Fifth Pillar of Islam - To perform Hajj in Mecca
7/4/2017, 10 Rejab 1438H
Pilgrimage (Hajj) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia
What is Hajj?
History of Mecca
Pilgrimage is a journey to a Holy Place. The only place for Muslims to perform Hajj is only in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Mecca is the place where Prophet Muhammad was born. The year when he was born, known as Elephant Year, in remembrance of the year when Abrahah and his army with elephants tried to attack and destroyed the Kaabah. But the army has been defeated with birds Ababil that carried heat stones from the hellfire. Thats how Allah protect the Holy Place. His helps come in so many ways, the ways that we cannot expect!
Pilgrimage is a journey to a Holy Place. The only place for Muslims to perform Hajj is only in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Mecca is the place where Prophet Muhammad was born. The year when he was born, known as Elephant Year, in remembrance of the year when Abrahah and his army with elephants tried to attack and destroyed the Kaabah. But the army has been defeated with birds Ababil that carried heat stones from the hellfire. Thats how Allah protect the Holy Place. His helps come in so many ways, the ways that we cannot expect!
Kaabah Built by Prophet Abraham and Prophet Ishmael
The Kaabah has been built by Prophet Abraham and his son, Prophet Ishmael. Kaabah is the symbol of unity, where Muslims perform the prayer (Salah) by facing towards the same direction, the direction towards Kaabah.
Surat Al-Baqarah (The Cow), Chapter 2, Verse 125:
"And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], "Purify My House for those who perform Tawaf and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer]." (Quran 2:125)
Performing Hajj Once In Our Lifetime
Hajj is compulsory for Muslims. To perform Hajj is rewarding. However, Allah judge mankind based on the action and intention. As a Muslim, we should keep our intention to perform Hajj, at least once in our lifetime. When we have money to travel, time to spend and good health to perform Hajj, do not delay to travel to Mecca and perform Hajj. There are some Muslims that wish to perform Hajj, but do not have chance due to money issue, health problem or die young. However, they are forgiven by Allah, and Allah will judge them based on their good and bad deeds done during their life. It is rewarding for us who has more than enough money, to sponsor the poorer to perform Hajj in Mecca.
To control the admission to Mecca for Hajj, Saudi government has issued quota every year for each country. For Muslims majority countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, we need to wait for our queue. In Malaysia, we have a service organization, Tabung Haji to manage and organize the Malaysian pilgrimages from Malaysia to Mecca. We need to register and wait for our turn.
Hajj season is once a year in Islamic lunar calendar (Hijri calendar), beginning from 1st Syawal until 10 Zulhijjah (Eid al-Fitri to Eid al-Adha). However, the Hajj date is from 9th to 13th Zulhijjah (12th month of Hijri calendar).
Day of Arafah takes place on the ninth of the Zulhijjah month. Eid al-Adha, the "Festival of the Sacrifice", begins on the tenth day and ends on sunset of the twelfth, and during which war is banned. All Muslims are prohibit to fasting during Tasyrik Day which is on 11th, 12th and 13th Zulhijjah, to celebrate the Eid al-Adha and to eat the sacrifice meat.
Islam Beat Racism Through Hajj
Surat 'Āli `Imrān (Family of Imran), Chapter 3, Verse 97:
"In it are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it shall be safe. And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves - then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds." (Quran 3:97)
Hajj is compulsory for Muslims. To perform Hajj is rewarding. However, Allah judge mankind based on the action and intention. As a Muslim, we should keep our intention to perform Hajj, at least once in our lifetime. When we have money to travel, time to spend and good health to perform Hajj, do not delay to travel to Mecca and perform Hajj. There are some Muslims that wish to perform Hajj, but do not have chance due to money issue, health problem or die young. However, they are forgiven by Allah, and Allah will judge them based on their good and bad deeds done during their life. It is rewarding for us who has more than enough money, to sponsor the poorer to perform Hajj in Mecca.
To control the admission to Mecca for Hajj, Saudi government has issued quota every year for each country. For Muslims majority countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, we need to wait for our queue. In Malaysia, we have a service organization, Tabung Haji to manage and organize the Malaysian pilgrimages from Malaysia to Mecca. We need to register and wait for our turn.
Hajj season is once a year in Islamic lunar calendar (Hijri calendar), beginning from 1st Syawal until 10 Zulhijjah (Eid al-Fitri to Eid al-Adha). However, the Hajj date is from 9th to 13th Zulhijjah (12th month of Hijri calendar).
Day of Arafah takes place on the ninth of the Zulhijjah month. Eid al-Adha, the "Festival of the Sacrifice", begins on the tenth day and ends on sunset of the twelfth, and during which war is banned. All Muslims are prohibit to fasting during Tasyrik Day which is on 11th, 12th and 13th Zulhijjah, to celebrate the Eid al-Adha and to eat the sacrifice meat.
Islam Beat Racism Through Hajj
Mecca is a Muslims gathering place. Muslims all over the world will meet and gather on this Holy Land, to worship One same God, Allah and perform the same ritual of Salah (prayer) and Hajj.
In Mecca, there is no segregation into caste, skin color or race. Everyone is equal in the sight of Allah. What make us different is the piety towards Allah. Islam is anti racism religion.
In Mecca, there is no segregation into caste, skin color or race. Everyone is equal in the sight of Allah. What make us different is the piety towards Allah. Islam is anti racism religion.
Surat Al-Ĥujurāt (The Rooms), Chapter 49. Verse 13:
"O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted."
(Quran 49:13)
"The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy." (Quran 49:10)
"All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action.
Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves."
- Prophet Muhammad PBUH
Surat Al-Ĥujurāt (The Rooms), Chapter 49, Verse 10:
"The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy." (Quran 49:10)
"All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action.
Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves."
- Prophet Muhammad PBUH
How to Perform Hajj
Surat Al-Baqarah (The Cow), Chapter 2, Verse 158:
"Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah . So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs 'umrah - there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever volunteers good - then indeed, Allah is appreciative and Knowing."
(Quran 2:158)
Surat Al-Baqarah (The Cow), Chapter 2, Verse 197:
"Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of ihram], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj. And whatever good you do - Allah knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah . And fear Me, O you of understanding." (Quran 2:197)
Surat Al-Mā'idah (The Table Spread), Chapter 5, Verse 2:
"O you who have believed, do not violate the rites of Allah or [the sanctity of] the sacred month or [neglect the marking of] the sacrificial animals and garlanding [them] or [violate the safety of] those coming to the Sacred House seeking bounty from their Lord and [His] approval. But when you come out of ihram, then [you may] hunt. And do not let the hatred of a people for having obstructed you from al-Masjid al-Haram lead you to transgress. And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty." (Quran 5:2)
References:
- Pilgrimage in Quran, https://quran.com/search?q=pilgrimage, viewed 7th April 2017.
- Pilgrimage in Hadith, https://sunnah.com/search/?q=pilgrimage, viewed 7th April 2017.
- Hajj 2013, Islam’s Pilgrimage To Mecca: Facts, History And Dates Of The Muslim Holiday, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/11/hajj-2013_n_4064513.html, published 10th November 2013.
- The Last Sermon of the Prophet Muhammad, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/imam-abdullah-antepli/the-last-sermon-of-prophe_b_1252185.html, published 4th April 2012.
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