Islam - considering Hajj, the status of women, and the possibility of being a Muslim without going to the Mosque.
ISLAM
) Why do Muslims go on Hajj?
2) Select, describe and explain those rituals of the Hajj which will be of spiritual value to the pilgrim.
3) How is Muslim behaviour directed by Islamic teaching on the role and status of women?
4) Do you think it is possible to be a Muslim without going to a mosque? (Consider more than one point of view)
Introduction
The name of this religion is Islam, the root of which is Silm and Salaam which means peace. Salaam may also mean greeting
one another with peace. One of the beautiful names of God is that He is 'The Peace'. Islam means submission to The One God, and to live in peace with the Creator, within one's self, with other people and with the environment. Islam is a total system of living. A Muslim is supposed to live in peace and harmony with all these segments. A Muslim is any person anywhere in the world whose loyalty is to God, the Lord of the Universe.
Allah is the name of the One and Only God. Allah has ninety-nine beautiful names, such as: The Gracious, The Merciful, The
Beneficent, The Creator, The All-Knowing, The All-Wise, The Lord of the Universe, The First, The Last, and others.
He is the Creator of all human beings. He is the God for the Christians, the Jews, the Muslims, the Buddhists, the Hindus, the
Atheists and others. Muslims worship God whose name is Allah. They put their trust in Him and they seek His help and His
guidance.
Muhammad was chosen by God to deliver His Message of Peace, namely Islam. He was born in 570 C.E. (Common Era) in
Makkah, Arabia. He was entrusted with the Message of Islam when he was at the age of forty years. The revelation that he
received is called the Qur`an, while the message is called Islam.
Muhammad is the very last Prophet of God to mankind. He is the final Messenger of God. His message was and is still to the rest of mankind. He was sent to those religious people to inform them about the true mission of
Jesus, Moses, Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham.
Muhammad is considered to be the summation and the culmination of all the prophets and messengers that came before
him. He purified the previous messages from adulteration and completed the Message of God for all humanity. He was
entrusted with the power of explaining, interpreting and living the teaching of the Qur`an.
The legal sources of Islam are the Qur`an and the Hadith. The Qur`an is the exact word of God; its authenticity, originality and
totality is intact. The Hadith is the report of the sayings, deeds and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad. The Prophet's
sayings and deeds are called 'Sunnah'. The 'Seerah' is the writings of followers of Muhammad about the life of the Prophet.
Hence, it is the life history of the Prophet Muhammad which provides examples of daily living for Muslims.
There are five pillars of Islam. It's compulsory to Muslims to act upon these five pillars. The five pillars are:
A) Shahada (Creed) - The verbal commitment and pledge that there is only one God and that Muhammad (S.A.W)* is the Messenger of God, is considered to be the creed of Islam.
B) Salat (Prayer) - The performance of the five daily prayers is compulsory on every Muslim.
C) Saum (Fasting) - Fasting is to refrain from eating and drinking and to disdain oneself from committing unlawful sins in the month of Ramadhan.
D) Zakat (Purifying tax) - This is an annual payment of 2.5% of a Muslims savings which is distributed among the poor. It is only compulsory for the rich people.
E) Hajj (Pilgrimage) - The performance of pilgrimage to Makkah is required once in a lifetime for every male and female if means are available. Hajj is in memory of the trials and tribulations of the Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) **, His wife Hajera and his son, the Prophet Ismail (A.S) **.
NOTE:
* - S.A.W is the abbreviated form of Sallalahualiehiwasallam. It means `Peace be upon him`.
** - A.S is the abbreviated form of Aliehiwasallam.
) Why do Muslims go on Hajj?
Muslim go on Hajj because it is one of the five pillars of Islam and obligatory on every Muslim male and female who can afford to go and has the physical, financial and mental ability to do so.
It is the solidarity of Muslim brotherhood where Muslims from all over the world gather together to worship Allah. All people are treated equally in the eyes of Allah. Muslims dress in the same simple way, observe the same regulations, and utter the same prayers at the same time in the same way, for the same goal (To please Allah). There is no royalty but loyalty of Allah (God). There is no aristocracy, but humility and devotion.
It is the largest annual convention of faith where Muslims meet to know one another, study their common affairs and promote their general welfare.
The Hajj is performed in The Holy City of Makkah which is situated in Saudi-Arabia. It is a demonstration of universality of Islam and the brotherhood and equality of the Muslims. From every corner of the globe, the Muslims assemble in Makkah in response to the call of Allah (God).
