The Spiritual Significance Of HAJJ (pilgrimage To Mecca) - Islam for Muslims - Nairaland
Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Religion / Islam for Muslims / The Spiritual Significance Of HAJJ (pilgrimage To Mecca) (9341 Views)
Sambo Flags-off 2013 Airlift Of Hajj Pilgrims In Borno / Bosnian Muslim Walks To Mecca / Hajj Commission Suspends All Flights To Mecca (2) (3) (4)
| The Spiritual Significance Of HAJJ (pilgrimage To Mecca) by AlBaqir(m): 12:27pm On Jul 08, 2014 |
OVERVIEW OF HAJJ IN HIS NAME THE MOST HIGH Peace and blessing upon Muhammad, the prophet of mercy, and his purified household, the ahl al-bayt and the righteous among his companions. THE SPIRITUALITY OF HAJJ! As you embark on your pilgrimage to Makka, and as you make preparation for it, here are some points you need to think about: You need to focus not only on the physical aspect of Hajj but also its spiritual dimensions. Hajj is a journey in which we live an entire lifetime in a span of a few days...if the meaning of Hajj is understood fully, one could accomplish in Hajj what would normally take a lifetime to attain. One of the most famous philosopher and mystic of Islam is Mulla Sadra. In his famous book "al-Hikmat muta'aliya", also known as "Asfar of Mulla Sadra", he talks about four journey a person takes in his spiritual quest for Allah: "First - A person's journey towards Allah; Second - The journey with Allah Third - One's journey back towards Allah's creation but this time with Allah Fourth - Finally a person's subsist or remain with the creation but this time with his creator in a state of enlightenment." Hajj is a little bit like that: One's journey to Makka, then one feels the presence of Allah; we journey back to our homes but this time our life change forever and whilst we continue to live among people, the presence of the Lord of kaaba is constantly felt even if we dwelt amongst His creatures and lives our daily lives. REPENTANCE The first and foremost aspect of Hajj in its spiritual dimension is REPENTANCE. There's the outward repentance of course where a person before setting out for Hajj settles his or her debts, seek forgiveness from Allah for all past sins, ask forgiveness from loved ones, friends, relatives and all those one may have offended et al. Also there's an INNER REPENTANCE when one takes a time to reflect on one's life so far, feel intense remorse over one's misdeeds and make a firm resolution to give up shameful habits and go forth to purify one's self. It is important that when you leave for Hajj no one should be upset with you except Shay'tan (satan). INTENTION Another aspect that is very important when one is setting out for Hajj is SINCERITY (al-khulus). It is important to search one's intention and realize one is going for Hajj solely for the pleasure of Allah. The Holy prophet (saws) had said: "Towards the end of time people will go for Hajj for three reasons; the rich will go for Hajj to relax, vacation or holiday! The middle class will go for Hajj for trading and business! And the poor will go for Hajj to show off, boast and to achieve fame..." ~Usul al-Kafi So sincerity is very important. Take time and reflect why you want to go to Hajj. What it is you want to accomplish. And why it means so much to you! The actual days of Hajj will pass a lot quicker than you imagine; so the more time you spent preparing yourself mentally, spiritually and emotionally before hand the less remorse you will had when you suddenly realize it is over. 4 Likes |
| Re: The Spiritual Significance Of HAJJ (pilgrimage To Mecca) by AlBaqir(m): 12:29pm On Jul 08, 2014 |
