Hindering from the Path of Allah is an act of disbelief:
Dear brothers, this is lesson No. 4 of interpreting Surat Al-Hajj. We have reached the following Ayah:
﴾ Verily! Those who disbelieve and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah, and from Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) which We have made (open) to (all) men, the dweller in it and the visitor from the country are equal there [as regards its sanctity and pilgrimage (Hajj and 'Umrah)]. And whoever inclines to evil actions therein or to do wrong (i.e. practise polytheism and leave Islamic Monotheism), him We shall cause to taste a painful torment. ﴿
Disbelief is all about denial and turning away from Allah's Ayaat. Disbelievers turn away from Allah's cosmic Signs and Quranic Ayaat; furthermore, they doubt Allah's Promises, Menaces, Most Beautiful Names and Path.
The disbelievers turned away from Allah Almighty, they sought the worldly life, they associated partners with Allah in worship, they pursued money and they went after whatever draws them closer to the worldly life.
﴾ Verily! Those who disbelieve ﴿
Those who disbelieve, hinder people from the Path of Allah. Allah uses the verb "kafaru (disbelieved)" in Arabic in the past tense, while He uses the verb "yasudoon (hinder)" in the present tense, to indicate this habitual activity. In other words, they always hinder people from that which leads to seek Allah's Pleasure, that which brings people closer to Allah and that which connects them to Allah. The disbelievers went astray, they misled others, they went corrupt and they corrupted others. They are an obstacle in the path to Allah.
If spending on the poor is the path to Allah Almighty, they hinder people from spending for Allah's Sake. If offering good deeds for the Sake of Allah is the path to Allah Almighty, they hinder people from offering any good deed. If teaching or learning Islamic knowledge is the path to Allah Almighty, they will hinder people from that.
﴾ Verily! Those who disbelieve and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah,
﴿
We seek refuge with Allah from hindering people from the Path of Allah. We beseech Allah to make us among those who are guided and who guide others to Allah, and we ask Allah to connect us with Him and to make us closer to Him.
The Sacred House is a place for worshiping and drawing closer to Allah:
﴾ Verily! Those who disbelieve and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah, and from Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah). ﴿
Allah Almighty says:
﴾ Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-'Alamin (the mankind and jinns). ﴿
Allah Almighty has made this House a place for getting closer to Him, wherein people devote themselves to worshiping Him. In fact, among the many pieces of wisdom of performing Hajj is that Allah Almighty has commanded the believers to come to Him, leaving behind their homes, wives, children, money, shops, jobs, positions, pleasures and delights.
Their worldly life is centered in their countries, so to prevent the worldly life from being an obstacle or a veil between man and his Lord, Allah has commanded people to come to Him and to utter, "Labbaika Allahumma Labbaik (Here I am, O Allah, here I am)".
He has commanded them to leave the worldly life; moreover, whatever is deemed permissible in their countries is forbidden when they come to Him in Hajj. For instance, Allah forbids sewn clothes, because He wants people to remember the Hour and the Day of Resurrection, and He wants to keep them away from the worldly life (during Hajj).
Since clothes are part of the worldly life, Allah has commanded pilgrims to wear two white cloths (without seams, hems or buttons, and they are Rida', which is the Ihram garment that is draped over the shoulder, covering the upper portion of the body and Izar, which is used for wrapping the lower body i.e. from navel to the ankle), so that they will not be distracted by the way they dress, how they look or to the harmony of their outfit colors. They wear two cloths, so that they will not strut around showing off their clothing.
Allah Almighty has made the Sacred House a place wherein people draw closer to Him, turn to Him and devote themselves to worshiping Him. People perform Salah in their countries, but they might be distracted from establishing a connection with Allah while praying due to their daily concerns in the worldly life, which might not allow them to have time to resort to Allah, Exalted and Sublime be He.
In Hajj, on the other hand, they are commanded by Allah to come to Him and to leave everything behind, teaching them in the process that one day they have to leave this worldly life for good. Hence, Allah runs people through this drill (i.e. Hajj) in order to come to terms with leaving the worldly life for good. The pilgrim leaves behind all worldly privileges and the money he has gained from his position, and similarly he will leave this life one day.
Allah combines hindering people from the path of Allah with hindering them from the Sacred Masjid (Al-Masjid-al-Haram).
﴾ Verily! Those who disbelieve and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah, and from Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah). ﴿
As if the Sacred Masjid is equivalent to "The Path of Allah". As good deeds, seeking knowledge, teaching knowledge, spending in the Cause of Allah, performing the acts of worship, paying Zakat and fasting are paths to reach Allah Almighty, so is the Sacred House, for it is a path towards Allah Almighty.
The Sacred House is for all Muslims and not only for the people of Makkah:
﴾ Verily! Those who disbelieve and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah, and from Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) which We have made (open) to (all) men, ﴿
Visiting any country in the world gives you the feeling that you are in that country per se. However, entering the Sacred House does not give you the feeling that you are in Saudi Arabia, but rather you feel that you are in Allah's House. This meaning is drawn from the following Ayah:
﴾ Verily! Those who disbelieve and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah, and from Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) which We have made (open) to (all) men, the dweller in it and the visitor from the country are equal there [as regards its sanctity and pilgrimage (Hajj and 'Umrah)]. ﴿
This means that the people of Makkah and the visitors share the same right in the sense of feeling that this place (i.e. the Sacred House) is for all people and not only for those who reside in Makkah, those who reside in Madinah or those who are Saudi, but rather it is for all people.
