Forty Hadith of HAJJ, Forty Hadithson HAJJ, Importance of HAJJ, Benefits of HAJJ

01 - Importance of Hajj
Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) has said, "By Allah, by
Allah, keep the House of your Lord in mind. Do not disregard it as
long as you remain (alive) because surely if it is ignored, then He
shall not look towards you (with His Mercy)."
02 - Hajj and Focusing on Allah
It has been narrated from Abi Ja'far [Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali al-Baqir]
(peace be upon him) that in regards to the words of Allah, the
Glorious and High:
"So then hasten towards Allah, surely I (Muhammad) am a plain warner
to you from Him."(Holy Quran 51:50)
Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him) said, "Struggletowards Allah (perform Hajj)."
03 - Talbiyah and the Sacrifice
It has been narrated fromImam Ali [Ibn Abi Talib] (peace be upon him)
thathe said, "Jibril (Gabriel) descended to the Noble Prophet Muhammad
(blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) and said to him, 'O'
Muhammad! Command your companion's al-Ajj and al-Thalj. The al-Ajj is
to raise your voice in pronouncing the Talbiyah (Labbaik Allahumma
Labbaik) out loud, while the al-Thalj is to slaughter an animal (on
the day of Eid)."
04 - The Major Hajj (Hajj al-Akbar) and the Minor Hajj (Hajj al-Asghar)
It has been narrated by Mu'awiyah Ibn Ammar that he said, "I asked Aba
Abdillah [Imam Ja'far Ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq] (peace be upon him) in
regards to the day of the major Hajj (Hajj al-Akbar) and he said,
'This is the day of the sacrifice ('EidulQurban), while the minorHajj
(Hajj al-Asghar) is theUmrah."
05 - The Benefits of Hajj
It has been narrated from al-Ridha [Imam Ali Ibn Musa] (peace be upon
him) that he said, "I have not seen a single thing which makes a
person free from want (financially secure) quicker, nor which is more
effective in removing poverty, than continuously performing Hajj (year
after year)."
06 - Dying While on the Way to Hajj
It has been narrated fromAba Abdillah [Imam Ja'farIbn Muhammad
as-Sadiq](peace be upon him) thathe said, "A person who dies while
proceeding towards Makkah or whilereturning back (from Makkah) will be
protected from the great distress of the Day of Resurrection."
07 - The Sanctity of the Guests of Allah
It has been narrated fromAba Abdillah [Imam Ja'farIbn Muhammad
as-Sadiq](peace be upon him) thathe said, "Those who perform Hajj and
the Umrah are the guests of Allah. If they ask Him for something, He
will grant it to them; if they call upon Him then He will answer them;
if they intercede (for others), their intercession will be accepted;
if they remain quiet, then He will begin to speak to them; for every
dirham which they spend (in their trip to Hajj), they will receive one
million dirhams in return."
08 - Preparing for the Ihram
It has been narrated fromHimad Ibn Isa that he said, "I asked Aba
Abdillah [Imam Ja'far Ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq] (peace be upon him) on
how to prepare for the (wearing of the) Ihram? Imam Ja'far Ibn
Muhammad as-Sadiq (peace be upon him) replied, (One should prepare for
wearing the Ihram) by cutting the nails, trimming the moustache and
shaving the pubic hair."
09 - Looking at the Kaaba
It has been narrated fromal-Baqir [Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali] (peace be
upon him) that: "As long as a person is looking at the Kaaba, good
deeds will be written (in his record) and one's evil deeds will be
erased until one turns away one's glance (from the Kaaba)."
10 - Intention for Hajj
It has been narrated fromAba Abdillah [Imam Ja'farIbn Muhammad
as-Sadiq](peace be upon him) that, "Hajj is of two types:Hajj for the
sake of Allah and Hajj for the sake of people. A person who performs
Hajj for Allah, surely his reward will be with Allah - Paradise; anda
person who performs Hajj for people, surely hisreward will be with
people (to give him) on the Day of Resurrection."
