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Friday Talks |
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54 |
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Friday Talks |
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54 |
Hajj - The story of building the Holy mosque Qaaba
Writtn by Sk.
Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
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Thanks be to Allah the Lord of the worlds, and peace and prayers be upon the most honourable of all messengers.
Hajj is that great ritual of our religion. Allah ruled upon his slaves to visit the ancient mosque once in a life time. When asked about what Islam was, the messenger (PPBU) said: {it is to testify that there is only one god, Allah. And the Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Do the prayers, give the charity, fast Ramadan, and if able then go for pilgrimage (Hajj) to the Mosque}. So this who denies the obligation of Hajj is no longer a believer. And this who accepts it but does or did not do it due to negligence or carelessness then he/she is at danger. Omar ebn-Al-Khattab said: “I was almost at the point to send men to the cities and towns to look into who has what is needed to go to Hajj and did not, and force them to pay the non-Muslim tax. For they are not Muslims, they are not Muslims.” And Ali eb-Abi-Talib said: “Do walk around this mosque (Tawaf) as much as you possibly can before obstacles prevent you from doing so”.
The ancient Mosque (referred to as Kaabah) in the city of Mekkah; is like the light house for monotheism or believing in one God. It was built by the leader of all the monotheists Abraham. He who was ordered by Allah to cleanse and purify his mosque off all bad acts, idols and images.
This ancient mosque has a strange story. Abraham peace be upon him (PBU) brought Hager and her son Ishmael to the site of the ancient Mosque. Hager was still breast feeding her son at that time. Abraham left them near a big tree just over Zamum spring beyond the location Mosque. At the time there were no people in Mekkah and no water. He left them there with some water and some dates and he departed. Hager followed him and repeatedly said: “O’Abraham, where do you go and leave us in this barren valley that has nothing in it”. And Abraham did not answer. Then she asked: “is it Allah that commanded you to do this?” And he answered “yes”. Then she said: “Then He Allah will take care of us.” Abraham left. And just before he lost the sight of the Mosque; and where they could no longer see him; he faced towards it he made the following supplication (duaa): {Our Lord, I have left my offspring in a barren valley with no plants at your Mosque, Lord, so they will do prayers, let souls of people descend to them, and give them fruits and mercies so they may be thankful}. Hager remained there. The water was consumed and the baby Ishmael was breast fed. Eventually all the water was gone and the situation was becoming desperate. As time went on, and with the lack of water, Hager was trying to see if there was anyone passing by at the distance. She went to the higher spots, the two hills: Safa and the Marwa, but she saw nobody. She went back and fore seven times. When she was at the Marwa she heard a sound. It was her baby kicking and pushing the ground with his heels; and the water started seeping out. That water continues to flow till today, and it is known as Zamzum. Hager drank and she breast fed son. An angel spoke at the location of zamzum and said: {have no fear of perishing, for this Mosque will be built by this child and his father.}
And it came to pass that Abraham and his son built the Mosque. Allah commanded Abraham to announce to people to come and make pilgrimage (Hajj) to it. Abraham, said “O’God, how could I announce to people when my voice does not get through to them”, Allah said: “you just make the call, and we shall deliver (or we shall broadcast it)”. Abraham stood at the spot now known to be “Abraham’s stance” or “the standing point”, and other version the story tells that he stood at the hill of Safa, and said: “O’ you people, your Lord has taken up a house or a Mosque, make pilgrimage (hajj) to it.” It was claimed that mountains humbled so the sound of that call could reach out every spot on earth. And all who heard that call did answer, stones, plants, and all those people; that Allah has decided will make pilgrimage at all times till the end of life. Lord, We hear and we obey (áÈíß Çááåã áÈíß).
The prophet (PPBU) encouraged doing Hajj. He outlined that it destroys bad deeds committed before it. The messenger (PPBU) said telling Omr ebn el-as (ÚãÑ ÅÈä ÇáÚÇÕ): {did you not know that Islam forgives all that was before it? And to immigrate to Allah, also gets all that was before it forgiven. And Hajj clears all that was before it.} Indeed, one who does hajj, and during hajj he/she do not argue nor do wrong then he/she will come back from hajj pure and clear of all sins, big and small.
