Muslima: September 2011

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

WHAT IS HAJJ?

The pilgrimage (Hajj) is
1) One of the most important pillars of Islam.
2) A principal means of obtaining proximity to the Almighty.
3) One of the most difficult physical forms of worship.
4) So, vital that one who does not perform Hajj will be barred from Heaven.

The main aim of human creation is to recognize God and attain a stage of acquaintance and love for Him and this depends on the purity and loftiness of the human soul. i.e. The purer the soul becomes the more love will it have for the Almighty.

This stage of love can be attained by abstaining from desires and refraining from worldly pleasures and distractions, and by exerting oneself in the rigorous self-training activities for the sake of God, and, remembering him continuously. For this purpose the Almighty has legislated certain forms of worship (Ibadat).

a) Those involving the expenditure of wealth for His sake e.g. Zakaat and Khums which serve to sever the deep attachments to worldly possessions.
b) Those involving abstinence from desires and pleasures e.g. fasting.
c) Those related to His remembrance and diverting total attention towards Him e.g. Salat/Namaaz.

But Hajj involves all these and more, such as,
i) Leaving one's hometown.
ii) Physical exertion.
iii) Expenditure of wealth.
iv) Renewal of the covenant with God.
v) Circumambulation (Tawaaf).
vi) Supplication (Dua).
vii) Prayers (Salat/Namaaz).
And others like throwing pebbles, running between Safaa and Marwah etc.

Those who wonder at these actions do not realize that when we do not know the hidden meanings and reason of certain commands, we manifest more complete obedience and total submission to the Absolute Master in carrying out those orders. Those actions whose secrets we have been successful in understanding, our soul, besides obeying the Master's commands, is also inclined and pleased in performing them. Thus, it is only for Hajj that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) is reported to have said, "O Almighty, I have responded to your call for Hajj with complete submission and humility."

Furthermore, the Hajj constitutes the congregation of people from all parts of the world, in the place where revelation was repeatedly sent down to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), where the beloved (Khaleel) of God resided, where angles used to descend every now and then. In fact, it is the holy place, which has been the abode of the majority of the Prophets.

Here the leader of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) was born, his holy feet walked; and the Almighty has chosen it for His house so that people should pray towards it. He has sanctified its surroundings and has kept Arafah in the beginning of the Holy Land. He has prohibited hurting animals and uprooting vegetation there in as a mark of respect to the holiness of the land. He has designed it to be like the throne of Kings so that visitors from far off lands, disheveled and dusty, should remain there in humility to the Absolute Monarch realizing the fact that He is above all needs of time and space. While such a congregation leads to new acquaintances, meeting with virtuous personalities and stimulates quicker response to supplications (Dua), it invariably reminds of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) and his efforts at spreading the Word of God. In this way one attains purity of the soul.

The intention for Hajj

1. The intention (Niyyah) must be pure and sincere for the sake of God only, but not for any other worldly motives, such as,
1) Showing off (Riyaa).
2) Avoiding rebukes for not performing Hajj.
3) Fear of poverty for it is known that one who does not perform Hajj is afflicted with poverty.
4) Business prospects, etc.
All these other motives destroy the sincerity (Ikhlaas) of the deeds and deprive one of the promised rewards. It is foolish to undertake all this rigor and expense only to end up in Damnation because the motive was adulterated.

2. One should sincerely repent of past sins and clear all the dues, (Huquq-un-Naas), and cleanse himself of all distractions so that the mind is easily turned towards God. One should write his will and prepare for the journey to the Hereafter as he leaves his house, relatives, friends, and possessions behind.

3. One should remember the majesty of the House and the Absolute Owner, and that one has chosen to leave family, friends, and possessions for the lofty and noble purpose of visiting a House, which the Almighty has designed as a sanctuary for all people. Hence this journey differs from all other worldly journeys. The pilgrim is one of those who have responded willingly to the invitation made by the Almighty's messenger.

4. The pilgrim should free himself of all matters, which tend to worry him so his total attention is towards the Almighty.

5. Any financial loss or physical affliction in this journey should be greeted happily, for, it is a sign of acceptance of Hajj.

6. The Pilgrim should ensure his earnings are acquired through lawful means and he should be liberal in expenditure, not extravagant (Israaf) though. But spending for the needy and deserving is not extravagance as it has been reported that there is no goodness in extravagance and no extravagance in goodness!

