The Spirit of Hajj:The Spirit of Hajj:How to obtain the best from Hajj?How to obtain the best from Hajj?

By Dr. Muzammil H. SiddiqiBy Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi

What is Hajj?What is Hajj?

Hajj means: Hajj means: QasdQasd (to go, to proceed)(to go, to proceed)

Hajj is Hajj is ‘‘Ibadah Ibadah –– a great act of worshipa great act of worship

It is not just It is not just ‘‘pilgrimagepilgrimage’’ –– Pilgrimage means Pilgrimage means

‘‘visiting a sacred place.visiting a sacred place.’’ Hajj is not just a visit. Hajj is not just a visit.

It is going to a particular place, at a particular It is going to a particular place, at a particular

time, to do some acts of worship.time, to do some acts of worship.

Hajj is the most ancient, largest and most Hajj is the most ancient, largest and most

international annual gathering.international annual gathering.

Form and SpiritForm and Spirit

Hajj has Hajj has ‘‘manasikmanasik’’ and and ‘‘maqasidmaqasid..’’ –– Learn both.Learn both.

Hajj has a form and a spiritHajj has a form and a spirit

–– Form deals with howForm deals with how

–– Spirit deals with whySpirit deals with why

ManasikManasik –– The form of Hajj:The form of Hajj:

–– Rules and regulations of Miqat, Ihram,Tawaf, Rules and regulations of Miqat, Ihram,Tawaf, SaSa’’y, Mina, y, Mina, ‘‘Arafah, Muzdalifah, Jamarat, Nahr, Arafah, Muzdalifah, Jamarat, Nahr, Halq etc. Halq etc.

MaqasidMaqasid –– The spirit of Hajj:The spirit of Hajj:

–– Intention, Purpose, Objectives and BenefitsIntention, Purpose, Objectives and Benefits

The Most Historic PlaceThe Most Historic Place(Al (Al ‘‘Imran 3:96Imran 3:96--97)97)

97. The first House [of worship] to be established for people was the one at Bakka. It is a blessed place; a source of guidance for all people.

98. There are clear signs in it; it is the place where Abraham 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.

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Connection with Prophets Ibrahim, IsmaConnection with Prophets Ibrahim, Isma’’il il

Muhammad Muhammad –– peace be on thempeace be on them

((AlAl--BaqarahBaqarah 2:1272:127--129)129)

127.127.As Abraham and Ishmael built up As Abraham and Ishmael built up the foundations of the House [they the foundations of the House [they prayed], prayed], ‘‘Our Lord, accept [this] Our Lord, accept [this] from us. You are the All Hearing, from us. You are the All Hearing, the All Knowing. the All Knowing.

128.128.Our Lord, make us devoted to Our Lord, make us devoted to You; make our descendants into a You; make our descendants into a community devoted to You. Show community devoted to You. Show us how to worship and accept our us how to worship and accept our repentance, for You are the Ever repentance, for You are the Ever Relenting, the Most Merciful. Relenting, the Most Merciful.

129.129.Our Lord, make a messenger of Our Lord, make a messenger of their own rise up from among their own rise up from among them, to recite Your revelations to them, to recite Your revelations to them, teach them the Scripture them, teach them the Scripture and wisdom, and purify them: You and wisdom, and purify them: You are the Mighty, the Wise.are the Mighty, the Wise.’’

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Objectives of Hajj Objectives of Hajj (Al(Al--Hajj 22:26Hajj 22:26--29)29)

26.26. We showed Abraham the site of the We showed Abraham the site of the House, saying, House, saying, ‘‘Do not assign Do not assign partners to Me. Purify My House for partners to Me. Purify My House for those who circle around it, those those who circle around it, those who stand to pray, and those who who stand to pray, and those who bow and prostrate themselves. bow and prostrate themselves.

27.27. Proclaim the Pilgrimage to all Proclaim the Pilgrimage to all people. They will come to you on people. They will come to you on foot and on every kind of swift foot and on every kind of swift mount, emerging from every deep mount, emerging from every deep mountain pass.mountain pass.

28.28. That they may attain benefits and That they may attain benefits and celebrate Allah's name, on specified celebrate Allah's name, on specified days, over the livestock He has days, over the livestock He has provided for themprovided for them——feed yourselves feed yourselves and the poor and unfortunate.and the poor and unfortunate.

29.29. Then let the pilgrims perform their Then let the pilgrims perform their acts of cleansing, fulfill their vows, acts of cleansing, fulfill their vows, and circle around the Ancient and circle around the Ancient House.House.

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The Way of HajjThe Way of Hajj(Al(Al--Baqarah 2:197)Baqarah 2:197)

197.The pilgrimage takes place during the prescribed months. So anyone undertaking pilgrimage must not commit any indecency, misbehavior, or quarrelling—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.

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How to obtain the best from your Hajj? How to obtain the best from your Hajj?

