Posts By: Ali Hussain

The Final Days of Hajj – A Pilgrim’s Journey (Part 7)

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10th Dhul Hijjah – Yawmun-Nahr
The third day of Hajj is the 10th day, known in Arabic as Yawmun-Nahr (the day of sacrifice).
There are two opinions on the origin of this name:
1. The name refers to an incident when Allah commanded Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Isma’il. Sacrifice in Arabic is referred to as nahr. Some scholars believe the sacrifice took place on this day of the year.
2. The name refers to the actual practice of sacrificing animals commissioned by pilgrims on this day.
The 10th day—also known as Eidul-Adha—is the most blessed and virtuous day in the entire year. The Messenger of Allah sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “The best day with Allah is Yawmun-Nahr and then Yawmul-Qarr (the 11th day).” Recorded in Ahmad.
What do pilgrims do on the 10th day of Hajj?
In the early hours of Yawmun-Nahr, after Fajr, most pilgrims will begin their day at the plains of Muzdalifah. Once they complete the morning prayer they remain in Muzdalifah until close to sunrise. They then march to Mina.
On this day, pilgrims are obliged to perform four specific rites of Hajj; these four do not have to be performed in any specific order:
1. To stone the major pillar or jamarah aqabah with seven stones.
2. To offer a sacrificial animal whether by hand which is the most preferable method or by proxy. This rite is an obligation on those who perform the Hajj in the form of tamattu’ or qiran in which pilgrims perform both Umrah and Hajj, joined or separate. Anyone who performs Hajj as a single ritual without Umrah is not required to offer the sacrifice.
3. To perform tawaf and sa’i. The tawaf is known as tawaful-ifadah or tawafuz-ziyarah.
4. To shave the head or shorten the hair for men, and to clip a bit of the hair for women.
The pilgrim remains in a full state of ihram until these rites are fulfilled. He is in a partial state of ihram as long as the tawaf remains incomplete. Once the tawaf is complete, the pilgrim is permitted to leave the state of ihram.
Pilgrims then return to Mina to spend the night (or most of the night) in their camps.
 
11-13th Dhul Hijjah – Ayyamut-Tashriq
These are the final days of Hajj. They are called Ayyamut-Tashriq (the days of Tashriq).
Perhaps the strongest opinion on the origin of this name is that in the past pilgrims used to slice the meat they acquired from their sacrificial animals, season it with salt and then let it dry in the sun. The dehydration of the meat allowed pilgrims to preserve it from spoiling especially on long journeys. This process is called Tashriq and it preceded refrigeration.
The days of Tashriq are considered days of celebration and worship. It is recommended to enjoy these days by feasting. The Messenger of Allah said, “The days of Tashriq are days of eating and drinking.” Recorded in Muslim.
What do pilgrims do in these last few days?
1. Pilgrims are required to spend most of the night, preferably the entire night and day, in Mina.
2. Pilgrims recite the takbir (Allahu Akbar) until the end of the Ḥajj rite. It is recommended for pilgrims and others to end the Hajj with the remembrance of Allah.In fact, concluding acts of worship with Allah’s remembrance is a common practice, “And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or (lying) on your sides [4: 103],” and “And when the prayer has concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often that you may succeed [62: 10],” and “And when you have completed your rites, remember Allah like your (previous) remembrance of your fathers or with much greater remembrance [2: 200].”
3. The most important practice during these days is throwing stones at the jamarat site (stoning site).The timing of this rite is critical. The standard opinion is that it should be completed after zawal or when the time of zuhr is already in until right before sunset.
After completing the throwing at a station/pillar, pilgrims stand on the side, away from the traffic, facing Makkah and raise their hands with du’a and praise. They then then move on to the next station. There is no du’a at the last station (major). Thereafter, they return to Mina.
4. The fifth …

