The Greatest Objective of Hajj - II

Jaabir  narrated that, “When the Prophet  assumed Ihraam (ritual consecration for Hajj), he pronounced the Talbiyyah that confirms the Oneness of Allaah (saying): 'Labbayka Allaahumma labbayk; labbayk la shareeka laka labbayk; inna al-Hamda wa-n-i‘mata laka wal-mulk; la shareeka lak (Here I am at Your service, O Allaah! You have no partner. Here I am at Your service, O Allaah. Indeed, all the praise, grace and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.)'” By doing so, the Prophet  abolished what the polytheists would do during the days of Jaahiliyyah. They would associate a partner with Allaah saying, “You have no partners except a partner whom You own and whatever he owns.” Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And most of them believe not in Allaah except while they associate others with Him.} [Quran 12:106]

The Prophet  nullified this foul practice of Jaahiliyyah and said upon intending Hajj: “O Allaah, I intend to perform Hajj free from ostentation and seeking fame.” [Ibn Maajah] He intended to make Hajj free from ostentation and free from seeking fame or privileges as the people of Quraysh in the pre-Islamic era would have distinct privileges over all other Arabs therein.

According to the Hadeeth of Jaabir  when the Prophet  wanted to make Tawaaf, “He first mounted (Mount) As-Safa until he saw the House, and facing the Qiblah (prayer direction), he declared the Oneness of Allaah and glorified Him, and said: 'Laa ilaaha illa Allaahu wahdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu, wa huwa ‘alaa qulli shay’in qadeer. Laa ilaaha illa Allaahu wahdahu, anjaza wa‘dahu, wa nasara ‘abdahu, wa hazamal ahzaaba wahdahu (None is truly worthy of worship but Allaah alone, who has no partner. To Him belongs the dominion, to Him belongs all praise, and He has power over everything. He fulfilled His promise, gave victory to His servant, and defeated the confederates Alone.)'” [Al-Bukhaari]

The Prophet  declared and confirmed Tawheed because there were symbols of polytheism in these places. Allaah The Almighty revealed (what means): {Indeed, As-Safa and Al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allaah. So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs ‘Umrah - there is no blame upon him for walking between them.} [Quran 2:158] ‘Urwah  asked his maternal aunt ‘Aa’ishah  “There is no blame upon a person for not walking between them (as if he understood from this verse that there is no blame if one does not perform Tawaaf between Safa and Marwah).” ‘Aa’ishah  said, “O my nephew, it is not that! The Ansaar (Madeenan helpers) would intend Tawaaf for an idol called Manaat which they used to glorify (before they embraced Islam), so when they were about to perform Tawaaf with the Messenger of Allaah  they were embarrassed lest they would be glorifying what they used to glorify before Islam. Therefore, Allaah The Almighty lifted the blame and the Prophet  declared that their Tawaaf and Sa‘y were for the sake of Allaah alone and a nullification of all aspects of polytheism and attachment to other than Allaah. Hence, the Prophet  said: 'Indeed, Tawaaf around the House and (Sa‘y) between As-Safa and Al-Marwah and casting the pebbles were all established for the remembrance of Allaah The Almighty.'”

These are apparent matters that are done jointly by the heart, tongue and acts of all other bodily organs. Takbeer (saying, 'Allaahu akbar') is evident in Hajj because the Prophet  said so and did so often. Upon casting the pebbles, he would say: “Bismillaah wa Allaahu akbar (In the Name of Allaah, and Allaah is the Greatest).” He would pronounce Takbeer upon slaughtering the sacrificial animal saying: “Bismillaah wa Allaahu Akbar. Allaahumma hatha minka wa ilayak (In the name of Allaah, and Allaah is the Greatest. O Allaah, this is from You (Your bounty) and for Your sake.)” Also, it is a well-known Sunnah to declare Takbeer during ‘Eed and the Days of Tashreeq (the three days that follow 'Eed).

The Prophet  very obviously did not follow the way of the polytheists. His actions were a proclamation that establishing Tawheedis the sought way of life, the essence of Islam and the salvation of Muslims in this worldly life and in the Hereafter.

To be continued …