Hajj & Eid Mubarak: The Sacrifice Of Ibrahim (a.s.)

Someone asked Mufti Ibrahim Desai (db) once how to celebrate Eid. He replied, "Eid-ul-Adha is to slaughter an animal to show and signify solidarity upon the sacrifices of Ibraahim [a.s.] and his submission to Allah. By slaughtering an animal, to inculcate is the quality of sacrifice for the Deen of Allah, like Ibraahim [a.s.] willingness to sacrifice his household in a barren land upon the order of Allah, his eagerness to sacrifice his son to fulfil the order of Allah, his eagerness to sacrifice himself so that the Oneness of Allah may prevail and idolatory may be abolished. The celebration of Eid-ul-Adha should have the spirit of these sacrifices behind it."

"And he [Ibrahim (a.s.)] said, "I am going to my Lord. He will show me the way. O my Lord, bless me with a righteous son." So We gave him the good news of a forebearing son. Thereafter, when he reached an age in which he could work with him, he said, "O my little son, I've seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you, so consider, what do you think?" He said, "O my dear father, do what you have been ordered to do. You will find me, insha'Allah, as one of those endure patiently." So, (it was a great episode) when both of them submitted themselves (to Allah's will), and he laid him on his forehead, then we called out to him, "O Ibrahim, you made the dream come true." This is how We reward those who are good in deeds. This was indeed a trial that clearly demonstrated (their obedience). And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice. And We left for him (a word of praise) among the later people, (that is,) "Salam be on Ibrahim" This is how We reward those that are good in deeds. Surely, he is among Our believing servants. And We gave him the good news of Ishaq, a prophet from among the righteous. And We did bless him and Ishaq - and among the progeny of both of them, some are good and some are utterly unjust to their own selves." (37:99-113)

Al Hamdu Lillah. Allah Ta'ala gave us the chance of witnessig another Eid. I can't believe how fast the time is running, it's like we just celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr last week. This is really a sign of Qiyamah. We should take this oppertunity to make not just ourselves happy but as well Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala by making sincere tauba (repentance), a lot of Istighfar (seeking Allah's forgiveness), Dhikr (remembrance of Allah), Qur'an recitation and the intention of never again neglecting or acting in contradiction to the Divine Law of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala and the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.).

Eid Mubarak to all brother and sisters and special congratulations to this years Hajjis. May Allah accept their sacrifice to take this journey of a lifetime and reward them with Jannah. Ameen.

Preparation For Eid-ul-Adha

Eid-ul-Adha is just a few days away and to make this day of joy a complete success, we should learn about this days' Sunnahs and how the Eid Salah has to be performed.

Sunnahs of Eid-ul-Adha
The following ten Sunnahs count for both Eids of the year:

1. To adorn oneself according to the Shariah.
2. To have a bath.
3. To use miswaak.
4. To wear the best of clothing which one possesses.
5. To apply perfume.
6. To wake up very early in the morning.
7. To go early to the eid-gaah.
8. To offer the Eid salaat in the eid-gaah. That is, one should not offer Eid salaat in the musjid without any valid reason.
9. To return from the eid-gaah taking a route that is different from the one that he had taken when going towards the eid-gaah.
10. To go to the eid-gaah on foot.

But still there are some differences: Before going to the eid-gaah it is preferable to eat something on Eid ul-Fitr. But this is not the case in Eid ul-Ad'haa. On Eid ul-Fitr, it is sunnah to say the takbeers softly while going towards the eid-gaah. But on Eid ul-Ad'haa the takbeers should be said in a loud voice. It is preferable to offer the salaat of Eid ul-Fitr a little late. But for Eid ul-Ad'haa it should be offered early. For Eid ul-Ad'haa there is no sadaqatul fitr. Instead, there is the sacrificing of animals for those who can afford it.

Takbeer-e-Tashreek
Takbeer-e-tashreeq is wajib after every fard salaat. It is wajib to recite this takbeer in a loud voice. However, women should recite it in a soft voice. The takbeer-e-tashreeq is as follows:

Allahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar. La ila-ha ill-lal-lah. Allahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar. Wa-lilahill hamd.
(Allah is greater, Allah is greater. There is no god but Allah. Allah is greater, Allah is greater. And all praises are for Allah.)

This takbeer will be wajib on the condition that the fard salaat has been offered with jama'at and the place is a city. This takbeer is not wajib on a woman and a musafir. But if they are muqtadis of a person on whom this takbeer is wajib, then it will be wajib on them as well. However, if a munfarid, a woman or a musafir recites this takbeer, it will be better for them because according to Imam Muhammad and Imam Abu Yusuf rahmatullahi alayhima it is wajib on them as well. If the imam forgets to recite the takbeer, the muqtadis should immediately commence reciting it. They should not wait for the imam to commence.

This takbeer should be recited after the fajr salaat of the ninth of Zil Hijjah till after the asr salaat of the thirteenth of Zil Hijjah. This totals 23 salaats after which this takbeer is wajib. The takbeer should be recited immediately after the salaat. According to some ulama, it is also wajib to say this takbeer after the salaat of Eid ul-Ad'haa.

