The holy month of Ramadhan-ul-Mubarak just got over which covers one of the five pillars of Islam namely Siyam (fasting). This auspicious month is marked with intensive efforts in reinforcing the two pillars of Salaat (namaz, prayers) and Zakat (charity). The first pillar of Islam, the core and soul is known as Iman (faith) and the most basic without which one cannot be a Muslim. The fifth pillar Hajj is the pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah Mukarramah.
The Hajj has been ordained by Allah Subhanahu as a compulsory duty upon every male and female Muslim above the age of puberty who has the means to fulfil it. For many Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime blessing and a dream come true. They may not get another chance to do the Hajj again. The Hajj requires substantial preparation both spiritually and physically/logistically. In this note, we shall address these aspects in some detail. Say Bismillah (In the Name of Allah) and make Dua (supplication) to Allah Almighty to help you find the resources and time to perform Hajj this coming year. Only He can make it happen.
The journey of Hajj requires substantial preparation. One should try to choose the good company of pious and knowledgeable and righteous people; stay away from the innovators. The trip is of several weeks. Keep from all prohibited acts. The choice of travel agent is also crucial, who is well experienced and reputed to take care of the basic necessities during the trip. The documents (passport, etc.); and the vaccinations etc. need to be attended too.
A detailed discussion with those who have performed Hajj in the previous year(s) is a must. It is also essential to attend one or more of the Hajj preparatory/training programmes. The spiritual preparation is the most crucial and requires both time and concentrated attention. Purify your creed (Aqeedah) from all aspects of Shirk, major or minor. No deed is accepted to Allah however noble it is, without such purification: “If you associate (with Allah), your deeds will be ruined and verily you will be among the losers.” [Surah Al-Zumar, 39:65].
Devote your Hajj purely and sincerely to Allah. Acquire thorough knowledge about the rites of Hajj and Umrah from start to finish, because knowledge differentiates right from wrong. Use Halaal means to support your journey. Focus on the mental preparations. Relieve yourself from any injustice, which you may have inflicted upon others. Fulfil any obligation, which you owe to others before the journey. Prepare a Waseeyah (will) before you depart and make peace with those with whom you have a dispute, pay your debts.
Safeguard your tongue from all vain talk, backbiting, arguing and complaining. This is against the morals of Islam in general and especially against the rules of Hajj. Such talks and actions will make one’s Hajj incomplete and reduce the reward. Hajj is a long journey and one is likely to behave immorally, therefore on guard and control yourself from any misconduct: “So during Hajj there should not be obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling.” [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:197].
Remember, Shaytaan is at his best to cause mischief! For any Ibadah (worship) including the Hajj, it is necessary to do the required Arkan (rituals) without which the Ibadah is not complete. But it should be borne in mind that Arkan alone do not constitute the Ibadah.
The best places to start preparing for Hajj are the Holy Qur’ān itself and a book on Seerat-un-Nabi. Use a subject and word index of the Holy Qur’ān and look for Hajj, Kabah, Ibrahim and other keywords. For instance the word Hajj occurs in 19 Ayahs (verses) of the Holy Qur’ān which are: Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:158; 2:196-203; Surah Al-Imran, 3:97; Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:2; and Al-Surah Hajj, 22:26-33. Likewise, one can check in the index for the occurrences of Prophet Ibrahim; Kabah and other key words. Such a study is very illustrative.
One learns numerous facts; for instance Makkah is known by Bakkah (Surah Al-Imran, 3:96) and City of Security (Surah Al-Tin, 95:3). The Internet users can avail the indexing at, http://www.islamicity.com/; this website also offers multilingual meaning of the Holy Qur’ān and has an exhaustive coverage to a range of topics including Hajj.
The significance of the Hajj can also be noted from the fact that it is covered in the Holy Qur’ān in numerous places in detail with the Arkan. The sanctity of the Kabah is further highlighted from the fact that Allah Almighty addresses Kabah as “My House”, in Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:125. The Commentators have emphatically pointed to the grammatical first person “My House”, in the above Ayat (verse). Along with the Holy Qur’ān it is mandatory to read at least one book on Seerat-un-Nabi (life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be to him). No study is complete without the Seerah. One should also try to read the Seerah of the Khulfa-e-Rashideen (the rightly Guided Caliphs of Islam). This gives us a perspective of the things we see. Each site we visit, may it be Masjid Quiblatain, the hills of Ohud or Jannatul Baquee, the imagery from the history enables us to get deeply involved. The historical information enables us a time-travel of sorts!
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) performed a Hajj known as the Hajjatul Wada, (Farewell Pilgrimage) towards the end of his twenty-three years long prophetic mission in the 10th Hijri. During this Hajj the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) delivered a Khutbah, on 9th of Zil-Hijjah in the 10th Hijri, in the ‘Uranah valley of Mount Arafat’. It was delivered towards the end of his Prophetic Mission, and about three months before he left this world (12th of Rabbi-Al-Awwal, 11th year Hijri). It is also known as the Last Sermon.
