Hajj & Umrah, - Hajj to the House: Virtues and Secrets - I

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It is a sign of the infinite mercy of Allaah The Almighty towards His slaves that He has legislated for them several acts of obedience, opened the gates of mercy before them, encouraged them to attain His reward and invited them to draw closer to Him. When they do so, in turn, He will love them, and if He loves a slave, He will become his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his feet with which he walks.
PerformingHajjto the Sacred House of Allaah is the foremost of the acts of worship that are a means of having one's misdeeds forgiven, ranks elevated and a cause of people being made to enter Paradise. Thus, Allaah The Almighty encourages His slaves to observe this act of worship and urges them to performHajj, Saying )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[
On the other hand, Allaah The Exalted warns against abandoning this act of worship while one is able to perform it, indicating that this action reflects denial of the favor of Allaah. Although Allaah has enabled His slave to come to His House and has subjected various means for him, the slave turned away, rejected the call and showed laziness and weak will. Thus, Allaah The Almighty Says at the end of the aforementioned verse )what means(:}But whoever disbelieves - then indeed, Allaah is free from need of the worlds.{]Quran 3: 97[
Likewise, the Prophetwarned against neglecting this religious obligation and commanded people to make haste in this respect. The Prophetsaid:"Whoever intends to perform Hajj should hasten to it; for one could get sick, his mount could be lost or he could face poverty and need."]Hasan Hadeeth[ ]Ahmad and Ibn Maajah[
‘Ali ibn Abi Taalibsaid,"Circumambulate the House )of Allaah( often before you are prevented from doing that."Indeed,Abu Al-Hasan,‘Alisaid the truth. Performing the obligation ofHajjtoday has become financially and physically difficult and many Muslims who are willing to perform it are no longer able to do so due to financial incapability or the difficulty in going to the Sacred House of Allaah.
Purification before beautification:
It is well-known to scholars that purification precedes beautification. Thus, whoever intends to performHajjto the Sacred House of Allaah should prepare himself first for the light he wants to receive. The best way to achieve this is by sincere repentance to Allaah and giving back people's dues.
Some think thatHajjexpiates sins even if one did not repent of them before going toHajj. This is a mistake and reflects lack of understanding, forHajjactually is expiation and reward for the slave who repents and returns to Allaah The Almighty. It was narrated on the authority of‘Abdullaah ibn Mas‘oodthat he said,"Some people said to the Messenger of Allaah'O Messenger of Allaah! Will we be questioned for our deeds during the pre-Islamic era?'The Prophetsaid:'Whoever is a good Muslim of you will not be questioned, but whoever is a bad Muslim of you will be questioned for his misdeeds before and after Islam.'"]Muslim[
Some etiquettes ofHajj:
When one intends to perform Hajj, he should observe certain etiquettes, including:
*.Dedicating the intention solely for the sake of Allaah The Almighty. Allaah accepts only the )good( deeds which are solely dedicated to Him.
*.Ensuring sufficient resources to cover the expenses of one's dependents and advising them to be pious.
*.Learning the rulings of Hajj and ‘Umrah.
*.Giving back people's dues or asking for their pardon.
*.Using lawfully gained expenses for Hajj. Allaah is Good and He accepts only what is good.
*.Choosing righteous companions and good friends for the journey. Choosing a good companion takes precedence over anything else.
*.Observing the etiquette of travel while going and coming.
*.Training the self in patience, enduring the hardships of travel, suppressing anger, acquiring good morals and abandoning dispute and argument.
*.Keenness to do many acts of obedience as well as righteous deeds which bring one closer to Allaah The Almighty. The opportunity of Hajj may not come again.

