By Yusuf Abdullahi .......Ideally, Hajj should be used to achieve socio-economic ends for the Ummah. On the contrary, millions of ...
By Yusuf Abdullahi
.......Ideally,
Hajj should be used to achieve socio-economic ends for the Ummah. On the
contrary, millions of Muslims meet and disperse feeling predicament with no
attempt for solution.......
In
the name of Allah who states “We called out to him, O Abraham! Though hast
already fulfilled the dream! Thus, indeed do We reward those who do right. For
this was a clear trial. And we ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice” Q37:
100 - 104
Peace
and blessings be upon our master Muhammad and his gifted progeny who
demonstrated the greatest sacrifice in human history.
We
are still in the sacred month of Zulhajj, in the first ten days popularly
referred to as "the stated days" in which believers are encouraged to
put more effort to acquire the pleasure of Allah through extra prayers,
fasting, meditation, Qur’anic recitation and asking Allah’s blessing on the
noble Prophet. A prominent tradition of the Prophet stated “none are the most
beloved days for worship before Allah than the first ten days of Zulhajj”.
Details on such prayers could be traced in books of supplication like
MafaateehulJinaan. Beside the 40th day commemoration of Imam Husain's
martyrdom, Hajj is evidently the greatest gathering of millions of people on
earth. Mecca was initially a barren land in the desert when Prophet Ibrahim
first migrated with his wife Hajar and first son Isma’il (‘a). However, it
became the prosperously stable centre attracting millions of people.
Allah
stated “Remember Abraham said: O my Lord! Make this city one of peace and
security and preserve me and my sons from worshipping idols” Q2: 35. The main
Hajj activities commence from the eighth to tenth, in addition to two or three
subsequent days popularly referred as Days of Tashriq. As a sign of humbleness,
the pilgrims are dressed in simple unsown white cloth in a state of
consecration circulating the Kaaba, hastening between Safa and Marwa, making
sacrifice and stoning the pillars.
A
remarkable activity in the pilgrimage is standing on the mount of Arafat on the
ninth day of Zulhajj reading Imam Husain's famous Arafat prayer. Millions of
people from all walks of life gather on the wide plan celebrating Allah’s
praise, seeking His forgiveness and mercy. "Behold! Safa and Marwa are
among the symbols of Allah. So, if those who visit the house in the season or
at other times should compass them round, it is no sin in them. And if anyone
obeyeth his own impulse to Good, be sure that Allah is He who recogniseth and knowth”
Q35 - 37
The
famous prophetic farewell sermon was delivered at this plain. Muslims are
highly encouraged to observe the best possible behaviors in this worship for
attainment of Allah’s pleasure. They must avoid any form of anger or dispute
and remain patient and humble throughout the ritual. Above all, they should
fear Allah and exercise absolute self-control in atmosphere of brotherhood,
friendliness and forgiveness, bearing the fact that whoever embarks on hajj in
accordance with the demonstration of the noble messenger, he or she returns as
the day was given birth to.
The
lessons we must not neglect include unity “And hold fast, all together, by the
rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves”
Q3:103. “Be not like those who are divided amongst themselves and fall into
disputations after receiving clear sign; for them is a clear chastisement”
Q3:105. Apparently, the enemies of Islam use division to destroy the Ummah with
the help of misguided Muslims. That is why those committed to its true cause
are devotedly concerned on the unity. Of blessed memory, Imam Khomeini
maintained, those sowing discord along the Sunnah/shi’a are neither
Ahlus-Sunnah nor Shiites. Sheikh Mahmud Shaltut has also played a very
significant role in this direction.
Pilgrimage
as advocated by Prophet Ibrahim (‘a) has clear meaning and purpose. As a
politico-religious congress centre, Mecca should be a place for the oppressed
to raise their voice in protest against the oppressors and infidel who
perpetually brutalize believers and humanity in general. “And an announcement
from Allah and His messenger, to the people (assembled) on the day of the great
pilgrimage that Allah and His messenger dissolve (treaty) obligations with the
pagans. If, then ye repent, it were best for you; but if ye turn away, know ye
that ye cannot frustrate Allah, and proclaim a grievous chastisement to those
who reject faith. Q9:3
Ideally,
Hajj should be used to achieve socio-economic ends for the Ummah. On the
contrary, millions of Muslims meet and disperse feeling predicament with no
attempt for solution. On the other hand, Imam Khomeini said “O you Muslims who
are busy praying by the house of Allah! Pray for the success of those who are
standing up to America and other superpowers”
Whatiscommon
with Eid-el-Adha or Eid-el-Kabir is the slaughter of precious animals as
sacrifice for the sake of Allah. The pilgrims do the sacrifice at Mina after
which they culminate the Hajj rite. Non-pilgrims offer the highly recommended
sacrifice by the prophetic tradition. We may ask about the rationale and wisdom
behind the slaughter? Whoever is opportuned to slaughter, he or she is expected
to distribute the meat to the needy for the sake of Allah. “They ask thee what
they should spend (in charity). Say whatever wealth Ye spend that is good, is
for parents and kindred, And orphans, And those in want And for wayfarers. And
whatever ye do That is good, Allah knoweth it all” Q2:216.
