Hajj & Umrah, - * Hajj is a Reflection of the Ummah

One of the advantages of a mirror is that it reflects the reality of
things clearly and precisely. A person who has a mirror takes care to
keep it clean and shiny so that when he looks in the mirror, if he
were to see anything amiss such as dirty clothes or the like, he would
know that the mirror has nothing to do with this as it is just
reflects reality. A person might be angry and upset when he sees any
defect, but if he is sensible, he would attempt to rectify the
situation so that his reflection in the mirror would be better.
However, those who are foolish might break the mirror, and to such
people we say, "You have not only failed to change the reality but you
also lost the means that could tell you about the defects."
Similarly,Hajjis the mirror of the Ummah )Muslim nation( that reflects
its positive and negative aspects, asHajjis the greatest gathering of
the Ummah where the greatest number of people come together from a
variety of backgrounds and places.Hajjgathers princes, scholars,
people of culture, men of letters, and ordinary men and women.
Undoubtedly, the mirror of Hajj reflects many positive aspects, such
as unity in the worship of Allaah
The Almighty and the establishment of equality and unity. At the same
time, however, it reflects some defects in the Muslims that clash with
these positive aspects.
It is difficult to ignore the mistakes and faults of the pilgrims,
which become noticeable duringHajj, such as defective'Aqeedah)creed(,
innovations in the religion, negligence regarding acts of worship,
absence ofKhushoo')fear of Allaah The Almighty( and ignorance about
matters of the religion. Moreover, one can see other forms of
ignorance which are exemplified in being negligent about cleanliness
and the most basic rules of health and hygiene, not adhering to or
complying with health instructions and breaching orders. Other
shortcomings include causing chaos, rigidity in one's dealings,
harshness when crowding with others, being irritable, having fanatical
feelings towards a certain race or country, or feeling uncomfortable
when dealing with others.
This does not mean that there are many negative aspects toHajj, but at
the same time, we should not allow these faults to go unaddressed. We
should not break the mirror but be grateful for it, as we have managed
to see the defects through it and now simply have to find the remedy.
Hajjis an event that shows the great efforts exerted to turn
theUmmahfrom disunity to unity, from humiliation to dignity, from
weakness to strength and from ignorance to knowledge and advancement.
There is no doubt that the greatest role is that of the Islamic
governments, their mass media, and their educational curricula.
Another important role is that of scholars, and their efforts in
spreadingDa'wah)the call to Allaah The Almighty(, preserving
the'Aqeedahof Muslims, declaring the truth, combating ignorance and
resisting the invasion of harmful ideas. Other efforts and duties are
the initiative of wealthy people and economic institutions; still
others are related to intellectuals and men of letters. A third
category is related to writers and the Imaams who
deliverKhutbahs)sermons(. Indeed, every Muslim bears part of the great
responsibility towards raising the status of theUmmah. Thus, we should
encourage every individual in general and every pilgrim in particular
to fulfill his duty so that the promise of Allaah The Almighty may be
achieved, as He Says )what means(:}Indeed, Allaah will not change the
condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.{

Hajj & Umrah, - * If Only We Understood Hajj!

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When I was very young, at the end of every Thursday I would stand with the other children at the outskirts of our village waiting for the people returning from the weekly market carrying their goods after a long day of buying and selling. Some people had profited and become joyous, whereas others had incurred loss and returned miserable.
Today, decades later, I find myself standing at the borders of the country to see the groups of pilgrims returning from their great trip. I see in their eyes the same expressions that I would see in the eyes of the people returning from the market. Some of these pilgrims rejoice at the gained pleasure and forgiveness of Allaah and returning without sins just like they were the day they were born. Their food and clothes were obtained from lawfully gained property. They were patient and sought reward in their Hajj and did not indulge in sexual relations, indecent speech, wicked acts or arguing therein. They return in happiness after being hosted by Allaah The Almighty as if they have heard this response of Allaah to theirTalbiyah)Hajj-related chant,“Your call has been heard! You are fortunate. Your provisions are lawful, your mount is lawful and your pilgrimage is free of sin and is acceptable.”Accordingly, these people are delighted with the pleasure of Allaah and determined to hold fast to the light shining on their faces and to never return to their past misdeeds and sins.