﴾ Which We have made (open) to (all) men, the dweller in it and the visitor from the country are equal there [as regards its sanctity and pilgrimage (Hajj and 'Umrah)]. ﴿
"Al-A'kef (the Arabic word in the Ayah, which is interpreted as the dweller…)" means the dweller in Makkah, whereas "Al-Badd (the Arabic word in the Ayah, which is interpreted as the visitor…)" is the visitor who comes from the desert or from any far place. The one who comes from a far place is called in Fiqh "Al-Aafaqi".
Again, visitors and residents of Makkah share the same right in Makkah. This sacred place is for all people and not only for its residents or the people of its country.
﴾ Which We have made (open) to (all) men, the dweller in it and the visitor from the country are equal there [as regards its sanctity and pilgrimage (Hajj and 'Umrah)]. ﴿
The sanctity of the Sacred House:
Allah Almighty has made this House sacred, and He calls it Haram (The word of haram is derived from hurmah which means to be forbidden i.e. things are necessary to be fulfilled and going against it is forbidden (haram). It also means 'sacred thing' whose desecration is forbidden (haram). It is also translated with 'respectful object'; hence, the sense applies to Masjid-e-Haram, i.e. respectful, sanctum whose desecration is haram), because no one is allowed to harm any creature in it.
In Islam, there are four sacred months, and there are Sacred Places, one of which is the Sacred House. The Sacred House is a place wherein no one should fight, take revenge, transgress or hunt, given hunting is allowed in other places and other times.
Hence, Allah Almighty decreed that disputes should be put aside in the four sacred months and in the Sacred House. Accordingly, whoever enters the Sacred House is safe even if his blood is subject of shedding (Mahdoor-Ad-Damm); he is safe in the Sacred House and during the sacred months. Allah says:
﴾ Which We have made (open) to (all) men, the dweller in it and the visitor from the country are equal there [as regards its sanctity and pilgrimage (Hajj and 'Umrah)]. ﴿
The Sacred House is a place for worshiping, turning to Allah and serenity. People come to this place to stay away from worldly news, disputes, worries, concerns and adversities. It is a place for pure worship wherein people remember the Hereafter and how they will be gathered to meet with Allah. For this reason, there should be no conflicts, aggression or fights in this place; because it is a sacred place where people comes to it in a sacred month (Hajj is performed in Dhul Hijjah, which is one of the four sacred months).
Allah threats whoever inclines to evil actions in the Sacred House and Sacred month:
Allah Almighty threatens whoever tries to harm any creature. Allah says:
Allah indicates place and time in the Ayah…
Whoever intends to commit evil actions is included in the Ayah…
﴾ Inclines to evil actions therein ﴿
"...to do wrong" means departing from the Right Path, so man either remains steadfast or he inclines to evil….
﴾ And whoever inclines to evil actions therein or to do wrong (i.e. practise polytheism and leave Islamic Monotheism), ﴿
This man's intention is inclined to evil, so the Ayah denotes whoever has this twisted intention due to wronging himself or wronging another creature…
﴾ him We shall cause to taste a painful torment. ﴿
Some scholars of interpreting the Noble Quran consider the sin in the Sacred House a grave one, and so it deserves exponential punishment. They say that if man thinks of wronging someone in the Sacred House, he will be punished for it even if he does not do it! Allah says:
Allah threatens those who merely incline to evil actions, even without doing them or wronging themselves or others…
Allah refers to the place and time, namely, the Sacred House and the sacred month.
﴾ And whoever inclines to evil actions therein ﴿
It refers to whoever inclines to deviate from the Right Path…
﴾ Or to do wrong (i.e. practise polytheism and leave Islamic Monotheism), ﴿
Deviating from the Right Path is done due to wronging one's ownself or wronging others, such as killing an animal, harming a human being, uprooting a plant, badmouthing others, turning away from the Right Path or erring. So, committing these things causes man the following punishment…
﴾ Him We shall cause to taste a painful torment.
﴿
This torment is deserved in the worldly life and in the Hereafter, because Allah has made this House as a place for acts of worship and rituals, thus whatever disturbs these acts of worship and affects the tranquility pilgrims experience in this sacred place is considered mischief in the land.
﴾ Him We shall cause to taste a painful torment. ﴿
Arabs used to put any war on halt during the sacred months no matter how fierce that war was between any two tribes. If any one of those tribes entered the Sacred House, he would be safe from being killed.
Allah decreed, out of Divine Mercy, that the Sacred House and the sacred months are place and times for peace wherein people put aside their disputes, fights and problems.
The Sacred House is the first house of worshiping appointed for mankind:
﴾ Verily! Those who disbelieve and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah, and from Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) which We have made (open) to (all) men, the dweller in it and the visitor from the country are equal there [as regards its sanctity and pilgrimage (Hajj and 'Umrah)]. And whoever inclines to evil actions therein or to do wrong (i.e. practise polytheism and leave Islamic Monotheism), him We shall cause to taste a painful torment. And (remember) when We showed Ibrahim (Abraham) the site of the (Sacred) House (the Ka'bah at Makkah) (saying): "Associate not anything (in worship) with Me, ﴿
Allah Almighty says in another Ayah:
﴾ Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind. ﴿
This Ayah is a decisive evident that the first house that has been built on the surface of earth for worship is the Sacred House in Makkah. Although Allah appointed Ibrahim PBUH to rebuild it, this house has been founded since the era of Adam PBUH.
﴾ Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah),
﴿
According to geographers, Al-Ka'bah is located in the center of a circle that goes through the five continents (such a fact has been confirmed by the most up-to-date studies carried out by the astronomical research center in an Arab country. The study was carried out by using the computer for measuring distances between Makkah and a number of cities of both modern and ancient worlds. Computer calculations showed that the furthest points in Africa, Asia, and Europe are all located at a distance of 8.000 km's from Makkah. It is well-known that Europe, Africa and Asia constituted the ancient world. Cities on the edges of these continents are all 8.000 km's away from Makkah).
