HAJJ: PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOUSE OF GOD - PART 3

"The Hajj is in well-known months, so whoever undertakes the pilgrimage in it, then let there be no sexual intercourse, nor fornication, nor quarelling among one another; and whatever good you do, Allah knows it. So take provision (for your journey), and surely the best provision is safeguarding oneself with fearful awareness of divine laws, so, be careful of (your duties to) Me, O men of understanding"   (2:197)

S V Mir Ahmad Ali in his tafseer states:

Shawwal, Dhilqad and Dhilhajj are the well known months. One can start the pilgrimage in these months but the principle performance of Hajj has been prescribed in the month of Dhilhajj. During these days the pilgrim enters the state of purity in which he is entirely absorbed with Allah. Taqwa is the best provision, because by resigning oneself to Allah and abstaining from all that which connects with worldly matters, devotion to Allah becomes total. Everything which pertains to 'rafath'  (sexual intercourse), fasaq (fornication), and 'jidaal' (quarelling with one another) are forbidden.

"Take provision" means to plan and carry sufficient provisions for the journey so as not to be a burden on others...........Making provision may also mean making provision for the journey of life with piety and righteousness. Surely the best provision is 'taqwa'-guarding against evil or safeguarding with full awareness of divine laws. If the men of understanding desire increase in provision, here and in the hereafter, then they should know the boundaries and fortify them.

The intention of the pilgrims to the House of God should not be simply to perform the Hajj rites. They must make good use of the opportunity to reform themselves for better and to acquire close proximity to Allah (SWT). For this, they must prepare themselves physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually before they proceed for Hajj and during Hajj they should abstain from all worldly matters and other things which can distract them from reaching their ultimate goal.

The following are the instructions and guidance of Imam Ja'ffar ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq (as) to the Hujjaj:

When you make the intention of performing Hajj, empty your heart for the sake of Allah, the Glorified, of any pre-occupation which makes you unmindful of Him. Entrust all your affairs to the Creator and rely on Him in all that you do and do not. Submit yourself to the divine fate, decision and destiny. Say farewell to the world, the comfort, and the people.

Repay what you owe others. Do not rely on your provision, means of transportation, friends, physical power, youth, and wealth, for Allah may turn all of them as your enemies so that you realize that there is no power or option but with Allah without whose help no one can succeed.

The prepare for Hajj like one who has no hope of returning home. Behave well with the co-travellers. Observe prayer timings and the traditions of the Holy Prophet (saww), perform what is your duty on courtesy, patience, tolerance, gratitude, compassion, generosity, and self-sacrifice all the time.

Then purify yourself with the water of repentance, put on the garment of truthfulness, sincerity, humbleness and modesty.

Get rid of whatever keeps you away from Allah's remembrance and obedience to Him.

Say 'Labbayk' to Allah with pure, flawless, and chaste heart while you have laid hold on the firmest handle.

Circumambulate the throne with your heart among the angels in the same way as you circumambulate the House with other Muslims.

Perform 'Harwala' (fast pace); that is escape from carnal desires with all your power and strength.

Come out of your ignorance and wrongdoings when leaving Makkah for Mina and never desire what is not lawful for you or not worthy of.

Confess your wrongdoings in Arafat, renew your covenant with Allah, the Exalted, on His Oneness and approach Him.

Fear Him in Muzdalifah and make your soul ascend to heaven by climbing up the mountain.

Cut the throat of carnal desires and greed by offering animal sacrifice.

Throw away lust, miserliness, meanness and all blameworthy acts through 'RamyilJamaraat' (stonning the pillars).

Do away with the internal and external flaws when shaving your head.

Enter the sanctuary of Allah, the Exalted, by ridding yourself of all desires when entering the sacred precinct.

Visit the house in order to honor its Owner and to know His glory and magnanimity.

Caress the Black Stone while you are content with what He has given you and you have become humble before His greatness.

Say farewell to everything save Allah in the last circumambulation.

Purify your soul and prepare for meeting Allah by staying in Safa. Be fair minded and dissolve yourself in Allah's Attributes when you are in Marwa.

Be firm on and faithful to the pledge you have given to Allah by which you have performed your Hajj until the Day of Judgement.

Be it known to you that what the reason Allah has made Hajj obligatory and has allocated it to Himself by saying, "and pilgrimage to the House is incumbent upon men for the sake of Allah, upon every one who is able to undertake the journey to it " (3:97) and the Holy Prophet (saww) has devised its rites in this way, is to remind us of death, grave, being raised to life, and the Day of Judgement.

                                                       (Misbaah al-Sharia'h)

We pray and wish all the Hujjaj (pilgrims to the House of God) a safe journey. May Allah (SWT) accept their act of worship, forgive their sins and bless them with a new life which is purely in His cause -Ameen.

iltimaase dua'

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Mulla Mujaheedali Sheriff

mulla@almahdi.org.uk