إدريس عبدالله
_22 _September _2016هـ الموافق 22-09-2016م, 08:48 PM
Absolute obedience
From the lessons of hajj is for the Muslim Ummah to realize that there is no success nor guidance for it except in following the sunnah (tradition) of the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as well as treading upon his path and methodology in terms of creedal issues, manners, behaviors and in judgments and rulings.
Hajj is a lesson with regards to the above which is done practically by pilgrims to the observation of the rest of the Ummah. The holy Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) clearly explained this in a rite from among the rites of hajj in the following words: “take from me your rituals (of hajj)” .Ibn Abbas (may Allah be please with him) said: “perform your pilgrim just as the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed it and do not say: this is sunnah and this is obligatory”.
This is not only in hajj, but must be the order in every sphere of the Muslim’s life. It is a must that the prophet (peace be upon him) be obeyed and followed otherwise there shall be disgrace and debasement in this world and the hereafter. Allah says:
فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا۟ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا
“But no, by your Lord, they will not believe until they call you to arbitrate in their disputes, and then find within themselves no resentment regarding your decisions, and submit themselves completely.”( An-Nisaa :65). The Prophet (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “all my followers shall enter paradise except one who refuses. It was said: and who shall refuse Oh Messenger of Allah? He said: he who obeys me has entered paradise and he who disobeys me has refused” he also said: “he who invented an act which is not upon our affair shall have it rejected”. (Allah says):
فَلْيَحْذَرِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِۦٓ أَن تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
“So let those who oppose his orders beware, lest an ordeal strikes them, or a painful punishment befalls them.” An-Nuur: 63)
Submission and attention to the command of Allah
Indeed Allah –the Most High- has decreed upon the pilgrims-as said by Imam Al-Gazaali-“deeds which are not liking to the souls and which the minds cannot comprehend, such as the throwing of jamaraat and frequentation or reciprocation between safa and marwa mountains(sa’i). However, it is through such acts that the reality of servitude and bond ship is realized. For instance, zakaah(charity) is for showing mercy which is understandable and quite acceptable to the mind. Fasting helps in self-restraint and suppression of the lust which is a tool against the enemy of Allah and a means of devoting one’s time entirely to the worship of Allah. Bowing and prostration in prayers shows humility. But as for reciprocation between safa and marwa(sa’i) and the throwing of pebbles at jamaraat and their types, the soul and mind has no role to play in them in terms of seeking understanding and meaning, hence, implementation of such orders is merely servitude to Allah. It is due to this that the prophet –may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him –specifically said in hajj: “here I am to perform hajj in truth and servitude ( to You oh! Allah”), meanwhile this was not reported of him in other forms of worship like salaat and others.
Lesson on the unity of the Ummah.
Among the great lessons of hajj is that it leads to the realization of unity among the Islamic nation which was recommended both in the Glorious Qur’an and the Noble Sunnah as mentioned in the Qur’an:
إِنَّ هَٰذِهِۦٓ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً وَأَنَا۠ رَبُّكُمْ فَٱعْبُدُونِ
“This community of yours is one community, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.” Al-Anbiyaa: 92), all Muslims come together to perform one particular rite without differing among themselves. All of them circumambulate around the same house (ka’aba) and perform sa’I in the same place and stand on one plane( Arafaat), they all face one particular direction, reciting one Book, worshipping one God whom there is none worthy of worship except Him. They as well follow one Prophet( may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). All these lead to the strengthening of the Islamic brotherhood and the religious bond among all muslims, hailing from different countries, different colors and origins. This indeed is a demonstration of the fact that this Ummah has nothing to unite it except the unification of Aqeeda ( the Islamic creed) and faith as said by Allah:
إِنَّ هَٰذِهِۦٓ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً وَأَنَا۠ رَبُّكُمْ فَٱعْبُدُونِ
““This community of yours is one community, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.” Al-Anbiyaa: 92, and the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him also said: “the believer is to another believer like bricks supporting one another”. This lofty meaning of hajj when properly comprehended by Muslims and well implemented, divisions and differences would reduce among them, and they would be like one body in obedience of the command of Allah:
وَٱعْتَصِمُوا۟ بِحَبْلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا۟ ۚ
“And hold fast to the rope of Allah, altogether, and do not become divided” ( Ali-Imraan: 103)
From the lessons of hajj is for the Muslim Ummah to realize that there is no success nor guidance for it except in following the sunnah (tradition) of the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as well as treading upon his path and methodology in terms of creedal issues, manners, behaviors and in judgments and rulings.