Performance of the Eid Salah
On this day of festivity and celebration it is wajib to offer two rakaats of salaat as a form of gratitude. The method of offering Eid ul-Adha salaat is as follows:

The following intention should be made: "I intend offering two rakaats wajib of Eid ul-Adha salaat with six wajib takbeers." After making this intention, he should commence his salaat. He must recite the thanaa' and then say Allahu Akbar three times. Each time that he says Allahu Akbar, he should raise his hands to his ears just as he does for the takbeer-e-tahreemah. After making the takbeer, he should let his hands rest at his sides. In-between each takbeer, he should pause to such an extent that he can read Sub'haanallah three times. After the third takbeer, he should not rest his hands but tie them. He should then read the ta'awwudh and bismillah, Surah Fatihah and another Surah. Thereafter, he should make his ruku and sajdahs and stand up as he normally does. In the second rakaat, he should first recite Surah Faatihah and another Surah. Thereafter, he should make three takbeers but after the third takbeer he should not tie his hands but leave them at his sides. He should then make one more takbeer and go into ruku.

It is makruh to offer any other salaat on that day at the place where eid salaat is offered - not before the salaat nor after it. However, it is not makruh to offer any salaat after the Eid salaat at home. But to do so before the Eid salaat is makruh at home as well. It is makruh for women and those people who do not offer Eid salaat to offer any nafl salaat before the Eid salaat. If a person misses his Eid salaat and all the other people have already completed their salaat, this person cannot offer his salaat alone. This is because jama'at is a prerequisite for the Eid salaats. In the same way, if a person joins the jama'at but for some reason or the other his salaat becomes invalid, then he cannot make qada of it nor will qada be wajib on him. However, if a few other people also join him, qada will become wajib. If for some reason the Eid salaat is not offered on the first day, then Eid ul-Fitr salaat could be offered on the second day. And Eid ul-Ad'haa salaat could be offered till the twelfth of Zil Hijjah. If the Eid ul-Ad'haa salaat is delayed till the twelfth without any excuse, it will still be valid. But it is makruh to do so. If the Eid ul-Fitr salaat is delayed without any excuse, the salaat will not be valid at all. Examples of excuses:

(i) the imam does not come to perform the salaat for some reason or the other, (ii) it is raining heavily, (iii) the date of the moon has not been established and it only becomes established after mid-day when the time for the salaat has already expired, (iv) salaat was offered on a cloudy day, and after the disappearance of the clouds it is realized that the salaat was not offered in its correct time.

If a person joins the Eid salaat at a time when the imam has already completed saying the takbeers, then if he joined the jama'at while they were still in the standing posture, he should immediately make the takbeers even if the imam is busy with his qira'at. If he joins the salaat while the imam is in ruku, he should make his takbeers only if he feels that he will be able to catch up with the imam in his ruku. But if he fears that he will not be able to catch up with the imam, he should go straight into ruku. Instead of reading the tasbeehs in the ruku, he should recite the takbeers. However, when he makes the takbeers in his ruku, he should not raise his hands. If the imam stands up from the ruku before he can complete his takbeers, he should not try to complete them. Instead, he should stand up with the imam. The takbeers which he missed will be forgiven.

If a person misses the first rakaat of Eid salaat, when he stands up to complete it, he should first recite Surah Faatihah, another Surah and then make the takbeers. Although, according to the rule, he ought to have made the takbeers first, he should not do this. Because if he does this, then the takbeers of both the rakaats will come one after the other. And this is not the method of any Sahabi. Therefore, the rule has been given contrary to this. If the imam forgets to say the takbeers and only remembers this while in ruku, he should say the takbeers in his ruku and should not return to the standing posture. But if he returns to the standing posture, it will still be permissible, i.e. the salaat will not become invalid. However, because of the large crowd, sajdah-e-sahw should not be made.

The Eid-ul-Adha Khutbah
The prerequisites and conditions that apply for the validity and compulsion for jumu'ah, apply for the Eid salaat as well. With the exception that for the jumu'ah salaat the khutbah is a prerequisite and fard, while for the Eid salaats it is not fard but sunnah. Furthermore, the jumu'ah khutbah is delivered before the salaat while for the Eid salaats, the khutbah is delivered after the salaat. However, listening to the khutbah of Eid is wajib just as it is wajib for the khutbah of jumu'ah, i.e. while the khutbah is being delivered, it is haraam to talk, walk about or offer salaat.

The khutbahs of Eid should commence with the takbeers. The takbeer should be said nine times in the first khutbah and seven times in the second khutbah. The rules related to qurbaani and takbeer-e-tashreeq should be mentioned in the khutbah of Eid ul-Ad'haa.

Du'a
Dua should be made after the Eid salaat, or even after the khutbah. Although this dua has not been established from the life of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, the Sahabah, Taabi'een and even the Tabe Taabi'een, but because it is sunnah to make a dua after every salaat, it will be preferable to make it after the Eid salaat as well.

[Information taken from "Juma and Eid Salahs" by Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (r.a.)]

First Ten Days Of Dhul Hijjah

Verily, the praise belongs to Allah Most High, and may the blessings of Allah and Peace be upon His Messenger Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam), and his family and companions, all of them.

Ibn Abbas (radhiAllaahu 'anhumaa) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "There are not any days in which righteousdeeds done in them are more beloved to Allah than these days, i.e. the ten days (of Dhul-Hijjah)." They said, "O, Messenger of Allah, not even Jihad in the path of Allah?" He said, "Not even Jihad in the path of Allah Most High, except if a man goes out (for Jihad) with his self and his wealth, then he doesn't return with anything from that." [Bukhari]

Imam Ahmad narrated from Ibn 'Umar (radhiAllaahu 'anhumaa) that the Messenger of Allah Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "There aren't any days greater, nor any days in which deeds done in them are more beloved to Allah Most High, than these ten days (of Dhul-Hijjah). So, increase saying Tahlil (Laailaaha illallaah), and Takbir (Allahuakkbar) and Tahmid (alhumdulillaah) in them."

Read the rest of this Article...