Hajj & Umrah, - Merits of Hajj and ‘Umrah- II

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)Continued(
Hajjis )a type of(Jihaad
Jihaadis of different kinds and ranks, including striving with the soul and property, striving with the tongue and word and striving against one’s own desires in obedience of Allaah, and this latter type is very clearly manifested inHajj, which combines the striving of the body along with the spending of wealth in the way of Allaah.
1.Allaah The Almighty prescribedHajjas a type ofJihaadfor he who is weak and unable to fight in the cause of Allaah. It was narrated on the authority of ‘Aa’ishahthat she said,“O Messenger of Allaah, we see that Jihaad is the best of deeds, should we not take part in Jihaad?”He said:“The best type of Jihaad for you )women( is to perform a Hajj Mabroor.”]Al-Bukhaari[
The Companionswould not limit themselves to one type ofJihaad. ‘Umarsaid,“When you unsaddle )your horses, i.e. return from fighting(, then saddle up your camels on your journey to Hajj as it is one of two types of Jihaad.”Ibn Mas‘oodsaid,“It )Jihaad( is )i.e., depends on( but a saddle )on the horse( and a bag )on the camel(: the saddle )on the horse( is used for fighting in the cause of Allaah and the bag )on the camel( is for the way to Hajj.”
All of these and other texts indicate the high position of this obligatory duty in theSharee‘ahof Islam and its importance in the Muslim’s life.
Performing Hajjis among the causes of wealth and its multiplication
One might have the false impression that if he spends his wealth inHajjand ‘Umrah)minor pilgrimage(, his wealth would decrease and he would be given to destitution and poverty. For this reason, the Prophet,, wanted to remove this false impression and fear, showing that spending inHajjand ‘Umrahand performing them repeatedly in fact bring about sustenance and eliminate poverty, by the permission of Allaah The Almighty. It was narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas‘oodthat the Messenger of Allaah,, said:"Perform Hajj and ‘Umrah repeatedly, for they remove poverty and sins in the same way as bellows removes the impurities of iron, gold and silver.”]Ahmad and others[ Bellows are a toolfor producing a strong current of air and are used by blacksmiths to expel impurities and stains from the iron with the help of the fire.
Just as Allaah The Almighty promises the slave to recompense him in this world for his spending inHajjand increase sustenance for him, He also promises that such spending will be multiplied with Him The Almighty in the Hereafter, in the same way as the spending in the way of Allaah is multiplied. It was narrated on the authority of Buraydahthat the Prophet,, said:"Spending in Hajj is )multiplied( like spending in the cause of Allaah: As much as seven hundred times."]Ahmad: Hasan chain of narrators[
The pilgrim is under the protection of Allaah
SinceHajjmay expose the slave to many risks and terrors which could thwart him and cause him to refrain from performing that obligatory duty, Allaah The Almighty ensures for the one who sets out on a journey as a pilgrim to His House in response to His call to safeguard and take care of him in life and after death. As far as this world is concerned, if he returns home, he will return with reward. As for the Hereafter, then if he dies on the journey, he would be raised in the very state in which he died. Which type of fear could then be upon he whom Allaah is with? In confirmation of this, it was narrated in an authenticHadeethon the authority of Abu Hurayrahthat the Prophet,, said:"Three )types of people( are under the protection of Allaah: A man who goes to one of the Masjids )Mosques( of Allaah, a man who sets out as a fighter in the cause of Allaah, and a man who sets out as a pilgrim."]Abu Nu‘aym[ ]Al-Albaani: Saheeh[
It is also proven in aSaheehnarration on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaasthat the Prophet,, said about a man who fell down from his riding mount while being at ‘Arafah, and broke his neck:“Wash him with water and Sidr and shroud him in two pieces of cloth, and neither perfume him, nor cover his head, for he will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment reciting Talbiyah )i.e. as a pilgrim(."]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[
Performers ofHajjand ‘Umrahare guests of )Allaah( The Most Merciful
It was narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Umarthat he said that the Prophet,, said:"The fighter in the cause of Allaah, and the performer of Hajj and ‘Umrah are guests of Allaah The Almighty. He invites them and they answer His invitation, and they ask Him and He gives them )what they ask for(."]Ibn Maajah[ ]Al-Albaani: Saheeh[
What honor could be equal to the slave’s being in the hospitality of Allaah The Most Merciful? What honor could be equal to the response of the creator to the supplication of His slave? Allaah is the Bestower of success.