Prohibitions of Ihram

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There are particular actions that are forbidden as long as one is in the state of ihram. They are designated by Muslim scholars as “Prohibitions of Ihram.”
Prohibitions for both men and women
1.   Removing hair of the head by means of shaving or other deliberate means. Allah said, “And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached its place of slaughter” [2:196]. The majority of scholars extended the prohibition to other body hair. As such, pilgrims are forbidden to intentionally remove any hair while in the state of ihram, and they are required to pay fidyah (ransom) should they do so.
If the hair fell by itself, the pilgrim is not accountable for that. It is permissible to remove the hair if the pilgrim is physically harmed by its presence, and in this case a fidyah is obligatory, as Allah says, “And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head [making shaving necessary must offer] a ransom of fasting [three days] or charity or sacrifice” [2:196].
2.   Clipping nails is forbidden by analogy with the prohibition of hair removal. In this regard, Ibn Qudamah said, “There is consensus among scholars that pilgrims who are in the state of ihram are forbidden to clip their nails.” The prohibition is applicable to fingernails and toenails alike. However, if a nail broke and causes harm, the pilgrim is permitted to clip the annoying part and is not required to pay a fidyah for it.
3.   Applying perfume to the clothes or the body. The Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam  said about a pilgrim who is in the state of ihram, “He must not wear a garment to which either curcuma or saffron was applied.” Likewise, the Prophet said about a pilgrim who died due to a kick from his riding camel while he was in the state of ihram, “Do not apply perfume to him nor cover his head.” Reported by Al-Bukhari.
What is meant here is applying perfume after entering the state of ihram, but traces of perfume which a pilgrim has applied before he entered ihram and they remained on his body are not prohibited, for ‘A’ishah is reported to have said, “I would see the glistening of musk (in the parting of the head) of the Messenger of Allah while he was in the state of ihram.” Reported Al-Bukhari.
4.   Concluding marital contracts. The Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam  said, “A pilgrim in the state of ihram shall neither get married, nor marry off, nor get engaged.” Reported by Muslim.
This means that a pilgrim in the state of ihram is not permitted to marry, or to conclude a marital contract for someone else, or to make a marriage proposal until his ihram is over.
5.   Sexual intercourse and caressing, kissing, or touching that is motivated by lust. Allah said, “There is to be no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj” [2:197].
In this context, sexual relations include foreplay like hugging, kissing, touching, and the like. Consequently, a pilgrim who is in the state of ihram is not permitted to kiss his wife or touch her out of sexual desire. Sexual intercourse is the major prohibition and the one that affects ihram the most, for it is the only prohibition that invalidates the Hajj.
6.   Killing lawful-to-eat land game. Allah said, “But forbidden to you is game from the land as long as you are in the state of ihram” [5:96]. Pilgrims in the state of ihram are not permitted to either catch lawful-to-eat game animals such as gazelles, rabbits, and the like, or kill them, or help anyone to kill them by guiding them to that effect, or pointing to the animals, or handing them (a lethal weapon), or the like. Also, pilgrims in the state of ihram are not permitted to eat game that is caught especially for them by other people who are not in the state of ihram. If the animal was not caught especially for them, then they are permitted to consume it.
 
Prohibitions specific to men
1.   Wearing form-fitting clothes. The Prophet was asked about the clothes to be worn by people in the state of ihram, he said, “They shall not wear qamis (a loose shirt), turbans, hooded cloaks, trousers, leather socks, or clothes that were scented by curcuma or saffron.” …

A Real Heaven on Earth?

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The Rawdah is located inside Al-Masjid An-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque). The area is distinguished with marble columns and designs very different from the rest of the mosque.
The Prophet said, “Between my house and my pulpit is one of the gardens of Paradise.” Reported by Al-Bukhari.
Scholars interpreted this hadith in three ways:
1.The narration could mean that the Rawdah is similar to the gardens of Paradise in the sense that the person who performs worship there attains happiness and joy, and a mercy from Allah descends on him.
2. The narration could mean that performing acts of worship in the Rawdah is a path to Paradise.
3. The narration could mean that the Rawdah is an actual part of Paradise that would be transferred to Paradise on the Day of Judgement.
The area of the Rawdah encompasses many historical sites; it includes the Prophet’s room in which lies the grave of the Prophet salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam along with the graves of his companions Abu Bakr and Umar. It also includes the mihrab of the Prophet that is located in the middle of its southern wall, and the pulpit of the Prophet.

The 1st and 2nd Days of Hajj – A Pilgrim’s Journey (Part 6)

Posted by & filed under Hajj, Hunafaa Exclusive, Purification, Umrah, Uncategorized.