More Useful Links:

• Article: First Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah: Days of Virtue And Righteous Deeds
• Article: Significance of the First Ten Days of Zil Hijjah
• Article: Virtues of the Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah
• Bayan: Hajj & Eid-ul-Adha by Mufti Justice Muhammad Taqi Usmani (db)

Errors Often Commited By Pilgrims

This is one chapter of the small booklet written by 'The Agency of Islamic Enlightement in Hajj' with the name "A Guide To Hajj, Umra, And Visiting the Prophet's Mosque". The guide is approved by the Permanent Committee of Islamic Research and Fatwa and Shaikh Muhammad Bin Saleh Al-Uthaimin (Hafizullah) and printed & distributed by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da'awah and Guidance (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia).

First: Errors Related to Ihram

Some pilgrims cross the designated stations of ihram (miqat) on their route without being in ihram or entering into ihram there. They wait till they reach Jeddah or some other place that is after the miqat at which they enter into ihram. This is against the command of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) which stipulates that every pilgrim should enter into ihram at the station of ihram that lies on his route.

The one who crosses the miqat without going into ihram must go back to the miqat that lies on his route, and enter into ihram there. Otherwise he must make expiation by sacrificing a sheep in Makkah and feeding all its meat to the poor. This applies to all pilgrims, regarless of whether one passes the station of ihram by air, by sea, or by land.

If one's route does not pass through one of the five designated stations of ihram, he should enter into ihram at a point that is nearest to the station of ihram on his route.

Second: Errors Related To Tawaf

1. Starting the twaf before the Black Stone, while it is obligatory to begin tawaf from the Black Stone.

2. Doing the twaf inside the Hijr, which means going round only a portion of the Ka'aba rather than the whole of it, since the Hijr is a part of the Ka'aba. The circuit of the tawaf that he does going through the Hijr is invalid.

3. Doing raml (taking quick short steps) during all the circuits, while raml is to be done only during the first three circuits of the tawaf al qudoom.

4. Struggling violently to kiss the Black Stone, and sometimes even hitting or abusing people. Such actis, which are injurious to Muslims, are not permissible. It is not permissible to abuse or hit his muslim brother without a just cause.

It should be noted that the tawaf remains perfectly valid without kissing the Black Stone. If one does not or cannot kiss the Black Stone, it is sufficient to simply point to it, saying: Allahu Akbar, when he comes parallel to it, even if he may be a a disctance from it.

5. Touching the Black Stone with the intention of seeking blessings (barakah) from it is an innovation (bid'ah) with no basis in the Shari'ah of Islam. The sunnah is to touch it or kiss it as an act of obedience to Allah, the Most High.

6. Touching the four corners of the Ka'aba or its walls, and wipiing the face with the hands. The Prophet (s.a.w.) did not touch any part of the Ka'aba except the Black Stone and the Yamani corner.

7. Saying specific formulas of supplications for each circuit. The Prophet (s.a.w.) did not specify any supplications except the saying of Allahu Akbar when he reached the Black Stone, and at the end of each circuit between the Yamani corner and the Black Stone he used to say:

"Rabbana atina fid dunya hasatan wa fil akhirati hasanatan wa qina adhaban nar".

"Our Lord give us good in this world, and good in the Hereafter, and save us frm the torment of the Fire".

8. Raising one's voice above the voices of othersm which is done by some of the people doing tawaf or leading others to tawaf, as it causes confusion to the worshippers.

9. Struggling to pray at the station of Ibrahim. This is contrary to the sunnah, besides being injurious to other worshippers. It is sufficient to pray the two raka'ats of tawaf after completing one's tawaf anywhere within the Sacred Mosque.

Third: Errors Related To Sa'y

1. When climbing upon the mounts of Safa and Marwah, some pilgrims face the Ka'aba pointing towards it with their hands while saying: Allahu Akbar as if they were saying the takbir for salah. The sunnah is to raise the hands in the way you do when making du'a.

2. Accelerating one's pace throughout the entire distance between the two hills. The sunnah is to accelerate one's pace only between the two green posts, and walk at a normal pace for the remainder of the way.

Fourth: Errors Related To Arafat

1. Some pilgrims camp outside the boundaries of Arafat, and remain there until the sun has set, then they depart for Muzdakufah without actually standing at Arafat. This is a serious error, which invalidates their Hajj since standing in Arafat is the essence of Hajj, and itis obligatory to be within the boundaries and not outside. If it is not easy to do that, they may enter before sunset and remain the re until sunset. It is also acceptable to stand in Arafat specifically during the night of sacrifice.

2. Departing from Arafat before the sun has set is not permissible, because the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) stayed at Arafat until the sun had set completely.

3. Struggling through crowds in order to climb Mount Arafat is not permissible, because it causes much harm and injury to others. The entire plan of Arafat is a place of standing, and neither climbing Mount Arafat, nor making salah on it is recommended.

4. Making supplications facing Mount Arafat is incorrect, because the sunnah is to face the qiblah while making supplication.

5. Making heaps of earth or pebbles during the day of Arafat at particular places, by some people has no basis in the Shari'ah of Allah.

Fifth: Errors Related To Muzdalifah

Some pilgrims start collecting pebbles to throw at the stone pillars (the Jamarat) as soon as they arrive in Muzdalifah prior to even praying the Maghrib and 'Isha prayers. This is not right. It is also not right to hold the belief that the pebbles must be collected at Muzdalifah.

The correct thing is that the pebbles can be collected anywhere within the boundaries of al Haram (the Sacred precincts of Makkah). It is know that the Prophet (s.a.w.) did not ask that the pebbles for throwing the Jamratul 'Aqabah be picked for him from Muzdalifah, and on entering Mina. The rest of the pebbles were picked up for him from Mina too.

