Importance of Hajj:

The word Hajj, linguistically, means heading to a place for the

sake of visiting; in Islamic terminology, it implies

heading to Makkah to observe the rituals of pilgrimage.

It is the fifth pillar of Islam. It was made obligatory in 9

AH/631AD.It is performed in the month of Zil-Hajj, 12th
month of Islamic Calendar.

Hajj is obligated by Allah upon every adult Muslim, male

and female, if one can afford it physically, financially

and safely.

It is obligatory only once during the lifetime of a Muslim. Allah

Almighty says, "And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah)

to the House (Ka'bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah,

those who can afford the journey (expenses for one's

conveyance, provision and residence)." [Quran 3:97]

The Prophet[pbuh] said: "Islam is built upon five (pillars): the

testimony that none has the right to be worshipped

except Allaah and Muhammad[s.a.w] is the Messenger of

Allaah, the establishment of the prayer, paying Zakat, Hajj
to

the House (i.e. Ka'bah,) and fasting in Ramadhan.”

[Muslim]

Hajj is not a new institution introduced by Islam; rather it is as

old as the Ka'bah itself. Allah Almighty Says (what

means): "Indeed, the first House [of worship] established

for mankind was that at Bakkah [i.e., Makkah] -

blessed and guidance to the worlds." [Quran 3:96]

Spiritual Benefits

1. Hajj is rightly said to be the perfection of faith, since it

combines in itself all the distinctive qualities of other
obligatory acts of prayer, patience, deprivation of facilities
of life, devotion, Zakat (alms), slaughtering the

sacrifice and supplication.

2. It is one of the best deeds: H.Abu Hurayrah reported that

the Prophet was once asked: "What is the

best deed?" He replied: "To believe in Allah and His

Messenger." The enquirer then asked: "What next?" The

Prophet replied: "To fight in the cause of Allaah." He again

asked: "What is the next best thing?" He replied: "Hajj
'Mabroor'
(i.e., the Hajj that is free of sin and all its pillars and conditions
are fulfilled)." [Al-Bukhaari]

3. It is a form of Jihad: The Prophet also said: "Hajj is the

Jihad for the old, the weak and the women." [Nasaa'i]
4. It wipes away past sins: Hazrat Abu Hurayrah reported that
the Prophet said: "He who performs Hajj

seeking Allah's pleasure and avoids all lewdness and sins

(therein) will return after Hajj free from all sins, just as

he was on the day his mother gave birth to him." [Al-Bukhari]

5. Pilgrims are the Guests of Allah and their

prayers/supplications are answered.

The Prophet said: "Pilgrims and those performing 'Umrah

are Allah's guests; their prayers are answered and

their supplications for forgiveness are granted.” [An-Nasaa'i ]

6. The Reward of Hajj is Paradise: The Prophet [s.a.w] said:

"All sins committed in between the performance of one
'Umrah and the next are expiated and erased, and the reward
of Hajj 'Mabroor' is nothing save Paradise." [ Bukhari ]

7. Pilgrims exhibit the complete submission to Allah and

pronounce the Oneness of Allah.

8. Pilgrims get acquainted with the spiritual and historical

environment of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w]and Hazrat

Ibrahim (AS) which strengthen their faith.

9. Hajj is a reminder of the Grand Assembly of the Day of

Judgment when people will stand equal before Allah

waiting for their final destiny

Social/Communal/Benefits/Advantages of Hajj

1. Hajj is the best means to strengthen religious

communication and coordination among the Muslims of the
whole world

hailing from different countries with their separate nationality,

race, language and colour and to collect them on a single
platform thereby making them rally round the banner of
"Kalimah Tauheed" (the Code of Oneness of Allah) which is
the pivot of Islam.
.

2. Hajj is a way of showing dedication to Islam, by

performing one of the Pillars. It confirms commitment of
Muslims to Allah.

3.
In Hajj, we learn how to develop the Spirit of Unity and
brotherhood. It teaches us, practically, the real human rights
when you find people equal during praying, worshiping,
and during performing the rituals.

4. It is an annual Muslim convention attended by Muslims

from different horizons, colors, races, and languages. So, it

provides a means for sharing views and learning.

6. Hajj is the biggest world gathering in the world. It is a
demonstration of unity of Muslims and universality of Islam. It
inspires
Muslims by reminding them of the strength of their faith.

7. Hajj is a source of promoting commerce and trade. In

Makkah, Madina and surroundings are dependent on
pilgrimage-
generated business.

Main Observances/Activities of Hajj

Ihram: The literal meaning of Ihram is "to prohibit."

Ihram is a kind of religious uniform to perform Hajj or Umrah,

containing of two white sheets of unstitched cloth -

covering naval to ankles ,cloth and a shoulder cover, a dress

required only for men, not of women.
Women are allowed to wear stitched clothes, jewelry, and use
scarf to cover head and hairs, but face should be

kept open.

If necessary Ihram can be washed and even replaced. When

Ihram is put on, there are certain things that become

unlawful.

| One can be freed from Ihram restrictions only when all

requirements are accomplished for which the Ihram has

been adopted, and not by just replacing Ihram cloth.

