Virtues of Hajj (Pilgrimage)-Part one
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious the Most Merciful. All prayers and blessings of Allah SWT are upon our Prophet (PBUH), his households, his Companions and all those who follow his Sunnah until the Day of Judgment.
1- The definition of Hajj
Hajj is an Islamic act of worship during which Muslims are obliged, when they have the necessary means, to set on a journey to the sacred city of Makkah and its surroundings (Alharam) to fulfill the prescribed rites and rituals of that duty in a set period of time mostly during the month of Zulhijjah.
Accordingly, Hajj is an obligated duty due to Allah SWT on Muslims when they have the necessary means to fulfill that obligation. Those means here are meant to be physical and financial abilities for males plus a Mahram for females, meaning a Muslim male to travel with them. The Mahram could be the husband or a Muslim male that the Muslim woman cannot mary on an eternal basis.
2- History of Hajj
This sacred act of worship had been ordained for Muslims, based on the most agreed opinion, in the ninth or the tenth year of Higrah. Scholars said that Hajj was decreed by the Aiah mentioned in Surat Al-Imran which says:
“ولله على الناس حج البيت من استطاع إليه سبيلا، ومن كفر فإن الله غني عن العالمين”
“It is a duty due to Allah on people to perform Hajj into the House of Allah, if they have the means to do it, but whoever turns away then Allah stands in no need to any one.”(3:97)
Hajj has been decreed for Muslims, not only as an ordinary act of worship, but also as one of the essencial pillars of Islam.
In a Hadith narrated by Ibn Omar (may Allah be pleased with both of them), who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying:
“بُنى الإسلام على خمس: شهادة أن لا إله إلا الله، وأن محمدا رسول الله، وإقام الصلاة، وإيتاء الزكاة، والحج، وصوم رمضان.”
“Islam is built on five pillars: The testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Mohammad (PBUH) is the Messenger of Allah, establishing Prayer, paying Zakat, performing Hajj and fasting Ramadan” (Narated by al-Bukhary and Muslim)
In another narration the Prophet (PBUH) added:
“Performing Hajj is stipulated on having the necessary means.”
For all the purifing impacts of Hajj, it had been decreed for other prophets and their followers before our prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Residents of Makkah, along with people of the Arabian Peninsula, used to perform Hajj in Makkah before Islam.
Our scholars said that along with Prophet Ibrahim and his son Prophet Ismail, Prophets Nooh (Noah) and Mousa (Moses) had also performed Hajj. Moreover, it is reported that Prophet Eisa (Jesus) will perform Hajj too, when he’ll come back to the earth at the end of time as one of the major signs of the Day of Judgment.
As a well-known fact, prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) had been subjected to very challenging trials by his Creator, yet he steadly and successfully passed all of them. As a reward, Allah SWT had elevated his status and assigned to him the rebuilding of Ka’bah, which he accomplished along with his son prhophet Ismael. Then Allah SWT ordered him to proclaim the call on people for performing Hajj.
Allah S. said in Suratul al-Hajj:
“وأذن في الناس بالحج يأتوك رجالا وعلى كل ضامر يأتين من كل فج عميق”
“And proclaim to people Hajj, they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, from every distant pass” (22:27)
Then Prophet Ibrahim asked his Lord: “How my voice will reach all people?”. Allah S. told him: “You make the call for Hajj and We’ll make your vioce reach them”. Accordingly, the call of prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) for Hajj had reached all those whom Allah SWT has granted the opportunity to perform Hajj.
3- The great reward of Hajj
For all the restrictions and sacrifices entailed by Hajj Allah S. has promised a great reward of mercy and forgiveness for those who perfom Hajj in its duely manner. Our Prophet (PBUH) said in a Hadith narrated by al-Bukhary on the authority of Abu Huririah (may Allah be pleased with him):
“من حج لله فلم يرفث أو يفسق رجع كيوم ولدته أمه”
“Those who will perform Hajj for the sake of Allah without committing any act of obscenity or disobedience will be cleared of their sins and return as newly born persons.
The Prophet also said in a part of Hadith narrated by al-Bukhary and Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurirah (may Allah be pleased with him):
“الحج المبرور ليس له جزاء إلا الجنة”
“The reward of the accepted Hajj by Allah S. is nothing but Paradise.”
That is really great favour, mercy and grace from Allah SWT for which the Muslim pilgrims should show total gratitude to their Lord SWT. These graceful rewards are worthy to be a catalyst for those Muslims to commit themselves, after returning home, to the total obedience towards their Creator SWT by staying within the divine limits imposed by Allah SWT.
Performing Hajj is in itself a great religious achievement which is always been remembered in the aftermath of its fulfillment. However, the real challenging factor is the post-Hajj conduct and behavior of the Muslim pilgrims.
4- Hastening the performance of Hajj
According to the majority of our scholars, when the means are available to perform Hajj, it should not be delayed,
Our Prophet (PBUH) has urged Mulims not to put off the conduct of Hajj, if means are available.