1.1. Intention (Intention (NiyahNiyah) ) –– Sincerity of purposeSincerity of purpose

2.2. ‘‘Ibadah Ibadah –– Devotion with loveDevotion with love

3.3. Learn the Learn the ManasikManasik and their deep meaning and their deep meaning and spiritand spirit

4.4. Learn the History of the Place as well as the Learn the History of the Place as well as the SirahSirah

5.5. Vertical and Horizontal Dimensions of Hajj Vertical and Horizontal Dimensions of Hajj

6.6. Peace and PurityPeace and Purity

7.7. Forgiveness and New BirthForgiveness and New Birth

8.8. Mission and MessageMission and Message

Intention Intention (Niyah)(Niyah) –– Sincerity of PurposeSincerity of Purpose

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NiyahNiyah is an essential part of Islam is an essential part of Islam

NiyahNiyah must be sinceremust be sincere

NiyahNiyah must be in the heartmust be in the heart

‘‘Ibadah Ibadah –– Devotion with LoveDevotion with Love

‘‘IbadahIbadah: Love and Obedience: Love and Obedience

Two Types of Two Types of ‘‘Ibadat:Ibadat:

–– ‘‘Ibadah Badaniyah: Salat, SiyamIbadah Badaniyah: Salat, Siyam

–– ‘‘Ibadah Maliyah: Zakat and SadaqatIbadah Maliyah: Zakat and Sadaqat

Hajj is the culmination and summation of Hajj is the culmination and summation of

all the all the ‘‘Ibdadat Ibdadat

The objective of Hajj is to create deep The objective of Hajj is to create deep

devotion and commitment to Allahdevotion and commitment to Allah

Learn the Learn the ManasikManasik and Their Spiritand Their Spirit

IhramIhram –– the person is the person is ‘‘MuhrimMuhrim’’

–– A consecrated personA consecrated person

–– Pure, simple and humble Pure, simple and humble

TawafTawaf –– Allah is the Center of LifeAllah is the Center of Life

–– KaKa’’bahbah a symbol to go arounda symbol to go around

–– KaKa’’bahbah is the is the QiblahQiblah –– the focus of our unitythe focus of our unity

SaSa’’yy –– Struggle with devotion Struggle with devotion

–– Honor women, esp. the mothersHonor women, esp. the mothers

Learn the History, not only Learn the History, not only ManasikManasik

Islam is deeply rooted in History. Islam is deeply rooted in History.

Islam is given to us through AllahIslam is given to us through Allah’’s prophets: s prophets:

–– Adam, Nuh, Ibrahim, IsmaAdam, Nuh, Ibrahim, Isma’’il, many others and finally il, many others and finally

Prophet Muhammad Prophet Muhammad ––peace be upon them allpeace be upon them all

–– Rites of Hajj and their connection to history:Rites of Hajj and their connection to history:

–– Hajj is walking in the footsteps of Prophet IbrahimHajj is walking in the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim

–– Historic and symbolic significance of the rites of Historic and symbolic significance of the rites of

Hajj: Tawaf, Maqam Ibrahim, SaHajj: Tawaf, Maqam Ibrahim, Sa’’y, Jamarat, y, Jamarat,

Sacrifice Sacrifice

Learn the Learn the Sirah Sirah –– visit the historic placesvisit the historic places

Two Dimensions of HajjTwo Dimensions of Hajj

Vertical: Relation to Allah and Vertical: Relation to Allah and

Connection to the history of His ProphetsConnection to the history of His Prophets

Horizontal: Connection with PeopleHorizontal: Connection with People

–– Hajj is a demonstration of Universal Hajj is a demonstration of Universal

brotherhood and sisterhood of Islambrotherhood and sisterhood of Islam

–– Hajj teaches us that we must love and care Hajj teaches us that we must love and care

for all people and especially the believers for all people and especially the believers

Patience and GratitudePatience and Gratitude

Hajj teaches patience. It is a hard journey:Hajj teaches patience. It is a hard journey:

–– Many rituals in a short timeMany rituals in a short time

–– Many peopleMany people

Hajj teaches gratitude:Hajj teaches gratitude:

–– Blessings of wealthBlessings of wealth

–– Blessings of healthBlessings of health

–– Blessings of safety and securityBlessings of safety and security

Peace and HarmonyPeace and Harmony

O=�ا D� ال�. qق و%� qر�9 و q O=�ا D� ال�. qق و%� qر�9 و q)) ة���ة ا��))197197ا�Hajj teaches us peace and harmony Hajj teaches us peace and harmony

Peace comes from our sense of honor and Peace comes from our sense of honor and respect for the commands of Allahrespect for the commands of Allah

No arguments, no quarrels and no fighting in No arguments, no quarrels and no fighting in HajjHajj

Muslims must learn to live in peace and Muslims must learn to live in peace and harmony with each otherharmony with each other

Muslims must work to bring peace and Muslims must work to bring peace and harmony in the world harmony in the world

Forgiveness and PurityForgiveness and Purity

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Mission and MessageMission and Message

Hajj is a mission and a message. Hajj is a mission and a message.

True Meaning of True Meaning of TalbiahTalbiah and and TakbiratTakbirat

–– We must be always at the service of AllahWe must be always at the service of Allah

–– Our whole life should represent our Our whole life should represent our TalbiahTalbiah and and

TakbirTakbir

Hajj teaches movement, action and sacrificeHajj teaches movement, action and sacrifice

Muslims must be active and dynamic people Muslims must be active and dynamic people

Muslims must work for the right causeMuslims must work for the right cause

Muslims must be willing to sacrifice for the sake of Muslims must be willing to sacrifice for the sake of

Allah and for noble values and principlesAllah and for noble values and principles