Duration Of Hajj And Moral Limits

LESSON # 221 FROM HOLY QUR’AN

Duration Of Hajj And Moral Limits

BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)

Verse –197a of 286, Section – 25 (Part  - 2)

The Pilgrimage is (in) the well-known months, and whoever is minded to perform the Pilgrimage therein (let him remember that) there is (to be) no lewdness nor abuse nor angry conversation on the Pilgrimage.

‘Al-Hajju  ‘ash-hurum-ma’- luumaat.  Faman-  faraza  fiihin-nal- Hajja  falaa  rafasa  wa  laa  fusuuqa,  wa  laa  jidaala  fil-Hajj.

Lesson

‘Ash-hur – (the months) Shawwal, Zii-qadah and ten days of Dhul-Hijjah (three months of Lunar Calendar) have been set for Hajj (Pilgrimage). Actual members of the Hajj are performed during the second week of Dhul-Hijjah. But the ‘Ihraam is begun (to be tied) two months in advance from the month of Shawwal. The ‘Ihraam (Determination) is the Dress which is required to be worn by each Pilgrim at the time of entering into the limits of Haram (Meeqaat). This Dress is two unstitched sheets.

Hadrat Imam Abu Hanifah (God’s Mercy be upon him) says, “The Pilgrim can tie the ‘Ihraam as and when he wishes. But it is disapproved for the Pilgrimage before the month of Shawwal”. Near to him (God’s Mercy be upon him) it is also lawful to tie the ‘Ihraam before Shawwal because it is not the member of the Hajj but only a condition for the Pilgrimage.    

Faraza  fiihin-nal- Hajja – (while anybody is minded to perform the Pilgrimage therein) that is to say, someone has intended to perform the Pilgrimage during the season of Hajj and has done over himself proper the Pilgrimage. Practical Sign for (must have to perform) the Hajj is to tie the ‘Ihraam (Determination Dress).   

Rafasa - (to be lewdness with the woman) here it means, “To talk specified conversation with the wife in the private chamber”.

Fusuuqa  - (abuse, depravity, immorality, sensuality, debauch) it aims all types of sins, little or big.

Jidaala – (angry conversation, quarrel, beating, argument, dispute, to call names and to accost with impolite words).

Some necessary commands regarding Pilgrimage have been prescribed in this verse. The months of Hajj have been fixed and three matters have been told to refrain from them during this period:

·       Sensual intercourse and lewdness with one’s wife is entirely forbidden, as far as the sensual thoughts are also prohibited to be brought on the tongue. As it has been ordered to abstain from some lawful matters during the fasting, likewise it has been commanded also to keep up the cleanliness and chastity during the tenure of Hajj.

·       Every person should refrain from the little and big sins. It is clear that while many lawful acts become unlawful in the form of ‘Ihraam (Determination) then it was necessary to instruct strictly for holding back from the other sins.

·       It should be temperate from all kinds of quarrels. The people of all ages, all kind manners and all temperaments come from all parts of the world at the time of Pilgrimage. During these types of situations anybody can incline towards the sinfulness and strives. So the God Almighty forbade in advance from all these matters, so that the chastity and endurance power may grow into the Muslims.

  

Transliteration in Roman Script & English Translation of Holy Qur’an written by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore and Paraphrase collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated by Muhammad Sharif) 

Description Of The Order Of Sacrifice

LESSON # 220 FROM HOLY QUR’AN

Description Of The Order Of Sacrifice

BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)

Verse –196e of 286, Section – 24 (Part  - 2)

That is for him whose folk are not present at the Inviolable Place of Worship. And observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is Severe in punishment.

Zaalika  limal-lam  yakun  ‘ah-luhuu  haa-ziril-Masjidil-Haraam.  Watta-qullaaha  wa’-lamuuu  ‘annal-laaha  Shadiidul- ‘iqaab.

Lesson

Zaalika – (this) it is a demonstrative pronoun and it signifies towards the matter of previous verse, namely Tamatta’ (to perform Hajj and Umrah duly joined). Aim of the verse is that the permission to gain the Hajj and Umrah duly joined is only for the foreigners, not for the residents of Makkah.

