Hajj & Umrah, - *Discovering the Bounties of Hajj - I

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Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:
*.}Indeed, the first House ]of worship[ established for mankind was that at Makkah - blessed and a guidance for the worlds. In it are clear signs ]such as[ the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it shall be safe. And ]due[ to Allaah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way.{]Quran 3: 96-97[
*.}And ]mention[ when We made the House a place of return for the people and ]a place of[ security. And take, ]O believers[, from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, ]saying[, "Purify My House for those who perform Tawaaf and those who are staying ]there[ for worship and those who bow and prostrate ]in prayer[."{]Quran 2: 125[
Al-Masjid Al-Haraam)the Sacred Mosque in Makkah( is the cradle of Islam and theKa’bahis the place that Muslims circumambulate as an act of worship. The feeling of closeness to Allaah The Almighty and Divine love that are manifested in it are disseminated around the world. This has the most beautiful effect on every Muslim individual who has a protective zeal for his religion andUmmah)Muslim nation(. Thus, there is no wonder that Muslims respond to the call of Allaah The Almighty and to the Messengerwhen they call the Muslims to that which enlivens their faith, instills the spirit of sincere affection and brotherhood in them, and protects them from the ignominy of division and dispute.
In spite of the distance of their countries and the plurality of their races, they gather under the banner of the Noble Quran, unified by the word of Islam. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}And remember the favor of Allaah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers.{]Quran 2: 103[
Allaahu Akbar )Allaah is the Greatest(! How great it is to see pilgrims assumingIhraam)the sacral state( and chanting Talbiyah )the cry of“Labbaykallaahumma Labbayk, Labbayka la Shareeka Laka Labbayk, Innalhamda wan Ni’mata laka wal Mulk, la Shareeka Lak”(! How beautiful are the white clothes of Ihraam, that indicate the whiteness and purity of the heart!
How wonderful it is to see them when they are performing Tawaaf )circumambulation(, Rukoo’ )bowing(, Sujood )prostration(,Sa’y)walking( between mountsAs-SafaandAl-Marwahthat are from the rites of Allaah The Almighty! How wonderful to see them trying to get to know one another and showing kindness to each other in the House of Allaah The Almighty, gathering together in lessons of knowledge and guidance, and showing goodness to the needy. And whatever you do of good – indeed, Allaah The Almighty is Knowing of it.
Allaah The Almighty, perfect thanks and praise be to Him, has indeed perfected the religion, completed the favor, and chosen for us Islam as our religion. ImaamAhmad,Al-Bukhaari,Muslim,Abu Daawood,An-Nasaa’i,At-TirmithiandIbn Maajahreported fromTaariq ibn Shihaabwho said,
“A Jew came to ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaaband said, ‘There is a verse which you read in your Book; if it had been revealed to us Jews and we knew the day on which it was revealed, we would have taken it as a festival.’He said, ‘Which verse is that?’ He said )reciting what means(:“}This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.{]Quran 5: 3[.’
‘Umarsaid, ‘By Allaah! I know when and where this verse was revealed to the Messenger of Allaah. It was the evening on the Day of ‘Arafah on a Friday.’”
Ibn Jareerreported from ‘Eesa ibn Haarithah Al-Ansaariwho said, “While we were sitting in the Deewaan, a Christian man said, ‘O Muslims, there is a verse that was revealed to you )Muslims(, and had it been revealed to us, we would have taken that day and place )on which it was revealed( as a day of celebration, even if only two of us remain )what means(:}This day I have perfected for you your religion.{]Quran 5: 3[ Upon that Muhammad ibn Ka’bsaid, ‘It was revealed to the Prophetwhile he was standing at the mount on the Day of ‘Arafah, and it will be a celebration for Muslims, even if only one remains.’”
As for his saying,“While we are sitting in the Deewaan”, it refers to the Deewaan that‘Umarfounded.‘Umarwas the first to establish the department of the exchequer in Islam and the Christian man was a clerk in it )i.e., the Deewaan(.

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Hajj & Umrah, - *Realizing the Essence and Purpose ofHajj – II

