PILLARS OF ISLAM:
The Pillars of Islam (“pillars of religion”) are five
Basic acts in Islam, considered obligatory for all believers. The Quran
Presents them as a framework for worship and a sign of commitment to the faith.
They are (1) the shahadah (creed), (2) daily prayers (Salat), (3) alms giving
(zakah), (4) fasting during Ramadan and (5) the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) at least once in a lifetime.
The pilgrimage, called the ḥajja (Haji) During the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah in the city of Mecca. Every able-bodied Muslim who can
Afford it, must make the pilgrimage to Mecca
At least once in his or her lifetime. Rituals of the Hajj include,
Walking seven times around the Kaaba, walking or running seven times between
Mount Safa and Mount Marwah recounts the steps of Ibrahim [Alaihi Salam]‘s
wife. Spending a day in the desert at Mina and then a day in the desert in
Arafat is praying and worshiping in the desert, following the footsteps of Ibrarahim [As]. Symbolically stoning the Devil in Mina recounting Ibrarahim [As]‘s action.
[Quran 5:95] O you who believe, do not kill any game
During pilgrimage. Anyone who kills any game on purpose, his fine shall be a
Number of livestock animals that is equivalent to the game animals he killed.
The judgment shall be set by two equitable people among you. They shall make
Sure that the offerings reach the Ka'ba. Otherwise, he may expiate by feeding
Poor people, or by an equivalent fast to atone for his offense. Allah d past
Offenses. But if anyone returns to such an offense, God will avenge it. God is Almighty, Avenger.
Hajj and its rites were
First ordained by Allah at the time of the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and he was
The one who was entrusted by Allah to build the Kaba - the House of Allah -
Along with his son Ismail [A s] at Makkah. Allah described the Kaba and its
Building as follows:
"And remember when we
Showed Ibrahim (AS) the site of the [Sacred] House [saying]: Associate not anything
[In worship with Me and purify My House for those who circumambulate it [i.e.
Perform tawaaf] and those who stand up for prayer and those who bow down and
Make prostration [in prayer etc.]."
After building the Kaba,
Prophet Ibrahim (AS) would come to Makkah to perform Hajj every year, and after his
Death, this practice was continued by his son. However, gradually with the
Passage of time, both the form and the goal of the Hajj rites were changed. As
Idolatry spread throughout Arabia, the Kaba
Lost its purity and idols were placed inside it. Its walls became covered with
Poems and paintings, including one of Jesus (ISA A S) and his mother Maryam and
Eventually over 360 idols came to be placed around the Kaba.
During the Hajj period itself, the atmosphere around the
sacred precincts of the Kaba was like a circus. Men and women would go round
The Kaba naked, arguing that they should present themselves before Allah in the
Same condition they were born. Singing, drinking, Adultery and other acts of immorality was rife amongst the pilgrims and the Poetry competitions, which were held, where a major part of the whole Hajj Event. In these competitions, poets would praise the bravery and splendor of Their own tribesmen and tell exaggerated tales of the cowardice and miserliness Of other tribes. Competitions in generosity were also staged where the chief of Each tribe would set up huge cauldrons and feed the pilgrims, only so that they Could become well-known for their extreme Their prayer became devoid of all sincere
Remembrance of Allah and was instead reduced to a series of hand clapping,
Whistling and the blowing of horns. Even the Talbiah was distorted by them
With the following additions: 'No one is Your partner except one who is permitted
By you. You are his Master and the Master of what he possesses'. Sacrifices were also
Made in the name of Allah. However, the blood of the sacrificed animals was
Poured onto the walls of the Kaba and the flesh was hung from pillars around
The Kaba, in the belief that Allah demanded the flesh and blood of these
Animals.
Thus the people had
Totally abandoned the teachings of their forefather and leader prophet Ibrahim. The House that he had made pure for the worship of Allah alone, had been
Totally desecrated by the pagans and the rites which he had established were
Completely distorted by them. This sad state of affairs continued for nearly
Two and a half thousand years. But then after this long period, the time came
For the supplication of Prophet Ibrahim to be answered:
“Labbayka-Allahummma
labbayk, Labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Innal-Hamda wanni’mata laka
wal-Mulk, laa shareeka lak!”