Haa-ziril-Masjidil-Haraam – (the folk who are present at the Inviolable Place of Worship, the persons who live near the Khana Ka’-ba). It means the entire natives of Makkah and its vicinity. That is to say, all people living with in the limits of Meeqaat.

Meeqaat – that place is called Meeqaat from where the limits of Haram begin and it is required to intend for Hajj and Umrah, and fasten (wear) the (dress of) ‘Ihraam reaching there. Meeqaat is separate in various directions for the persons coming for performing the Hajj in the Inviolable Place of Worship from all around the world.

Watta-qullaaha – (observe your duty to Allah) that is to say, keep the concept of presence and fear of the God Almighty in front because foundation of all the goodness is this Piety. Think once again that God-fearing is being demanded after every command/order.

Shadiidul- ‘iqaab – (severe in punishment) the Scholars of the religion say that the word Shadiid (severe) has been used particularly here with ‘Iqaab (the punishment) for the reason that ‘as any person acts goodness at the very Sacred Place i.e. the Inviolable Place of Worship (BaytUllah), he gets more reward, likewise if he commits any sin after reaching here, then he will also be punished more severely due to Sacred Place respectively.

It is the condition for that concession which was given in the previous lesson. The concession was, “If the people wish to perform the Hajj and Umrah duly united then they can do so. However they would have to sacrifice according to their power. Permission for uniting the Hajj and Umrah is only for those persons who are not the residents of Makkah and its surrounding villages”. With this Order it has been declared again that the real thing is the God-fearing. It is necessary to keep in sight at the time of obeying each order, performing any duty/worship and pleasure of the God Almighty, because purpose of the entire Orders/Commands is purity of the spirit/soul and completion of the morality/manners. These are the highest orders and Commands from the God Almighty on which foundation of the Islamic life is standing. If any body will try to change or deny them then the God Almighty will punish him severely.      

Transliteration in Roman Script & English Translation of Holy Qur’an written by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore and Paraphrase collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated by Muhammad Sharif)

Sacrifice During Hajj And Umrah

LESSON # 219 FROM HOLY QUR’AN

Sacrifice During Hajj And Umrah

BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)

Verse –196d of 286, Section – 24 (Part  - 2)

And if ye are in safety, then whosoever contenteth himself with Visit (Umrah) for the Pilgrimage (shall give) such offering as can be had with ease. And whosoever cannot find (such offering), then a fast of three days while on the Pilgrimage, and of seven when ye have returned; that is, ten in all.

Fa-‘izaaa  ‘amintum,  faman-  tamatta-‘a  bil- ‘Um-rati  ‘ilal-Hajji  famastaysara  minal-hady.  Famal-lam  yajid  fa-siyaamu  salaasati  ‘ayyaamin-  fil-Hajji  wa  sab-‘atin  ‘izaa  raja’-tum.  Tilka  ‘asharatun-  kaamilah.

Lesson

‘Amintum – (you are in safety) that is to say whenever you come in safety and peace out of the situations of danger and disease. 

Tamatta-‘a – (get benefit) in the sense of religious theology it aims to perform the Pilgrimage and Visit (Hajj and Umrah) joining the both, namely performing Umrah duly fastened with ‘Ihraam during the times of Pilgrimage and then with another ‘Ihraam the Pilgrimage Hajj) is performed. During the time of Ignorance the Arabs had invented this false belief that it was sin to perform the Umrah in the season of Pilgrimage.

 ‘Izaa  raja’-tum – (whenever you return) it signifies that while you return after the completion of the Rituals of Pilgrimage, whether the Pilgrim is staying still in Makkah and he has not yet returned to his native country. However some scholars have taken the meanings of this narration that whenever you reach your home from Makkah.

