Preparation for Hajj

 Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is’haq Sahib (Daamat Barakaatuhu)

 

The first of Shawwal is the day of Eid, and it is also the commencement of the months of Hajj. The sequence is so beautifully arranged by Allah Ta’ala: Ramadaan is a month to acquire taqwa, clean and purify our hearts, align ourselves with Dien and come onto the straight path. If we spend our Ramadaan correctly, then after Ramadaan our desire for Allah Ta’ala and the aakhirah will have increased to such a level that we would want to enjoy more nearness to Allah Ta’ala. …The sincere servant is desirous to connect even more. We know that when a person proceeds for Hajj, he is at Baitullah, Mina, Arafah, and Muzdalifa; how much more he feels the presence of Allah Ta’ala.

 

Thus, if we spend our Ramadaan correctly, we will want to go for Hajj, visit Baitullah and experience the spiritual blessings of the mubarak lands and the special tajalli of Allah Ta’ala.  While most of us won’t be going for Hajj physically, our hearts and souls should be there.  

 

Hadhrat Shaikhul Hadith, Hadhrat Moulana Muhammad Zakariyyah (RA) had said: “When the day of Eid arrives, most people are happy that it is Eid; I am happy that it is the season of Hajj.” Hadhrat would then recite:

 

سنا ہے تیرے در پر تیرے عاشقوں کا ہجوم ہوگا

 

“We have heard, O Allah, that on Your threshold, on Your doorstep, Your lovers will be gathering from all around the world.”

 

سنا ہے تیرے در پر تیرے عاشقوں کا ہجوم ہوگا

اگر اجازت ہو تو میں بھی ان میں شامل ہوجاؤں

 

“O Allah, is there permission for me?

I also wish to be amongst them.

 

Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur’aan Sharief:

 

“The Hajj is (to be performed) in appointed months. So whoever undertakes Hajj in them, there should be no obscenity, no sin, no quarrel in the Hajj. Whatever good you do, Allah fully knows of it. Take provisions for the journey—surely the best provision is righteousness. And be mindful of Me, O people of understanding!"

 

Besides the preparations and bookings that are required, those of us undertaking Hajj should also pack a bag of taqwa and a bag of sabr in our hearts. Consequently, we will not fall into obscenity, sin or quarrelling, as mentioned in the ayah. The person will be spiritually prepared because he has packed these noble qualities in his heart.

 

The Hadith states: “Travel is a portion of punishment. It prevents one of you from eating, drinking, and sleeping. When he has finished his purpose, let him quickly return to his family.”

 

Our condition while travelling will not be the same as home. Travel causes discomfort and disturbs a person’s usual routine. His sleep is disrupted and his food and drink are not as he is accustomed to.

 

In Hajj as well: We will be in different places, amongst diverse people. The weather conditions are unlike what we are used to – as Makkah Mukarramah is a desert region. The five days of Hajj tend to be exhaustive. However, we are presenting ourselves before Allah Ta’ala. Thus, we should prepare ourselves to deal with whatever inconveniences may come our way, in a manner that pleases Allah Ta’ala.

 

In the Ayah, Allah Ta’ala states:

 

“…Whatever good you do, Allah fully knows of it…”

 

This indicates to sincerity. There is a lot of barakah (blessings) in what is done for Allah Ta’ala.  

 

Thereafter:

 

“…Take provisions for the journey—surely the best provision is righteousness…”

 

We, South Africans cannot do without our ‘padkos’ (food for the journey). We go out of our way in preparing food for the journey. Allah Ta’ala is instructing us to take the provision of taqwa as it is greatly required in this journey.

 

After the Hajj, comes the great ibaadah of qurbani. Hajj cultivates ishq and the spirit of sacrifice; thus, we whole-heartedly sacrifice our animals, seeking Allah Ta’ala’s pleasure. Of course, the Qurbani should be done properly and the laws of Allah Ta’ala must be observed. We should avoid Haraam. However, at the time of slaughtering, we should reflect that we are slaughtering our Haraam desires, sins and evil nafs!

 

A Hajj which is mabroor and maqbool transforms a person. The person’s life will be for Allah Ta’ala.  He will shun sins, he will detach himself from the world, incline towards the hereafter, becomes steadfast on good deeds and will prepare for his return to Allah Ta’ala. He will seek out the company of the lovers of Allah Ta’ala, improve in his character and increase in his humility. Hadhrat Hasan Basri (Rahmatullahi alayh) stated: “The sign of an accepted Hajj is to return (from the Hajj) renouncing this world and aspiring to the hereafter.”