For profound wisdom, Allah Almighty founded the Sacred House in an uncultivable valley, so that only pilgrims will travel to it. If the Sacred House had been in a beautiful landscape with refreshing climate, beautiful lakes and green mountains, pilgrims and tourists would have traveled to it. Therefore, the Sacred House has been founded in an uncultivated valley so that only pilgrims will travel to it despite the hot weather and the crowds.
Going to such a place voluntarily proves extreme sincerity. The pilgrim will say to you, "I have rejoiced unprecedented happiness and delight during Hajj." This is but Divine Mercy from Allah Almighty. It seems that Allah casts happiness into the hearts of pilgrims who come for Hajj and Umrah.
Indeed, man rejoices visiting Allah's Masajid in his country:
(( Masajid are My houses on the earth. Those who frequent them are My visitors. Good tidings to a slave who purifies himself in his house and then visits Me in My house for it is the duty of the Host to honor His guest.
))
Allah honors you upon visiting any Masjid in your country, so how this honor will be upon visiting Allah's Sacred House? The honor will be incomparable. The Prophet PBUH said:
(( Abu Sa'id who participated in twelve Ghazawat with the Prophet (PBUH) said, "I heard four things from Allah's Messenger (PBUH) (or I narrate them from the Prophet (PBUH) ) which won my admiration and appreciation. They are: -1. "No lady should travel without her husband or without a Dhu-Mahram for a two-days' journey. -2. No fasting is permissible on two days of 'Id-ul-Fitr, and 'Id-al-Adha. -3. No prayer (may be offered) after two prayers: after the 'Asr prayer till the sun set and after the morning prayer till the sun rises. -4. Not to travel (for visiting) except for three mosques: Masjid-al-Haram (in Makkah), my Mosque (in Madinah), and Masjid-al-Aqsa (in Jerusalem). ))
[ Bukhari, on the authority of Abi Sa'id ]
Allah gives special privilege to Al-Masjid Al-Haram. It seems that Allah has made it a place for feeling the Divine manifestation (in one's heart) that is given only to whoever performs Hajj and Umrah.
The Sacred House has been established for worship and monotheism:
﴾ And (remember) when We showed Ibrahim (Abraham). ﴿
We told Ibrahim about the place of the Sacred House…
﴾ And (remember) when We showed Ibrahim (Abraham) the site of the (Sacred) House (the Ka'bah at Makkah) (saying): "Associate not anything (in worship) with Me, ﴿
This Sacred House has been established on the foundation of Tawheed (believing in Allah's Monotheism), given Allah's servants have never believed in anything better than Tawheed.
﴾ And sanctify My House for those who circumambulate it, and those who stand up for prayer, and those who bow (submit themselves with humility and obedience to Allah), and make prostration (in prayer, etc.);" ﴿
Some scholars said, "The circumambulators are those who circumambulate the Sacred House."
﴾ And those who stand up for prayer, and those who bow (submit themselves with humility and obedience to Allah), and make prostration (in prayer, etc.);" ﴿
Those are the ones who perform prayers. Some scholars deduced from this Ayah that circumambulating precedes standing up for Salah, and the latter precedes Ruku' (bowing) whereas Ruku' precedes Sujood (prostration).
As if these actions and positions are ranks of closeness to Allah; they are circumambulating, then standing, then bowing and finally prostrating. The closest rank to Allah is acquired when man is in a prostrating position.
Bowing reflects man's submission to Allah, prostration reflects seeking help from Allah, standing up reflects commitment and circumambulating reflects turning to Allah (seeking His Closeness).
Allah asked Ibrahim and Isma'il PBUT to purify His House from filth and the like of it, and whoever does the same is honored by Allah, Exalted and Sublime be He, and is included in this Ayah.
Serving in Allah's Masajid is not a job man does for money, but it is an honor beyond any other honor. Whoever serves in Allah's Masajid is included in the following Ayah:
﴾ And sanctify My House for those who circumambulate it, and those who stand up for prayer, and those who bow (submit themselves with humility and obedience to Allah), and make prostration (in prayer, etc.);" And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). ﴿
This means: Call people to Hajj when you finish building and renovating it.
The reward is commensurate with hardship:
﴾ They will come to you on foot
﴿
Those who said, "Man will have a reward commensurate with difficulties he faces" are not mistaken. Nowadays Hajj is very facilitated, but whoever considers the journey to perform Hajj is done for fun, concentrating on the air conditioned planes, halls and tents are, on the tasty food and on the places he moves to, he will receive less reward, since travelling to perform Hajj is considered an exciting experience.
Some of our ancestors used to come to Hajj on foot and others riding animals. It is not accepted nowadays that anyone would come to Hajj on foot or by riding an animal, because we are not seeking tiredness in performing Hajj, but if tiredness is inevitable and is common, then the pilgrim will have a reward commensurate with difficulties he faces.
Nowadays, pilgrims travel by planes and by air-conditioned buses moving between Makkah and Arafat and between Makkah and Madinah.
﴾ And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, ﴿
They come either on foot or by riding animals…
﴾ And on every lean camel, ﴿
Camels become lean due to fatigue and the long distances…
﴾ And on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj). ﴿
The distance between the Arab countries, from which we come to perform Hajj, and the Sacred House is relatively close comparing with the distance pilgrims travel from countries like Pakistan, India, China, America and Europe. These countries are so far and people travel for tens of hours to reach Makkah in addition to spending hundreds of thousands of money.