Hajj is a course of spiritual enrichment and moral rearmament, a course of intensified devotion and disciplinary experience, a course of humanitarian interests and inspiring knowledge-all put together in one single institution of Islam.
Hajj is a reminder of the grand assembly on the Day of Judgment when people will stand equal before God, waiting for their final destiny, and where no superiority of race or stock can be claimed. It is also a reminder of the fact that Makkah alone, in the whole world, was honored by Allah (God) in being the centre on monotheism since ...
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Hajj is a course of spiritual enrichment and moral rearmament, a course of intensified devotion and disciplinary experience, a course of humanitarian interests and inspiring knowledge-all put together in one single institution of Islam.
Hajj is a reminder of the grand assembly on the Day of Judgment when people will stand equal before God, waiting for their final destiny, and where no superiority of race or stock can be claimed. It is also a reminder of the fact that Makkah alone, in the whole world, was honored by Allah (God) in being the centre on monotheism since the time of the Prophet Ibrahim (A.S), and that it will continue to be the centre of Islam, the religion of pure monotheism, till the end of time.
Historical background
Ibrahim (A.S) was known as 'Khalilullah' which means 'Friend of Allah'. At a young age Ibrahim believed in Allah but his father did not. Ibrahim's community were idol-worshippers and they hated him for not following them. Ibrahim (A.S) was tormented. Eventually he left for Makkah which was a valley. There were no people or any kind of civilisation. There were no trees or no water. Ibrahim went to Makkah with his wife Hajera (Hagar) and his son Ismail who was still a baby. The family stayed there a while and Ibrahim was about to leave his wife and child. Hajera asked 'Where are you going? Are you going to leave us here? Are you going to leave us here where there is no food or water? Has Allah commanded you to do this?' Ibrahim (A.S) replied 'Yes.' Hajera said, 'Then he will not let us die'.
Ibrahim (A.S) left his wife and child a small pouch of dates and left. After Ibrahim (A.S) left, Ismail became thirsty. Hajera set off from the mountain of Safa to the mountain of Marwah in search of water. Explaining the origin of Zamzam Ibn 'Abbas (A companion of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W)) said: "When Hajera reached the mountain of Marwah in search of water for her baby son Ismail and herself to quench their thirst. She heard a sound, and said to herself, "Quiet." She again heard the sound, whereupon she said, "I have heard you. Help me, if you can." All of a sudden she found an angel at the place where now Zamzam is. He either dug it with his heel or touched it (the ground) with his wing and a spring of water appeared. Hajera encircled the water with soil. She took some water in a container she had, and water kept bubbling up unchecked."
Ibn 'Abbas reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "'May Allah shower His mercy on Ismail's mother. Had she left it untouched, or (the narrator is not sure) the Prophet said, had she not drunk of its water, the Zamzam would have turned into a clear flowing spring.' He added, 'So she drank the water and gave some to her son.' The angel said to her, 'Fear no loss, because this is the site of Allah's House, which this boy and his father shall build. Allah never permits His servant to be lost. At the site of the House was a hill that was split by flood waters running down its right and left."'
The word Zam-Zam means 'Stop! Stop!' This refers to when Hajera tells the water to stop because it was coming out so much.
Some time later, Ibrahim returned to Makkah and rejoined Ismail and Hajera. Ibrahim was very happy with his young son Ismail. He ran and played and went about with his father who loved Ismail very much.
It is narrated in The Holy Qur`an that Ibrahim (A.S) had a dream one night that Allah had told him to sacrifice his beloved possessions. When Ibrahim was convinced that Allah demanded that he should sacrifice his beloved son to please him, He became ready to make the sacrifice.
Ibrahim (A.S) mentioned the dream to his son Ismail. He asked 'What do you think of it?' Ismail replied 'Father do what you have been commanded. Allah willing, you will find me steadfast.' (37:102)
Ibrahim (A.S) took Ismail to a place called Mina. Ismail lied down on the ground and Ibrahim was about to sacrifice him. He put the knife against Ismail's throat. Allah wanted to see if his friend would do what he was commanded to do. Did he love Allah more or did he love his son more? Allah sent the Arc angel Jibril (A.S) to swap Ismail with a ram. Allah was pleased with Ibrahim (A.S) so he commanded the Muslims to make a sacrifice in remembrance on the season of Hajj.