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5- Reminding of the Hereafter:
Hajjclearly reminds the slave of Allaah of the Last Day and the situations and terror it includes, through the following:
* Leaving his country and departing from his family. This reminds him of departing his country and family after death.
* Taking off form-fitting clothes and other adornments. This reminds him of the shroud as well as resurrection of the slaves of Allaah from their graves barefooted and uncircumcised on the Day of Judgment.
* Moving among the different places and facing hardship and exhaustion therein: this reminds him of the stress and hardships of the Day of Judgment when some of the slaves of Allaah will be bridled by sweat.
6- Teaching surrender and submission to Allaah The Almighty:
DuringHajj, slaves of Allaah learn surrender, submission and absolute obedience to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. This is achieved through two ways:
- The rites ofHajjsuch as taking off form-fitting clothes, abandoning adornment,Tawaaf,Sa‘y, staying at ‘Arafah, throwing the pebbles, spending the night in certain places, shaving or shortening one’s hair as well as other deeds that may have unclear rationales behind them. However, they are done in pure surrender to the command of Allaah The Almighty with no room for the slave's inclination or desires.
- The old memories that the rituals revive; memories that date back to the time of Ibraaheem )Abraham(and the consequences of surrender and submission to Allaah The Almighty, when aHajjpilgrim prefers to please Allaah The Almighty than to satisfy his desires.
7- Deepening the Islamic brotherhood and unity:
Despite the difference in languages, colors, countries and ethnics, allHajjpilgrims gather in one place, at one time, with one appearance, repeat one slogan and do all these actions motivated by one thing which is belief in Allaah The Almighty and keenness on obeying His commands and avoiding His forbiddances. This deepens love amongHajjpilgrims and boosts good relations, cooperation, meditation, as well as enables them to exchange advice and share experiences. This further encourages them to fulfill the requirements of that religion which gathered them and to spare no effort in striving to exalt it.
8- Connecting the pilgrims to their predecessors:
The rituals ofHajjbring to the mind old memories: the migration of Ibraaheemas well as his wife and newborn to Hijaz, the story when he was commanded to slaughter his son, building theKa‘bah, Ibraaheem’s call to people to performHajj. They also revive the memory ofHajjatul-Wadaa‘)the farewell pilgrimage(, when the Prophet,, performedHajjalong with one hundred thousand Companions. The Prophetsaid to them: "Take your rituals from me."
DuringHajj, one thinks of the different Islamic ages down to the present era, when over two million Muslims performHajjevery year. This calls upon a pilgrim to remember these generations which attended the sacred places before him. He reflects on the creed-related struggle which took place between the monotheists and the polytheists and how the former sacrificed lives, families, wealth and prestige for the sake of this religion.Hajjpilgrims also reflect on how stubborn and aggressive the polytheists were as they defended their interests and personal inclinations and desires.
With such things, a pilgrim will realize the reasons behind destruction and salvation, and thereby he will be watchful to utilize the available means for salvation and consider himself a successor of those who were saved, such as the prophets and the righteous Muslims. Meanwhile, he will avoid causes of destruction, consider himself an enemy to wrongdoers and be certain that victory and Paradise will be for the righteous. AHajjpilgrim will also realize that the fate of all people is the same, which is death, and that he will leave the world just as they left. Therefore, he adheres to piety in order to rescue himself and taste peace and security between the hands of Allaah.
9- Intensifying remembrance of Allaah The Almighty:
Reflecting on the rituals ofHajj,Talbiyah)saying: “Labayka Allaahuma Labayk”(,Takbeer)saying:Allaah-u-Akbar( and supplications, etc, as well as the relevant Quranic and Prophetic texts, one observes that intensifying remembrance of Allaah The Almighty is one of the most prominent rationales and purposes behindHajj. In the Quran, Allaah Says )what means(:}But when you depart from ‘Arafat, remember Allaah at Al-Mash‘ar Al-Haraam.{]Quran 2: 198[
In aHadeeth, the Prophet,, said:"Tawaaf, Sa‘y between As-Safa and Al-Marwah, and throwing the pebbles are prescribed to establish remembrance of Allaah on earth."
10- Training on orderliness and teaching discipline:
There are restrictions, limits, commitments and various disciplinary aspects forHajjand a pilgrim is not permitted to violate them. Such things get the pilgrim used to loving order and maintaining it. Moreover, they teach a pilgrim to be committed through doing what is commanded and abandoning what is forbidden. There are many, clear texts to indicate this.
11- Other benefits:
There are countless other benefits related to this life and to the Hereafter; and to individuals and community. The abundance of benefits is expressed in the verse in which Allaah The Exalted Says )what means(:}That they may witness benefits for themselves.{]Quran 22: 28[
We ask Allaah The Almighty to guide us and to provide us with the greatest share of these benefits!

