UmmOmar
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And in Allâh (Alone) let believers put their trust
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« Reply #16 on: November 03, 2010, 01:24:42 AM » |
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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Hajj : Its definition, Status, Rulings and Conditions - I
Praise be to Allaah The Almighty who made pilgrimage to His House obligatory upon the people of faith since the time of Ibraaheem عليه السلام until the time of Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم the best of mankind. We thank Allaah The Almighty for distinguishing this Ummah (Muslim nation) with the inheritance of the Holy House until the end of time and the advent of the Day of Judgment. Praise be to Allaah The Almighty who made the Ka‘bah standing for the people. They face it from all places and their hearts meet upon it at all times, making it a symbol of the unity of the Ummah that worships the One true God regardless of time and place. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Indeed this, your religion, is one religion, and I Am your Lord, so worship Me.} [Quran 21:92]
May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet of mercy صلى الله عليه و سلم who was sent to cultivate the best nation produced as an example for mankind. The Ka‘bah is its Qiblah (direction of prayer), and Hajj and ‘Umrah are its [places of] religious travel, “Labbayka Allaahumma Labbayk” is its psalm, and the Holy Mosque is its place of gathering to which they come from every distant pass to remember Allaah The Almighty in all languages, and to perform a great act of worship with their money, bodies and hearts. Hajj is one of the most virtuous acts of worship in the sight of Allaah The Almighty and one of the best righteous deeds that expiate sins. So, what is Hajj? What are its merits and excellence in the religion? What are its cornerstones and conditions? Definition of Hajj: According to “Lisaan Al-Arab”, the word Hajj in Arabic means “heading towards” a place. Hajj, as an Islamic term, denotes heading towards the Holy House in Makkah to perform specific rites. Alternatively, it is defined as a visit to a specific place, at a specific time and for a specific purpose. The specific place is the Ka‘bah and ‘Arafah; the specific time is the months of Hajj which are Shawwaal, Thul-Qa‘dah and the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah; and the specific purpose is to come in a state of Ihraam to a certain place with the intention of performing Hajj. When was Hajj legislated? Hajj was imposed in the ninth year of Hijrah, by the revelation of the following Aayah (verse): {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] This Aayah was revealed in the Year of Delegations (ninth year after Hijrah), according to the opinion of the majority of scholars. The merits of Hajj and its status in religion: Hajj is one of the best acts of worship, as Abu Hurayrah رضى اللّهُ عنه reported that the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم was asked, “Which deed is the best?'' The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم replied:"Faith in Allaah and His Messenger.'' Then he was asked, "What is next?'' He replied: "Hajj Mabroor (an accepted pilgrimage).” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] ‘Aa’ishah رضي اللّهُ عنها said, "O Messenger of Allaah! We consider Jihaad as the best deed, should we not then go out to perform Jihaad?'' The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه و سلم said: "The best Jihaad for you (women) is Hajj Mabroor (i.e. one accepted by Allaah).'' [Al-Bukhaari] The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم stated that the accepted Hajj has no reward but admittance to Paradise. It was narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah رضى اللّهُ عنه that the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said: "‘Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous ‘Umrah; and the reward of Hajj Mabroor (i.e. one accepted) is nothing but Paradise.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] If one performs Hajj and avoids sexual relations and disobedience, he will return from it purified from his sins and misdeeds as he was on the day his mother bore him. Abu Hurayrah رضى اللّهُ عنه reported that the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said: “Whoever performs Hajj and does not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commits sin, nor disputes unjustly (during Hajj), then he returns from Hajj as pure and free from sins as on the day his mother gave birth to him.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] Congratulations to the pilgrims who will attain forgiveness of sins, as they are the guests of Allaah The Almighty. Ibn ‘Umar رضي اللّهُ عنهما reported that the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said: “The fighters in the way of Allaah The Almighty, those who perform Hajj and ‘Umrah are guests of Allaah The Almighty; He has invited them and they answered, [so,] when they ask Him, He gives them what they ask for.” [Ibn Maajah] ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas‘ood رضى اللّهُ عنه reported that the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said, “Perform Hajj and ‘Umrah alternately, for they remove poverty and sins as a blacksmith's bellows remove impurities from iron, gold and silver; and Hajj which is accepted gets no less a reward than Paradise.” [At-Tirmithi] The ruling of Hajj: Scholars unanimously agreed that Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime based on evidence from the Quran and the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition). Allaah The Exalted 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] As for the Sunnah, the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said: “Islam is based on five (pillars): testifying that there is no god truly worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is His Messenger; observing prayer; the payment of Zakaah; performing Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House (the Ka‘bah); and fasting the month of Ramadhaan.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
The evidence that Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime is the Hadeeth narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah رضى اللّهُ عنه who said, “The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه و سلم addressed us and said:O people, Allaah has made Hajj obligatory for you; so perform Hajj. Thereupon a man said: Messenger of Allaah, (is it to be performed) every year? The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم kept quiet, and the man repeated his question thrice, whereupon the Messenger صلى الله عليه و سلم said:"If I were to say 'Yes', it would become obligatory (for you to perform it every year) and you would not be able to do it.” [Muslim] However, Hajj may be obligatory more than once in a lifetime for a contingent reason such as making a vow to perform Hajj by saying “I vow that I owe Allaah The Almighty one Hajj.” Hajj might also be prohibited, as in the case of performing Hajj using ill-gotten gains. Hajj may also be reprehensible as in the case of performing it without obtaining permission from the one that must be asked for permission. For example, asking permission of one of his parents who need his service, and the creditor if he does not have money to repay his debt, as well as the guarantor of such debtor.
adopted from islamweb.net
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