Pilgrimage: Fifth Pillar of Islam

5. Pilgrimage (Hajj):  

 

 

 

The fifth pillar of Islam is to make a pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah, in Saudi Arabia, at least once in one's lifetime. This pillar is obligatory for every Muslim, male or female, provided that he/she is physically and financially able to do so. Prerequisites for performing the Hajj are to be a Muslim, to be free, to be an adult or mature enough, to be of sound mind, and to have the ability to afford the journey and maintain one's dependants back home for the duration.
We must understand that the basis of all actions is intention and intention without doubt bears fruit if there is sincerity, and Hajj, which is an integral part of Islam, will therefore require those who perform it to have sincerity.

When the person intends undertaking Hajj, he severs all ties with his family and home. This is a reminder to him also of the journey he will have to undertake for the Hereafter.

As for provisions, the intending pilgrim must ensure that they have been acquired in the Halaal (permissible) manner. If a person desires to take a lot for the journey, then let him remember the journey to the Hereafter which is longer and more difficult and that the best provision for that journey will be Taqwa (Piety).

As for transport, when the pilgrim acquires transport he should give thanks to the Almighty Creator and at the same time remember the transport that will carry him the grave and the next world, namely his Kaffan (Shroud).

As for leaving home, the intending pilgrim should know that he is now bound for the House of Allah. He is on a journey unlike any other. He should bear in mind where he is heading and whom he intends to visit. He should also have hope that his Hajj will be accepted, not because of the difficulties faced, but because of the trust that he has in His Creator.

When wearing the Ihraam, the pilgrim is aware that he has heard the summons of Almighty Allah. He should possess fear and hope when considering the acceptance of his Hajj. This fear should be the fear of Almighty Allah and hope in His Mercy.

As for touching the Hajre Aswad (Black Stone), the pilgrim should believe that he is pledging his loyalty to Almighty Allah and that he will obey the Commands of the Supreme Being. Make firm your promise and do not be like those who promise today and change their minds tomorrow.

When the pilgrim clings to the Khilaaf (Cloth) of the Holy Kaaba, seek forgiveness and beg for Allah's Mercy. Even the running between Saffa and Marwa must signify a slave who is running to and from the Court of a Mighty King not knowing whether he has been accepted or rejected. As for standing at Arafaat, look at the crowds following their Imaams (Leaders) and recall the sight of the Yaumal Hashr (Day of Gathering).

After this, plead for Almighty Allah's Mercy. When you throw stones at the Shaitaan, your purpose should be obedience to your Creator. The idea is to drive Shaitaan away from you.

Such should be the various duties of the pilgrim at all stages of the Hajj. When all acts are completed, your heart should be filled with concern and hope, for you do not know whether your Hajj has been accepted or rejected. Yet after completion you realize that your inner and outer self has been filled with enthusiasm and love, and you have a genuine feeling of making Ibaadah, then remember that you have been placed among the chosen ones!

This is without doubt the culmination of a great festival - a festival where Muslims of all color and language congregate on one massive plain to celebrate the praise of their Creator, Almighty Allah. Hajj provides an opportunity to unite Muslims of the world and it also offers to Muslims an occasion to exchange views on their mutual problems, to iron out their differences, to discuss common opinions, to exchange gifts as well as goodwill, and to take back to their respective homelands memorable feelings of the Muslim brotherhood, of course, in addition to the innumerable blessings of Almighty Allah and the new found purity of their body and soul.

THE FUNDAMENTAL RITES OF HAJJ:

1. Entering the state of Ihram.
2. Standing in Arafat.
3. Tawaaf (Tawaaf-ul-Efaadhah).
4. The Sa'yi (hasten between the hills of Safa and Marwah).

THE COMPULSORY ACTS OF HAJJ:

1.      Wearing Ihram from the Miqat.

2.      Spending a day at Arafat.

3.      Spending the night in Muzdalefah.

4.      Staying in Mena (the days of Tashreeq).

5.      Casting at the Jamarat.

6.      Shaving off head or shortening the hair.

7.      The Farewell Tawaaf.

THINGS FORBIDDEN ON A PERSON WHILE IN THE STATE OF IHRAM:

·         Things forbidden on both men and women:

1.      Removing hair from any parts of one's body.

2.      Trimming of nails.

3.      Using perfumes (avoid scented soap).

4.      Physical sexual contact with the spouse with or without intercourse.

5.      Wearing gloves.

6.      Hunting (land) animals.

7.      Contracting marriage or proposing for potential spouse, neither for you not for others.

·         Things forbidden on men; not women:

1.      Wearing of sewed clothes.

2.      Covering the man's head with anything that touches the head (umbrellas are ok.)

·         Things forbidden on women only:
Wearing veils with holes for the eyes (Niqab) or Burqa. The Sunnah is for her to uncover her face except if men not related to her might see her. In such case, it is obligatory for her to cover her face during Ihram and otherwise.