On the other hand, other pilgrims return psychologically defeated. They uselessly exerted efforts and spent money because they return carrying their sins and more. They did not stop arguing, desist from immoral acts, purify their intention, make sure of lawful gain or purify their hearts from diseases. They are disenchanted because they return empty-handed. They return as if they - from among the humble crying people - heard a caller giving them a quivering announcement saying,“Your call is not accepted; nor are you welcome; your food is unlawful; your provisions are unlawful; and your pilgrimage is not free of sin and is therefore unacceptable.”Such people lose in the worldly life and the Hereafter. They have wasted their time, efforts and money. They went along with the pilgrims; yet, they were bearing grudges, rancor, racism and boasting of position, status, nationality, and so on. Then, they came back carrying the same load, boasting of what they used to boast of, insisting on committing sins, dreaming of practicing immorality again and flaunting their ability to deceive, setting up traps for others and stabbing them in the back.
If only we understood the wisdom behindHajj!Hajjhas not been prescribed in order to make people psychologically and physically distressed through theirTawaaf)circumambulation of theKa'bah(,Sa‘y)walking between MountsAs-SafaaandAl-Marwah(, casting pebbles, standing on mountains all day long, staying nights in the desert, sleeping on the sand and using the sky for cover; nor is it meant to make people arbitrarily spend their money in transportation and boarding. Rather,Hajjis a universal annual conference for all Muslims the world over that is attended by their representatives to renew the pledge and renew their belonging to this religion as well as affirm their allegiance to this location and message. They declare to themselves, to the whole world and to their fellow Muslims who did not get this opportunity, that they follow the moral and material footsteps of the Prophet. They obtain light and guidance from the original spring of light and guidance, from the cradle of the message and the Messenger. Then, they return as ambassadors to their countries and families guiding them to that light until the conference of the next year. This was the custom of the early generation who used to go forHajjin order to learn more about Islam and renew their pledge of steadfastness to the Prophet. The Messenger of Allaahand his companionswould meet delegates who gave them the oath of allegiance, discussed with them their affairs and then go back to their homes carrying the message of this religion.
Do pilgrims nowadays recognize these meanings? Do they feel that while they may be almost three million souls, they have to return after Hajj in a better and more pious state than their previous one? Do they feel that they have to hold fast to the inspired meanings, spirituality and transparency that they have experienced in their hearts? Do they realize that they have to strictly adhere to this religion and its teachings as those who have theirHajjaccepted return sinless like the day of their birth? They should therefore seize the opportunity of having the sins of tens of years erased. Do they know that they are ambassadors to those who could not performHajjand their mission is to return to them bearing new motives and inspirations towards the true faith? Do they realize that they have to mix with people in order to correct their mistakes, remove the accumulated blackness of sins from their hearts and take their hands to the sublimity of the soul and longing for Paradise that they have tasted?
By Allaah, if these meanings were understood, we would not be in this state of disunity, partisanship, racism, superficiality of thought, infirm beliefs, and so on. Year after year,HajjafterHajj,‘Umrah)minor-Hajj( after‘Umrah, one wave of ambassadors after another... Had we understood and known and had sincere intentions, we would have been transformed and would have transformed others. We would have been influenced and would have influenced others. Unfortunately, we have become like the useless foam of a flood - the condition against which the Prophetwarned us.
