Back from Hajj… back to the old routine?

Asma bint Shameem urges to revisit the resolutions made during Hajj and to keep steadfast on the Straight Path also after returning home to daily routine.

This is a reminder for all those people who did Hajj - whether you did it this year or many years ago. And even for those who didn’t YET.

So… you’re back from Hajj, Alhamdulillah. Everything went well and now you’re back. Back to the same old routine, the same old hustle bustle of life, the job, the kids… back to the same old you.

Huh?

Wait a second… back to the same old you? No, but that can’t be. You can’t go back to the same old you. You promised Allah (swt) you will change and improve for the better - you will do all you can to be a better Muslim, to be a stronger believer.

Don’t you remember how you felt when you saw the magnificent Kaaba for the first time with all its glory and splendor? You were awed, speechless, tears silently rolling down without you even realizing. You trembled and you promised. Don’t you remember, how you cried in Arafaat, how you beseeched Allah (swt), spreading out your hands in utter humility, begging Him and imploring Him to forgive you and to give you just one more chance.

And don’t you remember the strength and resolve with which you threw the pebbles at the Jamaraat, determined to give up all your bad habits, resolute to do all good, staying firm on the Straight Path? Don’t you remember the beautiful days in Mina, the peaceful night in Muzdalifa, all the Ibadaat, the Tawaafs, the Duas, the tears, the Tauba?

Surely, you couldn’t have forgotten that!

Then don’t let the pomp and glitter of this Dunya take you away from all that. Don’t let the hustle-bustle of daily routine make you forget your promises and resolve. Remember that out of six billion people Allah (swt) invited you (yes, you!) to His glorious House and honored you and blessed you with Hajj. And it was only because of His mercy that He enabled you to go. For Wallaahi, if it was not His will, you would never be able to go.

So why not be a thankful slave of His? Why not spend the rest of your life in submission to Him, surrendering to Him, obeying His commandments and staying away from His prohibitions? So fear Allah (swt) in all that you do and always be mindful of Him. Don’t let the Shaitan weaken your resolve.

Say NO to those temptations and turn down chances of all that’s Haram. Stay away from all your old bad habits and build on your good ones. Be upright in your character; resist the urge to cheat, lie and backbite.

Spend in the path of Allah (swt) and continue with the daily recitation of the Quran, pondering over the meanings, and use those Words of Allah (swt) to change for the better. And no matter what you do, DO NOT, do not let the snooze button keep you away from Salah.

Hold your head up high, wearing that Hijab or Jilbab and sporting that beard - proud to be a Muslim, Alhamdulillah. Remember, it’s the mark of a believer. Don’t let people, or so called ‘friends’, talk you out of it. And if they object, look them straight in the eye and say: “It’s the command of Allah (swt).”

Keep in mind that Allah (swt) gave you another chance - just like you asked Him. You begged for forgiveness and He forgave you and purified you just like the day you were born. So be thankful and make the most of it.

Your life from now is like a blank piece of paper, with nothing written on it. And the pen that you would use to write on it, is in your hands. So be careful what you write. Because… you never know - you might never have the chance to have your piece of paper blank again.

“Therefore, race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Garden as wide as heaven and earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His Messengers. Such is the Favor of Allah; He gives it to whom He wills. Allah is the Owner of great favor.” (Al-Hadeed, verse 21)

Side note about Muharram:

Alhamdulillah, now that Muharram is almost here, make the most of this sacred month and fast as much as you can it.

Abu Huraira (rta) reported that Allah's Messenger (sa) said: “The most excellent fast after Ramadan is Allah's month of Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night.” (Muslim)

Do make special efforts to fast ‘Aashoorah (the tenth of Muharram) because fasting on that day will, Insha’Allah, expiate the (minor) sins of the previous year. The Prophet (sa) said: “… for fasting the day of ‘Aashooraa’, I hope that Allah will accept it as expiation for the year that went before.” (Muslim) The Prophet (sa) also encouraged us to fast the ninth of Muharram along with the tenth.

Courtesy: Al Huda International, Canada

Hospitality towards pilgrims

Ofaira Hussain examines the cultural practices associated with the Hajj and encourages pilgrims to focus solely on accomplishing the pillar of their faith. 

Hajj was performed in Makkah even before the advent of Islam. It was supposedly done as a Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (as) but was more of a business cum social event rather than an act of worship for Allah’s (swt) pleasure. However, one quality of the Arabs that withstood the test of time was their hospitality towards the pilgrims. 

