Al-Huda
Foundation, NJ U. S. A
the Message Continues ... 10/101
Newsletter for January 2010
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Essentials of Faith--A Rose Garden of
Myriad Colors
The Obligation of Hajj
A Friday sermon by M. Owais Jafrey
Seattle, Washington
All religions reached their final
culmination in the Message revealed to our beloved Prophet (May
Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him and his progeny). The
Faith preached and practiced by the Last Prophet is total
submission. Days and nights, weeks, months and years are all
devoted to submission, prayers and Allah’s remembrance. As
changing seasons give splendor to our physical world, likewise
the inner world blossoms with inexpressible spiritual colors
through different forms of worship the year round. For a
Momin, there is an eternal spring, a rose garden, and a
tulip festival within. Prophet (SAW)’s Deen and its
perfect Shari’ah is a continuum of commands and worship.
Not only do they purify the self, but they also serve as means
towards achieving the higher and the most cherished goal, which
is to seek closeness to Allah and win His love.
Salat is a great symbol to express
our relationship and connection with Allah. Through humble
submission, the Salat shields the Momin from all
evils and empowers him to befittingly fulfill the religious
obligations and worldly responsibilities. Allah says in verse
153 of Surah Al-Baqarah:
“You, who believe, seek help through
steadfastness and prayer, for Allah is with the steadfast.”
Zakah assists the needy and the
poor. It purifies our earnings and at the same time puts a check
on our worldly indulgence. Allah says in verse 103 of Surah
Tawbah:
“In order to clean and purify them
[Prophet], accept a gift out of their property [to make amends]
and pray for them --- your prayer will be a comfort to them.
Allah is all hearing, all knowing.”
Saum / Fasting imparts training in
self-control and brings a person closer to his Creator. It is an
annual refresher course aimed at disciplining the self to
do good and to avoid what is bad.
Hajj is an obligation enjoined upon
all able-bodied Muslims, who can afford to travel to Mecca once
in their life time. They seek Allah’s pleasure through physical
hardship and material sacrifice. It is a call to duty in the
footsteps of our exalted Prophet Ibrahim (a) and the fulfillment
of his tradition / Sunnah as mentioned in verse 27-29 of
Surah Al-Hajj:
“Proclaim the Pilgrimage [Hajj] to all
people. They will come to you on foot and on every kind of swift
mount, emerging from every deep mountain pass to attain benefits
and celebrate Allah’s name, on specified days, over the
livestock He has provided for them -- feed yourselves and the
poor and unfortunate – so let the pilgrims perform their acts of
cleansing, fulfill their vows, and circle around the Ancient
House.”
As soon as the Ramadhan is over, the sighting of the new moon sets forth the months of Hajj, which are Shawwal, Dhul Qui’dah and Zul Hijjah. Whoever wears the Ihraam during these months, Hajj becomes incumbent upon him. Verse 197 of Surah Al-Baqarah says:
“The Pilgrimage takes place during the prescribed months. There
should be no indecent speech, misbehavior, or quarrelling for
anyone undertaking the pilgrimage – whatever good you do, Allah
is well aware of it. Provide well for yourselves: the best
provision is to be mindful of Allah – Always be mindful of Me,
you who have understanding…”
Hajj is one of the fundamental
pillars of Islam. It was proclaimed obligatory in verse 96-97 of
Surah Al-Imran:
“The first House [of worship] to be
established for people was the one at Makkah. It is a
blessed place; a source where Ibrahim stood to pray;
whoever enters it, is safe. Pilgrimage to the House is a duty
owed to Allah by people who are able to undertake it. Those who
reject this [should know that] Allah has no need of anyone. ”
Prophet (SAW) ordained: “Hajj is
obligatory once in a life time. It is nafil for him, who
performs it more than once.
[Ahmad] He, while delivering a Khutbah said: “O
people! Hajj has been made incumbent upon you, so perform Hajj.”
These three months are for Hajj
preparation. Whoever can afford it, it is obligatory for him to
perform it at the earliest. It is a sin not to perform it or
defer it. Prophet (SAW) advised: “Hasten to perform Hajj,
as circumstances are unpredictable.” He (SAW) meant that future
problems may hinder its performance. Human life is
short and uncertain. Allah forbid, if some one passes away
before performing Hajj, it will be a great set back and
loss not to have fulfilled this obligation. Prophet (SAW) said:
“The one who in spite of being able to perform Hajj does
not perform it and dies in that state, it doesn’t matter if he
dies as a Christian or a Jew.” This is a stern warning! Hence
one shouldn’t defer and proceed for Hajj at the first
available opportunity. Momin is a true lover of his
Creator and a seeker of His pleasure, it is not possible for him
to procrastinate, delay and not rush to fulfill Allah’s and His
Messenger’s command.
Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever performs Hajj (pilgrimage) and does not have sexual relations (with his wife), not commits sin, nor disputes unjustly (during Hajj), then he returns from Hajj as pure and free from sins as on the day on which his mother gave birth to him.”
He (SAW) also said: (The performance of) Umrah is expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous Umrah; and the reward of Hajj Mabrur (accepted Hajj) is nothing butPreparation of the Hajj requires
that a Momin should make sincere repentance for his sins,
be mindful and fulfill his responsibilities and rights towards
others. Salvation and entrance into
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