life time. When this verse (Ayah) was revealed: {Pilgrimage is a duty for people owe to Allah for those whoever has the ability} 3:97. Muslims repeated asking the messenger: O' Messenger of Allah, is it every year? Then he said: {NO, and if say yes, then it would become an obligation every year.}
One of the companions asked the messenger (ppbu): what is the best deed? He answered: {having faith in Allah and His messenger}. he was asked: and what next? He answered: {Jihad (a struggle) in the line of Allah}. he was asked: and what next? He answered: {a devoted pilgrimage or devoted Hajj}
After the Hajj ritual one returns with all his/her sins washed off provided they have done hajj with all its requirements and rules. One starts a new life, and opens a new and clean page. One should commence and indulge into acts and deeds of goodness which are approved by Allah. Amr Ebn El-As (ÚãÑ ÅÈä ÇáÚÇÕ) when he was about to announce his acceptance to Islam he said to the messenger of Allah (ppbu): I want to become a Muslim on a condition that I am forgiven. The messenger (ppbu) said: {did you not know that Islam clears everything which happened before it, and migrating for Islam clears everything before it, and Hajj clears everything before it?}
Dear brothers in Islam, if the reward for Hajj is so magnificent, then a Muslim should not procrastinate and put off doing this obligation. And not to be with those who use the word “I will I will” with the reason that it will be done in the next few years. One never knows what will happen to oneself. The future is unknown, and only Allah knows the future. One ought to hurry with Hajj and take earliest opportunity to do it. The messenger (ppbu) said: {hurry up you Hajj, for one of you does not what could befall him}. He was also reported saying: {Whoever wanted to do Hajj then let them do it promptly. For one can get sick, or loose their mean of transport, or become needy}.
If all circumstances become suitable then do not delay it. for other circomstances may happen which will come between you and doing Hajj. If you have your physical health today, without any problems and with no other commitments, and if you have the money to spend then take this opportunity. You may be at an irreplaceable opportunity. Omar Ebn-Al-Khuttab said: “I was almost at the point to send men to the land to see if people have the means and circumstance to do Hajj and they didn’t so to impose tax on to them. for they can not be considered Muslims, they can not be considered Muslims”.
A person at Hajj must abide by Islamic good morals, manners and behavior especially with patience, taking it easy, relaxing and controlling anger and cooling one’s nerves, and putting up with others mistakes, and not to cause harm to others, and spending more time in remembering and worship of Allah, and staying away from chat in evil stuff and wasteful conversations. All that so one would keep the reward gain by Hajj. A scholar was asked once what is a good Hajj, and he said: “is to return from Hajj with less desire for this life and more desire for the next life”.
One needs to select for his or her Hajj money which did not come from haram (wrong) in part or in full. Allah is good and only accept the good. Money which was wrongly earned will prevent hajj from being accepted. This who spends Haram money on doing hajj will be reduced to lower levels, and it will be a barrier between their duaa (prayers) and being answered. Spending money which came from perfect sources (halal) will elevate the person to higher levels and be a reason for accepting their deed.
And remember that the Messenger (ppbu) said: {spending for hajj is like spending in the line of Allah seven hundred times more}.
Please make sure to use only Halal money for Hajj. And also remember that people doing Hajj are visitors to Allah, if they call Him then he will answer, and if they ask for forgiveness He will forgive them. Be amongst those, or be happy to meet them, and make sure they make duaa on your behalf for goodness and success.
Take the opportunity as soon as it presents itself, and perform this great ritual. Hurry it when the means are made available. Do it while it is safe to travel, and services are being offered. May Allah reward your in this life and next.
Notes:
The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.
Adhan - The call to prayer.
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
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.
is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God. Aya (or Ayah):
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. Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
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.
talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help. Duaa: a prayer in the form of
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.
Faheem Bukhatwa, my email
address is : faheemfb@gmail.com