PUTTING ON IHRAM When you about to begin your Hajj, one of the first thing you will do is to put on IHRAM. The Ihram share the same origin with the word "hurum, haram, masjidul haram etc". And it is very similar to the Takbiratul Ihram that one perform at the start of salat. Why is Takbiratul Ihram called Takbiratul Ihram and why is this garment called Ihram? When we say our salat, the reason we call the first Takbir; the Takbiratul Ihram, is because this is the Takbir that makes everything Haram on us until we complete our salat. The Ihram you put on for Hajj is very similar to that: a lot of things has become Haram on you once you put on this garment until it is time to take it off. So in putting on Ihram, you have symbolically leave everything besides Allah until you have completed your Hajj. It is like dying putting on shroud and going to meet your maker. As soon as you have put on your Ihram, your focus should only be on your Hajj and that you are now a 'Muhrim'. In the words of Imam zaynul Abideen (a.s) to his companion Shibli: "O Shibli in putting on your Ihram, you are removing the worldly garment and removing the worldly clothe of disobedience and wearing the dress of Obedience" Since this clothe resemble shroud in its two white piece of clothe, always remind yourself as if you are meeting your lord; and what the etiquettes of one who is meeting his Lord should be! In putting on your Ihram, you should die to your desires and the worlds. 4 Likes |
| Re: The Spiritual Significance Of HAJJ (pilgrimage To Mecca) by AlBaqir(m): 12:33pm On Jul 08, 2014 |
JOURNEY TO MAKKAH Having prepare, you now set towards Makkah and this mark the start of your journey towards Allah. When you first come towards Makka, you declare "Labayk! Allahuma Labayk!" (Here I am! O Lord! Here I am)! You are responding to the invitation of your Lord to visit His house. When you recite the Talbiya (Labayk...), waver between fear and hope. Understand the meaning of Talbiya. The Imams of the ahl al-bayt (a.s) - (household of the prophet (saws)) whenever they are about to recite the Talbiya, the color of the faces will change and they will tremble while saying 'Here I am my Lord! Here I am!'. When ask why the face changes? They reply it is in the fear that Allah might say 'La Labayk - Return I do not want you here'. SEEING THE HOLY HOUSE One of the most momentous and memorable events of your life is when your eyes fall upon the holy Kaaba for the first time. This is the house of God and the most sacred spot on this heart. Make sure before you come to the kaaba you know what Kaaba's history is and all the corners of the kaaba, what they represent and being called viz: the Maqama Ibrahim, Hijr of Ismail, the Muntazam and muntajar; the Muntazam is where sins are forgiven and wishes are granted. The Muntajar also is where Nabi Adam (a.s) seek forgiveness from his Lord. 3 Likes |
| Re: The Spiritual Significance Of HAJJ (pilgrimage To Mecca) by AlBaqir(m): 12:37pm On Jul 08, 2014 |
THE TAWAF You then begin the tawaf. In Tawaf, you go around the Kaaba 7times. In doing so you will resemble the Angels going round the 'throne' of Allah in a very similar fashion...just like moth going round a candle light. One must infatuated with the love of Allah while going round the Kaaba at every round. The angels going round Allah's throne are describe in the glorious Qur'an thus: "And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne (of Allah) from all round, glorifying the praises of their Lord(Allah)" ~Chap. 39 vs 75. Note that between you and your Lord there are veils and these veils are not real. They are veils of illusion. Some scholars and mystics have said there are 70 veils between the Creator and His creatures. The Tawaf is mean in which you rip away the veil and through the repetition, you remove the veil one by one; and if done properly 10veils are remove at every Tawaf...so that at the end of the 7th Tawaf you would have remove all the veils between you and your Lord. Reflect what those veils are that separate you from your Lord. Is it selfishness? Is it greed? Pride, lust, anger? And with each Tawaf, drop one of them and think about them how it surround your life and why you need to get rid of them; and then replace them with Peace, tranquility and selflessness. Loose yourself in Tawaf until you can go around till eternity. Perhaps that is why Tawaf is done in a circle for a circle represent infinity; no start or end. Allah is Eternal and the Tawaf has no end so let your dwell in it feel the same. In the words of Imam Ali ibn Hussain, Zaynul Abideen (a.s) to