Prophet’s Farewell Pilgrimage

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Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and was made obligatory in the tenth, ninth or sixth year, according to different reports [Ibn Kathir, al Bidayah wa al Nihayah, 5/109]. In the tenth year the Prophet (peace be upon him) announced that he intended to perform hajj; this was the only time that he performed hajj after the Hijrah to Medina. The Muslims came from all over the Arabian Peninsula to perform hajj with him. He left Medina five days before the end of Dhul-Qa’dah [Ibn Hajar, Fath al Bari, 8/104; Ibn Ishaq, with a Hasan Isnad (Sirat ibn Hisham, 4/272). Ibn Kathir, al Bidayah wa al Nihayah, 5/111. This is the same as Ibn Ishaq's report. He said, "Its Isnad is Jayyid."]. When he halted in Arafat, the following ayah was revealed to him:

This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.

[Noble Quran 5:3] [Sahih al Bukhari, Fath al Bari, 8/108]

The Muslims learned the rituals of the hajj from the Prophet (peace be upon him) when he said: “Take your rituals from me.” His hajj was full of laws pertaining to the Shari’ah, especially matters pertaining to the hajj, and general advice and laws which were mentioned in the Sermon of Arafat. For this reason, the scholars showed great interest in the farewell pilgrimage and derived many laws from it, dealing with the rituals of hajj and other matters, of which the books of fiqh and Hadith explanation are full. Some of the scholars wrote books dealing specifically with the farewell pilgrimage.

A large gathering of Muslims participated in the event. They listened to the farewell sermon Khutbat al-Wada’ which he gave at Arafat in the middle of the Ayyam al-Tashriq (three days following the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah).

“Verily your blood and your property are as sacred and inviolable as the sacredness of this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this land of yours. Behold! Everything pertaining to the days of ignorance is under my feet completely abolished. Abolished are also the blood revenges of the days of ignorance. The first claim of ours on blood revenge which I abolish is that of the son of Rabi`ah ibn al Harith. And the usury Riba of the pre-Islamic period is abolished, and the first of our usury I abolish is that of `Abbas ibn `Abd al Muttalib, for it is all abolished. Fear God concerning women! Verily you have taken them on the security of God, and intercourse with them has been made lawful unto you by words of God. You too have rights over them, and they should not allow anyone to sit on your bed whom you do not like. But if they do that, you can chastise them but not severely. Their rights upon you are that you should provide them with food and clothing in a fitting manner. I have left among you the Book of God, and if you hold fast to it you would never go astray. And you would be asked about me (on the day of resurrection), (now tell me) what would you say? They (the audience) said: “We bear witness that you have conveyed (the message), discharged (the ministry of Prophethood) and given wise (sincere) counsel.” He (the narrator) said: “He (the Prophet) then raised his forefinger toward the sky and pointed it at the people (and said): “O God, bear witness, O God, bear witness.” [The report is from Sahih Muslim, 4/38-43, from the Hadith of Jabir ibn `Abd Allah. Al Sheikh Muhammad Nasir al Din al Albani made some brief additions to it, from other books of Hadith which narrated the Hadith of Jabir with some Sahih additions (Hijjat al-Nabi, pp. 71-73). See the report of Jabir in Hadith in Hijjat al-Nabi, 38-41. See part of the khutbah in Sahih al Bukhari, Fath al Bari, 8/108). Ibn Ishaq mentioned the long text of the farewell khutbah without Isnad. Imam Ahmad mentioned the long text of the khutbah of the farewell pilgrimage, which was given in the middle of the Ayyam al Tashriq. Its Isnad includes `Ali ibn Zayd ibn Jad`aan, who al Hafiz ibn Hajar, in al Taqrib, said was weak. Al Banna said, "Al Bazzar narrated a similar report with the same meaning from Ibn `Umar with a different Isnad." The Imams of Hadith narrated parts of it in their books, in different chapters, through Sahih isnads; and Allah knows best. (Al Fath al Rabbani, 279-281)]

He delivered another sermon at Mina, when he said, “Do not return to Kufr, killing one another, after I am gone.” [Sahih al Bukhari, Fath al Bari, 8/107; Muslim, Sahih, 1/82]

[End of excerpt from Dr `Umari's work]

From Benefits of this Great Sermon:

[Adapted from Masa'il Muhimma `an il-`'Umrah wa'l-Hajj by Muhammad Jamil Zeeno]

Prohibition of shedding innocent blood, and taking of wealth without right, which stresses Islam’s protection of souls.

Nullification of validity of actions of Jahiliyyah

Prohibition of taking Riba (usury and interest), which is an increase on the principal, whether small or large. Allah the Most High says:

But if you repent, you may have your capital.