The tribe of Quraish, who were the custodians of the Kabah, would go to great lengths in providing food and lodging for the visitors. Trade fairs were organized. A lot of care went into the entertainment and pleasure of the pilgrims. So much so that the pilgrims spent more time in these trade and fun fairs than in performing the Hajj rituals.

The situation is not very different today. Every year, the Saudi government works hard to cater to millions of pilgrims. The pilgrims themselves shop before Hajj in Makkah and Madinah for relatives at home. Some Hajjis consider it essential to buy gold for family members! Prayer mats and beads are a must on the shopping list.

As shopping in Saudi riyals is expensive, some people have come up with an ingenious plan to buy presents in their own countries and distribute them after returning from Hajj, implying that they are from Saudi Arabia. Bringing home deception from Hajj is certainly not a wise option. In some families, relatives give money to the departing pilgrims to help them in shopping for gifts for them, when they return home.

These cultural practices have overburdened us. We don’t find any record of how the Prophet (sa) greeted the pilgrims or how he was greeted after his Hajj; however, it surely is against the spirit of Islam to put undue pressure on the people.

Islam teaches us that it is good to exchange gifts. However, making it obligatory on specific occasions takes away the spirit of giving presents. Not only does the pilgrim waste precious time thinking and shopping for the right gift for everyone, he ends up compromising his Ibaadat for shopping. The pilgrimage of a lifetime becomes like any other vacation. 

After the Hajj begins the party season. Every family member and close friend is obliged to give a party in honour of the returning Hajji. The pilgrim must also be given a gift in accordance to the status and closeness of relation. All this hoopla for a compulsory obligation - the fifth pillar of Islam? An obligation that is purely to pay homage to the greatness of Allah (swt) ends up in projection and celebration of the Hajjis. These parties are a burden on the relatives, especially if their budget does not allow it.

If we want to avoid this custom, we should inform our family and friends, before proceeding for Hajj. A Hajji should spend all his time in Ibaadat. He should try to make the most of this opportunity to cleanse his soul and build his relationship with Allah (swt). On his return, he can bring Zamzam water, which should be an ideal gift for all the near and dear ones. If someone insists on a Dawat or gift, then he should accept it with humility, knowing in his heart that he has only performed an obligation by Allah’s (swt) Will and Mercy. 

Faith and the Hill

Ramla Akhter shows us, how a little faith takes us a long way.

Excerpt from an e-mail to a dear old (non-Muslim) friend, who has been a great listener of my life's stories over the years.

By the way, there is an athletic ritual called Sa'ee' in Umra (in Masjid-al-Haraam, Makkah). The meaning of the word Sa'ee' in Arabic and Urdu is ‘effort, endeavor’. It's a 3.15 km run between two hills, now paved with marble. So one actually paces up and down an air-conditioned gallery 7 times back and forth between the two hills of Safa and Marwa. It is to commemorate Hajer's (as) run between the two hills in search of water and food for her Son Ismail (as).

It's a tough run after other Umra rituals. While I was doing it the second time in three days, I gave up after the second round. My right foot is bent inwards due to years of back injury and strain. I almost thought of the wheel chair rides that are available. (The ritual is a must, of course. And one can't quit in the middle and go home. Fortunately, we can rest as long as we want anywhere on the route and on the two hills.) I sat down at Safa, the first hill, and cried. You can cry without shame in that place. People don't really notice. And they think you're crying for the love of Allah (swt). You know, I cried because I felt very disabled. Then I realized that Hajer (as) didn't run here in Nike joggers or in an air-conditioned gallery.

That's when the lesson of that ritual became clear to me: MAKE AN EFFORT. The story goes that Hajer's (as) effort was rewarded by the miracle of the issuance of water from between the hills - now known as the water of Zamzam. So, after a half hour of crying and massaging my feet and back, I got up and walked. Then I remembered something I read in "7 Habits": just after an athlete has reached the limit of pain, she / he is rewarded with a tremendous release of energy that compensates for that muscle ache. I gave it a try. I limped. It is ugly to have to limp, when you're so young - and it's hard, when the pain is just jolt-jolt-jolting through the body. (I guess no one can know a backache and a headache, until they have one.)