Shibli, he said: "O Shibli in doing Tawaf you are hurling towards Allah and you are running towards Allah" The Black Stone If you are able to touch the 'Black stone or Hajarul Aswad', Imam said to Shibli its like you have touch the "hand" of Allah What does this stone symbolize? It symbolizes a hand - a right hand! The right hand of Allah! In the past, individuals and tribes made contracts with the chiefs of other tribes. This was done to assure their maintenance and survival in the desert. The contract was known as an allegiance. How was it actualized? The individual involved had to extend his right hand to shake and hold the right hand of the other in order that he becomes his ally. Automatically, it was understood that his previous allegiance were cancelled. At the black stone, the moment of selection, you must choose your path, goal, and future. When joining the people, you must shake hands with Allah who is extending His right hand - therefore taking oath to become Allah's confederate. You will be free from all previous allegiances; no longer will you be an ally of the powers, the hypocrites, the tribal chiefs, the rulers on this earth, the aristocrats of Quraish, the landlords, nor money. You are Free! "The Hand of Allah is over their hands" ~Qur'an 48 :10 Touch Allah's hand. He is superior to all who have TIED your hands in previous allegiances! In this when you go back home you will carry along with you a great ability and power so that whosoever touch your hand thereof is like he has touch the Hajarul Aswad himself and will have similar reward as if have touch the black stone. And those you will pray for, Allah will accept the prayer because of the lips you have used to kiss the 'Hajar al-aswad'. Lesson Of Tawaf While performing Tawaf, experience what one normally undergo during hustling and bustling in day to day life! Observe how human being behave when restricted! Watch the moment of greed, selfishness and wanting to get ahead of others; the pushing, etc and see how undevelop and unenlightened we are! Observe the animal nature within us! Observe the temptations to fight back! Watch your ability to resist the temptation to fight back. The challenge is to take this experience back to your homes. If you are able to go back home with same level of calmness and tranquility amidst chaos during Tawaf; and with the same understanding of weakness of human being and understanding that God is ever watchful, then your Tawaf is indeed meaningful and useful. Perhaps that is one of the reason Allah sent you to Hajj so that you may learnt about inner peace and live in tranquility amidst chaos. There's nothing great in Tawaf if there was no rush and no crowd and no pushing or shelving. Only those who find tranquility amidst all these obstacle can truly solve the problems of others and help mankind. Had He (swt) wish, he could ask us to ascend the mountain and live in isolation for 40days. And that would have been our Hajj. But one who finds peace in isolation and feel upset in crowd cannot really help others. He can only help himself. But Allah want you to help others. 3 Likes |
| Re: The Spiritual Significance Of HAJJ (pilgrimage To Mecca) by AlBaqir(m): 12:53pm On Jul 08, 2014 |
MAQAM IBRAHIM After completing the Tawaf, you will then perform two rakat at maqam Ibrahim. This is the salat of Tawaf; it is a prayer of thankfulness, a sign of ascension towards God for salat is the Meraj or ascension of the believer. This is because in reciting al-Fatiha, you have a conversion with Allah. In the Ruku, sujud there is the glorification and praise of Allah...and in your Qunut, you are given the opportunity to ask from One who truly gives; and in the Tashahud there is the beseech of the intercesion of the prophet and his household (a.s). SA'E After you have perform the salat, you will then perform the 'Sa'e - the walking and running between two mountains of Safa and Mar'wa'. The purpose of Sa'e is to break your pride and to keep in memory the remembrance of Hajara, the wife of Ibrahim (a.s) and the mother of Ismail (a.s). Allah so love this action of Hajara