In a Hadith narrated by Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah and Ahmad on the authority of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with both of them) the Prophet (PBUH) said:
“من أراد الحج فليتعجل فإنه قد يمرض المريض وتضل الراحلة وتعرض الحاجة”
“Whoever intends to perform Hajj let him hasten to perform it fearing that sickness may occur, the animal mount may be lost or a need may arise.”
Those who have the sincere desire to fulfill that act of duty, Allah, by His Mercy and grace, will make it easy for them to fulfill it, therefore, let them not to delay it!
5- Characteristics of Hajj
Unlike the other major acts of worship (Pillars of Islam): Prayers, Fasting and Zakah which are tied by time only, Hajj is tied by both time and place. Rites of Hajj are done mostly in the the month of Zulhijjah but the Muslim pilgrims have to travel to the blessed city of Makkah to perform it.
One of the specific characteristics of Hajj is the fact that it is ordained by Allah SWT to be done once in the lifetime of Muslims. There’s undoubtedly a divine wisdom behind that decree. This wisdom is two-fold:
First, the many reqirements of Hajj which entail also some restrictions the Muslim pilgrims have to abide by.
Secondly, and more importantly, the most profound impacts that Hajj would instill in the hearts and souls of the Muslim pilgrims after completing that blessed journey.
In addition, these wide-ranging impacts are reinforced by two types of sacredness. First, the sublime rites of Hajj are to be conducted in the sacred area of Alharam and secondly during the sacred two months of Zulqedah and Zulhijjah, by which the effects of Hajj are alwyas been deepened.
After returning home, these tremendous positive and purifing impacts should make the Muslim pilgrims closer to their Creator and more conscious of their religios duties, during the rest of their lives.
6- Requirements of Hajj
Performing Hajj entails more commitment, discipline and sacrifice than other acts of worship. To perform Hajj, the Muslim pilgrims have to leave their homes and sometimes their own families too, if traveling alone. They also set aside their woldly attachments; like positions, business, jobs, properties and friends plus being totally dedicated to the service of their Creotor.
Moreover, the Muslim pilgrims have to spend from their own wealth to perform that blessed journey and sometimes their all savings. On the other hand, performing Hajj also requires physical power and energy, knowing that it necessitates moving between different locations in the blessed city of Makkah and its surroundings at specific times.
Hajj is literally a journey from one’s home to the bleslsed city of Makkah to perform the Hajj rites and rituals ordained by Allah and taught by His Messenger Al Mustafa (PBUH).
The Prophet (PBUH) said in a Hadith narrated by al-Bayhaqi on the authority of Jaber ibn Abullah (may Allah be pleased with both of them):
“خذوا عني مناسككم فإني لا أدري لعلي لا أحج بعد عامي هذأ”
“Follow my way in conducting your Hajj rituals, I may not be able to perform Hajj after this year”
Despite the fact that the Hadith is meant to be about Hajj, it is a main directive for all Muslims to follow the Sunnah of their Prophet (PBUH) in all their acts of worship.
The Prophet (PBUH) also said in a part of another Hadith narrated by al-Bukhary:
“صلوا كما رأيتموني أصلي”
“Establish Prayers the way you had seen me performing it”
7- The hidden meaning of Hajj
Hajj, in its spiritual essence, is a Hijrah (migration) to Allah SWT, by which Muslim pilgrims set out on a journey to their Creator in full dedication and devotion leaving behind all their worldly concerns and the vanities, ornaments and distractions of this worldly life. In that journey they committ themselves to stay within the limits of Allah’s divine law and be subjected to all the requierements and restrictions entailed by the fulfillment of Hajj.
Quran says in Surat al-Baqrah:
“الحج أشهر معلومات فمن فرض فيهن الحج فلا رفث ولا فسوق ولا جدال في الحج”
“Hajj is to be performed in well-known months, so whoever will be commited to do it in those months should not be involved in obscenity nor wickedness nor dispute.” (2:197)
In other sense, Muslims who intend to perform Hajj will be like commiting themselves to abandoning all what is prohibited by Allah SWT, which is to be considered another connotation of Hijrah (migration).
The Prophet (PBUH) said in part of a Hadith narrated by al-Bukhary and Muslim on the authority of Abdullah Ibn Amre (may Allah be pleased with both of them):
“المهاجر من هجر ما نهى الله عنه”
“The migrant is he who abandons what Allah SWT has prohibited”
Therefore, another hidden meaning of Hajj is the Quranic directive of “Fleeing to Allah SWT” mentioned in Surat Azzariat:
“ففروا إلى الله إني لكم منه نذير مبين”
“Therefore, flee to Allah I am from Him a plain warner to you”
The scholars of Quran interpretaion said the the intended gist is to seek refuge in Allah SWT from His punishment by showing total obedience to His commandments.
8- Entering the state of Ihram and its impacts
Muslim pilgrims, when entering the blessed city of Makkah, at the start of Hajj journey, should get into this blessed city from their own assigned place of entery, which is called al-Miqat. The Muslim pilgrims comming from the different directions of the world have their own designated Miqat.