Some pilgrims wash the pebbles, but this is not prescribed in the Shari'ah.

Sixth: Errors Related To Throwing The Pebbles

1. Some pilgrims are under the impression that when they are throwing pebbles at the stone pillars, they are actually throwing the Satans (devils), hence they hurl them with rage and a shower of curses and abuses. No! The throwing of the pebbles was only prescribed for the remembrance of Allah the Most High.

2. Some people throw big stones, shoes or pieces of wood. This is an act of transgression in matters of religion which the Prophet (s.a.w.) prohibited, and doing that will not suffice for the throwing.

3. Jostling and fighting with others at the pillars while throwing the pebbles is not permissible. What is prescribed is to be gentle and to throw the pebbles without hurting anyone as much as possible.

4. Throwing all the pebbles at one time is an error. The scholars have said that this would be counted as only one throw. The Shari'ah prescribes that the throwing of the pebbles be done one pebble after another, saying: Allahu Akbar with each throw.

5. Delegating someone to throw the pebbles simply due to fear of the crowds or of hardship, while one is capable of doing it him or herself. Only the sick, or weak individuals are permitted to delegate someone to do the throwing for them.

Seventh: Errors Related To The Farewell Tawaf

1. On the day of their departure some pilgrims go to Makkah to perform their Farewell tawaf before throwing the pebbles at the Pillars, and then they return to Mino to throw the pebbles and depart from Mina for their respective countries. Thus their final rite becomes that of throwing the pebbles at the Pillars, and not of the tawaf round the Ka'aba. This is an error as the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "No one should depart without his last visit being to the House (the Ka'aba)".

Accordingly, the Farewell tawaf must be done after one has completed all the rites of Hajj (and before starting his journes home). After his tawaf one should not stay in Makkah except for the time it takes to prepare departure.

2. After finishing the Farewell tawaf some people walk backwards, facing the Ka'aba when going out of the Sacred Mosque, with the impression that this is a veneration of the Ka'aba. This act in an innovation (bid'ah) in the religion and has no basis.

3. After finishing the Farewell tawaf some pilgrims stop at the door of the Sacred Mosque to make supplications. This is also an innovation with no basis in the Shari'ah of Islam.

Eighth: Errors Related To The Visit To The Prophet's Mosque

1. Rubbing one's hands on the walls and the iron grills, or tying threads and other acts of this sort while visiting the grave of the Prophet (s.a.w.) intending to receive blessings (barakah) from that, all these are innovations (bid'ah). Blessings come from following what Allah and His Messenger (s.a.w.) have prescribed, and not from following innovations.

2. Going to the caves of Mount Uhud, or to the caves of Hira or Thaur near Makkah, and hanging pieces of cloth, or making supplications there, which are not prescribed by Allah, and bearing unnecessary hardships are all innovations in the religion, and have no basis in the Shari'ah.

3. Likewise, visiting certain sites under the impression that these constitute relics of the Prophet (s.a.w.) for example the place where his camel knelt down (when he first arrived at Madinah), and the well of Uthman (r.a.a.), or the well of the ring and taking the soil of these places to obtain blessings are all innovations.

4. Calling upon the dead while visiting the graves at the Baqi' cemetery, or the graves of the martyrs of Uhud, and throwing coins in order to seek the blessings of the place, or the people buried there is a grievous error. In fact it is shirk (ascribing partners to Allah, the Most High), as has been pointed out by scholars, and is also clear from the Book of Allah and the sunnah of His Messenger (s.a.w.). This is because all forms of worship are for Allah alone, and it is not permissible to associate other than Allah in any of them, like invoking another besides Allah, or offering sacrifices or giving vows; or any other form of ibadah except for Allah alone. Allah, the Most High says:

"And they were commanded nothing except to worship Allah (only) purifying the religion for Him alone."

And He also says:

"Verily, the places of worship are for Allah (alone), so do not invoke anyone along with Allah."

We ask Allah, the Most High to improve the condition of the Muslims, and to give them understanding of the religion, and to turn all of us away from errors and deviations. Indeed He is the Hearing, the Responding.

Hajj/Umrah's Ahkam According To Your Madhab

Here are two lists. The first is about what should be avoided during the Ihram and the larger second one is about the things you are supposed to do during the Ihram. And just as the title already unveiled it's according to all four Madhahib. But first I want to give you two very interesting links corncerning Hajj, Umrah and visiting Medinah.

>> Journey of a Lifetime: Fisabilillah.org put together a Hajj Pack consisting of over 120 printable pages. This guide covers many aspects corncering "Before Hajj", "The Hajj", "In Madinah", "After Hajj" and it's all illustrated with text and images.
>> HajUmrah.co.uk: A non-profit site geared to provide a local independent directory of Hajj and Umrah Tour Operators, Travel Tips, Hajj and Umrah Books, Hotels, Visa information, News, Weather and a wealth of outstanding resources dedicated to Hajj & Umrah.

Now, we can start with the main part of this post. You just need to do another click, if you haven't yet.

• 1.) Wearing sewn clothes:

All Madhahib: Requires sacrificing a sheep.

• 2.) Male pilgrim covering the head or female pilgrim covering her face with Niqab:

Hanafiya: Requires sacrificing a sheep.
Shafi'iya: Doing so intentionally requires sacrificing a sheep. If done unintentionally or being forced to do so, then there's no Kaffarah.
Malikiya: Requires sacrificing a sheep.
Hanbaliya: Doing so intentionally requires sacrificing a sheep. If done unintentionally or being forced to do so, then there's no Kaffarah.