that He makes it part of Hajj. What was the running of Hajara between Safa and Mar'wa? She ran from one mountain to the other in fear that her child will perish...she ran in hope that she will find water for her son's safety. You too must run in the same way. Run from Safa to Mar'wa in fear of Allah's wrath and punishment and from the fire of hell. And run from Mar'wa to Safa in hope of Allah's mercy and forgiveness and His eternal reward. Hajara search for water for her son, you too must search for that which will sustain your soul. For water sustain the body and Allah's mercy sustains the soul. As Hajara searched and never gave up until she find water for Ismail, you too must not give up until you find water for your soul which is the love of Allah. When Nabi Ibrahim left hajar and Ismail (a.s), he had had this son in his old age and it wasn't easy to leave his son and his wife behind. Yet upon Allah's command, he abandoned both in a valley that was infertile and desolate. He did so with hope in none but Allah. In his words Quran says Ibrahim prayed: "O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in an uncultivable valley by Your Sacred House;.." ~Q.14 vs 37 You too have come far to Makka leaving behind your loved ones and may be worrying about them and perhaps they are worried about you too. Now become like Ibrahim! Place your hope and trust in Allah, leave the world behind. Focus on Allah alone since He's more able to look after your loved one just as He's able to look after you. A woman alone in an infertile desert would naturally be desperate and would be in an inner state of confusion and fear. What would you do had you been Hajara? Reflect upon this. Hajar displayed courage with love and compassion by running from one mountain to the other and never gave up until she finds zamzam, the spring of life for her son. You too must do the same. Put aside all worries, anxiety, fear, greed, selfishness. Be courageous and find this spring of life. 3 Likes |
| Re: The Spiritual Significance Of HAJJ (pilgrimage To Mecca) by AlBaqir(m): 12:56pm On Jul 08, 2014 |
HAJJ AT-TAMATU As you proceed for Hajj at-tamatu, you will leave Makka and go out to the farthest region which is Arafat. It is as if Allah is saying to you go forth from My house to the farthest place possible and purify yourself; and return to Me gradually from Arafa to Muzdalifah and then to Mina, each step purify yourself further as you come closer and closer to returning to Allah's house. ARAFAT Arafat is meant to remind you of the day of judgment! The heat, the number of people gathered, the open land...all these should remind you of the day of judgment. The standing on your feet under the hot sand, dress in your shroud, pleading and praying, supplicating and beeseching. The word 'Arafat' comes from the Arabic root verb 'Arafa' which is 'to know, to realize, to recognize, to understand'. It is also the root word of Ma'arifa! When we talk about Ma'arifa, it is not only the knowing of Allah. It encompasses the 'Ma'arifa of the prophet, the Ma'arifa of the Qur'an, the Ma'arifa of your Imam, the Ma'arifa of the wilayat (guardianship); and indeed the Ma'arifa of your true self - knowing truly who you are! Of utmost importance on that day is the Ma'arifa of the present Imam. Remember on that day that Imam al-Mahdi (a.s) is present with you at Arafat on the night of Dhul Hijah. This is the time for beseeching because you are standing with al-Mahdi on the same land, at the same place and time. He's aware of your presence even if you are heedless of him therefore do not let this moment pass without contemplate on his presence ("whoever dies without recognizing the Imam of his time, dies a death of Jahiliya"~hadith of the prophet). There should be a kind of Ma'arifa attain in Arafat otherwise standing on Arafat is pointless. In certain hadith we learnt there are some sins that are not forgiven except in Arafat; so remember to beesech Allah for forgiveness in Arafat. 4 Likes |
| Re: The Spiritual Significance Of HAJJ (pilgrimage To Mecca) by AlBaqir(m): 4:58pm On Jul 09, 2014 |