This in itself has another great significance, which is an additional factor of the unification of the Muslim Ummah and a show of discipline on the part of the Muslim pilgrims at the very beginning of their blessed journey of Hajj.
After entering the city, they begin to be engaged in the state of Ihram, which is mainly a state of dos and don’ts, untill the conclusion of all the required rites of Hajj.
To start the state of Ihram the Muslim pilgrims should first make Ghusl (Islamic shower) and take off their ordinary closing. Then men should wear two pieces of white clothing, while women should wear loose garments includeing covering the hair. Muslim pilgrims then pray two rakaas and declare their Niah (Intention) according the type of Hajj they will perform.
The fact that the Muslim pilgrims, after entering the state of Ihram, wear just two pieces of closing for men and just simple loose garments for women, signifies the total equality between human beings, before their Lord, regardless of their race, nationality, wealth, skin colour, family lineage and social status.
According to the Islamic tenents, humans are distinguesed, in the sight of Allah SWT, only by their righteousness, piety, sincerity and devotion to their Creator Allah SWT.
Quran says in Surat al-Hujurat:
“إن أكرمكم عند الله أتقاكم”
“The most honoured among you in the sight of Allah are those who are righteous”(49:13)
Moreover, wearing those simple closing is a vivid reminder of the state in which Muslims will leave this fleeting worldly life and be generally shrouded only in three pieces of white sheets for men and five pieces for women.
During the state of Ihram, Muslim pilgrims are willingly accepting specific restrictions and prohibitions. No obscenity nor wickedness nor any act of disobedience are allowed, only total surrender to the commandments and will of Allah SWT. Those prohibitions Muslims should mainly abide by at all times and in all places, however during Hajj there’s more emphasis on that abidance.
Muslim pilgrims have also to show total respect for the blessed area of Alharam. They cannot cut any of its trees or plants nor hunt for any animal or bird in that area, which adds another layer of discipline for them. In addition, Muslim pilgrims have to stay away of hurting other people or engaging in any dispute or argument with each others.
Accordingly, Hajj requires total commitment and discipline on the part of the Muslim pilgrims. Therefore, performing Hajj is a manifestation of firm faith and total surrender to the will of Allah.
9- Types of Hajj
There’re three main types of Hajj:
1- Ifrad: performing Hajj only.
2- Qiran: combining Omrah and Hajj then staying in the state of Ihram until the fufillment of all the necessary rites of Hajj..
3- Tamatu: Combining Omarah and Hajj with the possibility of breaking the state of Ihram after finishing the rites of Omrah and before engaging in the other rites of Hajj. This is the most preferred type of Hajj, because it’s more convenient.
In the case of the Hajj of Ifrad, the Muslim pilgrims declare their Niah (intention) to perform Hajj only.
In the case of Qiran they declare first their Niah to perform Omrah first then should stay in the state of Ihram until they make another Niah for perfoming Hajj before leaving Makkah to a place called Mina, about five miles away, on the 8th of Zulhijjah to fulfill the remaining rites of Hajj.
In the case of Tamatu, they declare their Niah of performing Omrah first after which they can break the state of Ihram. However, they have to make another Niah for performing Hajj and enter again into the state of Ihram from their own residence in Makkah, before heading to Mina, as in the case of Hajj of Qiran.
10- The significance of Talbiah
A look at the variant rites and rituals of Hajj will certainly unfold the sublime reinforcing effects of that act of worship for the faith of the Muslim pilgrims and their devotion to Allah SWT.
The highly effective impacts of Hajj rites and rituals start first with entering the state of Ihram. Afterwards, they prounce the following very revealing statement:
“لبيك اللهم لبيك، لبيك لا شريك لك، إن الحمد والنعمة لك والملك لا شريك لك”
O Allah I’m responding to your call for Hajj (call of prophet Ibrahim (PBUH)), You have none as partners. All praise is for You and all blessings are from You. The sovereignty and ownership of this whole world are Yours and there’re no parteners with You.
The Muslim pilgrims, by declaring that pronoucement are first expressing their total appreciation and devotion to Allah SWT that He had granted them the opportunity to perform Hajj. The Muslim pilgrims are also manifesting their total readiness to accept all the reqirements of performing that blessled act of worship. At the very beginning of that noble journey they stress their total belief in monotheism and the absolute onness of the Lord of the whole world.
Muslim pilgrims are to keep pronouncing that statement loudly in their way to the blessed city of Makkah until they enter al-Masjid Alharam. Then they start, according to their intentions, the rites of Omerah in the case of Hajj of Tamatu and Qiran, or of Hajj only in the case of Hajj of Ifrad. In all cases they start the rites by making Twaf (circumambulation) around the Kabbah.
(InsahAllah in the second part of this blessled subject we’ll continue the comment on the other rites of Hajj.)
Writen by Sayed Abutaleb
Imam of Masjid Fatima.
s.abutaleb47@gmail.com