Then, I noticed a 70-year-old Pakistani man pushing his wife in a wheel chair. And I visualized these mountains, 1000s of years ago, naked, hot and scorched. And I imagined I was running between them barefoot, looking for water. I passed up the temptation of the many sprays and coolers of Zamzam that line the corridor.

The effect that this visualization had on me was stunning. Suddenly, my pain was much, much easier. My feet were actually thankful (the entire Umra is done barefoot.) I also felt that making an effort is something that comes with, well, effort. I realized that I have so many gifts as a person - hardly anything has been an effort for ME - though it might have awed others. It was finally time to test my character.

There are seven rounds to be made between the two hills. I had unbearable pain by the fourth round, to the extent that my mind was blacking out. But I held on to Stephen Covey's wisdom, and my life's wisdom, if any, and the visualization of Hajer (as). Perhaps the blacking out helped, as I imagined a huge rock in the place of the Ka'aba, and the real scene disappeared. In my memory, it still seems that I ran on bare, sun-hot rocks.

My foot was slightly bent inwards, and whenever I walked fast, there was a feeling of a tight string about to break from my back to my toe. This has prevented me from extensive walking for the past few years. By the fifth round, while I was struggling to straighten my long-bent foot by placing it firmly and evenly on the ground, something happened.

My mind was really blacking out to the extent that I felt I had completely lost it. For a split second, the pain was gone. And suddenly there was a click-click sound. Some long-displaced bone just fell in place. My foot was okay.

Do you remember the Forrest Gump's moment-of-release from his leg braces? It just happened! My foot just fell in place! What I read in "7 Habits" about an actual athletic phenomenon really happened. There was suddenly a tremendous rush of energy, and whatever was blocking energy (blood and oxygen to be exact and more scientific) just let go of its ugly grip.

It was one of the deepest emotional moments of my life. It happened, and I had no one to tell it to. I walked on. Now, whenever I have an "uphill" task ahead of me, I remember the little lesson of Sa'ee and of having a little but helpful amount of faith.

A little faith in a better tomorrow makes the present a lot easier, for us and for our loved ones. 

The virtues of the first ten days of Dhul Hijja

As the blessed first ten days of Dhul Hijja arrive, Hiba Magazine encourages the readers to reap the most possible blessings Allah (swt) has spread in front of us at this time of the year.  

“Indeed from the favours of Allah (swt) is that He made for His righteous servants fixed days/time periods, in which they can increase in the performance of righteous actions. And amongst these fixed days/time periods are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijja. Indeed, the virtues of these first days have been stated in the Quran and the Sunnah.”

Allah (swt) said: “By the dawn; By the ten nights (i.e., the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijj).” (Al-Fajr, 1-2)

Imam Ibn Katheer said that the intended meaning behind this verse is the first ten days of Dhul-Hijja, as stated by Bukhari, Ibn Abbaas, Ibn Zubayr, Mujaahid and others.

According to Ibn Abbaas (rta), the Messenger (sa) said: “There are not any days in which righteous actions are done that are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” They said, “Oh Messenger of Allah, not even Jihad in Allah’s cause?” He said, “Not even Jihad in Allah’s cause, except for a man, who left out with his self and his wealth, and he did not return with either.”

Allah (swt) said: “And mention the Name of Allah on appointed days (i.e., 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th day of Dhul-Hijja).” (Al-Hajj, 82)

 Ibn Abbaas (rta) said: “They are the (first) ten days.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer)

According to Ibn Umar (rta), the Messenger (sa) said: “There are no days greater in the (sight) of Allah, nor in which righteous actions are more beloved to Him than these (first) ten days; so increase Tahleel (i.e., Laa-ilaaha-ilal-laah), Takbeer (i.e., Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (i.e., Al-Hamdulil-laah).” (Ahmad)

And Saeed Ibn Jubayr, who narrated the aforementioned Hadeeth of Ibn Abbaas (rta) used to strive earnestly, when the first ten days of Dhul-Hijja would start. (Reported by Daarimee)

Ibn Hajr said in “Al-Fath”: “What is apparent is that the reason the first ten days of Dhul Hijja are distinguished (with excellence) is because of what it gathers of the main foundational acts of worship, and they are: Salah, fasting, charity and Hajj, which are not found in others than them.”

The recommended acts of worship in these first ten days

(1) Salah: Give more emphasis and concern to the obligatory prayers and increase in optional prayers, because the prayer is amongst the greatest means of seeking nearness to Allah (swt).

