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The Farewell Hajj of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam
Indeed, Abraham was a [comprehensive] leader, devoutly obedient to Allah , inclining toward truth, and he was not of those who associate others with Allah .
[He was] grateful for His favours. Allah chose him and guided him to a straight path.
وَآتَيْنَاهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً ۖ وَإِنَّهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
And We gave him good in this world, and indeed, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous.
Surah Nahl 16: 120/121/122
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Important Lessons drawn from the Incidents of Hazrat Ibrahim AS and Hazrat Ismail AS
وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا
And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House – for whoever is able to find thereto a way ~ Surah Al Imraan 3:97
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The Significance of Haj
The following story is attributed to Junaid al-Baghdadi regarding an explanation of the essence of Hajj.
Once Junaid Baghdadi met a man who had returned from Hajj (Hajji). After observing him for a while he asked him, “Have you been to Hajj?”
Hajji: Yes, I have just come back.
Junaid: When you left your home with the intention of Hajj, did you repent from all your sins?
Hajji: I did not think about it.
Junaid: In that case, you did not even depart for Hajj.
Junaid: What about your journey, rest-breaks and stopovers? When covering distances, did you move mentally and spiritually closer to Allah?
Hajji: I was too busy with other details of the journey and did not reflect on that.
Junaid: Then you have not really travelled to the house of Allah.
Junaid: How about while putting on the Ihraam and replacing your usual clothes, did you think about discarding your undesirable habits and attitudes?
Hajji: It did not cross my mind.
Junaid: Alas! You did not even put on the Ihraam.
Junaid: Did you experience the presence of Allah while you were standing in Arafaat as if He was in front of you?
Hajji: No, I did not get that feeling.
Junaid: That means you did not even reach Arafaat.
Junaid: When you went to Muzdalfah, did you think about gathering your your worldly desires and aspirations as you picked up the pebbles so that you can cast them out when you reach the pillars of temptation?
Hajji: I was only thinking about gathering the pebbles.
Junaid: So, you have not even been to Muzdalfah.
Junaid: What about throwing stones at the pillars? When performing that ritual, did you make a pledge to avoid corrupt enticements and cast away your ill deeds?
Hajji: This did not happen either.
Junaid: Unfortunately, you have not performed Ramy (stoning rites) either.
Junaid: How was your Tawaaf (circumambulation)? Did you feel overwhelmed by an ardent attraction towards the perfect Majesty of Allah during Tawaaf?
Hajji: No, I was only counting the number of Tawaaf I was making.
Junaid: It is, then, as if you have not even performed Tawaaf.
Junaid: Perhaps you understood the spirit, wisdom and objective of running between Mounts Safaa and Marwah. Did you think about the struggle of Mother Hajira? Did you think about her faith and devotion to Allah?
Hajji: Not really.
Junaid: In other words, you have not performed Sayee (running between Safaa and Marwah).
Junaid: Tell me about your sacrificial rites. While slaughtering the animal, did you sacrifice for the love of Allah? And did you think about Prophet Ibrahim and his unwavering commitment to Allah?
Hajji: That did not come to my mind.
Junaid: In that case, you have not even offer the sacrifice.
Junaid: Allah is the Most Merciful! You must go back next year and perform the Hajj again with the correct spirit and attitude of becoming God Conscious. You need to re-enact the experiences of Ibrahim AS and contemplate on his example. Remember and reflect on the verse of the Quran that says, “And Ibrahim who fulfilled his commitments.” (53:37)
…The first ten days of Zul Hijjah are among the most auspicious days in the Islamic calendar. Good deeds (Amal-e-Sawleh) that are performed during these ten days are more beloved to Allah than any other time of the year.
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The story of Ibraheem AS is greatly associated with Hajj because the origin of Hajj is old as the Kaa’ba (which was built by Ibraheem AS and his son Isma’eel AS). Every act of Hajj reminds us of the noble family of Ibraheem AS and refers back to the righteous actions and struggle of either Ibraheem AS, his wife Hajrah AS or his son Isma’eel AS.
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The sacrifices they made portrayed great spiritual lessons of ‘complete devotion‘ and ‘total submission‘ to Allah Subhanahu~Wa~Ta’ala …
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• The Messenger of Allah, Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.”(Bukhari)
• The Messenger of Allah, Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, has said, “One fast during these days is equal to the fasting of one complete year, and the worship of one night during this period is equal to the worship of “Lailatul-Qadr”. (Tirmizi)
• It is also narrated from Ibn Abbaas RA that Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: ” No days are as weighty with Allah and so liked by Him for good deeds than the first ten days of Zul-Hijjah “. Therefore in these days increasingly recite: “La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar, Al-Hamdu-lillah, Sub-hanallah.” (Tabraani)
• It is reported from Ibn Abbaas RA that Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: ” There is no day wherein any good action is more beloved to Allah Ta’ala than these ten days (the first ten days of Zul Hijjah)”. The Sahaabah RA enquired: ” Not even Jihaad in the path of Allah ? “(i.e. are actions performed in these days more beloved than even the act of Jihaad)”. ” Not even Jihaad in the path of Allah,” replied Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, ”’with the exception of that person who left with his life and wealth (in the path of Allah) and did not return with any of it (i.e. he is martyred)”. (Bukhari, Tabraani)
Zikr Majlis ~ Musjid e Noor 1~09~16