﴾ And on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj). ﴿
This is why spending in Hajj is like spending in the Cause of Allah.
The benefits of Hajj are spiritual and moral:
﴾ That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.), ﴿
It is rather impossible that Allah invites you to His Sacred House and asks you to leave your country, your family, your job, your business, your career and your children and come to Him for nothing. You are a guest in Allah's Sacred House, and it is rather impossible that the Host (Allah) will not honor you as a guest. Hence:
﴾ That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.), ﴿
What marks the sincere pilgrim is that he/she wishes to perform Hajj every year. Also, what marks the sincere pilgrim, whose heart was manifested upon by Allah, is that he wishes that he could perform the rituals of Hajj every day.
Allah says:
﴾ That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.) ﴿
Scholars of the interpretation of the Noble Quran said, "These benefits are spiritual and secular" Hajj is a transcendental act of worship during which man turns to Allah, Exalted and Sublime be He, to remain submitted to Him, turns to him with sincere repentance, gets to know Him, and feels how honored his heart becomes by drawing close to him. Moreover, Hajj also is an occasion of getting other sort of benefits, like meeting other Muslims from all over the world, getting to know each other or discussing important issues. As a result, man is encouraged to imitate them, and even to compete with them. Thus, there are spiritual and secular benefits in Hajj.
﴾ That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.), and mention the Name of Allah on appointed days (i.e. 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th day of Dhul-Hijjah), over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice) (at the time of their slaughtering by saying: Bismillah, Wallahu-Akbar, Allahumma Minka wa Ilaik). Then eat thereof and feed therewith the poor who have a very hard time. ﴿
﴾ The Hajj (pilgrimage) is (in) the well-known (lunar year) months (i.e. the 10th month, the 11th month and the first ten days of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, i.e. two months and ten days). So whosoever intends to perform Hajj therein by assuming Ihram), then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj. And whatever good you do, (be sure) Allah knows it. And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness, etc.). So fear Me, O men of understanding! ﴿
The pilgrim remembers Allah during the appointed days, so every time he/she ascends a hill or descends a valley, and every time he/she sleeps, wakes up or meets others he/she says, "Labbaika Allahumma Labbaik, Labbaika la sharika laka labbaik. Innal-hamda wan-ni'mata laka wal-mulk, la sharika lak (Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty, You have no partner)."
This Talbiyah (uttering the above words) is a response to the call of Allah Almighty:
﴾ And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). ﴿
Then, the pilgrim utters Takbeer (i.e. saying Allahu Akbar: Allah is The Greatest) after pelting Jamarat, and from that time on, he keeps uttering Takbeer (Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha Illa Allah; Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahil Hamd) and Tahleel (La ilaha Illa Allah: there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah Alone) and Tahmeed (wa lillahil Hamd: All praise be to Allah).
Hajj is all about remembering Allah, supplicating Him, praying to Him, turning to Him and establishing a connection with Him. In concise, Hajj is an occasion for the worshiper to establish a profound, concentrated, beneficial and right connection with His Creator.
Subjugating cattle to man denotes the generosity of Allah:
﴾ And mention the Name of Allah on appointed days (i.e. 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th day of Dhul-Hijjah), over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice) (at the time of their slaughtering by saying: Bismillah, Wallahu-Akbar, Allahumma Minka wa Ilaik). ﴿
The cattle are among Allah's Signs, and cattle indicate camels, cows, sheep and lamb, given they mark Allah's generosity.
﴾ Do they not see that We have created for them of what Our Hands have created, the cattle, so that they are their owners. And We have subdued them unto them so that some of them they have for riding and some they eat. ﴿
[ Ya-Sin, 71-72
]
If Allah had given cattle the characteristics of hyenas, wolves, beasts or lions, how could we have eaten them? How would we have been able to tame them? How could we have bred them? How could we have slaughtered them? How could we have avoided their harm? Our Lord, Exalted and Sublime be He, have made cattle (camels, cows, sheep and lambs) domestic. Allah says:
﴾ Do they not look at the camels, how they are created? ﴿
The results of some researches about camels are unbelievable. Allah has created the camel to fit in the desert. Its eyes see the small things big, so they are like a magnifier. Its eyes have long lashes to protect it from desert sand, and it can see its way although its eyes are closed, because it has transparent eyelids. Furthermore, the camel is able to close its ears.
The camel has extra layers of skin on its knees, thus it sits down easily, so that man can ride it or put things to carry on its back without difficulty. If the camel sat down like the donkey on its side, how could we ride it? The camel sits down until its owner rides its back and then it stands up.
Who has given the camel its hump that enables it to stay alive without food for months due to consuming the fats the hump contains? The camel also can live without water for many months as it sucks water out of its cells, so it is a patient animal.
The camel has large hooves which help it walk on sand. The studies about the camel are deep and so many, but the time is too short to mention them all.
Cattle are Divine Graces upon mankind from Allah Almighty. We eat the meat of sheep, its fat, its grease, and its bones, and we make use of its wool, skin, milk and intestine. Everything in the sheep is beneficial. These are but graces Allah Almighty has granted us.
Consider the milk; how various the dairy products are, and they are affordable by every household. Indeed, this Ayah is a great sign of Allah's Graces, Exalted and Sublime be He.
﴾ That We have created for them of what Our Hands have created, the cattle, so that they are their owners. And We have subdued them unto them. ﴿
Who has made them domestic (subjugated to man)? A small child can lead a big camel, because the latter is subjugated to man, otherwise the camel might frighten an adult rather than frightening a child.