Throngs of people go toHajj, makeTawaaf, performSa‘y…planes, ships, buses and cars transport people to and from the holy lands…a state of alert and readiness among security personnel in airports and bus stops…passports, visas, permissions, prohibitions, checks, letters…millions of people and millions in expenditure; but – and how painful it is - hearts are disagreeing, disputing, hard and inflexible, disunity, racism, nepotism, driving wedges between others, bearing grudges towards neighbors and colleagues! If the person is saved from these diseases, he still may be heedless of its dangers to his religion and country and does not care about the fire that approaches his home and offspring. He does not even burden himself with thinking about this tragic end.
If only our hearts would become harmonious! If only the stain over them would be removed! If only the souls would be sincere towards each other! If only intentions would become devoted only to Allaah! If only we could get rid of our attachment to the worldly life and rise above our worldly thoughts! If only our efforts were exerted for Allaah’s sake! If only our souls hugged and not just our bodies! If only our hearts throbbed with love!
If only we understood the lessons ofHajj!
If only we acted according to what we are certain about and asked about what we are not certain about!
Were this to happen, we would become, once again, the finest nation ever raised for humankind.

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Hajj & Umrah, - * Hidden Wisdom Underlyingthe Rituals of Hajj

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The rituals of theHajjentail great wisdom and excellent lessons, the most important of which is a manifestation of humility to Allaah The Almighty. This is because the pilgrim leaves a life of luxury and adornment to wear the clothes ofIhraam, declaring his dire need for his Lord. In this journey, he frees himself from the worldly life and its occupations that divert him from Allaah The Almighty to win by this the forgiveness and mercy of Allaah The Almighty.
Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}And proclaim to the people the Hajj ]pilgrimage[; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass. That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the Name of Allaah on known days over what He Has Provided for them of ]sacrificial[ animals. So eat of them and feed the miserable and poor.{]Quran 22: 27-28[
The Messenger of Allaah,, also said:“Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any Rafath )obscenity( or commit any evil will go back free of sin as on the day his mother gave birth to him.”]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[
Spirit of the warrior:
The pilgrim stands at ‘Arafaat supplicating his Lord humbly, praising and thanking Allaah The Almighty for the blessings endowed upon him, and seeking forgiveness of his sins and mistakes.
Performing the obligation ofHajjis one way of expressing thanks and appreciation to Allaah The Almighty for the blessings of wealth and health. They are the best blessings that one can enjoy in this world.
DuringHajjone expresses his gratitude to Allaah The Almighty for both great blessings because one tires himself and spends his money to obey his Lord and draw near to Him.
It was narrated on the authority of ‘Aa’ishahthat the Messenger of Allaah,said:“There is no day on which Allaah frees more of His slaves from Hell than the Day of ‘Arafah. He boasts about them before the angels.”]Muslim[
The Messenger of Allaah,, was asked which deed is best. He said:“Belief in Allaah and His Messenger,thenJihaad for the Sake of Allaah, and then an accepted Hajj.”]Al-Bukhaari[
The pilgrim trains himself in the spirit of warriorship by exercising patience and enduring harm. It is very similar to an organized military campaign during which one cooperates with other people. Do you not see that the pilgrim suffers from the difficulties of travel from the time all the pilgrims gather in Makkah, the Sacred Land of Allaah, and then go on to perform the rites ofHajj? They move briskly and joyfully, something like the travels of scouts on the path of spirituality.
No differences inHajj
InHajj, all differences and distinctions vanish i.e. the differences of wealth and poverty, race and color, and the differences of tongues and languages. The gathering unifies all humans, making it full of goodness, blessings, mutual consultation, advice and cooperation in righteousness and support.
During theHajj, people cooperate in righteousness and piety, advise each other to adhere to the truth and patience and take care of the interests of theUmmah)Muslim nation(. The sublime aim behind such a great conference and gathering is to link worldly goals to heavenly ones.Hajjleads to precious memories which instill in souls the spirit of endless and complete servitude and submission to the commands of Allaah The Almighty and HisSharee‘ah)the revealed lawsof Islam(.