11 - Fasting on the Day ofTashriq in Mina (Makkah)
As-Sadiq [Imam Ja'far Ibn Muhammad] (peace be upon him) was asked,"Why
is it discouraged to fast on the days of Tashriq (11th, 12th, and 13th
of Dhul Hijjah)?" Imam Ja'far Ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq (peace be upon
him) replied, "Since people are visiting Allah and are His guests
(during these days), it is not advisable that a guest should fast in
the presence of the One whom he is visiting."
12 - Hajj or Jihad?
It has been narrated fromas-Sadiq [Imam Ja'far Ibn Muhammad] (peace be
upon him) who said,"There is no path from the paths of Allah which is
greater than Hajj, except when a person comes out with his swordand
strives in the way of Allah until he is martyred."
13 - Reward for the Tawaf (Circumambulationof Kaaba)
The Noble Prophet Muhammad (blessings of Allah be upon him and his
family) has said, "A person who circumambulates this House (the Kaaba)
seven times and performs the two Rak'at Salat (of Tawaf) in the best
form possible will have his sinsforgiven."
14 - Hajj and the Renewalof the Pledge
Abi Ja'far [Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali al-Baqir] (peace be upon him) has
said, "The Hajr (Hajr Aswad - the Black Stone) is like the pledge (of
Allah) and rubbing the hand over it is like making a pledge of
allegiance (to Allah)." Whenever Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali al-Baqir (peace
be upon him) would rub his hand over the Hajr Aswad he used to say:
"O' Allah! I have fulfilled my trust and have renewed my pledge so
that it (the HajrAswad) can bear witness that surely I have
fulfilledmy responsibility."
15 - The Success and Perpetuity of Islam
It has been narrated fromAba Abdillah [Imam Ja'farIbn Muhammad
as-Sadiq](peace be upon him) who said, "As long as the Kaaba is
standing, the religion (of al-Islam) will remain standing."
16 - Philosophy behind the Name "Al-Kaaba"
It has been narrated that Abi Ja'far [Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali al-Baqir]
(peace be upon him) was asked, "Why is it (the Kaaba) named Baitul
Atiq (the Emancipated House)?" Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali al-Baqir (peace
be upon him) replied: "Because this house is free and emancipated from
people and was never under the ownership of anyone."
17 - Three Sacred Things
It has been narrated fromAba Abdillah [Imam Ja'farIbn Muhammad
as-Sadiq](peace be upon him) who said, "Surely Allah, the Noble and
Grand, has made three things sacredand there is nothing else
equivalent to them: His Book (Holy Quran) which is His Command and
Divine Light; His House (The Kaaba) which He hasmade as the focal
point (Qiblah) and He will not accept from anyone facing any other
direction; and the family of your Prophet."
18 - Donations to Maintain the Kaaba
It has been narrated fromImam Ali [Ibn Abi Talib] (peace be upon him)
who said, "If I were to possess two valleys flowing with gold and
silver, I would not donatea single thing to the Kaaba because it would
reach the (unworthy) people who maintain theKaaba - and not to the
poor and deserving people."
19 - The Safety of the Sanctuary (Haram)
It has been narrated from'Abdullah Ibn Sanan fromAba Abdillah [Imam
Ja'farIbn Muhammad as-Sadiq](peace be upon him) thathe asked, "What is
the meaning of His words: {And whosoever enters into it (the Haram),
does so in safety.}
Does this refer to the Kaaba or the entire Sanctuary (Haram)?"
Imam Ja'far Ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq (peace be upon him) replied, "A
person who enters into the Sanctuary (Haram) seeking protection, shall
remain protected; whoever from amongst the true believers enters into
the Sanctuary (Haram) seeking protection from the wrath of Allah shall
be protected from it; and whichever wild and domestic animal or bird
enters into the Sanctuary (Haram) will be protectedfrom being
disturbed and bothered until it leaves the Sanctuary (Haram)."
20 - The Four Chosen Cities
The Noble Prophet Muhammad (blessings of Allah be upon him and his
family) has said,"Surely Allah has chosen four cities from amongst all
others, just as He, the Noble and Grand has said(in the Holy Quran):
"I swear by 'the fig' and 'the olive' and the 'Mountain of Sinai' and
by this protected city." (Holy Quran 95:1-3)
'The fig' is the city of Madinah; 'The olive' is the city of Baitul
Maqdis (in Jerusalem); 'The Mountain of Sinai' is Kufah; and the
protected city is Makkah."