This order is for that Pilgrim in this verse, who wishes to perform the both (Hajj and Umrah) in the season of Pilgrimage. It is called Tamatta’ or Qir’aan. This type of Pilgrim is required to sacrifice either one goat or seventh share out of the cow or camel. This sacrifice is not required by that Pilgrim who performs only Pilgrimage and he doesn’t perform the Umrah with It. Those persons who perform the Pilgrimage Tamatta’ or Qir’aan but they can’t attain the sacrifice due to poorness or any other strong reason, then it is compulsory for them to fast for ten days, three during the days of Pilgrimage which are finished on the ninth Zul-Hajjah (the Day of ‘Arafah) and seven after reaching the native land. This expiation has been fixed in the shape of fasting due to the reason that while any person is unable to obey the command of God Almighty then his spirit may not bring him towards the rebellion or disobedience. So he should keep the fasts so that his spirit may remain pure and his intention remains good.

Transliteration in Roman Script & English Translation of Holy Qur’an written by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore and Paraphrase collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated by Muhammad Sharif) 

Instruction About Shaving The Head

LESSON # 218 FROM HOLY QUR’AN

Instruction About Shaving The Head

BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)

Verse –196c of 286, Section – 24 (Part  - 2)

And shave not your heads until the offering has reached their destination. And whoever among you is sick or hath an ailment of the head must pay a ransom of fasting or alms-giving or offering.

Wa  laa  tah-liquu  ru-‘uusakum  hattaa  yablugal-hadyu  mahil-lah.  Faman-kaana  minkum-mariizan  ‘awbihiii  ‘azam-mir-ra’-sihii  fa-fidyatum-min-  siyaa-min  ‘aw  sadaqatin  ‘aw  nusuk.

Lesson

Nusuk – (offering) literally it means sacrifice. Here it aims to sacrifice in the pathway of God Almighty, which should not be less than a goat and it is better if a cow or camel is sacrificed.

Mahil-lah – (its destination) that is to say, the place of sacrifice which signifies toward the Bayt-Ullaah (Makkah).

Islam is a natural religion. Its Commands have been legislated entirely according to the nature of human beings. Each person’s qualities and weaknesses have been kept in sight in Islam. His needs and desires have been considered. The matters which were necessary for evaluation, promotion and success of the mankind, those have been prescribed compulsory and needful. Which things were not useful for the life and object of the mankind, have been fixed unlawful and forbidden.

Primary part of the verse is Appendix of the order of Muh-sir (who has been prevented) recitation of which was begun in the previous verse. It was stated up to the point that the person who has fastened the Determination Dress (Ih-raam) for Pilgrimage or Visit (Hajj or Umrah) and any objection/excuse has been happened for him in the pathway that he can’t perform the Hajj or Umrah, then he should send the animal to sacrifice toward BaytUllah (Khana Ka’-ba). This Order has been finalized in this verse stating that till the time this animal doesn’t reach the Haram and is not sacrificed there, this person (Muh-sir) can’t shave his head; it means that he can’t open the Ihraam.

Common Orders Regarding Hajj

Allah Almighty has set another concession for the excusable/disabled persons in the command of Hajj. That is to say the person who can’t obey the order of shaving his head during the time of Hajj, for example he is compelled not to shave his head due to either any disease or any other cause, then either he should keep the fasts for three days as its ransom so that his spirit may remain pure from the rebellion or he should give 1-3/4 KG wheat (at the scale of Sadaqah Fitr – Alms – Fitranah) to the six poor persons so that he may not fall back from the pathway of God Almighty due to non obeying the first command or he should sacrifice an animal.   

    

Transliteration in Roman Script & English Translation of Holy Qur’an written by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore and Paraphrase collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated by Muhammad Sharif)

Some Commands For Pilgrimage And Umrah

LESSON # 217 FROM HOLY QUR’AN

Some Commands For Pilgrimage And Umrah

BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)

Verse –196b of 286, Section – 24 (Part  - 2)

And perform the Visit (Umrah) for Allah. And if ye are prevented, then send such offering as can be obtained with ease,

Wal-‘umrata  lillaah.  Fa-‘in  ‘uh-sir-tum  famas-taysara  minal-hady.