• 3.) Intentionally pulling out or removing body-hair:

All Madhahib: When less than twelve hairs have been pulled out or removed, a handfull of wheat (or other appropriate food) has to be donated. But if more hairs have been removed, then a sheep has to be sacrificed.

• 4.) Cutting of finger- or toenails:

All Madhahib: When one or two nails have been cut, accordingly one or two times food in the measure of Mudd (the amount that can be drawn with both hands put-together) has to be donated. But when more nails have been cut, a sheep has to be sacrificed.

• 5.) Use of perfume:

All Madhahib: Requires sacrificing an animal (at least a sheep).

• 6.) Hunting a wild animal or hunting and killing a wild animal:

All Madhahib: As Kaffarah (1) a sheep or a small livestock animal in the size of the killed animal has to be given or (2) feeding every of the amount of poor prescribed for Kaffarah a 1/2 Sa' (i.e. so much, that a person can eat full) or (3) instead of feeding, it can be fasted a day for every single of the poor.

• 7.) Burning down, killing or chopping off living plants in the area of the Haram:

All Madhahib: Requires sacrificing an animal (at least a sheep).

• 8.) Sexual intercourse or stimulation with your partner:

Hanafiya: Makes the Hajj or Umrah invalid and batil.
Shafi'iya: Makes the Hajj or Umrah invalid and batil - as long as the person hasn't been forced or did it unintentionally (i.e. without taking under consideration that one's in the state of Ihram).
Malikiya: Makes the Hajj or Umrah invalid and batil.
Hanbaliya: Makes the Hajj or Umrah invalid and batil.

That's it with the most important forbidden acts during the state of Ihram and the Kaffarah of all four Madhahib. The following list is (a little) larger and gives you the look at what importance the school of thoughts gave the different acts you are supposed to do. To make it easier I gave every Madhab an own color: Hanafiya is green, Shafi'iya is brown, Malikiya is blue and Hanbaliya is red.

• The Hajj itself

Fardh* | Fardh** | Fardh* | Fardh*
* has to be performed immediately
** can be delayed

• The Ihram for Hajj

Shart/Rukn | Rukn | Rukn | Rukn

• The Umrah

Sunnah mu'akadda | Fardh** | Sunnah mu'akadda | Fardh*
* has to be performed immediately
** can be delayed

• The Ihram for Umrah

Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda* | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda
*(According to some Scholars of this Madhab: Wajib)

• The reciting of the Talbiya during the Ihram

Shart* | Rukn | Rukn | Rukn
*(According to some Scholars of this Madhab: Rukn)

• Enter Ihram at the Miqat

Wajib | Wajib | Wajib | Wajib

• Ghusl on the occasion of the Ihram

Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Mustahabb

• The Talbiya

Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Wajib | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda

• Tawaf al-Qudum

Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Wajib | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda

• The Niyyat for Tawaf

Shart | Shart | Wajib | Shart

• To start the Tawaf at the black stone (al-Hajar al-aswad)

Wajib | Shart | Wajib | Shart

• Always having the Ka'ba at your left side during Tawaf

Wajib | Shart | Shart | Shart

• Not being in the state of Hadath during Tawaf

Wajib | Shart | Shart | Shart

• To perform the Tawaf in form of seven rounds (Ashwat)

Wajib | Shart | Shart | Shart

• The two Rak'a on the occasion of the Tawaf

Wajib | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda* | Wajib | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda
*(According to some Scholars of this Madhab: Wajib)

• The Tawaf at the Umrah

Rukn | Rukn | Rukn | Rukn

• The Sa'y between as-Safa and al-Marwa at Hajj and Umrah

Wajib | Rukn | Rukn | Rukn

• To perform the Sa'y after the Tawaf

Wajib | Shart | Wajib | Shart

• To make a Niyyat for the Sa'y, to begin the Sa'y at as-Safa and finish it at al-Marwa

Wajib | Shart | Shart | Shart

• To perform the Sa'y - if possible - walking

Wajib | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Wajib | Shart

• To walk during all 7 rounds (Ashwat)

Wajib | Shart | Shart | Shart

• To let the 7 rounds (Ashwat) of the Sa'y continuously follow eachother (Muwalat)

Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Wajib | Shart

• To let the Sa'y follow directly after the Tawaf without an interruption (Muwalat)

Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Wajib | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda

• Shaving or trimming the hair on the head at the Umrah

Wajib | Wajib | Wajib | Wajib

• To spend the night of 'Arafat at Mina

Wajib | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Wajib | Mustahabb

• The standing at 'Arafat (Wuquf 'Arafat)

Rukn | Rukn | Rukn | Rukn

• The (permissible) time for standing at 'Arafat (Wuquf 'Arafat)

From the begin of Zuhr till the Fajr of the day of sacrifices (Yaum an-Nahr)

• To perform the Wuquf before the sunset on the day of 'Arafat

Wajib | Wajib | Rukn | Wajib

• To connect in real Jam'-form at Muzdalifa between the Maghrib prayer and the 'Isha' prayer

Wajib | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda

• To spend the night at Muzdalifa

Wajib | Wajib | Wajib | Wajib

• To set off on time from Muzdalifa to al-Mash'ar al-haram

Wajib | Wajib | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda / Mustahabb | Wajib

• To stone the big pillar (Jamrat al-'Aqaba) at the day of sacrifice (Yaum an-Nahr)

Wajib | Wajib | Wajib | Wajib

• Shaving or trimming the hair on the head at the Hajj

Wajib | Rukn | Wajib | Wajib

• To keep the order (Tartib) of stoning the big pillar, sacrificing an animal and shaving the head