Perhaps they would be grateful
In such sacred places and honorable sites, precious lessons are drawn. At the Ka‘bah, the father of the Prophets, Ibraaheemstopped his camel along with his wife Haajar and Ismaa‘eel )Ishmael(. Al-Bukhaari narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaasin a longHadeeth)narration( in which the Messenger of Allaah,, said:
Ibraaheem brought her )Haajar( and her son Ismaa‘eel while she was suckling him, to a place near the Ka‘bah under a tree on the spot of Zamzam, at the highest place in the mosque. During those days there was nobody in Makkah, nor was there any water. So he made them sit over there and placed near them a leather bag containing some dates, and a small water-skin containing some water. Then Ibraaheemset out homeward. Ismaa‘eel’s mother followed him saying, "O Ibraaheem! Where are you going, leaving us in this valley where there is no person whose company we may enjoy, nor is there anything )to enjoy(?" She repeated the question to him many times, but he did not look back at her. Then she asked him, "Has Allaah ordered you to do so?" He said, "Yes." She said, "Then He will not fail us," and returned while Ibraaheem proceeded onwards, and on reaching the Thaniyyat Al-Wadaa‘ where they could not see him. There he faced the Ka‘bah, and raising both hands, invoked Allaah The Almighty saying the following prayers:}Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your sacred House, our Lord, that they may establish prayer. So make hearts among the people incline toward them and provide for them from the fruits that they might be grateful.{]Quran 14: 37[
There, in this barren desert, the spring of Zamzam gushed out from under the feet of Ismaa‘eel. This water was a miracle for him and his mother so that people may learn. This small family became the nucleus of life and prosperity in this place. It brought to the desert of the Arabian Peninsula the honor of prophethood and the Divine message. Those who submitted in this way to the commands of Allaah The Almighty truly deserved to be gifted with such an honor and establish the House, towards which the hearts of the people of faith incline spontaneously.

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Making Up Missed Prayers, - Dought & clear, - * Praying Witr after the adhaan of Fajr

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What happens if one intends on praying Witr but unintentionally sleeps in or is eating for Suhoor and loses track of time....can they still pray Witr once the athan for Fajr has been made?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
The time for praying Witr ends when dawn comes, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘The night prayers are two by two, then when you fear that dawn is about to break, then pray one (rak’ah) and make the prayers that you have offered odd-numbered.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 472.
Muslim (754) narrated from Abu Sa’eed (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Pray Witr before dawn comes.”
If the adhaan for Fajr is given and a person has not yet prayed witr, he should delay it until the forenoon, after the sun has risen high, then he should pray whatever he can, two or four rak’ahs or more, two by two. If his habit is to pray three and he did not pray them at night, he should pray them in the forenoon with four rak’ahs and two tasleems. If his habit is to pray five and he was not able to do them at night because he was sick or he was asleep and so on, he should pray them in the forenoon with six rak’ahs and three tasleems, and so on, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to do that. He used to pray witr with eleven rak’ahs, but if sickness or sleep kept him from doing that, he would pray them during the day with twelve rak’ahs. This is what ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said according to the report narrated from her by the two shaykhs al-Bukhaari and Muslim, and this is what is prescribed for the ummah, following the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Baaz, 11/300
Shaykh Ibn Baaz was also asked: Should the last of Witr prayer be done when the adhaan begins for Fajr or at the end of the adhaan? If a person sleeps and misses it, should he make it up and how?
He replied:
It is prescribed for every believer, male and female, to pray Witr every night. The time for it is between ‘Isha’ prayer until dawn begins, because it is narrated inal-Saheehaynfrom Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The night prayers are two by two, then if one of you fears that dawn is about to break, let him pray one rak’ah to make what he has prayed odd-numbered.” Muslim narrated in hisSaheehthat Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri said: “Pray witr before dawn comes.” Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawood and al-Tirmidhi narrated, in a report that was classed as saheeh by al-Haakim, from Khaarijah ibn Hudhaafah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has blessed you with a prayer that is better for you than red camels.” We said: O Messenger of Allaah, what is it? He said: “Witr, between ‘Isha’ prayer and the break of dawn.” And there are many ahaadeeth on this topic, which indicates that Witr ends with the break of dawn.