(2) Fasting: Fasting is included amongst the righteous deeds.  Imaam Nawawi said that fasting in the first days of Dhul-Hijja is strongly recommended.

(3) The Takbeer, Tahleel and Tahmeed: Ibn Umar (rta) reports: “Increase in Tahleel, Takbeer and Tahmeed in it (i.e., during these days).”  Imam Al-Bukhari said: “Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah (rta) used to go to the market place during the first days of Dhul-Hijja whilst uttering the Takbeer, and the people also used to do so alongside them.”

How is the Takbeer performed?

.الله أكبر. الله أكبر. الله أكبر. لا إله إلا الله. والله أكبر. الله أكبر. الله أكبر ولله الحمد

(4) Fasting on the day of Arafah: Fasting on the day of Arafah is emphasized because the Messenger (sa) has said that the one, who fasts the day of Arafah, will receive from Allah (swt) the forgiveness of his (minor) sins of the previous year and the year to come. (Muslim)  However, as for the one who is physically present at Arafah, it is disliked that he should fast, because the Messenger (sa) stood at Arafah, whilst he was not fasting.

How should Muslims approach these days of goodness?

Muslims should approach these first days of goodness with sincere repentance to Allah (swt), keeping away from sins and disobedience, because sins prevent a person from receiving the favours of His Lord and veils his heart from his Protector – Allah (swt).

Likewise, a person should approach these days with all good deeds.  He should strive to benefit from them by performing deeds that are pleasing to Allah.  Allah (swt) said:

“As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (i.e., Allah’s Religion – Islamic Monotheism). And verily, Allah is with the Muhsinun (good doers).” (Al-Ankaboot, 69)

Brothers and sisters in Islam! Let us be eager to take benefit from the ten days of Dhul Hijja before they elapse, leaving us with regrets only. We ask Allah (swt) to benefit us and yourselves in these days of goodness; and we ask Him (the Most High) to aid us to obey Him and perform acts of worship for His sake.

*****

This article was abridged and paraphrased from an article posted in the following link:  http://www.sahab.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=132815

Hajj - a personal reflection

Kulsoom Omar shares the rejuvenating feelings she brought home from Hajj.

You read about it, attend classes, talk to people who have been there, see it on TV, but nothing, nothing can prepare you for the first encounter with the Ka’ba.

Arriving at Jeddah airport, you are prepared for waiting at immigration, for the bus to take you to Makkah, for the traffic along the way. No problem. Your heart skips a beat, as you pass the sign on the road reading ‘Muslims only.’ You are now in the vicinity of the Haram. Did I say ‘Alhamdulillah’? I had heard this in Dr. Farhat Hashmi’s cassette and had resolved to say so.

Reciting the Talbiah is an energizer: “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik, Labbaika La Shareeka Laka Labbaik. Innal Hamda wan Naimata Laka Wal Mulk. La Shareeka Lak.” The men on the bus recite it out loud and you get goose bumps. “Here I am, Allah, here I am.” It gets surreal from here on.

It’s just after Isha. Our group organizer advises us to leave our luggage in the bus and walk to Masjid-e-Haram for Umrah. We get off amidst a multitude of people. Are these all Muslims? Wow! But focus is somewhere else right now. Where’s the Ka’ba? You waited patiently all this time, but now find yourself struggling with the temptation to push to go ahead quickly. Patience, patience. Pulse rate is rising, you are disoriented and totally overwhelmed by the pulsating crowds and atmosphere.

Reaching the gates of Masjid-e-Haram, you remind yourself not to forget the Dua. Shoes off - “Assalatu wassalamu a’la Rasool Allah, allahummaftahlee abwaba rahmatik” - you enter and inch your way to the centre. Feet firm on the cold marble floor, but the heart racing ahead. The arches of the mosque restrict the view of the Ka’ba; you strain your neck in desperation. And then the moment comes - finally, face to face with your Qibla: “Here I am, Allah, here I am.”

There’s something about that simple cube draped in a black cloth that makes the surrounding grand mosque with its towering minarets and the thousands of people in it just melt away. Your ‘I’ stumbles to ground zero in awe, your eyes water with the sheer honor of being there, with fear of blowing what might be your only chance of redemption, with feelings too deep and too personal to describe in mere words or to share with anyone other than The One.

