Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim
All praise is due to Almighty Allah (SubhanaHu Wa Ta'ala (SWT)), the Unconquerable Conqueror. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon the noble Messenger Muhammad (Sallallahu AlayHi Wasallam (SAW)) and all his deserving followers of the Right path till eternity. The spirituality of a Believer may not attract spectacular benevolence if it is short of complete submission to the dictates of Islam. Hajj is the only dot remaining in the spiritual architecture of a Muslim Believer waiting for its outright completion. Yet, knowing and serving Allah with sincerity before embarking on pilgrimage appears the bottom line of Hajj acceptability just as beginning Islam with Hajj symbolizes climbing tree from the leaf.
As a rite encompases most aspects of Islam like Iman, Salat, Zakat, Sawm and Ihsan, it is central to the socio-religious outlook of Muslims as a sign of having completed the religious tenets. It took origin from Allah with regimentation for annual recognition. Same to its rules and regulations bounded in unilateral faith and piety in Allah, Hajj attracts unequal sense of belonging compared with other tourism and voyage. At a time when International travels had spread and it is done underground, families, friends and relatives of Hajj candidate could not but feel the admiration.
The rite of Hajj has categories. The lesser Hajj (Umrah) can be done anytime of the year. Infact, its essentials can be accomplished within some couple of hours in a day. These include Ihram taking after ritual bath and intention for Umrah with the mode (Labayka Allahumma al-Umrah). Others include Tawwaf (circumambulating the holy Ka'bah putting the house at the left) seven times and Sa'y (jugging between Saffa and Marwa. The acts of Umrah terminates with the head- shave or cut and this is the reason why pilgrims who arrive Makkah early fall into the categories of pilgrims involved in Tamattu' kind of Hajj for losing or takin off the Ihram between Umrah and Hajj proper. Hajj Ifrad (Separated Hajj) is occasioned by late arrival where the real Hajj rite had started while Hajj Qiran (Hajj Combined) is the joining between Umrah and Hajj with a stretch of one single Ihram.
The period of Hajj is definite. The eleventh, twelfth and the first months of the year are sacred in Islam for non-violent and military engagement of sort except for offensive (Qur'an 9:36). Months of Hajj take accolade for humano-spiritual exactitude, the violence of which attracts severe punishment promised. However, whatever vitiates Umrah is also a potential threat to Hajj proper. This is dealt with extensively in the portion of the Qur'an postulating the guiding rules on Hajj. Allah (SWT) categorically warns: "For Hajj are the months well known. If any one undertakes that duty therein, let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj. And whatever good you do, (be sure) Allah knows it. And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best of provisions is right conduct. So fear Me, O you that are wise (Qur'an 2:197)".
It appears more essential to note that certain number of days are designated for the Hajj proper. These are called Days of Hajj (Ayamul Hajj) which customarily span across five days beginning from day 8th of Dhul Hijjah (Yaomu Tarwiyyah). Pilgrims take Hajj Ihram while they are moved from Makkan hotels to Munna tents in preparation for the Arafah. On the dawn of the following day, moving in batches would start enroute Mount Arafat. Pilgrim are always engrossed with words of Talbiyyah and Tashahhud, individual supplications rent the air until the main Khutbah of Arafat is listened to by pilgrims. It is after this Khut at they are pronounced Al-hajj and Al-hajjah. Mention must be made that this eve of Eidul Adha (Big festival day) is also meritorious for fasting done this day is said to be equal to extinguishing two years punishment of sin.
While in Arafah, Salatu z Zuhr and Asr are said Qasran (shortened as travelers) after which movement towards Muzdalifah begin for Mabit (Night passing) as an equally essential aspect of Hajj rites. Before leaving Muzdalifah the following morning, Pilgrims alm themselves with pebbles while heading towards the Jamrah edifice and head-shave follows. Before or after Jamrah which lasts till the third day, another equally essential of Hajj operation is still being awaited in the holy Sanctuary of Ka'bah and this is Tawwaf al Ifadah. This takes convenience between Ta'jil or Ta'khir i.e rushing to Makkah for the Tawwaf or waiting till the fifth day of Hajj. It must be noted that Nuhur (Sacrifice) is observed by or on behalf of the Pilgrims the second day of Arafah i.e the Eidul Kabir day worldwide.