MASH'ARUL HARAM OR MUZDHALIFA As the sun set in Arafat, you will proceed to Mash'arul haram which is also called Muzdhalifa. This is the command of Allah in the Qur'an: "There is no sin on you if you seek the Bounty of your Lord. Then when you leave 'Arafat, remember Allah at the Mash'ar-il-Haram. And remember Him as He has guided you, and verily, you were, before, of those who were astray." ~Surat al-Baqara vs 198 You will then remain in Muzdhalifa for the rest of the night and you will not enter Minna until the sun has risen. A lot of people would be tired and would have gone to sleep at Muzdhalifa. This is where you must stay up and remember Allah. You must do the dhikr of Allah as He has commanded: "...remember Allah at the Mash'ar-il-Haram". Let your remembrance of Allah be through the reading of the Qur'an, supplication etc. The Ma'arifa you have attained in Arafat is internal and silent. Let it now be actualize and externalize. That Ma'arifa your heart attained in Arafat let it now come forth through your tongue, eyes, limbs, ears etc. PICKING STONES An important aspect of Muzdhalifa is the collection of pebbles for the stoning of Shay'tan at Minna. In the words of Imam Ali Zaynul Abideen (a.s) to Shibli: "O Shibli you are now accumulating weapons to fight shay'tan! Did you pray to Allah for tranquility from shay'tan?" Remember as you pick these pebbles, you did not only want to stone this shay'tan that is outside but you also want to stone the Shay'tan that is within your soul and ego. So pick every pebbles with this consciousness that these pebbles are meant to destroy the devils inside you than the pillar that represent devil at Minna. 2 Likes |
| Re: The Spiritual Significance Of HAJJ (pilgrimage To Mecca) by AlBaqir(m): 9:36pm On Jul 12, 2014 |
MINNA Once the sun as risen, you will proceed to Minna. Minna in its sound is very close to the arabic word 'Munna or Tamanna' meaning 'to yearn or to wish or to desire'. In a narration of Imam Riza (a.s): "The reason why Minna is being called was that the archangel Jubril said to Nabi Ibrahim at this place: 'Ask from your Lord whatever you pleased'" Hence Minna is a place of hope and expectation. It is a place where pleads are answered. It is a place where Allah ask: 'what does the lover want from the beloved?'. Beware at the presence of Shay'tan for no place people quarrel and fight more than in Minna; for this is where Shay'tan is more active and needed to be stoned the most. For 3days you will stay in Minna and stone the pillar that represent the devil. Not only will you stone the devil outside but also stone the 'Nafs amara'(evil soul) within you. That Nafs that always command you to do evil. On the 1st and 2nd day when you have stoned the 'largest devil', on the 3rd you will stone the smallest pillar represent the 'small devil'. Having stone the Largest devil within you now left with the smallest Shayatin. This is to show you that having crushed the larger devil within you, go after the small traces in your heart as well and do not be heedless of them. SACRIFICE OF RAM (QUR'BANI) After completing the stoning at Minna, you will perform the sacrifice which must be done with all sincerity and with the wish that one could offer the best one can afford to Allah. Remember when the sons of Adam offered their sacrifice to Allah. He accepted from Habil who offered the best he had; and that of Qabil was rejected because he offered the worst he had of his crops. Allah refers to this in Chapter 5 vs 27. It is not only the slaughtering of the animal that will purify you rather the slaughtering of your base and sinful desires for the sake of Allah. 4 Likes |
| Re: The Spiritual Significance Of HAJJ (pilgrimage To Mecca) by AlBaqir(m): 6:44am On Aug 20, 2014 |