PART 6

8th Dhul Hijjah – Yawm-ut-Tarwiyah
The first day of Hajj is the 8th day of Dhul-Hijjah, known in Arabic as Yawmut-Tarwiyah (the day of fetching water and quenching thirst).
It is known as Yawm-ut-Tarwiyah because in the past there was no source of water on the actual plains of Arafah and Mina. The plains for the most part are wide, open valleys—dry and barren.
Because of the scarcity of water in the area, the pilgrims were instructed to prepare for the long days ahead by feeding and supplying their animals and riding beasts with sufficient water. The pilgrims would also gather water for themselves and fill their water containers. It is for this reason the day was given the name Yawmut-Tarwiyah (the day of fetching water and quenching thirst).
Yawmut-Tarwiyah is a preparation for the days to follow and in particular the 9th day—the anticipated day on which The King of the worlds descends. The pilgrim looks forward to this meeting; he is eager to meet Allah and is rewarded with the like, “Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah will love to meet him. Whoever dislikes to meet Allah, Allah will dislike to meet him.” Reported by Al-Bukhari.
What do pilgrims do on the 1st day of Hajj?
1. Regardless of their location—whether they are in a hotel, in Mina or in Makkah—the hujjaj (pilgrims) prepare themselves to enter the state of ihram: clipping their fingernails, trimming their moustaches, shaving their underarms and pubic areas and taking a thorough shower. Men put on perfume and wear the two white garments, and women may wear their regular clothes.
2. When the pilgrims are ready to travel to Mina, they pronounce the talbiyah of Hajj and enter ihram, “Labbayk Allahumma Hajj,” which epitomizes the purpose of this journey, “Here I am O Allah, for the Hajj.”
3. In Mina, the pilgrims generally remain there for the entire day and night until after Fajr the next day.
 
9th Dhul Hijjah – Yawmul-Arafah
The second day of Hajj is the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, known in Arabic as Yawmul-Arafah (the day of Arafah).
There are different opinions as to why this day was called Arafah or Arafat. Three are as follows:
1. The root letters of Arafah linguistically mean ‘to be acquainted with, to know.’ It is said that Arafah was the place where Adam and Eve reunited when they were sent down to reside on earth. They came down on two different spots but eventually were able to meet and recognize each other on this plain.
2. Since pilgrims spend most of that day on the same plain, some become acquainted with others. So it is a place of ta’aruf (getting to know one another), and because of the great number of people making ta’aruf the word Arafat was coined.
3. It is the place where pilgrims acquaint themselves with their King and Master. They raise their hands beseeching Him, asking for their needs and wants. They empty their hearts to Him, speaking of every fear and regret, seeking His forgiveness and counsel, asking for His grace and favour.
The Day of Arafah is certainly a tremendous day; a blessed day chosen by Allah; an immense gathering of goodness, iman, and taqwa. A day wherein the King draws close to His faithful subjects; He speaks of them with happiness and satisfaction—rather He boasts of them. A day when many tears are shed and prayers pour forth in succession, one after the next; an abundance of mercy descends, and mistakes and errors are pardoned. It is a grand occasion of worship and obedience, of joy and happiness for both the King and His honoured slaves and visitors.
The day of Arafah is a special day. A blessed day. A day of hope and renewal. The sun has not risen on a day better than it!
On this promising and sacred day, Allah frees many from the Hellfire; purifying them and breaking the shackles that once bound them. He then generously gives His believing slaves from His immense kingdom and speaks proudly of them to an audience(angels) who have especially gathered to witness their every statement and action, “There is no day on which Allah frees more servants from the Fire than the Arafah Day. He draws near and speaks of them proudly in …

Umrah to The King – A Pilgrim’s Journey (Part 5)

