By Ayesha Yusuf
Haj is a journey that is intended solely for Allah's sake, and to fulfil a duty commanded by Allah. This is the only place in the world, where a large number gather at one place at one time to perform Haj and submit themselves, in accordance with Allah's command. Haj also commemorates the sacrifice made by Prophet Ibraheem at Allah's command, to sacrifice his son Ishmael. This is the spirit of sacrifice, that all who congregate at the Holy City should keep in mind. It is Allah's call that brings them there, and they submit themselves to his command, with a deep sense of humility.
Thus is created a sense of duty, as the pilgrim prepares to sacrifice the comforts of home, and wealth, and even parting from the family. It also bring about a spiritual revival . The physical demands of Haj involves Tawaaf; circumambulating the Holy Kaabah seven times, and Sai; walking between Safa and Marwa. Sai brings to mind how Prophet Ibraheem left his life and infant son Ismael alone in the barren desert to comply with Allah's command. When she ran out of water, she ran frantically between the two mountains of Safa and Marwa and after seven such attempts, she came upon the spring of Zam Zam bubbling at the feet of the infant. The spring of Zam Zams exists even today.
After the pilgrim has done the Sai, he drinks his fill of the water, which is now released by connecting pipes to various points, for the use of the pilgrim. After Tawaaf and before Sai, the pilgrim should pray two rakaats, behind Maqaam Ibrahim or in its precincts. Tawaaf or circumambulating the Kaabah begins from the Black Stone, "Hajar-ul-Aswaad" and is done anti-clockwise.
Ihram is a state of entering religious purity, whereby the pilgrim puts on special garments and makes intention of performing Umrah or Haj. Once Ihram is worn the Muhrim should begin to recite aloud the Talbeeyah. "Here I am O Allah! here I am. Here I am. you have no partner, here I am. Surely all praise, grace and dominion is yours, and you have no partner". When recited with sincerity and understanding, the Talbeeyah is a reaffirmation of the pilgrims belief in Tawheed (Oneness of Allah) and a confirmation of submission, spiritual and physical to Allah's command.
The only dua of Tawaaf, which is authentic, and has been narrated by the Prophet (Sal) is that which is said between the Yemeni Corner, and the Black Stone (Haja-ul-Aswad) is "Our Lord give us the good in this world, and that of the hereafter, and shield us from the torment of the Hell fire". The pilgrim remembers Allah and his blessings, and seeks forgiveness. On the eighth day of Zul-Hijja the pilgrim puts on Ihram, and leaves for Mina, where he spends the whole day and night in prayer. He must spend his time in worship and not indulge in vain talk. On the ninth day after salaat-ul-Fajr in Mina, he leaves after sunrise for Arafat, which he should enter around noon. Here too, he performs the shortened prayers.
The sermon (hutbah) which follows, should be listened to attentively with remembrance of Allah.
After sunset, the pilgrim leaves for Muzdalifa, where he prays salahs of Maghrib, and Isha combined from (Jaman and Qasarh) after which he spends the night in sleep or prayer. The pilgrim picks up seven pebbles at Muzdalifah, and the rest could be collected at Mina, in order to throw them at the three pillars of Jamrah.
This stonning of the Jamrah symbolises Prophet Ibraheem taking his son Ismael with the intention of making him a human sacrifice for Allah's sake and her have satan tried to make him give up his intention. But Allah in his mercy, substituted a ram to be sacrificed in Ismad's place.
After Salaat-ul-Fajr at Muzdalifah on the 10th day of Zul-Hijjah, the pilgrim sets out for Mina, shortly before sunrise, reciting the Talbiyah. On arrival at Mina he throws seven pebbles at the Jamrah (largest) saying 'Allahu Akbar' (Allah is the greatest), with each stone cast. The rest of the stones (picked up at Mina) should be cast in the same manner on the eleventh and twelfth of Zul Hijjah. Stonning by the weak and old who are feeble can be done by someone on their behalf, in the same way.
On the same day (tenth of Zulhijjah) after returning from Mina, the pilgrim sacrifices an animal. This sacrifice commemorates the spirit of supreme sacrifice made by Prophet Ibraheem.
After shaving or clipping the hair in Mina on the teeth of Zil-Hijja, on the twelfth day after the final casting of the seven stones at the Jamrah (the last one) pilgrim returns to Makkah to perform the farewell Tawaaf known as Tawaafal-Widaa.
The Haj that is graced by Allah's acceptance has a lasting effect on those who perform it. A deep spiritual tranformation has taken place in the individual, that can be observed in his or her life. There are greater merits of Haj, two of which all sincere believers yarn for: self purification of sins and a guaranteed place in paradise. And the reward for a Haj Mabroor accepted into Allah's grace is nothing less than paradise.
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