21 - Performing Hajj withHaram (Forbidden) Wealth
Abi Ja'far [Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali al-Baqir] (peace be upon him) has
said, "Allah, the Noble and Grand shall not accept Hajj or Umrah of a
person who performs them using Haram (Forbidden) wealth."
22 - Etiquette of Hajj
It has been narrated fromAbi Ja'far [Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali al-Baqir]
(peace be upon him) that he said, "It doesnot matter if one visits
this House (Kaaba) if he does not possess three traits: Cautiousness
(Wara) which prevents him from sinning; forbearance which helps him
rule over his anger; and good interaction with those who are with
him."
23 - Exemptions for Women in Hajj Rites
It has been narrated fromAbi Ja'far [Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali al-Baqir]
(peace be upon him) that he said, "The following things are not
necessary for women to perform in Hajj: women do not have to pronounce
Talbiyah (Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik) out loud; nor dothey have to
perform the Harwalah (act of briefly running) between the mountains of
al-Safa and al-Marwah; the rubbing of the hand on the Hajr Aswad - the
Black Stone; entering into the Kaaba; and the shaving of the head;
instead, they only cut some of their hair."
24 - Distribution of Mercy in the Vicinity of the Kaaba
It has been narrated fromAba Abdillah [Imam Ja'farIbn Muhammad
as-Sadiq](peace be upon him) thathe said, "For Allah, the Noble and
Grand, there are 120 parts of Mercy around the Kaaba. From these,
sixty are for those performing the Tawaf around the Kaaba; forty are
for those performing the prayers; and twenty are for those just
looking(at the Kaaba)."
25 - Hijr (Wall) of Isma'il
Aba Abdillah [Imam Ja'farIbn Muhammad as-Sadiq](peace be upon him)
said, "Isma'il buried his mother (Hajrah) in the (area) of the Hijr
and then built a semi-circle shaped wall over it so that people would
not step upon her grave."
26 - Three Hundred and Sixty Tawaf of the Kaaba
It has been narrated fromAba Abdillah [Imam Ja'farIbn Muhammad
as-Sadiq](peace be upon him) who said, "It is recommended that a
person does the Tawaf of the Kaaba three hundred and sixty times - the
number of days in a year and if one is unable to doso, then one should
perform the Tawaf as much as possible."
27 - Rubbing the Corner of the Hajr Aswad - the Black Stone
The Noble Prophet Muhammad (blessings of Allah be upon him and his
family) has said,"Perform the Tawaf of the House (Kaaba) and rub your
hand over the Corner which has Hajr Aswad - the Black Stone, because
this is the right hand of Allah on His Earthwhich He shakes with His
creations."
28 - Salat inside Masjidul Haram (Makkah)
Al-Baqir [Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali] (peace be upon him) has said, "Salat
inside Masjidul Haram is greaterthan 100,000 Salat performed in any
other Masjid."
29 - Water of Zamzam
The Noble Prophet Muhammad (blessings of Allah be upon him and his
family) has said, "The water of Zamzam is a curefor whatever (ailment)
it is taken for."
30 - Supplication in Arafat
It has been narrated fromal-Ridha [Imam Ali Ibn Musa] (peace be upon
him): "Surely my father, Abu Ja'far (peace be upon him) used to say,
'There is not a single righteous person or sinner who makes a sojourn
at the Mountains of Arafat and calls upon Allah there, except that
Allah answers his call. For a righteous person (his call is answered)
in regards to the needs and necessities of the life of this temporal
world and the next life; while a sinner (is answered) in regards to
the affairs of the temporal world (only)."
31 - Importance of Arafat
The Noble Prophet Muhammad (blessings of Allah be upon him and his
family) has said, "The greatest sin of a person who goes to Arafat and
then leaves is to think that he has not been forgiven of his sins."
32 - Rewards for Stoning the Shaitan
It has been narrated fromAba Abdillah [Imam Ja'farIbn Muhammad
as-Sadiq](peace be upon him) in regards to the stoning of the Shaitan
that he said,"For every stone that a pilgrim throws, a major sin,
which would have led to his destruction, is averted from him."