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Umrah is composed of four rites, namely: ihram, tawaf, sa’i between Al-Safa and Al-Marwa, and shaving the head or cutting the hair. These actions are also stipulated in Hajj.
Ihram & Miqat
Ihram is a spiritual state of worship. It is composed of two parts: (1) a specific dress code like the two white garments for men, and (2) a number of restrictions such as applying perfumes, cutting nails and physical intimacy between spouses.
The ihram can only begin after entering specific locations, which are known as miqat.
Once at the miqat, the pilgrim must enter ihram. He does so by changing his clothes and doing ghusl (a full-body-wash). Then the male pilgrim applies perfume to his head and beard.
Thereafter, the pilgrim puts on the ihram garments, faces the qiblah (direction of prayer) and enters the state of ihram by uttering the talbiyah of intention. In the case of Umrah, he says: Labbayk Allahumma bil-Umrah (Here I am, O Allah, for Umrah).
Two implications of the ihram and miqat on the pilgrim are:
1. An awareness of the boundaries set by Allah, The Master and King
After entering the miqat boundary and entering ihram some actions are forbidden, which otherwise would be permissible.
Some people may consider the prohibitions of ihram insignificant like not clipping nails, not cutting hair and not covering the head, however the consequence (of violating them) is huge, which is typically compensated for by offering a sacrificial animal.
Thus the ihram and miqat create awe and caution of the “lesser or smaller” sinful actions, and not just the major ones. The Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “Beware of lesser sins, (the analogy is) like a people who camped in the bottom of a valley, and one man brought a stick, another man brought a second stick, and so on, until they managed to (ignite a fire and) bake their bread. There are sins (i.e. lesser/smaller sins) which, once (they accumulate) and a person is questioned about them, they lead to his doom.” Reported by Ahmad.
2. Entering the kingdom of Allah in submission
No pilgrim enters the Sacred Kingdom and House of Allah except in a state of istislam (surrendering and submitting to His Commands). The miqat and ihram epitomize this state. The miqat, for example, required the pilgrim to spend his wealth, leave the security and comfort of his family and home, give up his eating and living habits—and despite its many difficulties he surrendered to his King and Lord. And similarly, the ihram required the pilgrim to change his appearance and withhold from his urges—and again he obeyed in submission to Allah.
The pilgrim therefore acknowledges the Authority, Kingship and Majesty of Allah, and he understands that he is nought but a humbled guest in the Dominion of The King.
Talbiyah
When saying the talbiyah, it is important that the pilgrim understands it and says it sincerely from his heart. This is because the talbiyah embodies the shahadah (testimony of faith) about which the Prophet said, “Whoever says La ilaha illallah sincerely from his heart will enter Paradise.” Reported by Muslim.
Men raise their voices when saying it and women recite it in such a manner that only those who are close to them can hear it.
During the pilgrimage, the muhrim (person in ihram) says the talbiyah a great deal, especially when circumstances and times change, such as when going up to a high place or going down to a low place, or when night or day begin.
The talbiyah is prescribed in Umrah from the moment one enters ihram until one engages in the next rite, which in this case is the tawaf. When he starts tawaf, he stops saying the talbiyah, and then resumes its chanting after completing the rite. He goes on in this state until he begins the next rite. Like this, he continues until the end of the pilgrimage.
Tawaf
After entering miqat & ihram, the pilgrim heads for Al-Masjid Al-Haram and enters the mosque with his right foot first, saying the invocation for entering the masjid. He then moves in the direction of the Black Stone in order to begin tawaf while in a state of wudu (ritual ablution). He starts the tawaf by touching the Black Stone with his right hand and kissing it; if he cannot kiss it then he touches it with his hand and kisses that hand; if he cannot …

What you need to know about shifting packages

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

Some Hajj operators prefer to retain their accommodation close to the Two Mosques for the entirety of the Hajj tour. This is a non-Aziziyah package (also known as non-shifting).
Many other Hajj operators prefer to retain their accommodation close to the Two Mosques for most of the Hajj tour, but only move to a third location during the Hajj days. The third location is usually Aziziyah (a suburb in Makkah). This is an Aziziyah package (also known as shifting).
An Azizyah package proves advantageous for most pilgrims for the following reasons:
1. Reduced Hajj costs for pilgrims. The prices of hotels close to the Two Mosques during the Hajj days—and immediately before and after it—increase significantly. Subsequently, a package that includes a third location (e.g. Aziziyah) during that overly expensive period means cheaper and more affordable packages for pilgrims.
2. Residence in Mina during Hajj days (8th – 13th Dhul Hijjah) means paid but unused residency. Every pilgrim is required to reside in Mina for 5 or 6 days. That means pilgrims on a non-Azizyah or non-shifting package during that period will be paying higher rates for hotels whilst not being able to stay there overnight. Therefore, for many pilgrims, it makes sense to pay less for unused hotel residency by choosing an Aziziyah package.
3. Access to Aziziyah hotels and extra facilities during Hajj days. Pilgrims on an Aziziyah package will typically have access to their Aziziyah hotels during their stay at Mina. As the facilities in Mina are very basic, and sometimes crowded, the Aziziyah hotels are an alternative that pilgrims will have access to at any time.
However, it is important to keep in mind that the stay in Mina is part of the Hajj rites; the accessible Aziziyah accommodation that Hajj operators like Hunafaa Travel provide is to alleviate some of the pressure that pilgrims face and provide facilities for refreshment and modest comfort.
4. An opportunity to prepare for the Hajj days. Many pilgrims prefer to break away from the exhaustion and busyness of Makkah just before the Hajj days in order to prepare mentally and physically for the imminent marathon-like Hajj rites that awaits them in a couple of days. As Aziziyah is calm and quiet, especially when compared to the Haram vicinity in Makkah, pilgrims utilize this time by attending Hajj workshops and training sessions organised by their Hajj operators.
5. Transport is available for visits to Al-Masjid Al-Haram. As the Makkah Grand Mosque is roughly 3 miles away, pilgrims eager to visit the Mosque can a take short trip via available taxis and shuttle services.
More on Aziziyah (recommended viewing)
– Hajj pilgrims talk about their experience of staying at Aziziyah
– What is Aziziyah?