Man is allowed to eat and donate from the slaughtered animals in Hajj:
﴾ And mention the Name of Allah on appointed days (i.e. 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th day of Dhul-Hijjah), over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice) (at the time of their slaughtering by saying: Bismillah, Wallahu-Akbar, Allahumma Minka wa Ilaik). Then eat thereof and feed therewith the poor who have a very hard time.
﴿
The instruction is to eat from the cattle. Scholars deduced from this Ayah that man can eat from his own slaughtered animal. As you all know, there is Ifrad (making one Niyyah for the sole purpose of performing Hajj without Umrah), Tamatu' (a pilgrim wears Ihram for Umrah only during the months of Hajj, which means when he reaches Makkah, he makes Tawaf and Sa'yi for Umrah. He then shaves or clips his hair. On the day of Tarwiya, which is the eighth of Dhul-Hijja, he puts on his Ihram for Hajj only and carries out all of its requirements.) and Qiran (a pilgrim wears Ihram for both Umrah and Hajj or he wears Ihram first for Umrah, then makes intentions for Hajj before his Tawaf for Hajj).
In Ifrad, the pilgrim does not have to slaughter an animal, however, in Qiran and Tamatu', the pilgrim slaughters an animal. In Tamatu' it is a Kaffarah (atonement), because the pilgrim removes Ihram (for Umrah) and then he does Ihram again from Makkah before Hajj, whereas in Qiran it is out of gratitude to Allah for helping him perform both Hajj and Umrah.
Scholars permits the pilgrim to eat from his slaughtered animal and to feed the beggar who asks and the one who does not ask to eat from it. However, scholars forbid the pilgrim from eating from the slaughtered animal if it is atonement due to an error he does or if it is Nadhr (Promise made to Allah).
It is permissible.
﴾ It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of As-Saum (the fasts). They are Libas [i.e. body cover, or screen, or Sakan, (i.e. you enjoy the pleasure of living with her – as in Verse 7:189) Tafsir At-Tabari], for you and you are the same for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you (accepted your repentance) and forgave you. So now have sexual relations with them and seek that which Allah has ordained for you (offspring), and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your Saum (fast) till the nightfall. And do not have sexual relations with them (your wives) while you are in I'tikaf (i.e. confining oneself in a mosque for prayers and invocations leaving the worldly activities) in the mosques. These are the limits (set) by Allah, so approach them not. Thus does Allah make clear His Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, revelations, verses, laws, legal and illegal things, Allah's set limits, orders, etc.) to mankind that they may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious – see V.2:2). ﴿
It is permissible in the sense that it is not considered a sin if the pilgrim does not eat from his slaughtered animal.
﴾ Then eat thereof and feed therewith the poor who have a very hard time. ﴿
What the Hajj (pilgrim) should do after slaughtering animals for Allah's Sake:
After the pilgrim is done with throwing pebbles and slaughtering the animal…
﴾ Then let them complete the prescribed duties (Manasik of Hajj) for them, and perform their vows, and circumambulate the Ancient House (the Ka'bah at Makkah). ﴿
"Tafath (the prescribed duties)" include trimming nails, cutting the hair, and having Ghusl (cleaning the whole body from all the dirt and filth) as an act of exiting one's Ihram.
As long as pilgrims are in the state of Ihram, they should not wear perfume, cut their hair, trim their nails, nor wear sewn clothes. They bear all the difficulties of remaining in the state of Ihram, but then comes time to complete their prescribed duties (by trimming nails, having haircut and do Ghusl as an act of exiting Ihram).
Allah says:
﴾ Then let them complete the prescribed duties (Manasik of Hajj) for them, and perform their vows, ﴿
Scholars deduced from this Ayah that when the pilgrim stands on Arafat, circumambulates Ka'bah, kisses the Black Stone, and walks back and forth between Safa and Marwa, he actually makes an oath to Allah to offer good deeds, to serve people, to guide others and to stay steadfast on the Path of Allah. This oath made to Allah should be fulfilled after the pilgrim removes Ihram.
﴾ Then let them complete the prescribed duties (Manasik of Hajj) for them, and perform their vows, ﴿
As if the pilgrim takes an oath when he stands on Arafat, circumambulates Ka'bah, kisses the black stone and walks back and forth between Safa and Marwa to commit to his oath, so when he exits his state of Ihram and completes his duties, he should fulfill his oath.
A scholar have bought a grave, and he is used to lie down in it every Thursday and recite:
﴾ Until, when death comes to one of them (those who join partners with Allah), he says: "My Lord! Send me back, "So that I may do good in that which I have left behind!" No! It is but a word that he speaks, and behind them is Barzakh (a barrier) until the Day when they will be resurrected. ﴿
Then, he is used to say to himself, "rise up, here we send you back, rise up to offer good deed".
As for the pilgrims:
﴾ Then let them complete the prescribed duties (Manasik of Hajj) for them, ﴿
After throwing pebbles, slaughtering animals, cutting the hair and offering Ghusl, they removes the first stage of Ihram (At-Tahalul Al-Awwal). Namely, they can do all the things they were forbade to do during Hajj except sleeping with their wives.
When they offer Tawaf al-Ifadah (Ifadah means "pouring forth into Makkah from Mina" or "arrival from Mina to Makkah." It is one of the pillars or essential parts of Hajj, without which Hajj is not complete, and so it signifies the completion of the Hajj), which is the final stage of the state of Ihram, everything becomes permissible including sleeping with their wives.
Circumambulating the Ancient House:
﴾ Then let them complete the prescribed duties (Manasik of Hajj) for them, and perform their vows, and circumambulate the Ancient House (the Ka’bah at Makkah). ﴿
Allah says:
Allah stresses the word "circumambulate" to mean circumambulating a lot.