This shows how Ibrahim (A.S) was ready to sacrifice his beloved son to Allah and how Ismail was ready to give his life for the sake of The Almighty Allah. Hajj is all about submitting yourself to Allah and sacrificing your health and wealth for Allah. Allah granted Ismail Prophet hood and he became Ismail (A.S).
PERFORMANCE OF HAJJ
There are three ways of performing Hajj:
* Hajj Al-Tamatt'u (Interrupted)
* Hajj Al-Qiran (Combined)
* Hajj Al-Ifrad (Single)
Hajj Al-Tamatt'u
This means entering into ihram (Clothes worn on Hajj) for the Umra during the months of Hajj, i.e., the months of Shawwal, Dhul-Q'idah and the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah; to take off ihram after performing the Umrah; and then to put ihram on again for the Hajj from Makkah on the 8th day of Dhul-Hijjah during the same year in which the Umrah was performed.
Hajj Al-Qiran
This denotes entering into ihram for both the Umrah and the Hajj at the same time, not taking off the ihram until the day of sacrifice (10th of Dhul-Hijjah). Alternatively, one may first enter into ihram for the Umrah and before beginning one's tawaf may make the intention of ihram for the Hajj as well.
Hajj Al-Ifrad
This signifies putting on ihram for the Hajj either from the prescribed station of ihram (Al-Miqat), from Makkah if one resides there, or from a place in between Al-Miqat and Makkah in the event that one has brought the sacrificial animal with him, and to remain in ihram until the Day of Sacrifice. If one has not brought an animal for sacrifice, he is required to come out of ihram after performing Umrah; that is, he performs Tawaf (Circuiting the Ka`ba) and Sa'ee (Running between Safa and Marwah), cuts some of his hair according to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) He then comes out of ihram, resuming his usual clothing and state. This is what the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) prescribed for those people who had entered into ihram for the Hajj without bringing a sacrificial animal; they then re-entered into ihram on the 8th Dhul-Hijjah. The same applies to a person who is performing Hajj Al-Qiran in the event that he has not brought with him an animal to sacrifice; it is required that he comes out of ihram after the Umrah, as described above.
* Putting on the Ihram: A male pilgrim has to dress himself in two white sheets of seamless cloth. One sheet is wrapped around the waist covering the lower abdomen, while other is slung over the left shoulder so that the right shoulder and head remains bare (fig 1). Women may dress themselves in simple Islamic clothes and are not required to cover their faces but if she is in the presence of other men who are not her immediate relatives like her husband, father, brother or son then she should cover her face. Ihram should be worn in a station of Al-Miqat. Stations of Al-Miqat are small out-posts situated around the boundaries of Makkah.
* Tawaf :(Performing the seven circuits of The ka`ba which is the House of Allah): The pilgrims enter the Haram and go around the Ka`ba (House of Allah) seven times anti-clockwise reading a du`a (prayer).The du`a is:
Here I am my Lord, here I am,
Here I am. There is no associate with Thee.
All praise and bounty are yours;
Thine is the kingdom.
There is no associate with Thee.
The Ka`ba according to the Holy Qur`an, is the first House of Worship which was established on Earth. It's a very simple stone structure.
* Performing the Sa'ee: The pilgrims walk and run seven times between Safa and Marwah, two small hills situated close to Ka`ba, reconstructing the actions of the search by Hajera, wife of the Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) for water for her infant son Ismail(fig 2).
2) Select, describe and explain those rituals of the Hajj which will be of spiritual value to the pilgrim.
* The rituals of Hajj
Day one- 8th of Dhul-Hijjah
If you are performing Hajj Al-Tamatt'u (the interrupted Hajj), you enter into ihram for hajj from your residence in Makkah. Perform ghusl (shower or washing of the entire body), perfume yourself if possible, and put on the two garments of ihram. This applies to men only. Women likewise perform ghusl but are not to use perfume. They may wear any suitable clothes they have as long as they do not show their bodies and cover every part of their bodies excepting the hands and face. After putting on ihram make your niyyah (intention) by saying: 'Labbayka Hajjan', and recite Talbiyyah:
'Here I am my Lord, here I am,
Here I am. There is no associate with Thee.
All praise and bounty are yours;
Thine is the kingdom.
There is no associate with Thee.'
You then go to Mina, where you pray the Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha prayers at their proper times, shortening prayers of four rakats to two rakats. Do not combine these prayers.
Day two- 9th of Dhul-Hijjah
Pray Fajr Salat at the normal time. When the sun has risen proceed towards the ground of Arafat (Fig 3) in a dignified manner and without harming your fellow Haji's (Pilgrims).