Whoever performs any of these violations of Ihram due to forgetters, ignorance or by compulsion, he or she is not charged with expiation except hunting, here Fidyah (Kaffarah) is compulsory.

UMRAH: IMPORTANT MASAA'IL

The meaning of "Umrah" is "to visit." The accomplishment of Umrah at least once in a lifetime is Sunnat-e-Mu'akkadah. The Umrah performed during the auspicious month of Ramadaan is proffered over that Umrah completed in other days.

THE MASAA'ILS OF UMRAH CAN BE BRIEFLY SUMMARISED AS:-

1. The wearing of Ihraam before entering the Miqat boundary
2. The performance of two Rakaahs Sunnatul Ihraam
3. The recitation of Niyyah and Talbiyah
4. The advancement towards Makkatul Mukarramah while constantly reading the Talbiyah
5. The performance of Tawaaf with Idh'tibaa and Ramal
6. The performance of two Rakaah Waajib Salaah after Tawaaf behind Maqaam-e-Ebrahim
7. Advancement to the Multazam to make Du'a and drink water from the Zam Zam well
8. Performance of Sa'ee between Saffa and Marwa
9. Shaving or trimming the hair of the head.

THE FARAA'IDH OF UMRAH:

1. Ihraam
2. Four circuits of Tawaaf

WAAJIBAAT OF UMRAH:

1. Completion of all seven circuits
2. Sa'ee
3. Shaving/trimming of the hair.

N.B. The rest are either Sunnat or Adaab.

SEQUENCE OF PERFORMING UMRAH:

1. Adoption of Ihraam and performance of two Rakaah with Niyyah of Umrah
2. Tawaaf
3. Du'a at Multazam
4. Performance of two Rakaah Salaah at Maqaam-e-Ebrahim
5. Drinking Zam Zam water
6. Performing Sa'ee between Saffa and Marwa
7. Two Rakaah Salaah
8. Shaving/Trimming of the hair.

Visiting the Prophet’s Mosque:

1. It is Sunnah to go to Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah at any convenient time with the intention of visiting the Prophet’s Masjid (Mosque) and to pray in it as prayers performed in this Mosque are rewarded by a thousand folds over prayers observed in any other mosques save except the Sacred Mosque, according to Hadith of the Prophet (PBUH).
2. It should be noted that there is neither Ihram or Talbiyah for visiting the prophet’s Mosque and no connection whatsoever between this visit and Hajj. If you perform Hajj without visiting the Prophet’s Mosque, your Hajj is correct.
3. When you enter the Prophet’s Mosque, enter with your right foot first, saying in the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful and evoking blessing on His Prophet (PBUH) and Ask Allah to open the gates of His mercy for you. The recommended words for entering any mosque including the Prophet’s Mosque are: “Audhu billah – ila-dheem wa wajhi hil-kareem, wa sultanihil –qadeem mina Al-shaytan Al-Rajeem. Allaahumma Iftah li abwaba rahmatik”.
   Which means “I seek refuge in Allah the Al-mighty, and in His noble countenance and in His eternal power, from Satan the Rejected. Allah, open to me the doors of Your Mercy”.
4. Perform two Rakats (units) of Tahiyyat Al-Masjid (the salaat of Greetings of the Mosque) If this prayer is in Rawdha (the space between the Prophet’s grave and his pulpit in his Masjid), it would be preferable or in any place in the Mosque.
5. Then go to the tomb of the prophet (may peace and blessings be on him). Stand in front of it uttering politely with the low voice: “Assalamu ‘alaika, ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatu allahi wa barakatuku”, sallallahu alayka wa jazak an ummatika khair al-jaza”.
   Which means: “Peace be upon you, O Prophet and the mercy and blessings of Allah, and call for the blessings of Allah on him. May Allah reward you on behalf of your Ummah (people) with the best of rewards”.
6. Then step forward to your right hand to face the grave of Abu Baker and say: “Assalamu alaika ya aba Bakr Khalifata Rasul Allah Sallallahu Alayhi wa sallam warahmat Allah wabarakatuha. Radhi Allahu Anka wajazak an ummat Muhammad Khairan”.
   Which means: “peace be upon you O’ Abu Baker – the successor of the prophet PBUH. May Allah reward you on behalf of Mohammad’s people with the best rewards”.
7. Then you go a wee bit further to the right to face the grave of Omar Bin Al –Khataab and say: “Assalamu alaika ya Umar – Amir Al Mumineen- warahmat Allah wabarakatuhu. Radhi Allah Anka wajazak an ummat Muhammad Khairan”.
   Which means: “May Allah bless upon you O’Omar- may Allah reward you on behalf of Mohammad’s people with the best rewards”.
8. It is Sunnah to have (Taharah) ablution and visit Masjid of Quba and offer Salaat in it as the Prophet (PBUH) did so.