Saturday, October 30, 2010

Quranic Verses on Hajj and its method

As-salaamalkm wa rehmatullahi wa barkatuhu,
 
 May Allah guide all those who will be performing Haj this Year in its true spirit!
 

Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik. Labbaik, La Shareek Laka, Labbaik. Innal Hamdah, Wan Nematah, Laka wal Mulk, La Shareek Laka
 It's called "Talbiyah". A recital by the pilgrim during Umra and Hajj.
Translation: "Here I am at Your service O Lord, here I am. Here I am at Your service and You have no partners. Thine alone is All Praise and All Bounty, and Thine alone is The Sovereignty. You have no partners."

The Talbiyah is a prayer as well as an assertion of the pilgrim's conviction that he intends to perform Hajj only for the glory of Allah. The pilgrim starts the recital upon changing into the Ihram, and continues to recite it frequently throughout Hajj.

 
Quranic Verses on Hajj and its method

And when We made the House (at Mecca) a resort for mankind and a sanctuary, (saying): Take as your place of worship the place where Abraham {Ibrahim} {Ibrahim} stood (to pray). And We imposed a duty upon Abraham {Ibrahim} {Ibrahim} and Ishmael {Isma`il) {Isma`il), (saying): Purify My house for those who go around and those who meditate therein and those who bow down and prostrate themselves (in worship)  2:125  Al-Baqrah

Lo! (the mountains) Al-Safa and Al-Marwah are among the indications of Allah. It is therefore no sin for him who is on pilgrimage to the House (of God) or visits it, to go around them (as the pagan custom is). And he who does good of his own accord (for him), Lo! Allah is Responsive {Ash-Shakir}, Aware {Al-`Alim}   2:158  Al-Baqrah

The pilgrimage is (in) the well known months,*  and whoever is minded to perform the pilgrimage therein (let him remember that) there is (to be) no lewdness nor abuse nor angry conversation on the pilgrimage. And whatsoever good you do Allah knows it. So make provision for yourselves (here after); for the best provision is to ward off evil. Therefore keep your duty unto Me, O men of understanding   
2:197  Al-Baqrah

It is no sin for you that you seek the bounty of your Lord (by trading). But, when you press on in the multitude from Arafat, remember Allah by the sacred monument. Remember Him as He has guided you, although before you were of those astray  2:198  Al-Baqrah

Then hasten onward from the place whence the multitude hastens onward, and ask forgiveness of Allah. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful  2:199  Al-Baqrah

Remember Allah through the appointed days. Then whoso hastens (his departure) by two days, it is no sin for him, and whoso delays, it is no sin for him; that is for him who wards off (evil). Be careful of your duty to Allah, and know that unto Him you will be gathered  2:203  Al-Baqrah


Lo! the first Sanctuary appointed for mankind was that at Mecca, a blessed place, a guidance to the peoples
Wherein are plain memorials (of Allah's guidance); the place where Abraham {Ibrahim} stood up to pray; and whosoever enters it is safe. And pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto Allah for mankind, for him who can find a way thither. As for him who disbelieves, (let him know that) Lo! Allah is Independent of (all) creatures.  3:96-97  Al Imran

.... game being unlawful when you are on pilgrimage. Lo! Allah ordains that which pleases Him.
5:1  Al Maidah

O you who believe! Kill no wild game(hunting) while you are on the pilgrimage. Whoso of you kills it of set purpose he shall pay its forfeit (compensation) in the equivalent of that which he has killed, of domestic animals, the judge to be two men among you known for justice; (the forfeit) to be brought as an offering to the Ka'bah; or, for expiation, he shall feed poor persons, or the equivalent thereof in fasting, that he may taste the evil consequences of his deed. Allah forgives whatever (of this kind) may have happened in the past, but whoso repeats, Allah will take retribution from him. Allah is Mighty, Able to Requite (the wrong).  5:95  Al Maidah

To hunt and to eat the fish of the sea is made lawful for you, a provision for you and for seafarers; but to hunt on land is forbidden you so long as you are on the pilgrimage. Be mindful of your duty to Allah, unto Whom you will be gathered.  5:96  Al Maidah



Verses from Chapter Al Hajj

And (remember) when We prepared for Abraham {Ibrahim} the place of the (holy) House, saying: Ascribe you no thing as partner unto Me, and purify My House for those who make the round (thereof) and those who stand and those who bow and make prostration.  22:26 Al-Hajj

And proclaim unto humankind the Pilgrimage. They will come unto you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every deep ravine:  22:27  Al Hajj

That they may witness things that are of benefit to them, and mention the name of Allah on appointed days over the beast of cattle that He has bestowed upon them. Then eat thereof and feed therewith the poor unfortunate.  22:28  Al-Hajj

Then let them make an end of their unkemptness and pay their vows and go around the ancient House.  22:29  Al-Hajj

That (is the command). And whoso magnifies the sacred things of Allah, it will be well for him in the sight of his Lord. The cattle are lawful unto you save that which has been told you. So shun the filth of idols, and shun lying speech:  22:30  Al-Hajj

Turning unto Allah (only), not ascribing partners unto Him; for whoso ascribes partners unto Allah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky and the birds had snatched him or the wind had blown him to a far off place.  22:31  Al-Hajj

And the camels! We have appointed them among the ceremonies of Allah. Therein you have much good. So mention the name of Allah over them when they are drawn up in lines. Then when their flanks fall (dead), eat thereof and feed the beggar and the suppliant. Thus have We made them subject unto you, that haply {by chance} you may give thanks.  22:36  Al Hajj

Their flesh and their blood reach not Allah, but the devotion from you reaches Him. Thus have We made them subject unto you that you may magnify Allah that He has guided you. And give good tidings (O Muhammad) to the good.  22:37  Al Hajj


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Briefly, all of the above verses give the following information on the performance of Hajj:

The Kaa'ba was a first place for worship since the time of Prophet Abraham (pbuh).  And Hajj is obligatory for those who can manage it.  Ref. V. 3:96-97

V. 2:125 refers to the Taw'af, I'tekaf, ruku and prostration. 

Visiting Safa and Marwa  - V.2:158

"there is (to be) no lewdness nor abuse nor angry conversation on the pilgrimage."  2:197

Going to Arafat  ..... "when you press on in the multitude from Arafat, remember Allah by the sacred monument."  2:198   In continuation also refer to verses 2:199 and 2:203.

Hunting is not allowed while on Pilgrimage - ref. V.5:1    And the penalty for breaking this law - ref. V.5:95.   Fishing is lawful while on Pilgrimage - ref. V. 5:96.

Coming to the verses of Surah Al-Hajj (Chapter 22):

V. 22:26 refers to purifying the House of Allah, the Kaa'bah, with Taw'af, ruku and sajood.

V, 22:27 reference - people will come to perform Hajj (pilgrimage) from far and wide.

V. 22:28 mentions as one of the benefits of Hajj is for believers to see (or witness) the important landmarks.  Also, about sacrificing an animal by mentioning the name of Allah.

V. 22:29 - reference is to tidying up oneself at the end of the Pilgrimage, which is when Muslims shave their heads (for men).

Vs. 22:30-31 - reference throughout is praising Allah and the sacred monuments and never forgetting the strict observance of Monotheism.

V. 22:36 reference - sacrifice of camels is permitted.  Sacrificial meat to be eaten by pilgrims and distributed to the poor.

V. 22:37 clearly expresses the huge importance of one's intent, that is, devotion to Allah.  This is the foundation of every act during Pilgrimage including the practice of sacrificing an animal for food.
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More details can be found in Hadith (traditions) of Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him)
 
Regards,

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