Feeding
the weak is commonly known as one of the highly recommended acts. The believers
are mobilized to participate in this gesture to the best of their ability. At
this juncture, it is good to remind brothers and sisters on the need to offer
the skins of their animals to SHUHADA FOUNDATION, a Zaria - based orphanage
that provides humanitarian services to children of our honourable martyrs. Some
officials of the foundation could be consulted: Zaria - Ahmad Maiwada 0803 418
834; Kano - Ibrahim Sulaiman 08060538196; Kaduna - Ibrahim Sulaiman 0803 322
5997; Katsina - Ahmad Abbas 0803 625 1758; Bauchi - Muhammad Masi 0808 150
1618; Jos - Abubakar Sulaiman 0806 959 0882; Potiskum - Abdullahi AdamuSiminti
0806 486 0690; Sokoto - Abubakar Mai Nasara 0803 659 1833 or Alh. Farouq Mai
Ahu 0803
Generally,
the history of slaughter is related to Prophet Ibrahim when he clocked hundred
years without a child. He prayed to Allah “O my Lord! Grant me a righteous
(son)! So, We gave him good news of a forbearing son. Q37:100 - 102. The
forbearing son was Isma’il, the ancestor of Arabs and grandfather of the Last
Prophet. However, on a teenage age, Prophet Ibrahim was commanded to slaughter
him. Having submitted to the will of Allah, he laid him prostrate on his
forehead using sharp knife on his jugular vein but Allah miraculously ransomed
him with a momentous sacrifice! As could be deduced this sacrifice is the
greatest of all trials and the essence was to gain the pleasure of Allah by
accepting the offering of our hearts as a symbol for sacrifice out of faith and
sincerity.
Basically,
it is not the slaughter of animals that is meant but the love of Allah and His
preference. If not? With which kind of animals did Isma’il compare to Ibrahim
(‘a)? How could you assume yourself under such a situation? Could you correlate
his submission with your love towards your wife and children? It was neither a
joke nor a dream, these prophets were tried by Allah and they excellently
passed! The criteria considered were full submission, faith and preference of
Allah not the nature of animal one slaughters at all. The question is how much
do you love Allah and to what extent can you sacrifice in His name? If we may
ask, can you sacrifice your son or yourself for the sake of Allah? What of your
good office or selfish interest? This is the real logic behind the sacrifice!
Think
of great sacrifice of Imam Husain, the grandson of the Great Prophet who said
"if the religion of Muhammad could only stand at the expense of my dear
life, let it be" while sacrificing his dear life in the cause of Islam!
The band of his followers responded immediately “O our master! We are all ready
to defend you and your Ahlul-bait and sacrifice our lives for the cause of
Islam! The Imam was referred as the ransomed momentous sacrifice by some
Qur’anic interpreters. For about fourteen centuries now, they are remembered
with great respect and prayers not by believers in their faith alone, but all
people with common sense of humanity.
The
India’s political and spiritual leader, Mahatma Gandhi said about Imam Husain
"I have carefully read the biography of Imam Hussein and have contemplated
the events of Karbala. I am sure Indians must follow his ideas on the path to
victory”. Mr. Edward Granville Browne, the Englishorientaliststated " Is
there any heart not to bleed and grieve when told about Karbala? Even non-Muslims
cannot deny the chastity of the soul manifested itself, in this war under the
banner of Islam" while the EnglishPoet, Fredric James said "the
lesson taken from Hussein or any other martyred hero is that there exist the
perpetual principles of justice, mercy and affection in the world, which never
change, and when one fights for this principles and insists on them, they will
be immortal and will last forever"
In
addition to sacrifices of animals based on capacity, the real sacrifice is
determined by action in variance with guidance of Allah in this mortal world.
While
praying for Allah’s acceptance, reward, forgiveness and mercy for the little we
offer, I reiterate the need for the unconditional release of our leader, Sheikh
Ibraheem el-Zakzaky (H) along with his disciples.
Wassalamualaikum.
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