Religion & Belief (Alor Pothay) > Hajj

Hajj Matters

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ymislam:
Dear All,

Hajj season is here. Like every year people all over the globe are preparing for a very important event in their life. Some have already arrived in Saudi Arabia.

The 'Hajj Matters' topic has been opened in the forum to discuss and answer queries that people may have on pilgrimage. Questions like:

Why Hajj?
When is Hajj appropriate?
Will the Creator accept my Hajj?
What is appropriate preparation for Hajj?

To answer these questions this forum topic will present Verses 2.196 – 2.209, i.e. Verses 196 to 209 of Chapter 2 or Sura Baquarah of the Qur'an. Each verse will be elaborated using other verses from the Qur'an. InshaAllah, self-interpretation would be avoided as much as possible using this method of tafsir.

For the next two weeks, the tafsir will be posted in chunks of about 1000 words each. Questions, comments, reviews are welcome. The idea is to understand the Creator's Manual (The Al-Qur'an) with a sincere approach, i.e. we collectively want to understand what has been Revealed to mankind.

If you are unable to post in the forum directly, you may send me a mail at ymislam@daffodilvarsity.edu.bd.

May Allah Guide all of us.

-Yousuf

ymislam:
What priority should one give to Allah? To understand and work this out, put yourself in the following situations. Imagine you work for a big company as the head of a department. You are in a meeting with your subordinates. During the meeting you are sent a message to see the Managing Director (MD). What would you do? Would you excuse yourself for a short while and visit the MD or would you go when more convenient? What logic would you use to help you take a decision?

Now imagine that you are in a meeting with the MD and other heads of the company around the time of Magrib. You hear the Azaan calling you to a short meeting with Allah. This time, what would you do? Similarly, giving Allah priority, would you excuse yourself for a short while to say your prayers or would you say them when more convenient? What logic would you use in this case? Who would you give priority – Allah or your MD?

When posed with these two situations, a person responded, “But Allah won’t mind if I said the prayers later!” The question is not whether delayed prayers would upset Allah; the question is whether the thought of delaying even occurred when the MD called – such is the degree of priority we give the MD. In comparison, the question is what degree of priority do we give to Allah?

The MD has given us an existence in the company and regularly arranges a salary. He should of course enjoy our loyalty. In turn, what has Allah given us? He has given us existence, feelings, intelligence, skills, opportunities, success, etc., to enjoy fulfilled lives – all He wants is a short prayer meet expressing our gratitude. What should be our attitude to the One who holds the keys to our existence, creates every moment for us to experience, has created us and our bosses?

Now, let’s take the analogy a step further. Being loyal, you find that company employees give priority to things other than the MD and company work. You feel that such employees may be thrown out or that company may not progress. Do these employees understand the danger they are in? Would you do anything creative to help improve the situation or look for ways to please the MD?

Let’s compare loyalty towards the MD with the loyalty or priority that Abraham gave the Creator. Was he able to clearly distinguish between the power of the Creator against the power of those created?
“Abraham was indeed a model devoutly obedient to Allah (and) true in faith and he joined not gods with Allah:” [16.120]

“He showed his gratitude for the favors of Allah….” [16.121]

When Abraham saw people all around, including his father, giving priority to created things rather than the Creator; he established a system of appropriate protocol for mankind, i.e. gratefulness, prayer and pilgrimage.
“And remember Abraham and Isma`il raised the foundations of the House (with this prayer): "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us for You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.” [2.127]

He then prayed for the practice of proper protocol to be established, thus:
“"Our Lord! Make of us Muslims bowing to Thy (Will) and of our progeny a people Muslim bowing to Thy (Will) and show us our places for the celebration of (due) rites; and turn unto us (in mercy); for Thou art the Oft-Returning Most-Merciful.” [2.128]

Accordingly, Allah asks us to complete pilgrimage and prayer, showing gratefulness to the Creator following the ways of Abraham:

