🔗 Read part two of the three part series ‘Noble Goals of Hajj’ – Part 2
Sixth goal: To Witness Things that are of Benefit to Them
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat al-Hajj (22:27-28):
“And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform 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 Allaah 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: Bismillaah, wa Allaahu-Akbar, Allaahumma Minka wa Ilaik). Then eat thereof and feed therewith the poor who have a very hard time.”
The benefits of Hajj are numerous and uncountable. Similarly, one cannot enumerate its lessons and admonitions. Allaah (Ta’ala) mentioned the word ‘benefits’ in indefinite form to signify its abundance and diversity (variety). Witnessing the benefits of Hajj is something intended, because the letter Laam in the word “Li-Yash-Hadu” (witness) signifies reason and is linked with the Command in verse 27. Accordingly, the meaning is as follows:
“Proclaim to people the Hajj, they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every distant place – that they may witness (i.e. attend) benefits for themselves.”
Everyone whom Allaah guided to this act of worship should be keen to attain its benefits and take heed of its lessons as well as be eager to attain the great rewards of Hajj and forgiveness of sins.
Seventh goal: A Reminder of the State of the Prophets
Hajj is full of situations and great rituals which remind the believers of the Prophets of Allaah. Many of Allaah’s Messengers and Prophets walked in this blessed land, which Allaah has honored His slaves to walk in from one place and ritual to another. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Seventy Prophets offered prayer in Masjid Al-Khaif.” [Reported by Al-Haakim and At-Tabaraani; Authenticated and graded Hasan by Al-Albaani in Tahdheer as-Saajid]
One should feel this and deepen his relationship with the Prophets of Allaah in his heart, and follow their footsteps and Manhaj. Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat al-An’aam [6:90]:
أولئك الذين هدى الله فبهداهم اقتده
“They are those whom Allaah had guided. So follow their guidance.”
This great reminder is present in every act of Hajj:
1/When one comes to the House of Allaah, he remembers Ibraheem [Abraham (‘Alayhis-salaam)] who built this House with his son Isma’eel (‘Alayhis-salaam), as Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat al-Baqarah (2:127):
“And (remember) when Ibraheem (Abraham) and (his son) Isma’eel (Ishmael) were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka’bah at Makkah), (saying), “Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.”
2/When one finishes performing Tawaaf, he prays two voluntary prayers behind the Maqam Ibraheem. Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat al-Baqarah (2:125):
واتخذوا من مقام ابراهيم مصلى
“And take you (people) the Maqam (place) of Ibraheem (Abraham) [or the stone on which Ibraheem (Abraham) stood while he was building the Ka’bah] as a place of prayer (for some of your prayers, e.g. two Rak’at after the Tawaaf of the Ka’bah at Makkah.”
3/When one drinks Zamzam water and walks between Safa and Marwah, he is reminded of the story of Hajar, the believing truthful woman, who put her trust in Allaah when Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) brought her to this land and left her and her baby alone in a valley with no plants. She said: “Did Allaah command you to put me in a land in which there is no plant, no one to talk to, no provision, and no water?” He said: “My Lord commanded me.” She replied: “Then He will not leave us.” [Reported by Ibn Jarir in his Tafseer on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma)]
She remained there alone, and when she became thirsty and feared death for her son, she ascended the Mountain of Safa looking for water. Then she ran to Marwah in search of water, then back to Safa. She walked hastily until Allaah gave permission for Zamzam water to gush forth, and it has remained to be a blessed water since that time. In a narration reported by Muslim, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “It is blessed (water) and it also serves as a food.” [Muslim no. 2473]
Abu Dawud added in his Musnad: “It is a healing for sicknesses.”
🔖Jabir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The water of Zamzam is for whatever it is drunk for.” [Ibn Maajah; and authenticated by Al-Albaani in Al-Irwaa’]
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) poured Zamzam water on his head and carried some of it with him. There is no water on the surface of the earth that is more blessed or beneficial than it. The Sa’y between Safa and Marwah then became one of the rites of Allaah and a great act of obedience; following the footsteps of this believing, righteous woman, – so that even the Prophets of Allaah went for Sa’y in this place as Hajar did until Allaah made it easy for her to get water.
4/When one goes to ‘Arafat, he remembers what the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) told his Companions: “Stay with your (Hajj) rites, for indeed you are following a legacy left by Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam).” [Authenticated by Al-Albaani in Saheeh At-Tirmidhi, no. 883]. The Prophets did not leave behind any dinar or dirham as inheritance; they left behind the Religion of Allaah.
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The best of supplications is the supplication of the Day of ‘Arafah. And the best of what I and the Prophets before me have said is:
لا إله إلا الله، وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل شئ قدير.
‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah alone, without partners, to Him belongs all that exists, and to Him belongs the praise, and He is Powerful over all things.’” [Authenticated by Al-Albaani in As-Silsilah as-Saheeha, no. 1503]
5/ When one throws the pebbles, he is reminded of the origin of the practice. Ibn ‘Abbaas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) narrated: “When Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam), the Khalil of Allaah, intended to perform the rites of Hajj, Shaytaan blocked his way at the Jamarah of Al-‘Aqabah, so Ibraheem threw seven pebbles at him, whereupon he (Shaytaan) sunk into the ground. Shaytaan appeared to him again at the second Jamarah and he (Ibraheem) threw seven pebbles at him, whereupon he (Shaytaan) sunk into the ground. Then the Shaytaan appeared to him at the third Jamarah and he (Ibraheem) threw seven pebbles at him, whereupon he sunk to the ground.” [Authenticated by Al-Albaani in Saheeh At-Targheeb, no. 1156]
Ibn ‘Abbaas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) added: “You throw pebbles at the Shaytaan, and (in doing so) you follow the path of your father Ibraheem.” It therefore became a great rite of Hajj which the believer performs to establish the Dhikr of Allaah.
6/ In the slaughtering of the sacrificial animal, is the amazing story in which Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam) saw a dream that he should slaughter his son Isma’eel (‘Alayhis-salaam). He consulted him regarding the dream, as mentioned in Surat as-Saaffaat (37:102-103):
قال يا أبت افعل ما تؤمر ستجدني إن شاء الله من الصابرين
“He said: ‘O my father! Do that which you are commanded, Insha’ Allaah (if Allaah wills), you shall find me of As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.).’”
“Then, when they had both submitted themselves (to the Will of Allaah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for slaughtering);”
He (Ibraheem (‘Alayhis-salaam)) laid his son prostrate on his forehead, and put the knife on his neck, as submission of both of them to the Command of Allaah, so Allaah ransomed him with a great sacrifice (the ram).
All these deeds remind one of the Prophets. The pilgrim comes out of his Hajj with a goodly remembrance of the best, chosen creation of Allaah; the Prophets of Allaah and His Messengers, following their footsteps and adhering to their methodology. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Both in this world and in the Hereafter, I am the nearest of all the people to ‘Eesa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary). The Prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one (i.e. Islamic Monotheism).” [Al-Bukhaari]
This means that their ‘Aqeedah is one and their laws are different, so the slave should take care of this correct ‘Aqeedah and pure Tawheed, which is the way of all the Prophets and the basis of the call of the Messengers.
Eighth goal: Intensifying/ Deepening one’s following of the Messenger of Allaah Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)
The pilgrim should be keen to perform every deed in accordance to the Sunnah of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in his Hajj. Many pilgrims ask the scholars if certain actions they performed were correct or if it were not in conformity with the Sunnah. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Learn your rituals (by seeing me perform them), for I do not know whether I will be performing Hajj after this Hajj of mine.” [Muslim, no. 1297]
The pilgrim is therefore keen to carry out the Commands in the best way, and avoid committing the prohibitions. Reflect on the statement of ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) when he kissed the Black Stone: “No doubt, I know that you are a stone and can neither harm (anyone) nor benefit. Had I not seen Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) kissing you, I would not have kissed you.” [Al-Bukhaari]
🔖 Ya’laa ibn Umayyah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “I circumambulated (the Ka’bah) with ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu), so he touched the corner (in which is the Black Stone) and I reached the western corner which is after the Black Stone. When I pulled his hand to touch and hold it, he [‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu)] said: “What is the matter with you?” I said: “Don’t you touch the corner?” He said: “Did you not make Tawaaf with Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)?” I said: “Yes.” He said: “Did you see him holding these two western corners?” I said: “No.” He said: “Is not he a sufficient good example for you?” I said: “Yes.” He said: “(Then follow him and) leave what you wanted to do.” [Musnad Imaam Ahmad]. This means that we do not perform any deed save for that which is in accordance to the Sunnah of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).
Just as the pilgrim is keen to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in his Hajj, he should be keen to adhere to the Sunnah of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) throughout his life, so that all his acts of worship are in accordance to the Sunnah of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and the Law of Allaah. So he follows the Sunnah in his Salaat and fasting, and in every act of worship; thereby seeking nearness to Allaah, and avoidance of and wariness of following desires and innovation. It is in this way that one of the benefits of Hajj will be adhering to the way of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), following his correct Manhaj, and avoiding all kinds of Bid’ah (innovation).
📚 Source: Maqaasid Al-Hajj (Goals of Hajj) by Shaikh ‘Abdur-Razzaq al-Badr
🔗 Read part one of the three part series ‘Noble Goals of Hajj’ – Part 1
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