Lesson

‘Al-‘umrata – (Umrah) it is also named as little Pilgrimage. Instructions for performing the Umrah are just like the Pilgrimage also. However there is no restriction of the days of Pilgrimage for performing the Umrah. It can be performed any time. Secondly its rituals and traditions also are less than the Pilgrimage.

Lillaah – (for Allah, for God Almighty) perform the Pilgrimage (Hajj) and Umrah (Visit) for the sake of Allah Almighty, keep your intention pure and take care honestly those customs and orders which have been prescribed by God Almighty, escape yourself from the matters which are prohibited, otherwise sake of God will remain no more.

In reality all the deeds and intentions should be for the pleasure of Allah Almighty but it has been emphasized here particularly that the journey involves with the Pilgrimage and the Visit (Hajj and Umrah) in which a lot of good and bad objects, Cruises and Entertainment can join easily. So it is necessary that your first object should not be any other except to delight the God Almighty. Travel and entertainment will become automatically. Trade is permitted; you can get advantage of it. But you can neither make the trade – the purpose of Pilgrimage (Hajj) nor can deal with dishonestly and theft, these are not allowed.    

‘uh-sir-tum – (if you are prevented) this word is derived from Ihsaar, whose literal meanings are to be surrounded or encaged. Whether this surrounding would be due to any reason, here it means ‘the person who intends to perform the Pilgrimage but can’t reach the designation because of either any illness or enemy would have blocked his way or any seasonal or other stoppage would have intervened.

 Hady – (sacrifice) the literal meanings are ‘the offer’ which would be sent for the Khana Ka’ba, here its meaning is the animals required to be sacrificed during the Pilgrimage.

In this verse Allah Almighty has ordered the Muslims that there should be only one object to be intended i.e. the worship along with the Pilgrimage and Visit (Hajj and Umrah) that is for pleasure and willingness of Allah Almighty. Neither the play nor show should be intended from this journey, nor travel and entertainment. But the Rules which Allah Almighty has explained, those should be acted upon. Allah almighty has kept some exemption too in this order for excusable people. May be a person wears ‘Ih-raam (Determination Dress) for Hajj and Umrah but unfortunately he would either become ill in the way or any other difficulty or problem happens. For example either he doesn’t find the way or doesn’t remain the provision for his journey etc. In all these situations he has been commanded that he should send the animal to sacrifice to the BaitUllah by anyone else according to his submission.

Transliteration in Roman Script & English Translation of Holy Qur’an written by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore and Paraphrase collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated by Muhammad Sharif) 

Fifth Pillar Of Islam - (The Pilgrimage)

LESSON # 216 FROM HOLY QUR’AN

The Pilgrimage

BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)

Verse –196a of 286, Section – 24 (Part  - 2)

And perform the Pilgrimage

Wa  ‘atimmul-Hajja

Lesson

‘Al-Hajja – it is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is the duty of every that person to perform the Pilgrimage once in the life who has power to do it. Otherwise he/she will be the sinner. The Pilgrimage is performed on Ninth Zul-Hajjah (last month) of Islamic Calendar year. At first all the Muslims gather in Makkah city to visit the Inviolable Place of Worship (Khana Ka’-ba), then unite in the Arafat Field.

The matters relating to the Fighting and Strive have been discussed before the orders regarding Pilgrimage and after the verses of the Pilgrimage in this Surah. It is revealed clearly that ‘how much deep relation have these both matters with each other’. There is none Pillar of Islam in which aim of the National Social Welfare, Improvement and Prosperity, and Exaltation has not been mentioned in addition to Personal Goodness and Purity.

Especial thing which belongs to the Pilgrimage is that all the Muslims out of the entire world unite once a year in the Centre of Islam. There is no difference between ups and downs. Black and White, Rich and Poor, King and Beggar, Scholar and Uneducated, Young and Old, they all stand at the same place mixing shoulder with shoulders and saying with one tone the same words, “Lab-baika  Allaahumma  Lab-baika  Lab-baika  Laa  Shariika  laka Lab-baika  ‘Innal  Hamda  wan-na’-mata  Laka  wal-Mulk  Laa Shariika lak”  (I am present, O Allah! I am present, I am present – there is no partner of Thee, I am present. Lo! Praise and Blessing is of Thee, and Sovereignty, there is no co-sharer of Thee).

