HAJJ: PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOUSE OF GOD - PART 1

"Verily, the first house set for mankind is at Bakkah (Makkah), blessed, and a guidance to the worlds. In it are clear signs; the place where Ibrahim stood up (to pray); and whoever enters it is safe; and pilgrimage to the house is incumbent upon mankind (purely) for Allah; (it is) for those who can afford to go there. And whoever disbelieves, then verily, Allah (the self-subsisting) is independent of the worlds".     (3: 96 & 97)

It is clear from the above verse that performance of Hajj is obligatory upon all Muslims. Any Muslim who has attained Buloogh (puberty) and is Mustatee' (capable/having means) must perform Hajj and it is obligatory only once during life-time. Infact Hajj is one of the basic principles of Islam; its performance is one of its essentials, and its non-performance is a major sin. Furthermore, any one who denies its obligatory nature commits Kufr (disbelief/blasphemy).

KA'BAH: THE FIRST HOUSE

Aqa Mahdi Puya has stated a very interesting thing regarding the Holy Ka'bah. He says:

The great antiquity of this house is undisputed. It had been throughout the ages, even before Abraham, the object of the greatest veneration.

It is reported on the authority of the Ahlul-Bayt (as) that the valley of Makkah was the first part of the earth which emerged above the surface of the water and cooled down when the heavens and the earth (an integrated mass) were split by Allah's command (for detail explanation of this refer commentary of verses 30 and 31 of Surah al-Ambiya by S V Mir Ahmad Ali) in support of which there are a number of geological evidences. many a non-muslim scholar agrees that this holy place, dedicated to the worship of the Lord of the lords, was not only known to the people of semitic origin but also to the ancient inhabitants of India according to the references available in pre-sanskrit literature.

"O our Lord! I have settled some of my offspring in a barren valley near Your sacred house, in order, O our Lord, that they may establish prayer, therefore make the hearts of some of the people yearn towards them, and provide them with fruits, so that they may give thanks".  (14:37)

This verse which infact is a supplication of Prophet Ibrahim (as) which he made when he brought his wife Hajar and his son Ismael (as) to Makkah at a time when it was only a barren valley, confirms the antiquity of the Holy Ka'bah.

PROPHET IBRAHIM (AS) AND THE KA'BAH:

Prophet Ibrahim (as) was instructed to renew the foundations of Holy Ka'bah, purify it and establish it as a place of worship of the Almighty Allah.

"And (remember) when We made the house a resort for mankind and a sanctuary (saying): 'Take as your place of prayer where Ibrahim stood (to pray)'. And We covenanted with Ibrahim and Ismael (saying): 'Purify My house for those who circumambulate and those who abide in it for devotion, and those who bow down and those who prostrate (in prayer)".  (2:125)

If we study the two verses (2:125 and 3:97), we will not fail to observe that in both, Allah (SWT) has mentioned about the place where Prophet Ibrahim (as) stood for prayer. This by itself shows the lofty and elevated position of this great prophet in the sight of Allah (SWT). S V Mir Ahmad Ali writes: The standing place of Ibrahim has been made the permanent religious centre of all monotheists, because of his faith (belief in the unity of Allah) was perfect, an ideal for every believer.

Ibrahim (as)-an upright monotheist:

"Say (O Muhammad)! Allah has spoken the truth, so follow the creed of Ibrahim, the upright; and he was not of the polytheists".  (3:95)

Ibrahim (as)-his prayer for protection of faith:

"Our Lord! Make us both submissive to You, and of our progeny (make) a group submissive (only) to You, and show us the ways of our devotion, and turn to us (mercifully); verily, You and You (alone), are the oft-turning, the merciful". (2:128)

Ibrahim (as)-guiding his children to One God:

"And the same did Ibrahim enjoin his sons, and (so) did Ya'qub, saying: 'O my sons! Verily Allah has chosen the religion (Islam) for you, therefore you must not die save as Muslims' ". (2:132)

Ibrahim (as)'s prayer for Makkah's security from filth of Kufr:

"And (remember) when Ibrahim said: 'My Lord! Make this city (a place) of security..." (2:126)

"...And whoever enters it is safe..." (3:97)

S V Mir Ahmad Ali states: It is a sacred sanctuary. Whoso enters it is safe from the clutches of the disbelievers. It is a historical fact that all invaders who attacked this holy precinct were destroyed.

It could also mean that whoso focuses towards this holy house with his mind and spirit, shall not be influenced by the disbelievers and will always remain steadfast in his belief in the concept of Tawheed i.e. Oneness of God.

To be continued..............

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Mulla Mujaheedali Sheriff

mulla@almahdi.org.uk