The messenger (PPBU) also said: {Whoever does hajj and does not argue nor does wrong; then he/she will come back like the day he/she was born}. Meaning: with no sins. And he also said: {continue doing pilgrimage (or Hajj) and visit the ancient Mosque (or Amrah), for they eliminate being poor and they eliminate sins, just as the smelting of iron, gold and silver eliminates the impurities. And there is no other reward to a good Hajj except paradise.}
Every person who does hajj has a definite answered prayer. The messenger (PPBU) said: {This who fights in the name of Allah and the one who goes for Hajj (or pilgrimage), or goes for amrah (or a visit to the ancient mosque), are visitors to Allah, HeH called them and they answered, So they asked Him and He gave them. (or and they made a prayer and HE answered)}
The messenger (PPBU) said: {Three are given assurances or guarantees by Allah, one who goes out to Allah’s Mosques, and one who is fighting for the sake of Allah, and one who is out for pilgrimage (Hajj)}
The benefit of Hajj (pilgrimage) is that it cleanses sins. The messenger (PPBU) said: {if you leave your home intending the ancient Mosque, then for each step taken by your ride, Allah writes down a good point or a good deed, and wipes off a sin. And the day you stand at the mountain of Arafah (the peak moment in Hajj), Allah descends down to the nearest sky, and boasts off with the people doing Hajj to his angels and says: “Those are my slaves, they come to me tousled, and dusty from all deep distances in earth, they are hoping for my mercy and they fear my punishment, and they never saw me, imagine if they do see me. If you have as many sins as all the sand on the sea, or as many as there are days in this life, or as many drops of water coming from the skies, then Allah will wash it all off you. For when you throw the pebbles, I am saving the reward for you, and as you shave your hair, for you have a good point for each hair that drops, and as you walk round the Mosque, you will come out of your sins like the day you were born.}
The messenger (PPBU) encouraged Muslims and made many calls in order that they do Hajj. For the rewards and benefits would move a they heart of a static person, and enflame the hearts that seek forgiveness and mercy of Allah.
May Allah forgive all your sins. And thanks be to Allah.
Notes:
The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.
Adhan - The call to prayer.
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
Assalam Alaikum - The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God. Aya (or Ayah):
is a mountain outside the city of Mecca that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing Hajj must stay at this location on the same day. Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
Badr - The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph - A Muslim ruler. See: (Khalifa)
Dajjal - Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah - The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din) - Religion or way of life.
talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help. Duaa: a prayer in the form of
Fatwa - Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose: is the highest level of the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh - Religious law.
Hadeeth: is something reported that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave. It is usually narrated or told by one of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are reported and checked to be genuine. No more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar - The Black Stone set into the corner of the Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj - The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas: is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith - The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or Hejrah): the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12 months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah - Worship. All the words and deeds with which Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese): On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn Omar.
Imam (or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman: belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) - The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the Christians.
Islam - Submission, the religion of all the prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah - The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad: is striving in the line of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the fight one's self against temptations. It also means "holy war."
Jinn - Supernatural, invisible beings race of beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on Judgment Day.
Ka'aba: A cube shaped building in Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers. Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa: is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation: "Successor".
Khutbah - A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr - Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran - Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the Arabian peninsula (in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to immigrate to. Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid - A center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah - A sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah: is the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim house of worship.
Muhajir - (Muhajireen) Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median and Ethiopia.
Muhammad - the final messenger and prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim - One who holds faith to the religion of Islam.
Nafilah: a voluntary prayer other than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara - Christians. Nasrani: A Christian individual. Nasraniah: Christianity.
Ommah: is the Arabic word for a nation. It usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise - Another word for heaven. A garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels. All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU (P.B.U.H.) : Peace and Prayers Be Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar - Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr): The night when the first revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla - The direction which Muslims turn for daily prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish - An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat - Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa: A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk - Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam- Fasting
Sunni: is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah): Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought. Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes. It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all Muslims.
Surah - A chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf: part of the pilgrimage (Hajj) ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed - Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah - Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person to understand God.
Taurat: The old Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah - the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah): A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor - The Psalms
Zakat - The third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
Faheem Bukhatwa, my email
address is : faheemfb@gmail.com