33 - Philosophy behind Stoning the Shaitan
It has been narrated fromAli Ibn Ja'far from his brother Musa [Ibn
Ja'far al-Kadhim] (peace be upon him) that he said, "Iasked (my
brother) in regards to the philosophy of the stoningof the pillar and
why this was enacted." Imam Musa Ibn Ja'far al-Kadhim(peace be upon
him) replied to me, "Because Iblis, the despised, appeared to Ibrahim
[Abraham] (peace be upon him) in the place where the pillar is and
Ibrahim [Abraham] (peace be upon him) threw stones at him and thus,
this act became a Sunnah (practice) in Hajj."
34 - The Sacrifice of an Animal in Hajj
In a tradition, Imam Ali Ibn Hussain [Imam Zainul Aabidin] (peace be
upon him) has said, "When a person performing Hajj, slaughters an
animal, it saves him from the fire ofhell."
35 - Burying the Shaved Hair in Mina (Makkah)
It has been narrated fromAbi Ja'far [Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali al-Baqir]
(peace be upon him) from his father Imam Ali Ibn Hussain [Imam Zainul
Aabidin] (peace be upon him) thathe said, "al-Hasan and al-Hussain
used to ask that their hair (shaved onthe Eid day in Hajj) be buried
in Mina."
36 - Ziyarat of the Noble Prophet Muhammad (blessings of Allah be upon
him and his family)
It has been narrated fromthe Noble Prophet Muhammad (blessings of
Allah be upon him and his family) that he said,"A person seeing
(visiting) my grave deserves my intercession.And a person who visits
me after my death is like a person who visited me during my lifetime."
37 - Bidding Farewell to the Kaaba
It has been narrated fromIbrahim Ibn Mahmud thathe said, "I saw
al-Ridha [Imam Ali Ibn Musa] (peace be upon him) bid farewell to the
House (Kaaba) and when he intended to make his way out from the
Masjid, he fell into prostration (Sajdah), stood up, faced the Kaaba
and then said:"O' Allah! I have reinforced my belief that there is no
entity worthy of worship except Allah."
38 - Importance of the Ziyarat of the Ahlul Bayt after Hajj
It has been narrated fromAbi Ja'far [Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali al-Baqir]
(peace be upon him) that: "People have been commanded to come and
perform the Tawaf around these rocks (the Kaaba) and then come to us
(the Ahlul Bayt) and declare their submission and offer their help to
us."
39 - Welcoming People who return from Hajj
It has been narrated fromAba Abdillah [Imam Ja'farIbn Muhammad
as-Sadiq](peace be upon him) that: "A person who meets one who has
returned from Hajj and shakes his hand (welcomes him back) is like a
person who rubbed his hand on the Hajr Aswad - the Black Stone."
40 - Walimah - Feeding Others after Returning From Hajj
The Noble Prophet Muhammad (blessings of Allah be upon him and his
family) has said,"Walimah is only in five occasions: in the Urs,
Khurs, Idhar, Wikar and Rikaz - Urs is when a person gets married; and
Khurs is when a child is born; and Idhar is on the circumcision of a
baby boy; and Wikar is when aperson purchases a house; and Rikaz is
when a person returns from Hajj."

Benefits of Duaa

Numan bin Basheer narrates from Rasool-Allah , "Duaa isibadat." Then
He readthis ayat . (Tirmizi, Abu Dawod, and Ibn-e-Majah)
Abu Hurairah narrates from Rasool-Allah , "In the court of Allah,
there is nogreater thing than duaa" (Ibn-e-Majah)
Abdullah bin Umar narrates from Rasool-Allah ," Amongwhatever has been
descended and whatever has not been descended Duaa is beneficial of
all. Oh people of Allah! Assume Duaa a must for yourselves. (Tirmizi)
Abdullah bin Umar from Rasool-Allah ,"For whoever the door of duaa
opened, for him the doors of mercy are opened. Whatever duaa is asked
from Allah the best duaa is for well-being and safety among them."
