The Greatest Objective of Hajj - III

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The Prophet  wanted to implant and establish this principle. At that time the polytheists and those new to Islam were keen to closely watch and follow the acts of the Prophet . When the Prophet  proceeded to Mount ‘Arafah, they wanted him to stay where the tribe of Qurayshwould do as he descended from the noblest family of Quraysh. However, he moved on and stayed in another place where a tent was pitched for him at Namirah. People of Quraysh used to proceed from ‘Arafah before sunset; but the Prophet  refused to proceed until the sun had set. The Prophet  would state and stipulate his own guidance and Sunnah in every ritual of Hajj. He  said: “Learn your Hajj rituals from me.” His guidance clearly opposed the way of Jaahiliyyah. For example, he speeded up his pace at Waadi Muhassir and ordered others to do so as well because it was a place where disobedience to Allaah was once committed and where collective punishment struck the disobeyers. The Prophet  emphasized this in many places and situations, and even when he offered twoRak‘ahs (units of prayer) at Al-Maqaam (the Station of Ibraaheem), he recited Chapter Al-Kaafiroon and Chapter Al-Ikhlaas in the first and the second Rak‘ah after Chapter Al-Faatihah respectively. He chose those two chapters in particular because the first clearly affirms Tawheed and the second affirms disassociation from the disbelievers.

Hence, our faith and Tawheed must be purely for Allaah in compliance with the guidance and Sunnah of the Prophet ; we must not accept or approve of anything that contradicts this. A violation of Tawheed is not necessarily committed by worshipping entities, but rather, by any inclination of the heart to other than Allaah. Tawheed is not necessarily achieved by prostrating and submitting, but, rather, with every action that we perform to draw closer to Allaah. Many are the attachments of the heart and the perceptions of the mind that are not based on Tawheed and not connected with the remembrance of Allaah. The remembrance of Allaah is the motto of Hajj in every motion and every rite, not only for the individual but for all those large crowds; not spoken in secret, but rather in an explicit declaration. It is a motto that links the Ummah of Islam to Allaah. Thus, it fears none but Allaah, hopes in none but Allaah, relies on none but Allaah, returns to none but Allaah and seeks none but Allaah The Almighty. It worships Him alone, following the steps of the Messenger of Allaah .

In this light, we recognize the significance of the command to mention Allaah’s name in Hajj. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allaah on known days.} [Quran 22:28] Allaah The Almighty orders us to mention His name on known days. Indeed, the purpose of all the rituals and rites of Hajj is to mention the name of Allaah and glorify Him.

The Prophet  very evidently stressed this great meaning in the Khutbah (sermon) of the Farewell Hajj as well as all his otherKhutbahs. He said:

Everything pertaining to Jaahiliyyah is under my feet, completely abolished. Abolished also are the blood-revenges of Jaahiliyyah. The first claim of ours on blood-revenge which I abolish is that of the son of Rabee‘ah Ibn Al-Haarith. The Ribaa (usury/interest) of Jaahiliyyah is (also) abolished, and the first of our Ribaa I abolish is that of Al-‘Abbaas Ibn ‘Abdul-Muttalib, for it is all abolished. Fear Allaah concerning women! Indeed, you have taken them under Allaah’s trust, and intercourse with them has been made lawful to you by the words of Allaah.” 

 

 

 

He ascertained in public before an audience made up of his great companions and all the pilgrims who came to perform Hajj with them from every distance that every act of Jaahiliyyah that contradicts Islamic teachings was under his feet. He settled this rule starting with his own family to confirm that faith does not recognize courtesies, and to emphasize that the way of Islam is clear and totally opposite to the deviant practices of Jaahiliyyah. Islam does not adopt rulings from here or there, and when it approves the guidance of Ibraaheem  it is simply because Ibraaheem is the father of Islam and Muslims and the leader of the upright religion. This is confirmed in the crystal clear words of the Prophet : “Allaah has removed from you haughtiness and boasting (over one another) because of ancestry that prevailed during the pre-Islamic days: (the people are divided into) pious believers and wretched disbelievers. All people belong to ‘Aadam  and ‘Aadam was created from dust.” [Abu Daawood & At-Tirmithi: Hasan (Sound)]

The Prophet  did not only abolish all the acts and deeds relevant to polytheism and customs, but he also abolished racism and boasting over one another because all people are equal slaves before Allaah. This great meaning was expressed by the best and noblest human when he said: “I am among you the one who worships Allaah the most and the most fearing of Him among you.” The great honor of the Prophet  lies in his servitude to Allaah. By servitude to Allaah, the Prophet  reached the most sublime and highest rank in the night of Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi‘raaj (The Prophet's night journey to Al-Aqsa mosque and ascent to the upper heavens). This rank was not reached by any other sent prophet or close angel.
Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from Al-Masjid Al-Haraam [in Makkah] to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.} [Quran 17:1] Allaah The Almighty referred to the Prophet  in this verse as His servant and not His prophet or His Messenger because the greatest honor of the Prophet  is that he was the most worshipping servant of Allaah there was. We can see him in the Hadeeth of Jaabir  while he was beseeching and supplicating to Allaah, humbly prostrating to him, casting the pebbles while declaring the glorification of Allaah, making Tawaaf around the Ka‘bah, glorifying Allaah and walking fast between Mounts As-Safa and Al-Marwah. He is the slave and Messenger of Allaah who represented the ultimate Tawheed that annuls anything else. When he was asked about the supplication of Day of ‘Arafah, he answered: “The best words that I and the prophets before me said are: ‘Laa ilaaha illa Allaahu wadahu la shareeka lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu, yuhyee wa yumeet wa huwa ‘ala qulli shay’in qadeer.’ (None is truly worthy of worship but Allaah alone, who has no partner. To Him belongs the dominion, to Him belongs all praise, He gives life and causes death and He has power over everything.)” Such Tawheed that abolishes every aspect of Jaahilliyah is a great matter and the main goal of Hajj. It is the foremost and greatest goal of the Islamic Sharee‘ah that is manifested in this ritual. It should be noted that this is a radical comprehensive change, not a superficial partial one. It starts with the first throb of the heart towards the intention of performing Hajj. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And [due] to Allaah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way.} [Quran 3:97] In this verse the dedication of this worship solely to Allaah is clear by starting the sentence with "And [due] to Allaah." Hence, the intention must be for Allaah alone from the first move or thought about performingHajj. Hearts full of hoping for Allaah, worshipping Him alone and devotion to Him; tongues repeat Talbiyah and Takbeer and feet walk in the places where Allaah commands His slaves to go.

To be continued …