8^th of Zil Hajj plunges you head on into Hajj.

You become part of something infinitely bigger than your puny little self. Your heart swells with emotion to see the ‘us’ – Muslims of all colors and races. We may not know each other’s language elsewhere, but walking from Muzdalifah to Mina, everyone understands each other, when saying the Talbiah out loud. When ‘we’ speak the language of our Lord, ‘we’ are no longer ’them.’

Hajj seems a microcosm of life. The challenge is to find your centre and plug it in the source, while fumbling with the logistics of getting from Mina to Arafat, then Muzdalifah and back to Mina and Makkah. The key is to stick to the Sunnah of Ibrahim (AS) and Rasool Allah (PBUH) and not to lose your cool or focus.

In our day to day life, Tauheed and Kufr are so woven together that often our senses get blurred. In the Harmain – Masjid-e-Haraam and Nabwee - because Allah’s presence is so vivid and tangible, in contrast, the presence of Shaitan is starkly visible. Step out of the mosque in Makkah and a glittering shopping mall is in your face. In Medina, the gold shops don’t shut even at Tahajjud! The devil is at Allah’s doorsteps. It is a chilling reminder - his promise to Allah was not in vain. Are we taking heed of the warnings expressed by our Book and the Prophet (sa)?

A Pilgrim's letter: sharing the post Hajj aura

Dr. Farhana Azim shares the unforgettable experience of her Hajj.

Assalamu Alaikum,

I am back from Hajj by the grace of my Rabb and with the commission of your Duas. All the relatives, friends and colleagues, whom I am addressing in this letter, were in my heart and in my Duas at Arafat and the Masjid-e-Haram. It was the least I could do for them, but I have faith that those Duas Allah - Rabus Samawat ul Ard - will grant in the most, Insha’Allah!

This has been a journey of a lifetime, of immense attainment, learning and enrichment. It has been one journey that took me so many years to embark on… for lack of ultimate preparedness and adjournment of that call from Allah (swt).

Hajj is a ritual and a pillar of faith, which completes the whorl for the wreath that adorns a life of purity supposedly destined for Heaven. This pillar of faith guided me to reinforce my life-structure more dogmatically, since the burden of a lifetime’s transgressions weighed on me heavily. It meant asking Allah (swt) to remodel me to the way of life, as prescribed in the Quran and the Sunnah, and to bring change in my perspective in aspiring for Mominhood from Muslimhood.

In the crowd of 3.5 millions, I may have bumped into a CEO, a leader, an academic or a beggar; there’s really no way to tell the difference. Rank and pomp are divorced of status. Ego is driven out of platform. In this condition, the Hajj does its work. More importantly, in this global commune of people, I saw people from all over the world come here for the love of their Creator. I witnessed how they dealt with each other in untoward situations and used Sabr and Shukr as weapons to combat the lurking Shaitan.

What I endured served to remind me constantly that Hajj is Jihad! Blessed is the Hajj, whose hardships serve to please Allah (swt). I am thankful to Allah (swt) that the forty days I spent there were almost a Jihad - situations varying from the famine of Ethiopia to the afflictions of refugees in distraught, on foot without shelter, men and women with no proper amenities or logistics. In my deal with Allah (swt), I did not choose the ordeals; but He gave them to me - He asked a higher price for my repentance… nothing was for granted! Human ‘soul wash’ demands the highest value, perhaps even more for a sinner like me.

After my adoration for Him fetched my ultimate strength and devotion, I got the courage to ask Him for a ‘backpack’ in the end! He gave me the greatest feeling of satisfaction and Shukr I could ever receive in my life, Alhumdulillah!

Moreover, Hajj has awarded me with a longing to repent more and to submit more! In many ways I choose to bring a deeper desire for His compassion - in my soul, my heart and my senses for continuing this valuation in the life that I am left with now. I know I haven’t left His Place entirely - my heart and soul will always be there with Him in that House!

Many of us come from Hajj happily thinking that repentance is granted, it’s all over now, and we can go back to business as usual. However, for our Hajj to be Mabroor, it is essential that from now on all our activities conform to Iman at all times.

I am thankful to Allah (swt) that I was honoured with this Ziarat. Being a Hajji has put a tremendous responsibility on me to safeguard the enrichment and wealth I have brought with me, to keep my cleansed soul unspoilt and unblemished by worldly indulgences. Allah (swt), help me!