(Tirmizi)
Abu Hurairah narrates from Rasool-Allah , "Allah isextremely
displeased with the person who doesn't do duaa to Allah". (Tirmizi)
Salman narrates fromRasool-Allah , "Your Rab is modest and kind. A
person raise his hands in HIS court and HE leave them empty, Allah
shies from it." (Tirmizi and Abu Dawood)
Jabir narrates from Rasool-Allah ,"Whoever does duaa to Allah, Allah
fulfills his seeking or in exchange averts misfortune until the duaa
is not related to sin or breaking some relation." (Tirmizi)
Abu Hurairah narrates from Rasool-Allah , "Do duaa to Allah with this
confidence that HE will accept it and know this well that Allah
doesn't accept the duaa done with a negligent and careless heart.
(Tirmizi)
Salman Farsi narrates from Rasool-Allah ,"Duaa turns away destiny and
good deeds lengthen age. (Tirmizi)
Umar narrates that,"Whenever Rasool-Allah raised his hands for duaa He
did not put down them down until HE took both hands over his face."
(Tirmizi)
Aisha (Radi Allahu Anha) narrates that,"Rasool-Allah liked duaas that
were inclusive and he left the rest." (Abu Dawood)
Abdullah bin Umar narrates from Rasool-Allah , "Duaa for a person not
present is accepted quickly by Allah." (Tirmizi and Abu Dawood)
Abu Hurairah narrates from Rasool-Allah , "Three duaas are such in
which there is no doubt of their acceptance: 1) Father's duaa 2)
Traveler's duaa 3) Duaa of the oppressed". (Timizi, Ibne Majah)
Abu Hurairah narrates from Rasool-Allah , "Three types of people's
duaas are not rejected: 1) At the time of iftar the person who has
fasted 2) Adil ruler's duaa 3) The duaa of the oppressed. Allah raises
the duaa of the oppressed on the clouds and the doors of heaven are
opened for it and Allah says, "Oath of MY Majesty and Honour! I will
help and aid you. Even though if the help is after few days."
(Tirmizi)
Abu Hurairah narrates from Rasool-Allah , "When anyone of you does
duaa then don't say "Oh Allah! Forgive me if you want", "Have mercy on
me if you want", "Give me subsistence if you wish" rather believe
completely that HE will do whatever HE wishes. Nobody can force HIM."
(Bukhari)
Abu Hurairah narrates from Rasool-Allah , "Allah excepts the duaa of a
person till the duaa is not related to sin or breaking of some
relation and until he does not haste in that duaa. The people (May
Allah be happy with them) asked, "Oh Rasool-Allah! What is meant by
haste?" He replied,"That the person say "I did duaa again and again
but my duaa wasn't accepted and afterwards he becomes hopeless and
leaves the duaa. This is called haste." (Muslim)
Jabir narrates from Rasool-Allah , "Don't do Bad-duaa [against]
yourself, your wealth, or for your children. May it be the moment of
acceptance in the court of Allah and your Bad-duaa be accepted.
(Muslim)
Boraidah narrates that Rasool-Allah heard a man performingduaa like so
*1, so He said, "He [the man] has performed duaa with the Ism-e-Azam
and when Allah is asked through the Ism-e-Azam,Allah grants and when
duaa is performed with it HE accepts it." (Tirmizi and Abu Dawood)
Asma binte Yazeed (Radi Allahu Anha) narrates from Rasool-Allah
,"Ism-e-Azam is in these two ayahs and in the beginning of Ale-Imran .
" (Tirmizi and Abu Dawood)
Abu Hurairah narrates from Rasool-Allah , "Saying is dearer to me than
this world and all that is in it." (Mislim)
Abu Hurairah narrates from Rasool-Allah ,"Whoever said hundred times
in one day his sins are erased even if they are equal to the foam of
the sea." (Muslim and Bukhari)
Abu Hurairah narrates from Rasool-Allah , "Every Prophet had a special
duaa which is accepted in the court of Allah. All Prophets were in
quick in their duaas. On the day of Judgment, for theintercession of
my Ummah, I have saved my duaa. My duaa will reachto every person in
my ummah, who did not make any partners with Allah. (Muslim)

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
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WEAKNESS OF MORALS--PROOF OF LACK OF FAITH

Faith is imperfect without morality
Faith is such a power thatit keeps men away from low attributes and
mean acts, and encourages himto achieve high attributes and clean
morals. That is why whenever Allah called hisslaves towards virtue or
whenever He wanted them to hate evil, He declared it as an
essentialrequirement of the Faith in their hearts. For example when
He, in Surah Tauba, commands men to adopt righteousness and to speak
truth, He addressesthem as ''0 you who havefaith" (or "O you who
believe"): "0 you, who have faith ! Fear Allah and be with the
truthful people."