Hajj is a lesson with regards to the above which is done practically by pilgrims to the observation of the rest of the Ummah. The holy Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) clearly explained this in a rite from among the rites of hajj in the following words: “take from me your rituals (of hajj)” .Ibn Abbas (may Allah be please with him) said: “perform your pilgrim just as the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed it and do not say: this is sunnah and this is obligatory”.
This is not only in hajj, but must be the order in every sphere of the Muslim’s life. It is a must that the prophet (peace be upon him) be obeyed and followed otherwise there shall be disgrace and debasement in this world and the hereafter. Allah says:
فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا۟ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا
“But no, by your Lord, they will not believe until they call you to arbitrate in their disputes, and then find within themselves no resentment regarding your decisions, and submit themselves completely.”( An-Nisaa :65). The Prophet (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “all my followers shall enter paradise except one who refuses. It was said: and who shall refuse Oh Messenger of Allah? He said: he who obeys me has entered paradise and he who disobeys me has refused” he also said: “he who invented an act which is not upon our affair shall have it rejected”. (Allah says):
فَلْيَحْذَرِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِۦٓ أَن تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
“So let those who oppose his orders beware, lest an ordeal strikes them, or a painful punishment befalls them.” An-Nuur: 63)
Submission and attention to the command of Allah
Indeed Allah –the Most High- has decreed upon the pilgrims-as said by Imam Al-Gazaali-“deeds which are not liking to the souls and which the minds cannot comprehend, such as the throwing of jamaraat and frequentation or reciprocation between safa and marwa mountains(sa’i). However, it is through such acts that the reality of servitude and bond ship is realized. For instance, zakaah(charity) is for showing mercy which is understandable and quite acceptable to the mind. Fasting helps in self-restraint and suppression of the lust which is a tool against the enemy of Allah and a means of devoting one’s time entirely to the worship of Allah. Bowing and prostration in prayers shows humility. But as for reciprocation between safa and marwa(sa’i) and the throwing of pebbles at jamaraat and their types, the soul and mind has no role to play in them in terms of seeking understanding and meaning, hence, implementation of such orders is merely servitude to Allah. It is due to this that the prophet –may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him –specifically said in hajj: “here I am to perform hajj in truth and servitude ( to You oh! Allah”), meanwhile this was not reported of him in other forms of worship like salaat and others.
Lesson on the unity of the Ummah.
Among the great lessons of hajj is that it leads to the realization of unity among the Islamic nation which was recommended both in the Glorious Qur’an and the Noble Sunnah as mentioned in the Qur’an:
إِنَّ هَٰذِهِۦٓ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً وَأَنَا۠ رَبُّكُمْ فَٱعْبُدُونِ
“This community of yours is one community, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.” Al-Anbiyaa: 92), all Muslims come together to perform one particular rite without differing among themselves. All of them circumambulate around the same house (ka’aba) and perform sa’I in the same place and stand on one plane( Arafaat), they all face one particular direction, reciting one Book, worshipping one God whom there is none worthy of worship except Him. They as well follow one Prophet( may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). All these lead to the strengthening of the Islamic brotherhood and the religious bond among all muslims, hailing from different countries, different colors and origins. This indeed is a demonstration of the fact that this Ummah has nothing to unite it except the unification of Aqeeda ( the Islamic creed) and faith as said by Allah:
إِنَّ هَٰذِهِۦٓ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً وَأَنَا۠ رَبُّكُمْ فَٱعْبُدُونِ
““This community of yours is one community, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.” Al-Anbiyaa: 92, and the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him also said: “the believer is to another believer like bricks supporting one another”. This lofty meaning of hajj when properly comprehended by Muslims and well implemented, divisions and differences would reduce among them, and they would be like one body in obedience of the command of Allah:
وَٱعْتَصِمُوا۟ بِحَبْلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا۟ ۚ
“And hold fast to the rope of Allah, altogether, and do not become divided” ( Ali-Imraan: 103)