Regarding this part of the Ayah:
The Prophet PBUH understood that Tawaf is seven rounds, which is the minimum number, but the obligatory Tawaf is only four rounds. Hence, according to Sunnah, it is seven rounds, and so if someone offered four rounds and he passed away, for example, he had already offered the obligatory Tawaf.
﴾ And circumambulate the Ancient House (the Ka'bah at Makkah). ﴿
The Sacred House is called "Al-Bait Al-Ateeq" (The Ancient House), firstly because it is the oldest house for worshiping, and secondly because Allah protects it from being reigned by any tyrant. This explains why all invasions against the Islamic states stopped at the doorstep of Ka'bah. Thirdly, because Allah honors whoever enters this Sacred House with a good will by freeing him from bv Hellfire.
Hence, it is Ancient, because it is the oldest house, because it is saved from all tyrants, and because Allah frees whoever enters it with a good intention.
(( Abu Hurairah narrated: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Whoever performs Hajj for Allah's pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew." ))
[ Bukhari, on the authority of Abi Hurairah ]
Scholars said, "Whoever leaves Arafat doubting Allah's Forgiveness for him, will have his Hajj unaccepted."
What makes you come to perform Hajj? You come from your far country, you pay money, you stop your business and you leave your family, but for what? Do you not come to Hajj to be forgiven by Allah? Hence, whoever leaves Arafat and still has doubts that Allah might have not forgiven him will have his Hajj considered invalid.
Honoring the sacred rituals of Allah denotes piety:
﴾ That (Manasik prescribed duties of Hajj is the obligation that mankind owes to Allah), and whoever honours the sacred things of Allah, then that is better for him with his Lord. ﴿
The scared things of Allah should be honored, while some pilgrims go soft on them, and they do not honor them.
(( It was narrated that Anas said: "The Messenger of Allah said: 'Women and perfume have been made dear to me, but my comfort has been provided in prayer.'" ))
Most of forbidden things in Hajj are allowed in your country, but Allah wants to test your obedience to Him, given man's obedience is not tested with whatever is forbidden, but rather it is tested with whatever is allowed. For example, when you forbid your son from stealing, he has to obey, but when you forbid him from eating which is allowed to him, yet he obeys you, this is the ultimate level of obedience.
Our Lord, Exalted and Sublime be He, forbids us during Hajj from things that are allowed to be done in our home countries, like wearing sewn clothes, bathing with perfumed soap, wearing perfume or having haircut.
Our Lord, Exalted and Sublime be He, wants to test our servitude to Him drastically by forbidding us from doing allowed matters. It is a rule of thumb to refrain from Haram (forbidden) things, and this forbidding applies a fortiori to permissible matters. Hence, if wearing sewn clothes during Hajj is forbidden, then staring at women is rather more forbidden. If wearing perfume is forbidden, then lying is rather more forbidden. Therefore, Allah has made permissible things forbidden during Hajj so that impermissible things for greater reason would be forbidden. It is then obvious that the pilgrim should avoid every sin and error.
﴾ That (Manasik prescribed duties of Hajj is the obligation that mankind owes to Allah), and whoever honours the sacred things of Allah, ﴿
The sacred things of Allah should be honored in the sense that they should not be violated by committing anything forbidden (in addition to refraining from doing whatever is permissible during Hajj).
Cattle are permitted to Muslims except those mentioned as forbidden:
﴾ Then that is better for him with his Lord. The cattle are lawful to you, except those (that will be) mentioned to you (as exceptions). ﴿
Al-Maytatah (the dead animals - cattle-beast not slaughtered), the blood, the flesh of swine, and the meat of that which has been slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allah, or has been slaughtered for idols, etc., or on which Allah's Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering, and that which has been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by the goring of horns, are all forbidden to eat as Allah, Exalted and Sublime be He, mentions in some Ayaat in the Quran. However, scholars of the interpretation of the Quran, said, "When Allah says 'except those (that will be) mentioned to you (as exceptions)' He refers to what people used to do in Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic period); they used to slaughter animals for idols." The proof is in the Ayah that follows the above-mentioned one:
﴾ So shun the abomination (worshipping) of idol, and shun lying speech (false statements). ﴿
This means: Avoid Rijs (spiritual impurity) that might touch you out of worshiping idols, given impurity is a distasteful thing.
Our Lord, Exalted and Sublime be He, says in another Ayah:
﴾ O you who believe (in Allah's Oneness and in His Messenger (Muhammad PBUH)! Verily, the Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, and in the Message of Muhammad) are Najasun (impure). So let them not come near Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) after this year, and if you fear poverty, Allah will enrich you if He will, out of His Bounty. Surely, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. ﴿
Najas (source of impurity) is the word used by Allah:
The one that is affected by the source of impurity can be cleaned, while the source of impurity (which is impure by nature) can never be cleaned. Idols are source of impurity, so if man worships them, he becomes impure since he disconnects himself from Allah, Exalted and Sublime be He. Well, the Idol is deaf and mute, it does not respond to anyone, and it cannot manifest on your heart!
In the past two Ayaat, Allah clarifies that man should slaughter the animal to please Allah Alone, and He refers to the forbidden tradition people used to follow in Jahiliyyah.
We are ordered to shun false statements:
﴾ So shun the abomination (worshipping) of idol, and shun lying speech (false statements) ﴿
We may deduce from this Ayah that falsehood should not be practised, nor should it be subject of our talks. Talking about idols is a lying speech and forgery. Idols should not be worshiped, should not be praised and should not be talked about.