(Tauba: 119)
Allah's Messenger has nicely explained it that when faith is firm and
belief is strong, then strong and lasting moral will be developed, and
if the moral character is low then faith will accordingly be weak.
A man, who is immodest and ill-mannered and who adopts bad habits
without caring for others, is like the person about whom the holy
Prophet has said:
"Modesty and faith are twins. One who gives up one has to lose the other too."
Once the Prophet passed by an Ansari who was scolding his brother
about his immodesty. TheProphet advised him to let him go as modesty
was a branch of faith.
A man who harasses his neighbor and makes him suffer any kind of
damage is called cruel and stone hearted by the religion. In this
connection the decision of the Prophet is:
"By God, he cannot be a Momin ;by God, he cannot be a Momin; by God,
he cannot be a Momin. He was asked: 'who"? He answered: 'He from whose
misdeeds hisneighbor is not safe."
--(Bukhari)
The holy Prophet advises his companions to keep away from the talk
that istrash, the acts that are wicked, and the deeds that are
senseless. He says:
"A person who believes in Allah and the Hereaftershould speak about
goodthings or else should keep quiet."
--(Bukhari)
In this way through the truth of faith and by means of its perfection
noble qualities are nurtured and developed and they are guarded and
kept secure till they bear fruits.
Rows disrupted, heartssad, prayers tasteless
However, you will also find such people, who will be calling
themselvesMuslims, yet they will be lazy in offering compulsory
prayers, and will be posing in the public as if they are very keen on
establishing these prayers. But they will not lag behind at thesame
time in acting in such a way that will be contrary to the demands of
the noble character and perfect faith. Such people have been warned by
the holy Prophet and the Ummah has been asked to be careful of them.
A man who commits the mistake of performing the various forms of
worship without understanding their significance can only be aman who
had not understood the spirit of the worshiper has been unable to rise
to that standard.
Many times even a child can copy the movements of salat and is able to
repeat what is recited during the prayer. Sometimes an actor also
offers prayer with all humility and concentration, and performs all
the necessary rites.
But these kinds of movements do not benefit belief or meet thepurpose.
There is only one way of offering prayers in the best manner or
performing other forms of worship that will never bring out wrong
results, and that is: high moral character. Any person who has this
attribute in him, his prayer is useful. But one who is deprived of
this attribute, his worshiping is useless.
It is narrated by Imam Ahmed: "One person asked the Prophet: 'O
Messenger of Allah ! a certain woman is very famous for her prayers,
fasting and many charities, but she talks rudely with her neighbors.
Tell me, what will be her fate ?' He replied that she would go to
Hell. Then that person asked: "O Messenger of Allah! Another woman
does notdo much by way of prayers and fasting ; gives pieces of cheese
in charity and does not harm her neighbors. He replied: 'She is of the
Paradise.' "
This reply gives an idea of the high value attached to good character.
It also shows that charity is a collectiveprayer whose benefit reaches
the society. For this reason there is no room for any reduction in
them. As salat and fasting are apparently individual forms of worship,
a little relaxation--to a very littleextent--is allowed in not making
very elaborate arrangements about them.
The holy Prophet did not merely answer a casual question that explains
the relationship betweenmorality and the religion,shows its connection
with the correct forms of worship, and forms the basis of reform and
improvement in the world and salvation in the next world.
The problem of morality was much more important. It was necessary that
he should have continually provided guidance to his followers. He
should havepersisted in giving good advice to them so that its
importance takes root in the mind and heart and itbecomes quite clear
that faith, goodness and morality are all dependent on each other.