To perform the pilgrimage means to leave all worldly activities
Aside and to proceed to meet the Lord. The primary condition is purity
Of intention (niyyah). The other obligatory rites are:
1) Ihram. Before arriving in
The holy city, Muslims enter a state of consecration (dedication) known as
ihram, by removing their worldly clothes and donning the humble attire of
Pilgrims, two seamless white sheets for men, and simple white dresses and
Scarves for women. The white garments are symbolic of human equality and unity
Before Allah since all the pilgrims are dressed similarly. Money and status no
Longer are a factor for the pilgrims - the equality of each person in the eyes Allah becomes paramount. They are also expected to observe the rules of ihram,
Which are not to have sexual relationships, not to kill insects or animals, and
Not to remove any hair from the body.
2) Tawaf al-qudum. Upon arriving in
Makkah, pilgrims perform the initial Tawaf, which is a circular, counter-
A clockwise procession around the Ka'ba. All the while, they state "Labbayka
Allahumma Labbayk," which means, "Here I am at your service, O Allah,
Here I am!" The Tawaf is meant to awaken each Muslim's consciousness that Allah is the center of their reality and the source of all meaning in life, and
That each person's higher self-identity derives from being part of the
The community of Muslim believers, known as the Ummah. Pilgrims also perform the
sa'i, which is hurrying seven times between the small hills named Safa and
Marwah. The Qur'an says about Safa and Marwa: "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 any one obeyeth
His own impulse to good, - be sure that Allah is He Who recogniseth and knoweth.
<Qur'an Al Baqara 2:158>
3) Next, on the first official day of Hajj (8th of Dhul-Hijjah),
The two million pilgrims travel a few miles to the
Plain of Mina and
Camp there. From Mina, pilgrims travel the following morning to the plain of
Arafat where they spend the entire day in earnest supplication and devotion. It
Is said that when Allah forgives a sin for one servant at the place-of-standing
(The plain of Arafat), He forgives it for everyone there who is guilty of it.
It was also on such a day that the Prophet Muhammad ( S.A.W) received the verse from the
Qur'an from Allah"Today I have
Perfected your religion for you, and completed My grace upon you, and approved
Islam as your religion."<Qur'an, 5:3>.
4) That evening, the pilgrims move and camp at Muzdalifa, which is a site between Mina and Arafat.
Muslims stay overnight and offer various prayers there.
5) Then the pilgrims return to Mina on the 10th, and throw
Seven pebbles at a stone pillar that represents the devil. This
Symbolizes Ibrahim's throwing stones at Shaitan when he tried to dissuade Ibrahim
(AS) from sacrificing his son. Then the pilgrims sacrifice a sheep, re-enacting
The story of Ibrahim (AS), who, in place of Ismael (AS), sacrificed a sheep
That Allah had provided as a substitute. Pilgrims shave their head or trim it and
Take off Ihram garments. All Ihram restrictions are lifted except for the ban
On sexual intercourse.
6) Thus the slaughtering of a sheep is another obligation, the meat of
Which is distributed among family, friends, and the poor and needy in the
Community.
7) After the sacrifice, the pilgrims return to Makkah to end the
Formal rites of Hajj by performing a final Tawaf and say. After Tawaf
Al-Ifada (final Tawaf) ,
All restrictions are lifted."Then let them complete the rites prescribed for
Them, perform their vows, and (again) circumambulate the Ancient House."
<Qur'an Al-Hajj 22:29>
8) They should also drink from the water of ZamZam and perform two rakahs of Prayer at the place known as Maqam Ibrahim
(AS), the place where Ibrahim (AS) and his son Ismael (AS) stood and prayed
After building the Ka'ba.
10) Once the Hajj has been performed, Muslims celebrate Eid
UL-Adha, three days of celebration throughout the Muslim world.