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Hajj & Umrah, - *Realizing the Essence and Purpose ofHajj - I

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When a Muslim realizes the essence ofHajjas well as the rationales and secrets behind it, this qualifies him to perform a valid and acceptedHajj. This is similar to humbleness in prayer. A person who has greater humility in prayer, his prayer is more likely to be accepted. The same applies toHajj. The more a pilgrim is aware of the essence, spirit and rationales behind theHajjas well as the purposes for which it has been prescribed and, further, he utilizes this to reform his creed and behavior, hisHajjwill be more likely to be accepted and greatly rewarded and he will benefit more.
Nevertheless, no one will be able to achieve this unless he qualifies himself by actively seeking the secrets and rationale behindHajjand reflecting on them. AHajjpilgrim who does not attempt that ought to worry that hisHajjmay amount to no more than a mixture of tourism and tiredness.
Here are some of the most important rationales and purposes behindHajjthat a pilgrim should realize:
1- Attaining piety:
One of the purposes behindHajjis to attain piety. Piety is firmly and explicitly connected toHajjin the relevant Quranic verses. Allaah The Exalted Says )what means(:
·}And complete the Hajj and ‘Umrah for Allaah……….. And be pious to Allaah.{]Quran 2: 196[
·}And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is piety.{]Quran 2: 197[
2- Firmly establishing and asserting Islamic monotheism in the heart and mind:
Hajjis based on dedicating one's intention to Allaah The Almighty and doing everything only for His Sake. Allaah The Exalted Says )what means(:
·}And complete the Hajj and ‘Umrah for Allaah.{]Quran 2: 196[
·}So avoid the uncleanliness of idols and avoid false statement, Inclining ]only[ to Allaah, not associating ]anything[ with Him….{]Quran 22: 30-31[
Talbiyahwhich is the slogan ofHajj, explicitly states dedicating worship to Allaah The Almighty alone:"Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk. Labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Innalhamda wan-n‘imata laka walmulk, laa shareek lak)O Allaah, I answer Your Call, there is no partner to You, to You Alone belong praise, favor and sovereignty, there is no partner to You."
Hajjis also based on compliance to the methodology of the Prophet,, and avoiding polytheism in obedience. To perform any of theHajjrituals according to one's whims and inclinations is rejected. Rather, it is necessary to follow the example of the Prophet,, and to adhere to his methodology.
3- Honoring the symbols of Allaah and what He deems sacred :
One of the most prominent purposes and rationales behindHajjis getting a slave of Allaah used to honor, exalt and love the symbols of Allaah The Almighty and what He deems sacred. One has to fear violating or going against the forbiddances of Allaah The Almighty. In the course of the Quranic verses relevant to theHajj, Allaah Says )what means(:}That ]is so[. And whoever honors the Symbols of Allaah - indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.{]Quran 22: 32[
4- Teaching noble morals and good characteristics:
a- Chastity:
Allaah Says )what means(:}Hajj is ]during[ well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein ]by entering the state of Ihraam[, there is ]to be for him[ no sexual relations….{]Quran 2: 197[ Foreplay is included as well.
b- Restraining anger and abandoning disputing and arguing:
Allaah Says )what means(:}and no disputing during Hajj…{]Quran 2: 197[ Commenting on the verse, ‘Ataa’said,"It refers to disputing with your companion until you anger him or he angers you."According to the preponderant view, it means stressing forbiddance of dispraised disputes only, which is arguing and disputing over matters which are useless underSharee'ah)Islamic legislation(.
c- Gentleness, leniency and tranquility:
When the Prophet,, heard people harshly urge and beat camels upon leaving Muzdalifah, he remarked: "O people, be tranquil, because it is not hastiness that indicates righteousness.”
d- Self-denial and mingling with others:
DuringHajj, a person denies himself, abandons everything with which distinguishes himself and becomes exactly like all his brothers in dress, saying theTalbiyah,moving from one place to another and acts of worship.
e- Teaching a Muslim how to bear the consequences of one's mistakes:
This clearly appears in the obligatory compensation )Fidyah( when a pilgrim deliberately violates one of the restrictions ofIhraam, stays in the wrong place on ‘Arafah or moves to Muzdalifah before sunset etc.
f- Teaching modesty:
This clearly appears through the unity of all pilgrims in rituals as well as in their experience and feelings. All material differences among pilgrims in terms of language, color or wealth, etc are denied. In the course ofKhutbat Al-Wadaa‘)the Farwell sermon(, the Prophet,, said:"O people, ]mind that[ your Lord is One and your father )i.e Adam( is one. Verily, except by piety, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, a non-Arab has no superiority over an Arab, a red has no superiority over a black, and a black has no superiority over a red."
g- Teaching patience in all its aspects:
DuringHajj, a pilgrim curbs his desires and inclinations by abstaining from anything that would violate his state ofIhraam.Furthermore, he abstains from some things which are permissible, when he is not in the state ofIhraam. A pilgrim exposes himself to hardship and exhaustion for the sake of obeying the commands of Allaah The Almighty to perform and complete the rituals ofHajj. This creates incentives within him to abandon acts of disobedience, obey Allaah The Almighty and bear hardship for the sake of pleasing Him even afterHajjis over.
h- Giving and generosity:
This clearly appears when the pilgrim pays the expenses of Hajj.