Wajib | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda

• That the shaving of the head takes place inside the Haram (the Ka'ba area) and at the permissible days of sacrificing (Ayyam an-Nahr)

Wajib | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda

• The Tawaf al-Ifada

Rukn | Rukn | Rukn | Rukn

• To perform the Tawaf al-Ifada during the permissible days of sacrificing (Ayyam an-Nahr)

Wajib | Rukn | Wajib (at Hajj) | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda (on the day of celebration)

• To perform the Tawaf al-Ifada after the stoning of the big pillar

Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Wajib | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda

• The stoning of all three pillars (al-Jamarat) at the days of Tashriq

Wajib | Wajib | Wajib | Wajib

• Not to delay the stoning of all three pillars (al-Jamarat) till the night

Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Wajib | Sunnah ghair mu'akadda

• To spend the night at Mina during the days of Tashriq

Sunnah ghair mu'akadda | Wajib | Wajib | Wajib

• The Tawaf al-Wada'

Wajib | Wajib | Mustahabb | Wajib

That's it! Insha'Allah that was helpful to some of you. There will follow a couple of other posts concerning Hajj in the next few days: Definitly a history of the Ka'ba and a post about errors often commited by pilgrims. And part 2 of the "Difference between Sahabah and Me & You" is in the makings, too. So, stay tuned.

Indications Of An Accepted Hajj

Someone asked "What are the indications if Allah has blessed someone with an accepted hajj (hajj mabrur)?" on SunniPath.com. Here's what Faraz Rabbani anwsered:

The central and most significant sign of an accepted hajj (hajj mabrur) is that "one return better than one was before," as Ibn al-Humam explains in Fath al-Qadir. [3.182] The same is mentioned by Mawardi in Adab al-Dunya wa'l Din, and by Ibn Abidin in Radd al-Muhtar.

This helps one understand why the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "The accepted hajj has no reward but Paradise." [Ahmad, and Tabarani in his Awsat, with a sound chain, and others]

And Allah alone gives success.

The Virtues of Hajj

Maulana Hakeem-ul-Ummah Ashraf Ali Thanvi Sahab (r.a.) highlights in his notorious work Bahishti Zewar a few Virtues of Hajj. To read the rest you need to click on the link at the bottom of this post.

"1. It is mentioned in a Hadith that the angels shake the hands of those hajis who go for hajj by some means of transport, and they embrace those who go for hajj on foot.

2. It is mentioned in a Hadith that when a person goes for hajj on a camel, for every step that the camel takes the person will receive 70 rewards. And the person who goes for hajj on foot will receive 700 rewards for every step that he takes. Although the Hadith mentions "camel", the same will apply to other forms of transportation as well.

3. It is mentioned in a Hadith that the person who goes for hajj and the person who is waging jihad are actually the guests of Allah Ta'ala. If they make any dua to Him, He accepts it. If they seek forgiveness from Him, He grants it.

4. It is mentioned in a Hadith that the person who performs his hajj will intercede on behalf of 400 family members on the day of judgement. Apart from this, he will be purified of all his sins just as he was pure of sins when his mother had given birth to him. This is on the condition that his hajj is accepted. It is therefore incumbent on a person to ensure that this great ibaadah be accomplished through halaal earnings and that all the rites are fulfilled in the best manner possible. O Allah! Bless me with such a hajj as well. Aameen.

The forgiveness of sins as mentioned in the above Hadith does not apply to huquq (duties and obligations) such as those forms of ibaadah which one has to make qada of or debts which one has to fulfil. Ibaadaat which one has to make qada of or debts which one has to pay have to be fulfilled because these are not sins but huquq (rights).

5. It is mentioned in a Hadith that the person who goes on hajj with haraam wealth, and then recites the following dua:

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Translation: O Allah! I have presented myself over here in obedience to Your command.

(which is among the duas that have to be recited during hajj) Allah Ta'ala replies to this dua by saying:

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Translation: "I do not accept your labbayk nor your sa'dayk. And your hajj has been flung back onto your face."

In other words, you have not presented yourself over here in obedience to My command. For, if you had presented yourself in obedience to My command, you would have spent your halaal wealth and come. Your hajj is not accepted because you have come to this great and pure place of Mine with your filthy wealth. You will not be fully rewarded although you will be absolved of your fard duty.

6. It is mentioned in a Hadith that when you meet a haji, make salaam to him, shake his hands, and ask him to make dua for forgiveness on your behalf. You should do this before he can even enter his house, i.e. the moment he returns from his hajj. You should ask him to make this dua for you because his sins have been forgiven. The person who returns from hajj is an accepted person in the sight of Allah Ta'ala. There is, therefore, great hope in his duas being accepted. Inform him of whatever dua you wish him to make on your behalf irrespective of whether it be for this world or for the hereafter. However, you should do this before he can reach his house."

Six Fasts In The Month Of Shawwal

Sayyidi wa sanadi Hadhrat Maulana Mohammad Taqi Usmani (db) wrote the following...

"It is commendable to keep six fasts in the month of Shawwal.

The Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, has said: "Whoever completes fasts of Ramadan then adds to them the fast of six days in the month of Shawwal, it will carry the thawab of fasting for the whole year." (Sahih Muslim)

This hadith had described the great thawab of six fasts of this month. Therefore, the Muslims should take this opportunity of acquiring such an enormous reward from Allah. It is more preferable to start these fasts from the 2nd of Shawwal and keep fasting up to the 7th of it. However, if, they are kept in other days, it is hoped that the requirement of the above hadith may also be fulfilled."

Eid-ul-Fitr Bayan 1427H

I recorded the Bayan today with my mobile phone, so there's obviously a lack of quality. On top of that many people were disturbing and interrupting the Bayan. But still it's worth to listen to it.