They are connected with each other and none can separate them.
Who is poor ?
One day the Prophet asked his dear companions whether they knew who
was poor. They answered thatpoor was one who had no dirham or dinar
(money)' He said:
"In my Ummah, the poor is that man who would appear on the Day of the
Judgment before Allah; he had offered prayer; hehad paid Zakat ;he had
observed fast; but he would have abused somebody, he would have
falsely accused some one; he would haveunauthorizedly taken some one
else's property;he would have murderedsome one; would have hit some
body. All his virtues would be given tohis victims. If his Virtues are
finished before his wicked deeds are finished, then the errors and
sins of the victims would be given to him and he would be thrown into
the Hell.''
(Muslim)
Such a man is really poor.His condition is like that trader who has
goods worth one thousand rupees but he is a debtor for two thousand
rupees.How can such a man be called rich ?
A religious man who offers certain prayers or performs certain forms
ofworship, but even after that performs certain evildeeds, behaves
rudely with the people, treats poor and helpless people cruelly, how
then such a man will be called righteous ?
The Prophet has explained by quoting an example. He said that the best
moral character melts errors like water and bad morals spoil man's
record as vinegar spoils honey.
Identification of a hypocrite
When wickedness is nourished in the self, andthe loss caused by it has
become manifest and thedanger has increased, then that man has come
out of his religion like a nude who has come out of his garments. At
that time his claim of righteousness or faith would be false.
What will be the value of religiousness without good morality ? How is
it possible that a man should belong to Allah and at the same he
should be a victim of corruption ?
This relationship between faith and morality is clearly shown in the
hadith of the holy Prophet:
"The man who has these three habits is a hypocrite even if he observes
fast, offers prayers, performs umra (pilgrimage), and calls himself a
Muslim: when he talks he speaks untruth, when he makes a promise he
does not keep it, and when he is given something in trust, he commits
dishonesty."
-( Muslim ).
In another tradition, he has said:
"There are three signs of a hypocrite: when he talks he speaks
untruth, when he makes a pro mise he does not keep it, and when he
makes a contract he deceives, although he may be offering prayers,
observing fast and callinghimself a Muslim."
He has also said:
"There are four habits, in whosoever they are found, he will be a
complete hypocrite. If any one of these habits isfound in a man, he
will have one habit of disruption till he gives it up, when something
is given to him in trust he commits dishonesty, when he talks he tells
lies, when he makes a contract he deceives, andwhen he quarrels he
starts abusing. -( Bukhari).

Purpose of Prophethood -- Perfection of Morals

The holy Prophet has stated the foremost purpose of his being sentdown
in this world and the method of his call to the people in these words:
"I have been sent only forthe purpose of perfectinggood morals."
--(Al-Muta)
That great message which has left an indelible impression on the
history of life, and forpropagating which and for bringing people
under whose influence Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) worked ceaselessly.
Its purpose was nothing else but to strengthen the moral character of
the people so that the world of beauty and perfection may be
illuminated before their eyes and they may try to achieve
itconsciously and with knowledge.
Worshiping has been made compulsory in Islam, and it has been included
in the basic pillars of faith. But the Islamic forms of worship are
not some sort of mystic exercises that link men with some unknown,
mysterious being, and which subject men to perform useless acts and
meaningless movements. All the Islamic compulsory forms of worship are
designed as exercises and training to enable people to acquire correct
morals and habits and to live righteously, and to adhere to these
virtues till the end, whatever be the changes in their circumstances.
Prayer prevents commitment of Evil
Salat (prayer) is a compulsory form of worship, which is like an
exercise towards which man is attracted with interest and willingness.
He offers it continually, so that his life may be free from all
diseases andthe body may be healthy and strong.
The holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet-both are the open proofs
of these realities.
When Allah commanded the compulsory prayers to be established, He
stated its wisdom in this way:
"Prayer prohibits obscenity and evil."
To keep away from evil, wickedness and to purify from bad deeds are
also realities of the prayer. In a Hadith-e-Qudsi it is stated:
"I accept the prayers of the person who adopts the policy of humility
with it on account of My greatness, obliges My creatures, does not
insist on sinning against Me, spends his day in remembering Me, and is
kind to the poor, travelers, weak and the suffering people.