There is a fundamental rule that goes as follows: What is forbidden to be done is forbidden to be listened to, to be looked at and to be talked about. These idols, which were worshiped instead of Allah in Jahiliyyah, should not be worshiped, as worshiping them is definite impurity, and so is talking about them. Allah says:
﴾ So shun the abomination (worshipping) of idol, and shun lying speech (false statements). ﴿
False statement is a lying speech, and talking about idols is a lying speech that is meaningless.
Pilgrims should not associate partners unto Allah Almighty:
The orientation of pilgrims should be towards Allah. "Ahnaf (the plural is Hunafa')" literally means crooked, and this is why Ahnaf Ibn Qays (a well-known man for his good conduct) was called like that; he had a defect in his leg, making him limp. Religiously speaking, "Ahnaf" means inclining (physically and spiritually) towards Allah, Exalted and Sublime be He. Namely, the believer is totally oriented towards Allah including his capabilities, thoughts, feelings, reason, talks, chats, energy and activities. He functions all of these in the Cause of Allah.
﴾ Hunafa' Lillah (i.e. to worship none but Allah), not associating partners (in worship, etc.) unto Him.
﴿
Common people use to say, "Make your time one hour for Allah and one hour for your own self", but this is Shirk (polytheism), because all your time should be devoted to Allah. However, Allah Almighty allows you to spend some of your time with your family and children, but in the heart, you are clung to Allah, Exalted and Sublime be He.
The destiny of polytheism and polytheists:
﴾ And whoever assigns partners to Allah. ﴿
Shirk is to associate partners with Allah in worship, to turn to them other than Allah, to rely on them other than Allah and to please them other than Allah.
(( It was narrated from Shaddad bin Aws that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "The thing that I fear most for my nation is associating others with Allah. I do not say that they will worship the sun or the moon or idols, but deeds done for the sake of anyone other than Allah, and hidden desires." ))
[ Ibn Majah, on the authority of Shaddad bin Aws ]
﴾ And whoever assigns partners to Allah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky, and the birds had snatched him, or the wind had thrown him to a far off place. ﴿
This is an amazing simile. The polytheist is like someone who had fallen from the sky. Visualize someone in a plane at a 40.000 feet altitude, then suddenly the door of the plane is open, and he takes a free fall; he is certainly a dead man.
This is a simple figure of speech, which indicates the serious consequences of the one who associates partners with Allah in worhsip.
﴾ And whoever assigns partners to Allah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky, and the birds had snatched him. ﴿
He would become their food…
﴾ Or the wind had thrown him to a far off place.
﴿
Consider this Ayah:
﴾ And (remember) when Luqman said to his son when he was advising him: "O my son! Join not in worship others with Allah. Verily! Joining others in worship with Allah is a great Zulm (wrong) indeed. ﴿
All Divine religions call people to Tawheed (believing in Allah's Monotheism)…
﴾ And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad PBUH) but We inspired him (saying): La ilaha illa Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allah)], so worship Me (Alone and none else)." ﴿
Honoring the sacred rituals of Allah reflects piety:
﴾ Thus it is [what has been mentioned in the above said Verses (27, 28, 29, 30, 31) is an obligation that mankind owes to Allah]. And whosoever honours the Symbols of Allah, then it is truly from the piety of the heart. ﴿
Symbols means rituals, the singular of which is ritual, and it symbolizes an act of worship. Ka'bah is one of Allah's Symbols, and so are the Sacred House, Makkah with its borders, the Quran, the Masjid, and the believer. In addition, the religious dressing code scholars wear is one of Allah's Symbols, so you should respect the scholar as an act of honoring what he wears.
﴾ Thus it is [what has been mentioned in the above said Verses (27, 28, 29, 30, 31) is an obligation that mankind owes to Allah]. And whosoever honours the Symbols of Allah, then it is truly from the piety of the heart. ﴿
Being polite to Allah is the same as being polite to His Prophet PBUH, to His Sacred House, to Quran and to those who call to Allah Almighty. Politeness is the same but it shows in different aspects.
Slaughtered animals benefit pilgrims if slaughtered for the Sake of Allah:
﴾ In them (cattle offered for sacrifice) are benefits for you for an appointed term, ﴿
It is the cattle to be slaughtered for the pilgrim whose Hajj is Tamatu' and which accompany him during Hajj…
﴾ In them (cattle offered for sacrifice) are benefits for you for an appointed term, ﴿
You may ride it, you may milk it and you may use it …
﴾ And afterwards they are brought for sacrifice unto the ancient House (the Haram – sacred territory of Makkah city). ﴿
Eventually the pilgrim will slaughter the animal and give its meat to the poor. So in this Ayah, the pilgrim is permitted to make use of his animal (its milk, wool and use it as a ride) before slaughtering it eventually…
﴾ And afterwards they are brought for sacrifice unto the ancient House (the Haram – sacred territory of Makkah city). ﴿
Unfortunately, in the past pilgrims used to slaughter their cattle and leave them in the streets. They turned into rotten carrions that filled the air with stinging smell. Doing this is not an act of a true Muslim, and this is not a Divine ritual.
Slaughtering animals and leaving them to be rotten achieve none of the purpose of slaughtering them, because doing this is a waste of resources. The purpose of slaughtering animals is to fill the stomachs of the poor. This is why the pilgrim should learn his/her religion before heading to Hajj.
Nowadays, slaughtering animals is done in a slaughterhouse, but in the past, it used to be chaotic. My friend told me that in the past, the pilgrim used to buy the sheep for hundreds of Saudi Riyals, and then he would slaughter it and walk away. If someone observes this act, he would wonder, "Is this an Islamic ritual? Is this how you practise Islam? Does Allah ask you to slaughter animals and leave them to turn into carrions? Is this the religion of Islam?" By Allah, this is not an Islamic practice. This flesh should end up in the hungry stomachs of the poor.