2.196 “And complete the Hajj or `Umra in the service of Allah. But if you are prevented (from completing it) send an offering for sacrifice such as you may find and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches the place of sacrifice. And if any of you is ill or has an ailment in his scalp (preventing shaving) (he should) in compensation either fast or feed the poor or offer sacrifice; and when you are in peaceful conditions (again) if anyone wishes to continue the 'Umra on to the Hajj he must make an offering such as he can afford it he should fast three days during the Hajj and seven days on his return making ten days in all. This is for those whose household is not in (the precincts of) the Sacred Mosque. And fear Allah and know that Allah is strict in punishment.”
Being Merciful, Allah has laid down rules for those who are unable to complete the pilgrimage rites to the full extent, but have the right intentions.

“The first House (of worship) appointed for men was that at Bakka (Makka) full of blessing and of guidance for all kinds of beings: In it are signs manifest; the Station (attitude) of Abraham; whoever enters it attains security; pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith Allah stands not in need of any of his creatures.” [3.96 – 3.97]

“…"Follow the ways of Abraham the true in faith as he joined not gods with Allah."” [16.123]

How does one join gods with Allah, i.e. give importance to things other than Allah? The test is how we respond when we have competing considerations, i.e. whom we give priority, attending to other things when prayer time sets in; spending money on other things when we have enough to go on pilgrimage or Hajj, etc.

2.197 “For Hajj are the months well known. If anyone undertakes that duty therein let there be no obscenity nor wickedness nor wrangling in the Hajj. And whatever good you do (be sure) Allah knows it. And take a provision (with you) for the journey but the best of provisions is right conduct. So fear Me O you that are wise!”
“…whoever holds in honour the Rites of Allah, such (honour) should come truly from the piety of heart”. [22:32]

For most of us, Hajj is the experience of a lifetime. Some of us are simply overawed and overwhelmed. Sometimes we just don’t know how to act or what to say. We are all going there collectively to seek the pleasure of Allah, obtain forgiveness and to seek His Blessings in this world and the next. To do this, during Hajj, should we go out of our way to look for opportunities to do good to gain Allah’s pleasure? In what ways did Abraham try to please his Creator?

shibli:
Hadith - Qudsi 5

I am so self-sufficient that I am in no need of having an associate. Thus he who does an action for someone else's sake as well as Mine will have that action renounced by Me to him whom he associated with Me.
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Shirk is Unforgivable

Verily, Allâh forgives not that partners should be set up with Him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases, and whoever sets up partners with Allâh in worship, He has indeed invented a tremendous sin. [4:48]
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Say: "Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds. (6:162)

May Allah safeguard all of us from SHIRK-E-AKBAR and SHIRK-E-ASGAR, Ameen

shibli:

"Verily those whom ye call upon besides Allah are servants like unto you: call upon them and let them listen to your prayer if ye are (indeed) truthful!" Al Quran

ymislam:
What is our relationship with Allah? Allah asks each created individual:
   â€œThen which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?” [55.13]

Can we think of and reflect on a personal blessing or favor given by Allah? Allah is the Giver, we are the receivers. In addition to personal blessings and favors, Allah gives examples of general favors that He has created/given. For example, He has created a system of sleep to refresh ourselves before going in pursuit of the livelihood that Allah has arranged, with renewed vigor.
“And among His Signs is the sleep that you take by night and by day and the quest that you (make for livelihood) out of His Bounty: verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.”
        [30.23]
He has given us individual skills and created opportunities for us to exercise those skills and derive satisfaction.
“It is We who have placed you with authority on earth and provided you therein with means for the fulfillment of your life: small are the thanks that you give!” [7.10]

Allah has created all laws of nature for our benefit, for example, He has created the Night and Day so that we can keep track of time and conduct our affairs accordingly:
“We have made the Night and the Day as two (of Our) Signs: the Sign of the Night We have obscured while the Sign of the day We have made to enlighten you; that you may seek Bounty from your Lord and that you may know the number and count of the years:…” [17.12]