SHAVING OF HEAD Having done the Qur'bani, you will then shave your head; and in doing so do not forget to shave the ego as well. Once you shave your head the heart should at least get soften. Do not forget to shave off the boastful feelings towards people. As you complete the rest of the rituals, that which is Haram becomes halal for you. RETURNING BACK TO MAKKA You will return back to Makka to perform Tawaf. This Tawaf (again) is very important because it is to show you no matter level one has reach in witnessing the manifestations of Allah, in order to gain control of one's sensual instincts, one needs to go once step further and reaches a higher step of spirituality. SUMMARY At the end of Hajj, what one realizes is all the rites of Hajj are indeed lessons, ethics and morals (Akhlaq). When one has completed the Hajj, the correct etiquettes is to visit the prophet (saws) and his ahl al-bayt (a.s); and to pay one's respect to them while seeking their intercessions in all acts of worship for Allah says in Chapter 4 vs 64: "We sent no Messenger, but to be obeyed by Allah's Leave. If they (hypocrites), when they had been unjust to themselves, had come to you (Muhammad SAW) and begged Allah's Forgiveness, and the Messenger had begged forgiveness for them: indeed, they would have found Allah All-Forgiving (One Who accepts repentance), Most Merciful." This then starts one's journey back to the creation. The prove that one's Hajj has been accepted is weather one's life is different from what it was before performing the Hajj. If one is now more diligent in one's salat, and one's etiquettes and morals have improved, if one has given up all ways of wrongs and sins, if one's goal and ambitions in life are now more focused on the hereafter than on this world, if one's service towards mankind is more, then indeed this is a sign of having one's Hajj accepted. For in the Four journeys of Mulla Sadra, the 3rd and the 4th are the most difficult i.e the journey back to the creation and remaining with Allah while remaining with the creation for rest of one's life. Hajj is therefore more than just of fulfilling religious obligations. It is your submission and acknowledgment to the fact that it is now time to change the course of your life and to set things aright. May Allah make us of those in whose Hajj has been accepted; and provide means for we who have not been to Hajj but have a great desire in doing so. Ameen Yaa Rabil Alamin! Wal Hamdulillahi Rabil alamin. Wa sala Allahu ala Muhammad wa ala ahl al-bayti tayyibina Tahirin. (An excerpt from the lecture of sheikh khalil Jafar) 5 Likes |
| Re: The Spiritual Significance Of HAJJ (pilgrimage To Mecca) by AlBaqir(m): 5:11pm On Sep 28, 2014 |
Recite: ﻟﺒﻴﻚ ﺍﻟﻠﻬﻢ ﻟﺒﻴﻚ ﻟﺎ ﺷﺮﻳﻚ ﻟﻚ ﻟﺒﻴﻚ ﺇﻥ ﺍﻟﺤﻤﺪ ﻭﺍﻟﻨﻌﻤﺔ ﻟﻚ ﻭﺍﻟﻤﻠﻚ ﻟﺎ ﺷﺮﻳﻚ ﻟﻚ "I am present, O Allah, I am present, there is no partner unto You. I am present. Definitely praise and glory is yours (for You). The Kingdom is also Yours. There is no partner for You". May Allah accept the worship of the pilgrims 3 Likes |
| Re: The Spiritual Significance Of HAJJ (pilgrimage To Mecca) by AlBaqir(m): 11:16am On Sep 02, 2015 |
[size=28pt]Hajj is the manifestation of the Islamic Unity. People with different skin colors, nationalities, identities, Islamic denominations, tendencies, all of them together circle around the Holy Ka'ba[/size] {Sayyid Ali Khamenei, 22nd August 2015}. 2 Likes |
| Re: The Spiritual Significance Of HAJJ (pilgrimage To Mecca) by eluquenson(m): 11:14am On Sep 04, 2015 |
Allahu akbar |
| Re: The Spiritual Significance Of HAJJ (pilgrimage To Mecca) by AlBaqir(m): 12:21pm On Sep 18, 2016 |
All praise due to Allah for hitch-free hajj this season. May Allah accept the worship of those who visited His house with sincerity of heart. #Ghadir around the corner. 2 Likes |
| Re: The Spiritual Significance Of HAJJ (pilgrimage To Mecca) by AlBaqir(m): 6:25pm On Aug 25, 2017 |
# Hajj season again. May Allah accept the Hujjaj. 2 Likes |
| Re: The Spiritual Significance Of HAJJ (pilgrimage To Mecca) by AlBaqir(m): 9:04am On Aug 03, 2018 |
AlBaqir: |
| Re: The Spiritual Significance Of HAJJ (pilgrimage To Mecca) by HajimeSaito(m): 11:21am On Aug 03, 2018 |
AlBaqir:  3 Likes 1 Share |
(1) (Reply)
Whats Islam Ruling On Taking Photo,watching Videos,and Isbaal..proof Needed / Maolid Nabiy: Haram Or Halal? / The Story Of Prophet Musa And Khidr : Indeed Allah Is All Knowing
(Go Up)
| Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 123 |