The Khutbah was so important that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) requested Rabiah to repeat and relay it to the audience in his loud voice. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) further requested all those present to convey it to those not present. This Khutbah has been hailed as the world constitution, by Muslims and others alike. It is our duty not only to understand and follow the teachings in the Khutbah, but to convey it to many others. This Khutbah is a must for all.
The history of Hajj dates back to the time Prophet Ibrahim which is about six thousand years. It is extremely useful to read the history of Makkah Mukarramah and History of Madinah Munawwarah. There are numerous books with titles such as Tarikh-e-Harmain (History of Harmain) on this subject in the language of one’s choice. One can find numerous pictures, sketches and maps in such books. The history of Harmain is rich with incidents of the Prophet and his companions. Such a study of history provides us with the familiarity and most importantly the feeling of attachment/closeness when visiting the holy places.
Now, a few words about the physical preparation: the journey of Hajj involves a great deal of physical activities and thus you must be fully prepared to face this physical challenge. For instance, the Umrah takes up to two hours to complete depending upon the crowd. The path connecting the hills of Safa and Marwah is called Masaa. It measures about 395m in length. One covers the Masaa seven times in each Umrah along with seven Tawaf of the Kabah. This totals to more than three kilometres for each Umrah. Thus one needs to have the stamina to walk three kilometres.
It is to be noted that the Masaa is now fully enclosed with a high ceiling and air-conditioning. There are provisions to walk the Masaa in the upper floors as well. Besides, one has to be prepared to spend about five days in the tents requiring patience. Hajj is a journey requiring patience. It is essential to start watching what one is eating; practise walking for an hour or more, for about two months before the Hajj. One can start this schedule soon after Ramadhan-ul-Mubarak. This will increase physical stamina and help the Haji (pilgrim) to keep up with the long walks and long standings.
Indeed, Hajj involves a lot of labour and struggle but the reward for this great act is also great in amount. If required, go for a medical checkup, preferably with a medico who has performed the Hajj. Wheelchairs are available, so there is no need to panic. The oldest and the weakest have performed the Hajj, so also the babies and the expecting mothers, Alhamdulillah.
By the Grace of Allah, the arrangements made by the authorities are excellent. The Hajj Research Centre has taken utmost care in the minutest details to make the experience pleasant for the pilgrims. Children also participate in all the Arkan (including the stoning in the Jamrat) smoothly, Alhamdulillah. The crowds (there are over three million pilgrims each year) are not as much as they make it out to be; the constant extensions/preparations around the Hajj sites have taken excellent care of this. The tents in Mina (with concrete flooring and air-conditioning for instance) are designed to be questionably comfortable.
One should avoid videography/photography. Very high resolution videos and photographs are freely available in plenty on the Internet and the official Hajj websites. It does not make sense to use the phone and internet extensively. The narration of the individual Hajj experiences can wait till return of the pilgrims to their homes. There are enough TV channels covering the Hajj! Each moment during the Hajj is precious and not to be wasted on using electronic gadgets. One should also overcome the distraction of shopping during the Hajj. We need to exercise utmost restraint in this regard. In my humble opinion it suffices to gift our near and dear ones with Zamzam, Dates and Islamic Literature (all available in plenty at the Hajj sites).
There is a Hadith which states that “… in later times there will be a lot of people but NOT A SINGLE Haji ….” May Allah Almighty Guide us all, Amen. The Hajj (journey of a lifetime) needs elaborate preparation far beyond the Arkan (state of Ehram; Tawaf; Sai; stay in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah; back in Mina; Qurbani and Rami). The Arkan can be understood from a suitable tutor/book (and now the videos, internet, etc.) with precision and thoroughness in a short time. With rapid transport and numerous tour operators (in many parts of the world), the decision to do Hajj is taken by some in haste at too short a notice. This leaves inadequate quality time (thanks to our busy schedules and commitments) to prepare for Hajj. This is further compounded by the numerous parties (which are generally a hindrance rather than a support) which take place prior to the Hajj. It is the attitude and the spiritual preparation which requires a greater effort and generally a longer time. The crash courses offered can at best focus on the Arkan.
The journey of Hajj requires substantial funds; we need to ensure that our earnings are righteous and so also what we may have inherited. An extra effort (well in advance) in our work places and review of our business practices would be a starting point to achieve this. Another concern is the quality of our Salah; does it meet the standards?
May Allah Almighty enable us to make journeys to the sacred cities and Guide us to conduct ourselves in a manner which pleases Him, Amen.
[SAMEEN AHMED KHAN is on the Engineering Department, Salalah College of Technology (SCOT), Salalah, Oman. [email protected]]