Zakat is a means of purification
Zakat has been made compulsory on the eligible 'scheduled' ( sahibe
Nisab ) persons. It is not merely a tax that is collected from the
pockets of the people, but its foremost purpose is to sow the seeds of
kindness. sympathy and benevolence, and to provide a chance of
introduction among the various sections of the society and to
establish the relationship of love and friendliness.
The purpose of paying Zakat has been stated in the Qur'an in the
following words:
"O Prophet ! Take charity from their property so that if may clean
them and purify them."
--(Tauba: 103)
To clean the self of the worldly impurities and toraise the standard
of the society to the heights of decency and purity are the wisdom
behind the levy of Zakat.
For this reason the Prophet has taken it in a very wide sense, and to
pay Zakat has been madecompulsory for every eligible Muslim. The
Prophet has said:
"To smile in the company of your brother is charity.To command to do
good deeds and to prevent others from doing evil is charity. To guide
a person in a place where he can go astray is charity. To remove
troublesome things like thorns and bones from the road is charity. To
pour water from your juginto the jug of your brother is charity. To
guide a person with defective vision is charityfor you.''
--(Bukhari)
The environment of desert and the Bedouin life--an environment which
had its basis on internal bickerings and fights--in such an
environment the teachings of Islam were presented to the world and
they show what aimsand purpose these teachings had, and it shows where
these teachings led the Arabs inthat dark and dismal environment.
Fasting is a stepping stone to Righteousness
Similarly Islam has made fasting compulsory. But itis not envisaged
that men should keep away from their carnal desires and other
prohibited things for a fixed period only. The Prophet has said:
"Pasting is not the name of merely keeping away from eating and
drinking, but it is keeping away from wicked and obscene things. If in
the state of fasting, someone abuses you or picks up a quarrel with
you, say: "I am fasting."
Qur'an states the purposeof the imposition of fasting in these words:
"Fasting has been made compulsory for you, as it was made compulsory
forthose (followers of earlier prophets) who preceded you, so that you
may become righteous."
(Baqarah: 183)
Hajj is a compulsory pilgrimage to weaken the love for the world
Sometimes man thinks that to travel to the holy places and to perform
pilgrimage, which has been made compulsory for every rich Muslim, and
which is included in the basic pillars of Islam, is merely a form of
worship that has no relation with the world of morality and character.
This is a clear misunderstanding. Givingcommands about this compulsory
worship, Allah states:
"The months of Hajj are well-known. In these months whoever intends to
perform Hajj should not indulge in sexual act, wicked act, and
Fighting during the Hajj. Whatever righteous act you will perform will
be known to Allah. Take with you provision for the journey (for Hajj),
and the best provision is righteousness. So fear me, 0 men of
understanding !"
-(Baqarah: 197)
This is merely the main outline of the forms of worship which are well
known and generally practiced in Islam and they are its basic pillars.
They show us what a deep relationship is therebetween religion and
morality and how strong and lasting is this relationship. How varying
are these forms of worship in their spirit and appearance from one
another, but in thoseaim and purpose how close they are, which the
holy Prophet declared hismain objective.
Therefore, saint (prayer), sawm (fasting), zakat, Hajj and other forms
of worship like these are the stepping stones for real perfection, and
are the means of cleanliness and purity that make life secure and
magnificent. On account of high attributes and noble qualities that
are the inalienable parts and the consequences of these forms of
worship, they have been given a very high and important placein
Allah's religion.
If these forms of worship do not purify the hearts of men, if they do
not nourish best qualities in those who observe them,and if they do
not improve and make firm the relationship betweenAllah and His
slaves, then there is nothing left for men but destruction and
devastation.
Allah says:
"Surely, he who appears before his Lord as a criminal, there is hell
for him, in which he will neither die nor will he live. And he who
will appear before Him as a faithful, who has performed good
deeds--for all such people there are high positions, ever green
paradise, beneath which canals will be flowing; they will live in them
for ever. who adopts purity."

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

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