At Arafat, pray the Zuhr and Asr prayers, shortened and combined during the time of Zuhr with one Adhan (Call towards Salat) and two iqaamats (similar to adhan). Make sure that you are within the boundaries of Arafat. Stay within the boundaries of Arafat, except the valley of Oranah. Engage in prayers and the remembrance of Allah facing Qiblah (The direction of the Ka`ba) with upraised hands, as was the practice of the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). Remain at Arafat until Sunset. Whoever is present at Arafat before sunset on the 9th Dhul-Hijjah is deemed to have participated in Hajj. When the sun has set, proceed towards Muzdalifa in a peaceful manner, reciting Talbiyyah. When you arrive at Muzdalifa, pray the Maghrib and Isha prayers combined, shortening Isha to two rakats. In Muzdalifa, pick up 49 pebbles to throw at the pillars of Aqaba, Wasta, and Oola for Rami. Rami is a ritual which is performed in the remembrance of when Ismail was tempted by Satan. Satan tried to stop them from fulfilling the command of Allah. The three places where Satan tried to influence them are marked out in three pillars on the route from Makkah to Mina. Stay at Muzdalifa until you have prayed Fajr Salat. Then wait until the brightness of the morning is widespread, supplicate facing Qiblah with upraised hands, following the practice of The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W).
For women or weak individuals, it is permissible to proceed to Mina at any time after midnight.
Day three- 10th of Dhul-Hijjah
When you arrive from Muzdalifah to Mina, do the following:
(a) At the stone pillar of Aqaba, throw seven pebbles one after the other, saying Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) at each throw.
(b) If you are required to sacrifice, slaughter your sacrificial animal. You are to eat some of its meat and distribute the major part of it to the needy.
(c) Shave your head or cut some hair from it. Shaving is preferable for men, while for women the length of hair to be cut is that of a fingertip.
* After you have thrown the pebbles and shaved or cut some of your hair, the prohibitions of Ihram are lifted.
Then you go to Makkah and perform the tawaf al-ifadah (The tawaf which is essential part of Hajj). If you are doing Hajj Al-Tamatt'u, you also perform Sa'ee. If you are performing Hajj Al-Ifrad or Hajj Al-Qiran and you did not perform Sa'ee with tawaf Al-Qudum (The tawaf of Arrival), you must do Sa'ee now. After this, you may return to a completely normal life.
After performing your tawaf-Al-Ifadah and Sa'ee, return to Mina and stay there for the next three days. These three days are known as ayammu-tasreeq. It is however permissible to spend only two days in Mina instead of three.
Day four and five- 11th and 12th of Dhul-Hijjah
At any time in the afternoon of each of the two days of your stay in Mina, stone each of the pillars, starting with the first pillar which is the farthest from Makkah, followed by the middle pillar and lastly the Pillar of Aqaba. Throw seven pebbles, one by one, at each of these pillars, saying 'Allahu Akbar' at each throw.
If you stay in Mina for only two days, you must leave Mina before the sun sets on the second day. If the sun should set before you are able to depart, remain in Mina for the third night and throw pebbles again in the next day. In any case, it is preferable to remain in Mina for three nights.
It is permissible for the sick and the weak to appoint a proxy to throw their pebbles. The proxy first throws his own pebbles, followed by the pebbles of the person he represents while at the same pillar.
If you decide to return to your country after completing the rites of Hajj, you perform the Farewell Tawaf (tawaf Al-Wida) before leaving Makkah. No one is excused from his except women who are menstruating or in the period of childbirth.
Visiting the Prophets Mosque (Masjid Al-Nabwi) in Madinah
It is strongly recommended for Pilgrims to visit the Prophets Mosque in Madina Al-Munawarra before or after Hajj.
Going to Madinah at any time with the intention of visiting the Prophet's mosque, is Sunnah, as is performing salah in it. According to a Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), a salah performed in the Prophet's Mosque is better than a thousand Salats in any other place except the Sacred Mosque (Masjid-Al-Haram) in Makkah.
There is no Ihram or Talbiyyah for the visit to the Prophet's mosque, and it should be emphasised that there is no connection whatsoever between this visit and Hajj.
3) How is Muslim behaviour directed by Islamic teaching on the role and status of women?
Spiritual equality, responsibility and accountability for both men and women is a well developed theme in the Qur`an. Understanding the spiritual equality of women in Islam is to understand that equality between men and women in the sight of God is not limited to purely spiritual, religious issues, but is the basis for equality in all temporal aspects of human life.