Qari Abdullah Mahmoud Sahab (db) learned Deen from the Darul Uloom in Binori Town, Karachi.The Bayan is in Bangla and Urdu, he speaks both languages fluently.



By the way since I had to convert the format of the file from RMA to MP3, the size of the file is larger than usual.

Eid Mubarak!

Eid Mubarak! Sure, Eid has been made a day full of happiness by Allah. But at the same time a month, where a Fardh was rewarded 70 times more than in the rest of the year and Allah's Rahmah was showering upon his servants comes to an end. Kash, and who knows if we even will witness next Ramadhan?!

May Allah accept our effort and fasting in the blessed time span of this Ramadhan and strengthens us in His Deen in the rest of the year, too.

Eid-ul-Fitr 2006 Blog Posts

How Our Pious Predecessors Spent Ramadan

I know I just posted about Ramadan a few minutes ago, but then I found this awesome article by Shaikh Salman al-Oadah on the website he supervises - IslamToday.com. This article concentrates on how the Prophet Muhammad , his companions and the earliest generations of Muslims spent this precious time of Ramadan in their lives. The Shaikh has picked out four righteous acts, which can indeed draw us nearer to our creator Allah Ta'ala, especially in this blessed month: Reading the Qur'an, standing for the prayer in the middle of the night, giving generously in charity and safeguarding the tongue.

Sorry, it just felt wrong to me to post about the saintly elders of the latest centuries and leaving out the first Momineen and walliAllahs the surface of this earth has ever seen. That's why I couldn't go to sleep without posting this article that I just found.

Here's the link: 'How Our Pious Predecessors Spent Ramadan'

Ramadan of the Pious

After the 15th fasting day has came to an end now too, this is another post on this blessed month Ramadan. But this time I don't want to annoy you with my thoughts and ramblings, but redirect you to the English translation of Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlavi (r.a.)'s 'Akaabir Ka Ramadhan' (translated 'Ramadan of the Pious'). Compared to that booklet my writings are really a waste of paper... or actually space.

He already wrote much on this subject in the 'Virtous of Ramadan' chapter of his notorious book - 'Faza'il-e-A'maal'. But because of some demanding friends he wrote this booklet to go further in detail about the practices, habits and routines of the saintly elders in this blessed month, ranging from Maulana Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi (r.a.) over Hakeemul Ummat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (r.a.) till Shaikhul-Islam Maulana Madani (r.a.) and many others. Of course his late father Maulana Yahya Sahab (r.a.) and his late uncle Hazrat Maulana Ilyaas Sahab (r.a.) haven't been left out.

Maulana Zakariyya Sahab (r.a.) concludes the booklet with a short Du'a (supplication) of his own, which I want to quote here.

“O Lord, through the blessings of the great guides,
Let mine ending be a righteous one,
Through the intercession of the family of the Rasul
And his companions let Thy Grace be my companion;
Grant to me, O Lord of All, that strength and might
That full control over myself I shall have;
Let it be that at the final hour the Kalimah be on my tongue,
And that on Judgement Day among the righteous I be raised
Grant me Thy Helping Hand in this world and the next
Through the blessings of every saintly, pious one.”

Ameen!
Finally read the english translation of the booklet typed up here:
'Ramadan of the Pious' ('Akaabir Ka Ramadan')

May Allah give us the strength and motivation out of this nice literature to spend the remaining half of Ramadan in a better way than the first. May Allah forgive our sins and neglectfullness, we indeed can't give this blessed month his rights like those before us did. Ameen.

Ramadan Goes Into The Next Round

Here goes another entry regarding the blessed month Ramadan, whose first 10 days are over by now. The time goes fast, I remember the previous Ramadan like it was yesterday and now this Ramadan's first 3rd is over, too. That should make us just more cautious how about we are spending our time. Allah alone knows if this is maybe the last Ramadan I'm witnessing or was even the last Iftar I ate today. But really important is that Allah accepts the days of Ramadan that I've passed through by fasting already and those that are still coming (make Dua for me).

I'm planning to spend the last 10 days insha'Allah in Itikaf. Everyone who has the chance should try to do also. Luckily, school holidays almost exactly begin with the 3rd unit of this blessed Ramadan.

This time instead of giving you something to read I decided to try motivate you through some nice bayaans/speeches regarding Ramadan in Urdu and English language.

Speeches in English:
>> 'Ramadan - How to make the most of it' by Taqi Usmani
>> 'Benefits of Itikaf in the 10 last days of Ramadan' by Shaikh Aamir Nazir

Bayaans in Urdu:
>> 'Ramadan - How to make the most of it' by Taqi Usmani
>> 'Ramzan Ki Fazeelat' by Tariq Jamil
>> 'Ramadan & increase in Taqwa' by Abdul Mannan

Don't forget: Right click + save file as...

Ramadan Mubarak

Ramadan Mubarak!

I know it's already the 6th of Ramadan and I'm late, but still I want to share a warm 'Ramadan Mubarak' with everyone visiting my blog... actually in case there are already readers. Anyway, better late then never. Back to topic, and of course wish that everyone will be having a blessed month. This month is so virtuous that the Sahabas (companions of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ) started to prepare already 6 months before. But let's take a look at how Allah's Messenger himself prepared his companions (r.a.a.) at the last days of Scha'baan.