After the five days of vigorous exercise of Hajj operation, Pilgrims on late arrival e.g having not visited the Masjidi n Nabawwiy (Prophet's Masjid) in Madina can do so to include other spectacular places in the City. Preparation for departure for respective country of origin would soon begin. In case of early arrival, Pilgrims should intensify efforts to courtyard the Ka'bah. This regular daily visits to the holy Sanctuary rather than staying in either the hotel or making unnecessary wandering about the city of Makkah brings tremendous opportunities of offering special supplications, for he knows not when would the opportunity come around again.
Being that as it may, the noble Messenger Muhammad (SAW) was asked, "You asked us to involve ourselves in Hajj, would it be every year? Taking some time to respond he said " if I were to say yes it would have been compulsory on you every year." This authentic Hadith provides dual-edged advantages one of which being that Islamic Religion is bundle of comfort and ease and the second being that the rigour of Hajj is taken once in a life time." To this end, maximizing the opportunity of days between rites of Hajj and departure remains added advantage.
However, when it is certain that the departure is closer Pilgrims would return the second part of Tawwaf (Tawwaf al Wida') just as he did on arrival in Makkah (Tawwaf al Qudum). Pilgrims should however remember to lounge for more visits to the holy land while leaving the Ka'bah. Allah (SWT) enjoins Believers to complete Hajj and Umrah rites saying: 'And complete Hajj and Umrah in the service of Allah, but if you are prevented (from completing it), send an offering for sacrifice such as you may find, and that, and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches the place of sacrifice..... " The provision here bothers on violation of one aspects of the rites or another. It goes further to postulate that fasting for three days on Hajj and seven days back home on case of no wherewithal to offer sacrifice.
Hajj's benefits are innumerable. Being partakers in an annual International market (fare) which to Muslims world over symbolizes the Final Day scenario of multitude where everyone assembles in one place, with the same psyche and mentality, chanting the same words of glorification, praying the same way and having the same driving motive of pleasing Allah, Pilgrims are elated. On the day of Arafah for instance, an authentic Hadith of the Messenger which is yet under search was reported to have hinted that Allah (SWT) always says in admiration of the mammoth worshippers on Arafah: 'My Servants recognize my might and they are admired, so you Angels bless them.'
To a large extent, it was insinuated during the last edition that Al-Yaqeen mystically suffices in three main scenarios culminating in Arafah gathering. Knowing about completing religion, worship of the Lord of that House, connecting with Allah, symbol of the Day of Resurrection, Most integral advantages of Hajj include economic, spiritual and social benefits. Traveling in the history of humanity brings about tremendous benefits.
This is encapsulated in the Divine order to engage in holy pilgrimage and numerous placed as enshrined in the holy Qur'an. Specifically, Allah hit the nail on the head while saying: 'That they may witness the benefits (provided) for them, and celebrate the name of Allah, through the Days appointed......' Benefits abound such as purification of soul, (Qad aflaha man tazakka...), Taqarrubu ila Llah (moving closer to Allah (Wama umiru illa liya'budu Llah...) Teaching us about patience, (Isbiru wa sabiru....3:200. Knowing more about Islamic history, (as insinuated on Al-Yaqeen during the last edition comes to reality only by partaking in such numero-uno experience), Complete moral level (Fa inna khayra zaadi t taqwa wa t taquuni ya ulil albab (Q2:196)). Ruju'u min dhamb (returning from vices) is also achieved by sincere Pilgrims. Also, offering supplications to change unpalatable situations of a nation for better such economic, political, social and otherwise. Meeting for economic summit and national and international development is also an added advantage.
Till we meet again in another edition, wishing the Pilgrim a thorough fare journey to and from Hajj with acceptable rites of Hajj, Eidun Mubaarak in advance to all those left behind.
DR. RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN IMAM & MISSIONER ANSAR-UD-DEEN SOCIETY OF NIGERIA IPAJA BRANCH LAGOS STATE NIGERIA. © Copyright 2025
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