[Noble Quran 2:279]

 Admonition to fulfill and give women their rights, and to deal with them in goodness. Many authentic Hadiths have been narrated in this regard, which elucidate their rights and warn against taking them unjustly.

 Advice to strongly cling to the Book of Allah, in which lies the honor of Muslims and their victory. Likewise, the order to stick to the Sunnah, which explains the Quran, for verily the reason for Muslims’ weakness today is their leaving of judging by the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger. There will be no victory for Muslims except by returning to these two Sources.

 Testimony of the Companions that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) conveyed the message, discharged his trust and counseled the Ummah.

 Order to take rituals of Hajj and other rituals from the Prophet’s sayings, actions and tacit agreements.

 Subtle indication that the Prophet’s farewell would soon come.

 Warning against fighting and killing among Muslims, which is disbelief in action, which does not take one out of the fold of Islam, as in his (peace be upon him) saying: “Cursing a Muslim is Fusuq, and fighting him is kufr.” [Agreed upon]

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The Manners of Conversation

SELECTING SUITABLE TOPICS

In Sura Al-Haj, Allah described the believers ‘And they have been guided to the purest of speeches; and guided to the path of Him who is worthy of all praise.’ When you talk during your visit, say only what fits the situation and be brief. If you are the youngest among those sitting, don’t speak unless you are asked to, or unless you know that your speech and words will be well received and will please the host and other guests. Don’t prolong your speech. Use a proper tone of voice. Anas reported that ‘the Prophet’s talk was clear and concise. Not too much nor too little. He disliked loquacity and ranting.’ Bukhari narrated a Hadith in which Aisha said ‘The Prophet’s talk [was so little] that you can count his words’.

If you hear the Azan you must listen and respond to the call of Allah. Many people, even those with Islamic knowledge continue talking while the Azan is being called. This is rude, since those hearing the Azan should listen to it and quit speech, study and even Quran recitation. Solemnly they should repeat the words of the Azan and reflect on the words of this highest call. We should listen to the Azan, whether we are at home, office, shop, or attending a lesson, even if it is a religious lesson. Imam Al-Kasani in Badaiu Al-Sanaei’ said: ‘Those hearing the Azan or Iqama should not talk. Even if reading Quran or doing other noble things, everything should be stopped to listen and respond to the Azan’.

The Azan is the food of the soul nourishing it with faith and elevation. Do not forgo your share of it. Teach this to your children and friends. Al-Bukhari narrated a Hadith by Abu Saeed Al-Khudri that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: ‘If you heard the call say like what the Muezzin is saying.’ In another Hadith reported by Jaber that the Prophet said ‘He deserves my help on the day of judgment who said when hearing Azan: O’ Allah, the Lord of this perfect call and imminent prayer, please award Mohammad the help, nobility, and the desired status you promised him.’

Imam Abdul Razaq narrated in his Musanaf that Ibn Juraig said: ‘I was told that people used to listen to Azan like they would listen to recitation of Quran. They would repeat after the Muezzin. If he said: come to prayer, they will say: with the help and power of Allah. If he said: come to the good deed, they will say: with the will of Allah.

TALK IN A SUITABLE TONE

If you speak to a guest or any other person, whether in a gathering or alone, make sure that your voice is pleasant, with a low, audible tone. Raising your voice is contrary to proper manners and indicates a lack of respect for the person to whom you are talking. This manner should be maintained with friends, peers, acquaintances, strangers, the young and the old. It is more important to adhere to this with one’s parents or someone of their status, or with people for whom you have great respect. If appropriate, smile while talking to others. This will make them more receptive to what you have to say, and may dispel the impression that practicing Muslims are stern and humorless.

The Quran tells us that the advice of Luqman the Wise to his son was, ‘…and lower your voice,’ directing him to speak in a gentle manner, for speaking loudly is detested and ugly. Verses two and three of Surat Al-Hujurat read: ‘Oh you who believe! Raise not your voices, above the voice of the Prophet, nor speak aloud to him as you speak aloud to one another, lest your deeds become vain and you perceive not. Those that lower their voices in the presence of Allah’s apostle, Allah has tested their hearts for piety, for them there is forgiveness and a great reward.’

Imam Al-Bukhari in his Sahih reported that ‘Abdullah bin Al-Zubair said that after the revelation of this verse, whenever Omar bin Al-Khattab wanted to speak to the Prophet (PBUH), he would talk as if whispering. The Prophet would hardly hear him and he would inquire about some of what Omar said, since he did not hear him well.