The traits of those who heartedly love Allah Almighty:
﴾ And for every nation We have appointed religious ceremonies, that they may mention the Name of Allah over the beast of cattle. ﴿
The rituals (ceremonies) Allah appointed are means to draw closer to Him. Among these rituals is to slaughter animals in Allah's Cause in order to draw closer to Him and this is the act of worship related to slaughtering animals.
﴾ And for every nation We have appointed religious ceremonies, that they may mention the Name of Allah over the beast of cattle that He has given them for food. And your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God Allah), so you must submit to Him Alone (in Islam). And (O Muhammad ) give glad tidings to the Mukhbitin [those who obey Allah with humility and are humble from among the true believers of Islamic Monotheism],
﴿
Those are the believers who have love for Allah, Exalted and Sublime be He
﴾ Whose hearts are filled with fear when Allah is mentioned;
﴿
Half of Islamic teachings are about love, which to Islam is like the soul to the body, thus Islam without love is a body without a soul.
﴾ Whose hearts are filled with fear when Allah is mentioned; ﴿
Their heart are touched, and thus they weep, they have goose-bumps in their skins, they are moved and they are impressed.
﴾ Who patiently bear whatever may befall them (of calamities); ﴿
The believer is patient, as he knows that everything is in the Hand of Allah, that Allah's Wisdom is unmatchable and that all of Allah's Actions lead to goodness…
﴾ Say (O Muhammad PBUH): "O Allah! Possessor of the kingdom, You give the kingdom to whom You will, and You take the kingdom from whom You will, and You endue with honour whom You will, and You humiliate whom You will. In Your Hand is the good. Verily, You are Able to do all things. ﴿
﴾ Who patiently bear whatever may befall them (of calamities); and who perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), ﴿
Performing Salah requires effort, for it needs being steadfast on the Path of Allah, it needs to know Allah (the One we stand before) and it needs offering good deeds with which man is elevated…
﴾ And who perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and who spend (in Allah's Cause) out of what We have provided them. ﴿
Every human being will be reckoned for the provision Allah bestowed upon him/her. Hence, whoever is blessed with knowledge should spend from it (by teaching others), whoever is blessed with money should spend from it (in the Cause of Allah) and whoever is blessed with high position should use it (in the Cause of Allah).
﴾ And who spend (in Allah's Cause) out of what We have provided them. ﴿
Man will be rewarded by Allah for his good will:
﴾ And the Budn (cows, oxen, or camels driven to be offered as sacrifices by the pilgrims at the sanctuary of Makkah.) ﴿
"Budn" is the plural of cattle (like cows, camels, etc.) …
﴾ And the Budn (cows, oxen, or camels driven to be offered as sacrifices by the pilgrims at the sanctuary of Makkah.) We have made for you as among the Symbols of Allah, therein you have much good. So mention the Name of Allah over them when they are drawn up in lines (for sacrifice). ﴿
It is to be tied then to be slaughtered…
﴾ Then, when they are down on their sides (after slaughter), ﴿
The animal will become calm after putting it down on its side…
﴾ Eat thereof, and feed the beggar who does not ask (men), and the beggar who asks (men). ﴿
The beggar who does not ask, and the beggar who begs for money should be fed.
﴾ Thus have We made them subject to you that you may be grateful. It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, ﴿
Allah does without our acts of worship, thus the flesh of the slaughtered animals is not for Him, but rather it is for the poor, and through this slaughtered animal, the believer draws close to Allah…
(( Abu Dharr quoted Allah's Messenger as saying among the things he transmitted from God who is blessed and exalted that He has said, "My servants, I have made oppression unlawful for myself and I have made it unlawful among you, so do not oppress one another. My servants, you are all straying except those whom I guide, but if you ask for my guidance I will guide you. My servants, you are all hungry except those whom I feed, but if you ask me for food I will feed you. My servants, you are all naked except those whom I have clothed, but if you ask me for clothing I will clothe you. My servants, you are all sinning night and day, but I forgive all sins, so if you ask me forgiveness I will forgive you. My servants, you will not be able to injure me and succeed in such a purpose, neither will you be able to benefit me and succeed in such a purpose. My servants, even if the first and last of you, men and jinn, were as pious as the one with the most pious heart among you, that would not cause any increase in my dominion. My servants, if the first and last of you, men and jinn, were as wicked as the man with the most wicked heart among you, that would not cause any diminution in my dominion. My servants, if the first and last of you, men and jinn, were to stand in one plain and make request of me and I were to give every man what he asked, that would make no more diminution of what I possess than a needle would when put into the sea. My servants, they are only your deeds which I put to your account and then pay you in full for them; so let him who experiences good praise Allah, and let him whose experience is different blame no one but himself." ))
[ Muslim, on the authority of Abi Dharr ]
Hence,
﴾ It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him. ﴿
Allah Almighty receives the good will of the worshiper with which the latter seeks closeness to Allah and with which he will rejoice an everlasting happiness.
﴾ Thus have We made them subject to you that you may magnify Allah for His Guidance to you. And give glad tidings (O Muhammad PBUH) to the Muhsinun (doers of good). ﴿
Uttering Allahu Akbar (Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha Illa Allah; Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahil Hamd) in Hajj means that you are guided to Allah, Exalted and Sublime be He.
﴾ Truly, Allah defends those who believe. Verily! Allah likes not any treacherous ingrate to Allah [those who disobey Allah but obey Shaitan (Satan)]. ﴿
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