O mankind! Be conscious of your Sustainer, who has created you out of one living entity (nafs), and out of it created its mate (zawj), and out of the two spread abroad a multitude of men and women. And remain conscious of God, in whose name you demand your rights from one another, and of these ties of kinship. Verily, God is ever watchful over you! (4:1)
In Islam, women are not a commodity to be advertised in public. Their dignity is preserved by Shar`iah law. Women are allowed to work and to earn money but as long as it is held within the boundaries of Islam.
The Qur`an states that both genders were deliberate and independent and there is no mention of Eve being created out of Adam's rib or anything else. Even the issue of which sex was created first is not specified, implying that for our purposes here on earth it may not matter.
Women are independent individuals, as exemplified by the fact that all human beings will be accountable for their own intentions and deeds on the Day of Judgment when no human being shall be of the least avail to another human being (82:19). If men were ultimately responsible for women (fathers for their daughters, husbands for their wives, etc.), then this accountability would be solely on men's shoulders to bear all the way until the Day of Judgment. But this is not the case:
And whatever wrong any human being commits rests upon himself alone; and no bearer of burdens shall be made to bear another's burden... For, He it is who has made you inherit the earth, and has raised some of you by degrees above others, so that He might try you by means of what he bestowed upon you (6:164-165)
Women in Islam are allowed to study and to search for knowledge. There is no difference between men and women in this factor. The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) declared almost fourteen centuries ago that the pursuit for knowledge is incumbent on every Muslim male and female.
Women in Islam are entitled to freedom of expression and are allowed to express themselves if they have anything to say. It is reported in Qur`an and Hadith (Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W)) that women used to participate in serious discussions with the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) himself as well as with other Muslim leaders.
Can a person be Muslim without going to the mosque?
A Muslim is a person who believes in the Shahada. Shahada is the creed of Islam. The definition of Shahada is that there is none worthy of worship but Allah (God) and the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) is the messenger of Allah.
Salat is the second pillar of Islam. It is compulsory upon every Muslim male and female. Salat is an act of physical worship which can be done in the home, workplace and the Mosque. Salat can also be done in a car, train, plane, ship or in fact nearly anywhere. Salat is compulsory and Allah has made it easier for Muslims to do Salat by giving permission to read it while travelling and on any means of transport. Salat is preferable if done in a Mosque but will be acceptable if it is done at home. The person will still remain a Muslim. Salat done in the Mosque has 25 to 27 times more reward than Salat done at home.
However the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) has quoted 'Say part of your prayers at home so your houses do not become graves.' What this tells us is that praying at home is an important part of our lives and that it symbolises bringing Islam into ones own house and it should be practised everywhere and not just in a Mosque. Among the fard (Compulsory) acts of Salat e.g. Wudhu, clean surface (to read Salat), clean clothing, facing towards Makkah etc., attending in Mosque is not of them. So a person can still be a Muslim without praying Salat in a Mosque.
Performing Salat in a Mosque is more rewarding. A mosque is the heart of the Muslim community where they congregate five times a day. There is a big gathering of Muslims on Friday which multiples on the two Eid Days. Muslims can go to a mosque and ask for Islamic guidance from the Imam (Muslim priest).
A mosque can be used as a kind of community centre where Muslims worship Allah and discuss their problems with each other. In the time of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), mosques used to work as a court and it was used for the collection of Revenue (Zakat). Basically the whole Muslim government in Madina used to run from the Masjid Al-Nabwi (The Prophets Mosque).
It is not necessary to go to the Mosque but it is highly recommended. At the time of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), able people who did not go to the Mosque were disgraced.
A Muslim should read some of his/her prayer at home because it will benefit the entire family. If there are any children in the house, then they can learn how to pray Salat by observing the elders who are performing Salat and also if there are any adults in the House then they will be reminded of the duty given to them by Allah via the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W).
A person can still be a Muslim provided that he/she does Salat (within the conditions of Salat). Salat should not be missed as it is the command of Allah. It does not matter whether it is done in the home or in the Mosque but it must be done. It is reported in the Hadith that if a person misses one Salat then he/she will suffer the consequences in Jahannam (Hell) for 80 Huqbah. One Huqbah is equivalent to 80 years so one Salat missed is 6400 years in Hell.
A person still can be a Muslim, whether he/she goes to the Mosque or not, as long as he/she has iman which is faith and trust in Allah.
Robi Al-Amin Chowdhury 1