At the same time, He has restrained some natural laws to benefit mankind. We are all familiar with the chemistry of solutions, e.g. when salt is dissolved in water. What would happen if salt-water is mixed with fresh water? Similarly, how long should it take salt-water of the ocean to mix with fresh river water to make both salty? For our benefit:
“It is He Who has let free the two bodies of flowing water: one palatable and sweet and the other salt and bitter; yet has He made a barrier between them – a partition that is forbidden to be passed.” [25.53]

Why has He created a barrier? Would we enjoy salted water for regular drinking? What is the difference between fresh water fish and sea fish? Is it easier for ships to float on salt-water? Elsewhere in the Qur’an Allah gives us reasons:
“…Yet from each (kind of water) do you eat flesh fresh and tender and you extract ornaments to wear; and thou see the ships therein that plough the waves that you may seek (thus) of the Bounty of Allah that you may be grateful.” [35.12]

As proof of how important we are to Him, He has made each of us unique! He has made each of us individually and given a unique individuality.
“It is Allah Who…has given you shapes and made your shapes beautiful and has provided for you Sustenance of things pure and good such is Allah your Lord. So Glory to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!” [40.64]

As receivers of all blessings and favors, what should be our response?
“And Moses said: "If you show ingratitude you and all on earth together – Allah is free of all wants, yet worthy of all Praise.” [14.8]

To help us understand what our response should be, Allah repeatedly gives the example of Abraham (pbuh):
“Abraham was indeed a model devoutly obedient to Allah (and) true in faith as he joined not gods with Allah:” [16.120]

Abraham reflected on his blessings and worked out that every created thing{1} is powerless – Allah is sole Giver and Provider; credit is therefore solely His Right. Abraham accordingly,
“…showed his gratitude for the favors of Allah Who (therefore) chose him and guided him to a straight way.” [16.121]

Once Abraham turned to Allah with a heart full of gratitude, He guided him to appropriate behavior [21.51] and right conduct, i.e. religion of correct conduct to both the Creator and to other created beings.
“For Abraham was without doubt forbearing (patient and forgiving of faults) compassionate and given to look to Allah.” [11.75]

After Abraham discovered Allah for himself, he challenged those around him [21.66] to come to a similar realization. To help other human beings understand the reasoning and approach of Abraham, Allah has instituted Hajj and Umra. To help reflect on the logical reasoning and conclusions of Abraham we are asked to physically visit the sites while retracing the steps taken by Abraham. The purpose is to find Allah and establish exclusive piety and sincerity to Him.

2.198 “It is no crime in you if you seek of the bounty of your Lord (during Pilgrimage). Then when you pour down from (Mount) Arafat celebrate the praises of Allah at the Sacred Monument and celebrate His praises as He has directed you even though before this you went astray.”
During pilgrimage, the purpose is to reflect and discover the absolute Power of Allah and turn to Him with hearts full of piety. We should then turn to Allah to give Him credit for all the good and successes in our lives. It is no matter if previously we credited and gave priority to things other than Allah – it is open to us to ask for Allah’s forgiveness.

2.199 “Then pass on at a quick pace from the place whence it is usual for the multitude so to do and ask for Allah's forgiveness. For Allah is Oft Forgiving Most Merciful.”
A prayer for example could be,
“"O our Lord! Cover (us) with Thy Forgiveness me, my parents and (all) Believers on the Day that the Reckoning (Judgment) will be established!"” [14.41]

2.200 “So when ye have accomplished your holy rites celebrate the Praises of Allah as you used to celebrate the praises of your fathers yea with far more heart and soul. There are men who say: "Our Lord! Give us (thy bounties only) in this world!" but they will have no portion in the hereafter.”
Read Verse 17.18 and compare this with the correct prayer:

2.201 “And there are men who say: "Our Lord! Give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and defend us from the torment of the fire!"”
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{Notes}:
{1} Powerless: one may assume that other things like self (self-glorification), luxuries, images, idols, stones, ‘pirs’, religious leaders, leaders, ancestors, prophets, ‘satan’, occult, wealth and property [25.17] have power.

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