Hajj & Umrah, - Merits of Hajj and ‘Umrah- I

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Ever since Allaah The Almighty commanded HisKhaleel)intimate friend( Ibraaheem )Abraham(to proclaimHajjto the people, hearts have been in longing for this House and location, and crowds of visitors come to it from every distant pass in response to the call of Allaah The Almighty. In this respect, Ibn ‘Abbaassaid,
When Ibraaheem finished building the House, it was said to him )by Allaah(: “Proclaim )Hajj( to the people.” He said, “O Lord, to what extent would my voice reach?” He said: “It is your duty to proclaim, and it is incumbent upon Me to convey )your voice to everywhere in the world(.” Ibraaheem then called, “O people, )the obligatory duty of( Hajj has been enjoined upon you to the ancient House, so come to perform Hajj.” All what is between the heaven and earth heard his voice. Do you not see the people coming from the farthest ends of the earth announcing )with Talbiyah )the Hajj related chant(( their response )to the call(?
The obligatory duty ofHajjwas made obligatory by Allaah The Almighty upon the capable among His salves once in lifetime, as He States )what means(:}And ]due[ to Allaah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves - then indeed, Allaah is free from need of the worlds.{]Quran 3:97[ The obligation ofHajjis among the indisputably established facts of Islam.
Allaah made the outcome of performing this act of worship the great reward that stimulates the Muslim’s zeal, whets his will power and makes him proceed to it with an expanded chest and energetic determination in the hope of the reward and forgiveness of Allaah and what has been prepared of good by Allaah to the pilgrims of His honorable House. There are many texts about the merits of Hajj and ‘Umrah)lesser pilgrimage(, of which a mention may be made of the following:
Hajjeffaces sins and misdeeds that are committed before it
Hajjis among the greatest means of the forgiveness removal of sins and misdeeds. If one performsHajj Mabroor)which is aHajjthat is accepted by Allaah(, he would return fromHajj)as pure from sins( as a newborn on the day his mother gave birth to him, that is, purity from all sins and mistakes. It was narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrahthat he said that he heard the Prophet,, say:“Whoever performs Hajj, during which he neither has sexual activity )with his wife( nor commits sins, he will return )as sinless( as a newborn child on the very day his mother delivered him.”]Al-Bukhaari[ TheHadeethvery clearly confirms the forgiveness of sins, be they minor or major, according to Al-Haafith Ibn Hajar.
However, this forgiveness is, according to theHadeeth, conditional on abstention from having sexual activity )intercourse and foreplay with one’s wife( and disobedience to Allaah during theHajj.
It was narrated in an authentic Hadeeth that ‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aascame to the Prophet,, to embrace Islam and he put a condition that his previous sins should be forgiven for him, thereupon the Prophet,, mentioned to him three things, each of which removes the sins and mistakes prior to it.Thus, it was narrated on the authority of ‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aasthat he said,
When Allaah placed the love of Islam in my heart, I went to the Prophetand said, “Stretch out your hand so that I can give you the pledge of allegiance.” However, when he stretched out his hand, I withdrew mine. He said:“What is the matter with you, O ‘Amr?”I replied, “I want to place a certain condition on this.” He asked:“What condition do you wish to place?”I said, “That I should be granted forgiveness.” He said:“Do you not know that )embracing( Islam effaces all the previous misdeeds committed before it as does the Hijrah )emigration( and Hajj?”]Muslim[
Thus,Hajjwas made among the acts of worship that remove all sins previously committed.
The reward of aHajj Mabrooris Paradise
Allaah The Almighty promises His slaves reward for their obedience to Him and made forHajjno reward other than Paradise. It was narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrahthat the Prophet,, said:"The performance of two ‘Umrahs expiates the sins that are committed in the interval between them; and the Hajj Mabroor )that is accepted by Allaah as being performed with sincerity and according to the rules of Sharee‘ah( has no reward other than Paradise."]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[ However, this reward is contingent on the condition of its being accepted, as not everyHajjwill be rewarded with Paradise. That reward is restricted only to the aHajj Mabroor, and aHajj Mabrooris that which complies with the teachings and principles ofSharee‘ahin deed and belief, and is not contaminated with anything ofShirk, )polytheism( sin, sexual relations or disobedience.
Among the signs ofHajj Mabrooris that the Muslim’s condition afterHajjbecomes better than before it. The evidence for that is the statement of Allaah The Almighty )which means(:}And those who are guided - He increases them in guidance and gives them their righteousness.{]Quran 47:17[ Al-Hasan Al-Basrisaid,“)The sign of( a Hajj Mabroor is that the pilgrim returns )from it( having no desire for this world and seeking the Hereafter.”Overall,Hajj Mabroor, as Al-Qurtubiput it,“Is that whose rulings are fulfilled and which is performed perfectly according to what is required from the onecompetent for religious assignment.”
Hajjis among the best righteous deeds
Righteous deeds are numerous and vary in rank and degree of reward and excellence. Since one’s lifetime is very short, the deeds are numerous and he may not know which of them should be given priority, it is incumbent upon the slave to be eager to understand the ranks of deeds to get closer to Allaah with the dearest of deeds to Him, and give it priority over what is lesser in rank and excellence. The Prophet,, put the deeds in order )according to their ranks( in theHadeethnarrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrahwhen the Messenger of Allaah,,was asked about the best deed, he replied:“To believe in Allaah and His Messenger )Muhammad(."The questioner then asked,“What comes next )in goodness(?"He replied:“To participate in Jihaad )religious fighting( in the cause of Allaah."The questioner then asked,“What comes next )in goodness(?" He replied:“To perform a Hajj Mabroor."]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[
In clarification of whyHajjwas given such preference and rank, one of the righteous predecessors said,“I have reflected on all the righteous deeds and found that the prayers exhaust only the body and not wealth, as does fasting, and found that charity exhausts only wealth but not the body, whereas Hajj exhausts both; thus, I saw it as the best.”Hajjthen is a financial as well as a physical worship.
)To be continued(