Salman (r.a.a.) reports: "On the last day of Scha'baan, the Messenger of Allah addressed us and said: "O people, there comes upon you a month, a most blessed month, in which lies a night greater in worth than one thousand months. It is a month in which Allah has made compulsory that the fasting should be observed by day and He has made the Taraweeh by night a Sunnah. Whosoever tries drawing nearer to Allah by performing any virtuous deed in this month, for him shall be such reward as if he had performed a Fardh (obligatory observance) in any other time of the year. And whoever performs a Fardh, for him shall be the reward of seventy Fardh in any other time of the year. This is indeed a month of patience and the reward for true patience is Jannah (paradise), it is the month of sympathy with one's fellowmen, it is the month wherein a true believer's Rizq (provisions) is increased. Whosoever feeds a fasting person in order to break the fast (at sunset), for him there shall be forgiveness of his sins and emancipation from the fire of Jahannam (hell), and for him shall be the same reward as for him (whom he fed), without that person's reward being diminished in the least."

Thereupon we said: "O Messenger of Allah, not all of us possess the means whereby we can provide enough for a fasting person to break his fast." The Messenger of Allah replied: "Allah grants this same reward to him who gives a fasting person a single date or a drink of water or a sip of milk to break the fast. This is a month, the first part of which brings Allah's Mercy, the middle which brings His forgiveness and the last part of which brings emancipation from the fire of Jahannam. Whosoever lessens the burden of his servants (bondsmen) in this month, Allah will forgive him and free him from the fire of Jahannam."

What a great month! We all really should by all means strive for drawing nearer to our Lord in this virtuous month. Shall I make the math for you?

1 Good Deed = 10 - 700 Rewards
1 Fardh in Ramadan = Reward of 70 Fardhs

So, how much reward can a person get every single day of Ramadan by just taking care of his 5 Fardh prayers? But sadly many of us not only neglect extra forms of worshipping (Nafl Ibadah), but even the compulsory observances of Islam. Allthough the blessings of Ramadan are not limited to fasting alone, because the performance of all sorts of worship and good deeds during this month is also a source of great Divine favor. And fasting the whole day without performing the 5 compulsory prayers will bring you nothing else but hunger and thirst rather than Allah's favor.

When we take a look at the lives of our elders and saintly men, it should come to our attention that in Ramadan they even took more care of their time than they did already in rest of the year, because they feared that a moment could've been wasted without seeking Allah's favor. Moulana Sahaikul Hadith Muhammad Zakariyyya Kandhalvi (r.a.) writes in his book 'Faza'il-e-A'maal' the following in his commentary of the hadith mentioned above:

"I personally had observed my teacher Moulana Khalil Ahmad during many Ramadhans. He was a weak, sickly person of advanced years but, in spite of that, he used to recite one and a quarter Juz (Part) of the Qur'an in Nafl prayers after Maghrib. Thereafter, he used to spend about half an hour in eating, and other necessities in preparation for Taraweeh prayers. He used o stand in Taraweeh for about two and half hours when in India and for three hours while residing in Medina Munawwarah. Thereafter, he would sleep for two or three hours (according to the season). Then again he used to recite the Qur'an in Tahajjud prayer, until half an hour before Fajr, when he ate his Sehri. From then until Fajr, he remained busy with reading the Qur'an or reciting his Wazifas. With the break of dawn, he performed Fajr prayer, whereafter he remained in medtation (Muraaqabah) until Ishraaq. Having performed Ishraaq prayers, he used to write a part of his famous commentary on Abu Dawud until midday, then he normally attended to his letters and dictated replies. He than rested until Zuhr prayers and read the Qur'an from Zuhr to Asr. From Asr until Maghrib, he would be busy with Tasbeeh and in conversation with those who visited him. When he completed 'Bazlul Majhood', he used to be busy studying some religious works. This was his daily programme throughout the year. In Ramadhan, however, he used to spend a bit more time in his Ibaadat, making the Rakats longer. Our other great saintly men used to take the same care of Ramadhan and even more, so that it is not easy to emulate them. Shakhul Hind Moulana Mahmoodul Hassan (r.a.) used to remain in Nafl prayers from after Taraweeh until Fajr and would listen to the Qur'aan recited by the various Huffaaz one after the other. Moulana Shah Abdurrahim Raipuri remained busy with Tilawaat (recitation) of the Qur'an day and night throughout Ramadhan. There would be no time left for attending to correspondence or meeting visitors. Only his very special intimates were allowed to visit him after Taraweeh for a short period, while he took a cup of tea."

These great men really understood the meaning of time-management. May Allah give us as well the ability to make our time precious. Because when a person enters Jannah the only thing he'll regret are the moments that passed away without the remembrance of Allah. And what is the best way to remember Allah?

Reciting his holy Book - the Qu'ran-ul-Karim. Because those words are not from man, but from mighty Allah himself. Not only did our Prophet Muhammad tell us that the reward of reading one Ayaat (verse) of the Allah's book in this month is as if he recited the entire book at any other time of the year. But there's a strong link between the month of Ramadhan and all of Allah's scriptures. Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.), Prophet Dawud (a.s.), Prophet Mosa (a.s.) and Prophet Isa (a.s.) recieved all their holy scriptures in this blessed month of Ramadan and of course the Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad in this blessed month over a span of 23 years. So, we really should engage ourselves in reciting the Qur'an and on top of that act upon it as well.

I think this is enough for now to motivate everyone and especially myself to do even more good deeds in the few remaining days of this blessed month. Who knows if we will be alive tomorrow or in the next moment?! Leave alone next Ramadan. So, we should make something out of it as long as we are blessed with the oppertunity. Please leave your thoughts and comments on this entry or the month Ramadan. Now, let me conclude this entry with a Qur'anic Ayaat (verse) from Surah Baqarah, where Allah addresses this great month.

"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard against evil."
(2:183)