.

Both shoulders are to be kept covered, and right shoulder to

be kept open (known as Izteba) only during Tawaf of
Kaba, the "House of God".

| After wearing Ihram one makes intention to perform Hajj or

Umrah. Ihram must be put on before entering Miqaat.

(boundaries from where you cannot proceed without Ihram)

Hajj

Restrictions of Ihram

Six things become prohibited for a Muhrim.

things are prohibited for both men and women:

1. Hunting the earthly animals or even guiding towards the

prey. .

2. Getting a haircut or cutting nails.

3. Using perfume/fragrance of any kind.

4. Matrimonial relation with spouse and everything related to it

to the extent of even talk about it

2 things are prohibited only for men:

1. To wear sewn clothes.

2. To cover the head and the fIf

any of the above is done in Ihram,
then as per the rule, Kaffara (expiation) and/or Sadqa (charity)
will become Wajib.

Significance of lharm

It is the expression of one's intention to perform Hajj or

Umrah.

It is a symbol of total renunciation of worldly life in order to get

purified and to raise the soul to a high spiritual

level of consciousness of Allah and the Eternal life.

It makes the pilgrim humble, equal to others, and establish

uniformity.

The restrictions of the state of Ihram are very rigorous in

terms of the way the pilgrim behaves with others, with

himself, and with Allah and also in terms of using regular

worldly things such as putting perfume, cutting one's

hair...etc.

The Holy Ka'bah

The Ka'bah ("The Cube"), also know as " al-Baytullah" "The

House of Allah") is a cuboid-shaped building
located inside the Masjid al-Ḥarām (the "Sacred Mosque")
in the center of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and is the most

sacred site in Islam.

The Ka'bah was the first House of worship on the earth

appointed by Allah for His worship. Allah says, "The first

house of worship appointed for mankind was that of Bakka

(Makkah), full of blessing and guidance for all"

(Quran-Aal Imran: 96).

This small building has been constructed and reconstructed

by Prophets Hazrat Adam, Hazrat Ibrahim, Hazrat

Ismail and Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon them all). No

other building has had this honor. The Southeastern
corner of the Ka'bah contains Black Stone (Hajr-e Aswad).

Significance

Ka'bah is the spiritual center of the believers. It refers to the

close bond that should be between a believer and his

Lord. A believer turns toward the Ka'bah five times a day

during the prescribed Prayers.

Tawaf (Circumambulation) is performed by pilgrims during

Hajj and Umrah. .

.-.
Hajj
5

[ Circumambulating the Ka'bah is a symbolic act of worship. It

indicates the believer's utter submission to
Almighty Allah alone. Since the days of Hazrat Ibrahim
(AS) people have been coming from far and wide to
perform Hajj and
Umrah.

Tawaf of the Holy Ka'bah

Ṭawāf is one of the Islamic rituals of pilgrimage. During the

Hajj and Umrah, Muslims are to circumambulate the Ka'bah
seven times, in a counterclockwise direction.

The circle begins from the Black Stone (al-Hajar al-'Aswad) on

the corner of the Ka'bah. If possible, Muslims are to kiss or
touch it, but this is often not possible because of the large
crowds, so it is acceptable for them to simply point or hold up
their hand to the Stone on each circuit. [istelaam] They are
also to make the Takbeer(Allah o Akbar) each time they
approach.

For men, it is recommended to make the first three circuits

at a hurried pace in tawaf e Qudoom, followed by four
times, more closely, at a leisurely pace. (RAMAL)

At the end of the circling, Muslims go to the Station of Ibrahim

to pray two nafl prayer rak'ahs, and then drink water from the
sacred Well of Zamzam, before proceeding to the next ritual
of the Hajj.

Types of Tawaf

There are several types of ṭawāf that can be performed:

1. Ṭawāf -e-Qudūm ("arrival ṭawāf") is performed by those

not residing in Mecca once reaching the Holy City.

2. Ṭawāf-e-Ṭaḥīyah is performed after entering the Masjid

al-Haram at any other times and is mustahab. (Desirable)

3. Ṭawāf –e-Umrah refers to the ṭawaf performed specifically

for Umrah.

4. Ṭawāf-e-Wadā ("farewell tawaf") is performed before

leaving Mecca.
5. Ṭawāf -e-Ziyārah, Ṭawāf -e-'Ifāḍah or Ṭawāf -e-Ḥajj is
performed after casting stones, sacrificing animals (hadi)
shaving the

hair.

Significance of Tawaf

The circling is believed to demonstrate the unity of the

believers in the worship of the One Allah, as they move in

harmony together around the Ka'bah, while supplicating to

Allah.

We also imitate the angels who circumambulate around

al-bayt al-Ma'amour - the filled house - above in the seven

Heaven as reported in many authentic hadiths.

[ Allah Almighty commands believers to circumambulate the

Holy Ka'bah in the following verse: "And circumambulate
the
Ancient House" (Al-Quran 22:29)

Continued------------- see part 2

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