 

 

 

Nasihah 42 - 43

 Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

 

Denouncing the open transgression of scholars

 

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

 

By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is’haq Sahib (DB)

 

During the time of Rasulullah Sallallaahu ’alayhi wasallam, a woman by the name of Faatima (Radhiyallahu ‘anha) committed theft. She belonged to the Banu Makhzoomiyyah, a well-known family of the Quraysh tribe.

 

The matter was taken to Rasulullah Sallallaahu ’alayhi wasallam and Hadhrat Usama (Radhiyallahu anhu) interceded on her behalf. Rasulullah Sallallaahu ’alayhi wasallam responded: “Do you intercede (with me) with regard to one of the legal punishments of Allah?”

 

Rasulullah Sallallaahu ’alayhi wasallam thereupon addressed the people, saying: “O people! The nations before you were destroyed because if a noble person committed theft (or any crime), they used to leave him, but if a weak person among them committed theft, they used to inflict the legal punishment (hadd) on him. By Allah, if Faatima, the daughter of Muhammad stole, I would cut off her hand.”[1]

 

From this incident and others, we learn that everyone is subject to the Law of Allah Ta’ala; the rule of law applies to everyone regardless of one’s status. Rasulullah Sallallaahu ’alayhi wasallam further emphasised this by taking an oath, saying he would mete out the same punishment if his daughter, Hadhrat Faatima (Radhiyallahu ‘anha) had to steal.

 

We take lesson:  

 

Normally, we show respect to an Aalim. We keep in mind his status as an Aalim and scholar. We think and even say: How can you speak against him?  He is a learned person. He is a religious person. You cannot speak out against the learned people. Some even go so far as saying that the Aalim is a Khalifah, Qari, Mufti, etc. and is on such a high level that to call him out and to show opposition upon his open transgression is coming within the purview of the Hadith-e-Qudsi wherein Allah Ta’ala states: ‘Whosoever shows enmity to a wali (friend) of Mine, then I have declared war against him.”

 

Obviously, this kind of thinking and deduction are based on sheer ignorance. A wali of Allah Ta’ala is a wali due to his abstinence from sin and disobedience. We will not find a wali of Allah Ta’ala openly sinning, promoting Haraam or aligning himself to any kind of fitan. Allah Ta’ala states in the Qur’aan Sharief:

إِنْ أَوْلِيَآؤُهٗٓ إِلَّا الْمُتَّقُوْنَ

“…Verily none are the friends of Allah except those who refrain from His disobedience…”

[Surah Al-Anfal 8 : 34]

 

Furthermore, an Aalim is not infallible. He is not sinless. Only, the Ambiyaa (Alaihimus Salaam) are ma’soom (sinless). We cannot use this Hadith-e-Qudsi to defend or excuse one who is openly contravening the laws of Allah Ta’ala even though he is learned.  When a scholar’s actions are evident and go against the Shari’ah, then his learning, title and status will not be endorsed. Hadhrat Umar (RA) had emphatically stated: “We judge by the apparent.” A scholar - who openly, publicly sins - cannot be considered in the category of the Auliya Allah. This is the assertion of the Qur’aan Sharief: “None are the friends of Allah Ta’ala except those who stay away from sins.” Whoever does wrong is in the wrong. We must not be naïve nor blind followers. This is a matter of the safety of our Dien. Ibn Sireen (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had said: “Indeed this knowledge is religion, so be careful with regards to the one whom you take your religion from.”

 

Further, Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur’aan Sharief:

 

إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللّٰهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمٰؤُاْ

 “…It is only those who have knowledge among his slaves that fear Allah…”

[Surah Fatir 35 : 28]

 

The Mufassireen (Commentators of the Qur`aan Sharief) have explained that the Ulama-e-Haq can be recognised and distinguished by virtue of their fear of Allah Ta’ala. This fear is apparent in their adherence and obedience to the Commands of Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam and their abstinence from sin. If an Aalim is openly transgressing the laws of Allah Ta’ala – whether it be the sins of photography, interfaith, music, free mixing with the opposite gender, etc. - he will not be considered an Aalim despite his titles. ...Instead of inviting towards good, he invites towards sins by his actions.

 

If khilafat was given by any of our akaabir, that khilafat will be cancelled if the khalifah goes against the conditions of the khilafat and publicly breaks the laws of Allah Ta’ala. Mureedeen need to dissociate themselves from such a Sheikh.

 

The onus is upon us. We must see what is haq. We must see which camp a scholar has joined and who he fraternises with. If he is with modernists, interfaith leaders, politicians and scholars who have diverged from Dien and promote Haraam, that is sufficient as a red flag and sufficient to raise the alarm.

 

May Allah Ta’ala give us taufeeq to recognise haq and follow it, to recognise baatil and stay away from it.

 

 

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[1] Sahih Al-Bukhari / Sahih Muslim