7. He should behave courteously towards his fellow travelers, smiling and talking gently with them, avoiding harsh words, abuses or vain talk. He should be humble to the other guests of the Almighty. Magnanimity does not only mean not to hurt others but also to endure when others hurt.

8. He should be disheveled and dusty, avoid cosmetics or any cause of pride and beauty, and if possible, travel on foot, especially from Makkah to Mina, Masher and Arafah, not as a means to avoid extra expenses (in which case, transport is better!) rather for exerting oneself for the sake of God, except if it affects other worship (Ibadat) or supplication (Dua).

Engr.Sulthan

Thursday, September 15, 2011

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Love in Quran

Please wait while image is loading .... Noman Haider

And yet there are some people, who replace Allah with rivals, loving them as Allah is loved. But the believers love Allah more intensely

It was made attractive to people, the love of things they crave; women, sons, heaped-up heaps of gold and silver, branded horses, cattle and will-tilled land. But that is for the enjoyment of this worldly life, But Allah, with Him is the beautiful homecoming

ALLAH LOVES
Those who do good deeds

Spend your wealth for the cause of Allah, and be not cast by your own hands to ruin; and do good. Lo! Allah loveth the beneficent.

Those who ask Him for forgiveness & Those who purify themselves

They question thee (O Muhammad) concerning menstruation. Say: It is an illness, so let women alone at such times and go not in unto them till they are cleansed. And when they have purified themselves, then go in unto them as Allah hath enjoined upon you. Truly Allah loveth those who turn unto Him, and loveth those who have a care for cleanness.

Those who are Allah-fearing

Nay, but (the chosen of Allah is) he who fulfilleth his pledge and wardeth
off (evil); for lo! Allah loveth those who ward off (evil).

Those who are steadfast

And with how many a prophet have there been a number of devoted men
who fought (beside him). They quailed not for aught that befell them in the
way of Allah, nor did they weaken, nor were they brought low. Allah loveth
the steadfast.

Those who trust Him

It was by the mercy of Allah that thou wast lenient with them (O Muhammad), for if thou hadst been stern and fierce of heart they would have dispersed from round about thee. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult with them upon the conduct of affairs. And when thou art resolved, then put thy trust in Allah. Lo! Allah loveth those who put their trust (in Him).

Those who act justly

Listeners for the sake of falsehood! Greedy for illicit gain! If then they have recourse unto thee (Muhammad) judge between them or disclaim jurisdiction. If thou disclaimest jurisdiction, then they cannot harm thee at all. But if thou judgest, judge between them with equity. Lo! Allah loveth the equitable.

Those who strive for His cause

Lo! Allah loveth them who battle for His cause in ranks, as if they were a solid structure.

Those who follow His Prophet

Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

ALLAH DOES NOT LOVES

The Aggressors

Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors.

The Disbelievers

Say: Obey Allah and the messenger. But if they turn away, lo! Allah loveth not the disbelievers (in His guidance).

Those who Inflict Injustice

And as for those who believe and do good works, He will pay them their wages in full. Allah loveth not wrong-doers.

Evil

The Jews say: Allah's hand is fettered. Their hands are fettered and they are accursed for saying so. Nay, but both His hands are spread out wide in bounty. He bestoweth as He will. That which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord is certain to increase the contumacy and disbelief of many of them, and We have cast among them enmity and hatred till the Day of Resurrection. As often as they light a fire for war, Allah extinguisheth it. Their effort is for corruption in the land, and Allah loveth not corrupters.

And Evil Doers

And when he turneth away (from thee) his effort in the land is to make mischief therein and to destroy the crops and the cattle; and Allah loveth not mischief.

Those who are Arrogant

And serve Allah. Ascribe no thing as partner unto Him. (Show) kindness unto parents, and unto near kindred, and orphans, and the needy, and unto the neighbour who is of kin (unto you) and the neighbour who is not of kin, and the fellow-traveller and the wayfarer and (the slaves) whom your right hands possess. Lo! Allah loveth not such as are proud and boastful,

Those who Spend Lavishly

He it is Who produceth gardens trellised and untrellised, and the date-palm, and crops of divers flavour, and the olive and the pomegranate, like and unlike. Eat ye of the fruit thereof when it fruiteth, and pay the due thereof upon the harvest day, and be not prodigal. Lo! Allah loveth not the prodigals.