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Discover Islam, - *The entire world is asking: what is Islam?

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According to various reports in the Arab press, a wave of Americans has converted to Islam since September 11.
'Alaa Bayumi, director of Arab Affairs at the Council for American-Islamic Relations )CAIR(, wrote in theLondondailyAl-Hayat: "Non-Muslim Americans are now interested in getting to know Islam. There are a number of signs... Libraries have run out of books on Islam and theMiddle East... English translations of the Quran head the American best-seller list.
The Americans are showing increasing willingness to convert to Islam since September 11. Thousands of non-Muslim Americans have responded to invitations to visit mosques, resembling the waves of the sea )crashing on the shore( one after another. All this is happening in a political atmosphere that, at least verbally, encourages non-Muslim Americans' openness towards Muslims inAmericaand in the Islamic world, as the American president has said many times in his speeches. ..."
CAIR Chairman Nihad Awad told the Saudi paper'Ukaz: "34,000 Americans have converted to Islam following the events of September 11, and this is the highest rate reached in the US since Islam arrived there."
According to Dr. Walid Al-Fatihi, instructor of medicine atHarvardMedicalSchool,Bostonhas recently become a center of Islamic proselytizing aimed at Christians. On September 22, 2001, Al-Fatihi sent a letter to the Egyptian weeklyAl-Ahram Al-Arabi, in which he described the unfolding of events since September 11.
"On Saturday, September 15, I went with my wife and children to the biggest church inBoston, )TrinityChurch( inCopley Square, by official invitation of the Islamic Society of Boston, to represent Islam by special invitation of the senators ofBoston," wrote Fatihi. "Present were the mayor ofBoston, his wife and the heads of the universities. There were more than 1,000 people there, with media coverage by one ofBoston's main television stations. We were received like ambassadors. I sat with my wife and children in the front row, next to the mayor's wife. In his sermon, the priest defended Islam as a monotheistic religion, telling the audience that I represented the Islamic Society of Boston.
After the sermon was over, he stood at my side as I read an official statement issued by the leading Muslim clerics condemning the incident )i.e., the attacks(. The statement explained Islam's stance and principles, and its sublime precepts. Afterwards, I read verses of the Quran translated into English... These were moments that I will never forget, because the entire church burst into tears upon hearing the passages of the words of Allaah!
"Emotion swept over us," Al-Fatihi continued. "One said to me: 'I do not understand the Arabic language, but there is no doubt that the things you said are the words of Allaah.' As she left the church weeping, a woman put a piece of paper in my hand; on the paper was written: 'Forgive us for our past and for our present. Keep proselytizing to us.' Another man stood at the entrance of the church, his eyes teary, and said: 'You are just like us; no, you are better than us.'"
Al-Fatihi recounts the next day the Islamic Society of Boston issued an open invitation to the Islamic Center inCambridge.
"We did not expect more than 100 people, but to our surprise more than 1,000 people came -- among them the neighbors, the university lecturers, members of the clergy, and even the leaders of the priests from the nearby churches, who invited us to speak on Islam," Fatihi wrote. "All expressed solidarity with Muslims. Many questions flowed to us. Everyone wanted to know about Islam and to understand its precepts.
Of all the questions, not a single one attacked me; on the contrary, we saw )the people's( eyes filling with tears when they heard about Islam and its sublime principles. Many of them had never heard about Islam before. Well, they had heard about Islam only through the biased media. That same day, I was invited again to participate in a meeting in the church, and again I saw the same things.
On Thursday, a delegation of 300 students and lecturers from Harvard visited the center of the Islamic Society of Boston, accompanied by the American Ambassador toVienna. They sat on the floor of the mosque, which was filled to capacity. We explained to them the precepts of Islam, and defended it from any suspicions )promulgated in the media(. I again read to them from the verses of Allaah, and )their( eyes filled with tears. The audience was moved, and many asked to participate in the weekly lessons for non-Muslims held by the Islamic Center..."
Al-Fatihi says on September 21, the Muslims participated in a closed meeting with the Governor of Massachusetts. They discussed introducing Islam into the school curriculum. He claims Gov. Jane Swift agreed to implement their plans.
"These are only some of the examples of what happened and is happening in the city ofBoston, and in many other American cities, during these days," Al-Fatihi continued. "Proselytizing in the name of Allaah has not been undermined, and has not been set back 50 years, as we thought in the first days after September 11. On the contrary, the 11 days that have passed are like 11 years in the history of proselytizing in the name of Allaah.
I write to you today with the absolute confidence that over the next few years, Islam will spread in America and in the entire world, Allaah willing, much more quickly than it has spread in the past, because the entire world is asking: 'What is Islam?!'"

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