Dought & clear, - The best way to call those who do not pray and to deal with innovators

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What is the best way to call those who do not pray? What about innovators?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
We should consider the person being called to pray or to do other acts of worship, and pay attention to the most effective means of encouraging him or warning him. The general principle in Islam is to combine both approaches (encouraging and warning). It is also important to pay attention to how receptive or otherwise the person being called is, and whether he will be influences or put off by preaching.
Secondly:
The best way to call those who do not pray can be summed up as follows:
1 – Reminding them of the obligation of prayer and that it is the greatest of the pillars of Islam after the Shahaadatayn (twin declaration of faith).
2 – Telling them some of the virtues of prayer, for it is the best of the duties that Allaah has enjoined on His slaves, and the best way by means of which a person may draw closer to his Lord. It is the first of his religious affairs for which a person will be brought to account. The five daily prayers are an expiation for whatever sins come in between them, so long as he avoids major sins. A single prostration raises a person in status by one degree, and erases one sin… and there are other virtues of prayer that have been narrated. This may open his heart and perhaps prayer may become a source of delight, as it was for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
3 – Telling them of the stern warnings that have been narrated concerning not praying, and the different opinions of the scholars as to whether this constitutes kufr (disbelief) and riddah (apostasy). Islam does not give the one who does not pray the opportunity to live freely among people, because in his case he must he invited to pray, and if he persists in not praying, he is to be executed as an apostate according to the view of Ahmad and those who agreed with him among the salaf (early generations of Islam); or he is to be executed as a hadd punishment, according to the view of Maalik and al-Shaafa’i; or he is to be detained and imprisoned, according to the view of Abu Haneefah. But no scholar says that he is to be left free. So it should be said to the one who does not pray: are you happy that the scholars disagreed as to whether you are a kaafir and whether you should be killed or imprisoned?
4 – Reminding them of the meeting with Allaah, death and the grave, and what will happen to the one who does not pray, namely a bad end and the torment of the grave.
5 – Explaining that delaying prayer until the time for it is over is a major sin:
“Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who have given up As-Salaah (the prayers) [i.e. made their Salaah (prayers) to be lost, either by not offering them or by not offering them perfectly or by not offering them in their proper fixed times] and have followed lusts. So they will be thrown in Hell”
[Maryam 19:59 – interpretation of the meaning].
Ibn Mas’ood said concerning al-Ghayy (translated here as “Hell”): it is a valley in Hell that is very deep and has a foul taste.
And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“So woe unto those performers of Salaah (prayers) (hypocrites),
5. Those who delay their Salaah (prayer from their stated fixed times)”
[al-Ma’oon 107:4-5]
6 – Explaining the serious implications of the view that they are kaafirs, such as their marriages being rendered invalid, it being forbidden for them to remain with and be intimate with their wives, and the fact that they will not be washed and prayed for after they die. Among the texts that indicate that the one who does not pray is a kaafir is the hadeeth in which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer.” Narrated by Muslim, 82. and he said: “The covenant that stands between us and them is prayer; whoever gives it up is a kaafir.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2621; al-Nasaa’i, 463; Ibn Maajah, 1079.
7 – Giving them some booklets and tapes that deal with the subject of prayer and the punishment of the one who does not pray or is careless concerning the prayer.
8 – Forsaking and shunning them if they persist in not praying.
With regard to innovators, the way in which we deal with them varies according to the type of innovation involved. We should advise them and call them to Allaah, and establish proof against them, and refute their specious arguments. If the innovator persists in his innovation he should be forsaken and shunned, if it is thought that this will most likely benefit him. We have first to be sure that a person is an innovator before resorting to these measures, and reference should be made to the scholars. We should differentiate between the innovation and the one who practices it, because he may have the excuse of ignorance or misunderstanding. For more details please seeHaqeeqat al-Bid’ah wa Ahkaamuhuby Sa’eed ibn Naasir al-Ghaamidi.
And Allaah knows best.

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