If a worshipper does not know when dawn is, he may rely on a muezzin who is known to pay attention to the right time. If the muezzin who pays attention to the right time gives the adhaan, then he has missed witr. As for the one who gives the adhaan before dawn breaks, he has not missed witr when he gives the adhaan and this does not mean that it has become haraam for one who is fasting to eat and drink, and the time for Fajr prayer has not begun with this adhaan. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Bilaal gives the adhaan at night, so eat and drink until Ibn Umm Maktoom gives the adhaan.” Saheeh – agreed upon. Ibn Umm Maktoom was a blind man who did not give the adhaan until he was told that dawn had come. From what we have mentioned it is clear that the time for witr ends with the first adhaan if the muezzin pays attention to the correct time of dawn, but if the muezzin gives the adhaan when the Muslim is in the final rak'ah of witr, he should complete it because he cannot be certain that dawn has come just from hearing the adhaan, and there is nothing wrong with that in sha Allaah.
If a person misses Fajr, it is prescribed for him to pray what he usually prays during the day, but he should make it even-numbered by adding one rak’ah. If he usually prays three, he should make it four, and if he usually prays five, he should make it six, and so on, saying the tasleem after each two rak’ahs. It is narrated inSaheeh Muslimthat ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: If the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) missed witr at night because he was sick or sleeping, he would pray twelve rak’ahs during the day. And he usually prayed eleven rak’ahs, but if sickness or sleep kept him from doing that, he would pray twelve rak’ahs as ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said, saying the tasleem after each two rak’ahs, as ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to pray ten rak’ahs at night, saying the tasleem after each two rak’ahs, and praying witr with one.” Saheeh – agreed upon. And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The prayers of the night and day are two by two.” Narrated by Imam Ahmad and the authors ofal-Sunanwith a saheeh isnaad from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him). It is narrated inal-Saheehaynwith the wording, “The night prayers are two by two,” as we stated at the beginning. And Allaah is the Source of strength. End quote.
Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Baaz, 11/305-308
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: I am keen to offer witr prayer at the best time for it, before dawn breaks, but sometimes I cannot do it before dawn. Is it permissible for me to pray witr after dawn breaks?
He replied:
If dawn breaks and you have not prayed witr, then do not pray witr, rather pray four rak'ahs during the day if you usually pray witr with three, and six if you usually pray witr with five, and so on.
Because if the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) missed the night prayers, he would pray twelve rak’ahs during the day. End quote.
Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 14/114
It was narrated from a number of the Sahaabah that there is nothing wrong with praying witr after the adhaan of Fajr until the iqaamah is given – such as Ibn Mas’ood (as was narrated by al-Nasaa’i (1667) and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani inSaheeh al-Nasaa’i), Ibn ‘Abbaas (as narrated by Maalik inal-Muwatta’(255)) and ‘Ubaadah ibn al-Saamit (as narrated by Maalik inal-Muwatta’(257)).
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about a person who sleeps and misses Witr prayer.
He replied: He may pray between dawn and Fajr prayer, as ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar, ‘Aa’ishah and others did. Abu Dawood narrated in hisSunanthat Abu Sa’eed said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever sleeps and misses Witr or forgets it, let him pray it when morning comes or he remembers.” There are different reports from Ahmad as to whether he should make up the even-numbered rak’ahs too. The correct view is that he should make up even-numbered rak’ahs too. It is narrated in a saheeh report that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever sleeps and misses a prayer or forgets it, let him offer it when he remembers it, for that is the time for it.” This includes obligatory prayers, qiyaam al-layl, Witr and regular Sunnah prayers.” End quote fromal-Fataawa al-Kubra, 2/240.
If the Muslim does either of these two things, there is no sin on him in sha Allaah.
And Allaah knows best.

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