The Prophet's acts of worship during Hajj -II

4- Heeding Allaah's hudood )limits(
Heeding Allaah's limits is the highest degree of piety. It is an
indication of true belief, and a sign of perfect submission to Allaah.
The Prophetmore than anyone else, was a strict observant of Allaah's
limits. Hewas the most devout of all, and used to glorify Allaah's
sanctities more than any one else, as was seen on many occasions
during Hajj. For example, when heoffered Hady, out of consideration
for his companions he did not end his Ihraam, although he ordered
those who did not offer Hady to end theirs, and to perform
Umrahsimultaneously with the Hajj. However, having interpreted his
order merely as a non-obligatory permission, they kept their Ihraam.
Expressing their desire tostay in the state of Ihraam, some of them
said "Do we come to 'Arafah after having sex with our wives?" Upon
hearing this, the Prophetresponded:"You know for sure that I am more
devout, more truthful, and more righteous than any of you. Yet, had I
not offered Hady, I would have ended my state of Ihraam. You,
therefore, should end your state of Ihraam."]Al-Bukhaari[
5- His tranquility and submission to Allaah
Presence of the heart, and submissiveness to Allaah, Almighty, can be
attained only through tranquility and strict discipline of the senses.
The outer appearance in this regard, is an indication of the inner
reality. In his Hajj, the Prophetcombined both elements: Firstly,
heattained a presenceof the heart. Nothing could diverthis attention
away from his rituals, or from showing submission and humility to
Allaah. Standing with his hands raised close to his chest, he
privately offered his supplication for extended periods of time.
Secondly, all of the Prophet'ssenses were full of submission and
surrender to Allaah, Almighty. He would walk quietly in reverence and
tranquility goingabout his rituals. Jaabirreported: "The
Prophetperformed Al-Ifaadhah in tranquility." ]Al-Bukhaari[ Ibn
'Abbaasreported that as he and the Prophetwere movingtogether on the
Day of 'Arafah, they heard loud noises, clatteringand roars of camels.
The Prophetthen pointed his whip at the people and said: "Be quiet;
haste is no indication of righteousness!" ]At-Tirmithi[
6- Doing plenty of good deeds
Not only did the Prophetenjoined good, hewas also keen on doing the
same during the Hajj. This is manifest in his performance of all the
favorable Hajj rituals. He performed Ghusl)ritual body wash( before
assuming Ihraam, wore perfume upon assuming and ending
it,]Al-Bukhaari[, marked and garlanded the sacrificial animal, and
frequently recited talbiyah aloud until hehad cast the
Jamaratul-'Aqabah )'Aqabah Stone(. ]Al-Bukhaari[ He also started
Tawaaf as soon as he entered the House, ]Al-Bukhaari[, walked briskly
in Tawaaf, touched the two corners of the Ka'bah, offered two Rak'ahs
of Tawaaf behind Maqaam Ibraaheem )Ibraaheem's station(,]Muslim[,
supplicated Allaah on the hills of Safaa and Marwah, ranin the middle
of the valley, supplicated upon touching the two corners and while
throwing the jamaraat ]Al-Bukhaari[. There are many other acts that
heperformed.
7- His moderation and equanimity
Islam encourages moderation and censures exaggeration. In fact
equanimity was the most significant attitude of the Prophetin the
Hajj. Heabhorred exaggeration—hedid neither too much nor too little.
Two acts of worship can be stressed in this regard. Firstly, headopted
a happy medium between his acts of worship]Al-Bukhaari[, and his
responsibility as a leader of the Muslims. However, hedid not neglect
his duty to his wives and his household who needed care and affection.
Secondly, healso took equal care of his body and soul. This is a very
important point, as the awe-inspiring surroundings of the Hajj may
compel many people to observe the spiritual and entirely forget the
physical side of their being. The Prophethowever, took very good care
of his body. For example, on Tarwyah Day hemoved closer to Mina in
order to be near 'Arafah ]Muslim[; slept during the nights of 'Arafah
and Muzdalifah ]Al-Bukhaari[; took breakfast on the Day of
'Arafah]Al-Bukhaari[; but did not offer supererogatory prayers
]Muslim[. Hetook shelter in a dome made from camel hair erected
especially for him, moved between the sacred sites]Al-Bukhaari[, and
performed some of the Hajj rituals riding on camelback ]Muslim[.
Furthermore, he even had someone who served and helped him. ]Ibn
Maajah[
8- Renouncement of the present life
The Prophetrenounced the present life and rejected all that was not
vital for the Hereafter. There are countless examples of his
denunciatory attitude towards the present life. Listed are but a few:
Heused an old, shabby camel saddled with a piece of velvet hardly
worth four Dirhams )silver currency(. Heallowed Usaamah Ibn Zaydto
ride behind him on his camel back from 'Arafah to Muzdalifah, and
allowed Al-Fadhl Ibn 'Abbaasto ride behind him from Muzdalifah to
Mina. ]Al-Bukhaari[