Every Pilgrim fastens determination dress (‘Ihraam). It contains two un-sewn (cotton) sheets – for each Pilgrim this same kind of dress declares equality, simplicity, friendship and Love for God Almighty. During the Pilgrimage to get shaved the head, cut the nails, hunting and intercourse with one’s wife are prohibited. As though the object to refrain from the wishes, physical elegance and dressing is to get a permanent training. 

All the Pilgrims unite at the stipulated time in the Arafaat Field on the day of Pilgrimage, listen to the Speech (Address of the Pilgrimage), Pray in the court of God Almighty, get forgiven their sins and collect treasures of the Mercy and Kindness of Allah Almighty.

Then they sacrifice the animals in the Minaa’,  throw pebbles at Jamaraat, go round the Holy Shrine (the Inviolable Place of Worship – Khana Ka’-ba), Kiss the Black Stone (Hajri Aswad), quench the thirst with Aabi Zamzam (the water of a sacred well at Khana Ka’-ba), do the Endeavour (Sa-ii) between Safaa’ and Marwah (hills), use to stop all kinds of evildoing, sins and bad inherent, as though after getting forgiven their sins they are starting their lives’ accounts from the beginning today.  

Fortunate are those persons who are bestowed with the chance of Pilgrimage and they performed it, understood its objects and passed their remaining lives with goodness and chastity.           

Transliteration in Roman Script & English Translation of Holy Qur’an written by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore and Paraphrase collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated by Muhammad Sharif)

Fighting And Strive

LESSON # 215 FROM HOLY QUR’AN

Standing Orders For Fighting And Strive

BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)

(Up to Verse –195 of 286, Section – 24 (Part  - 2)

Lesson

The orders regarding fighting and strive (Qataal  wa Jihaad) end on the verse – 195. After it the matter of Pilgrimage will start. It seems reasonable that the obligatory aspects of the fighting and strive, its terms and conditions should be stated briefly. Since the some misled persons are apparent totally as Deniers of the fighting on one side and on the other side our enemy historians particularly the western authors defame the Muslims and Islam narrating the strive as only beating and bawl out, slaughter and plundering, and religious bloody fight.

Now we are going to discuss the matter numerically in the light of the verses upto 195 of Surah Al-Baqarah:

·       Fight for the cause of Allah Almighty.(190)

·       Fight with only the persons who fight with you (190), in other words don’t fight with the people who like peace and love that is to say the children, the women, the ailing, the excusable and unarmed people.

·       Don’t intensify; God Almighty doesn’t like the persons who oppress. (190).

·       Slay them wherever ye find the enemy in the battlefield (191); remember that this order is only for the situation of war and not during peace time.

·       Drive your enemies out of the areas whence they drove you out (191).

·       Try neither to make mischief/disturbance and quarrel, nor let any person to do this. The persecution is worse than slaughter (190).

·       You can fight only against the persons at the Inviolable Place of Worship (Masjidil-Haraam) (Khana Ka’ba) who fight there otherwise you can’t.(191)

·       If the enemy desists from the war then stop it (192).

·       Fight until the sedition/persecution is no more and the Religion of God Almighty excels. (192)

·       Let there be no hostility except against the wrongdoers (193).

·       Respect the Forbidden Months and stop fighting during these months (194).

·       Observe your duty to God Almighty and know that Allah Almighty is with those who ward off (evil) (194).

·       Spend your wealth for the cause of Allah Almighty. If you will not do so, then you will cast yourselves by your own hands to ruin. (195).

·       Do good and honouring. Lo! Allah Almighty loves the beneficent. (195)

Think about all above. Which point is against the wisdom, justice and nobility out of them?

Transliteration in Roman Script & English Translation of Holy Qur’an written by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore and Paraphrase collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated by Muhammad Sharif