Your talk should be clear, concise and to the point. Do not talk and talk and talk. Bukhari and Muslim reported that Anas said ‘The Prophet’s talk was precise clear, and succinct without undue elaboration.’ Al-Hafiz Al-Zahabi wrote in his biography of Imam Ibn Sireen, the great scholar and eminent follower of the companions, that: ‘Whenever he was in his mother’s presence, he would talk in such a low voice that you would think that he was ill.’ In his biography of Abdullah bin Awn Al-Basri, a student of Imam Ibn Sireen and one of the famous scholars Al-Hafiz Al-Zahabi, noted: ‘One time his mother called him and because he responded with a voice louder than hers, he was fearful and repentant and he freed two slaves.’

‘Asim bin Bahdelah Al-Koofi, the reciterof the Quran, said: ‘I visited Omar bin ‘Abdul Aziz, and a man spoke loudly, and Omar replied: ‘Stop it. You need not talk loudly. Talk loud enough to make your listeners hear.’

THE ART OF LISTENING

If a person started telling you or your group something that you know very well, you should pretend as if you do not know it. Do not rush to reveal your knowledge or to interfere with the speech. Instead, show your attention and concentration. The honourable follower Imam ‘Ata ibn Abi Rabah said: ‘A young man would tell me something that I may have heard before he was born. Nevertheless, I listen to him as if I have never heard it before.’

Khalid bin Safwan Al-Tamimi, who was with the two caliphs Omar bin Abdul Aziz; and Hisham bin Abdul Malik, said: ‘If a person tells you something you have heard before, or news that you already learned, do not interrupt him or her to exhibit your knowledge to those present. This is a rude and an ill manner.’ The honourable Imam ‘Abdullah bin Wahab Al-Qurashi Al-Masri, a companion of Imam Malik, Al-Laith bin Sa’d and Al-Thawri, said: ‘Sometimes a person would tell me a story that I have heard before his parents had wed. Yet I listen as if I have never heard it before.’ Ibrahim bin Al-Junaid said: ‘A wise man said to his son: ‘learn the art of listening as you learn the art of speaking. Listening well means maintaining eye contact, allowing the speaker to finish the speech, and restraining yourself from interrupting his speech.’

Al-Hafiz Al-Khatib Al-Baghdadi said in a poem:

A talk never interrupt

Though you know it in and out

from the book ISLAMIC MANNERS

By Shaykh Abdul-Fattaah Abu Ghuddah (RA)

Dua and its Manners, times, conditions, mistakes

Preface

            In the name of Allah, The most Beneficent, The most Merciful.

            Praise is to Allah whom we ask for help and forgiveness. We seek the protection of Allah from the evil of ourselves and the sins of our deeds.

            Whom Allah guides no one can misguide and whom Allah does not guide will never find a guide. And I testify that there is no God but Allah the One with no partner, and Mohammed is his Slave and Messenger, (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

            The subject of Supplication is a very important one for every Muslim and must know how to perform it the way that Allah has directed us so. I found it very important to write about this subject to guide our brothers in Islam to perform this kind of worship the correct way. I also ask Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) to guide me to do good deed and Peace and Blessings be upon the Prophet, his Family, Companions and all of his followers to the Day of Judgment. 

Proofs Of Supplication From Qur'an

            All mighty Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) said:“ And when My slaves ask you (O Mohammed) concerning Me then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by my knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led to the right path.”(2:186). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was asked by some of his companions: Is Allah near so we invoke him or is he far so we call him? so Allah revealed this verse. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) is near He can hear the supplicant anytime anywhere and respond to him if the supplicant invokes Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) with a sincere heart and avoid interdictions of supplication. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) also said:“ Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret, He likes not the aggressors.”(7:55).

            Supplication is of two kinds. One is worship and the other is a request. So He commands to be invoked with "humility" which is insisting in request and continuously in worship and "secretly" not loud to avoid "Ryea" (show off). Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) also said:“ And your Lord said: -Invoke Me [i.e. believe in My Oneness] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation). Verily! Those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness] they will surely enter hell in humiliation!”(40:60). Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) said:“ Invoke Me, I will respond to you” ,so from His mercy for His slaves He has promised to respond to their invocations but for those who do not invoke Him, He has promised punishment because invocation of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) is an act of worship and refusing to invoke Him ( disbelieving in Him or having doubt in His ability to answer the invocation) is refusal to worship Him.

Proofs Of Supplication From Sunnah

            Narrated An-Numan bin Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:“ Verily, Supplication is worship.” [Reported by AI-Arbaa (The four) and AI-Tirmdhi, graded it Sahih (sound)].

Hajj And Eid-Al-Adhaa – Two Gifts Of Dhul-Hijjah

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Islamic calendar comprises of 12 different months, each of them having its own significance; “Dhul-hijjah” being the last of them and perhaps the most important of them as well, because it offers Muslims all around the world the honor of “Hajj”, followed by “Eid-al-Adhaa”.

The two of these are considered to be the most revered of religious occasions (celebrations, in fact) for Muslims. This post serves to furnish you with some basic information about both “Hajj” as well as “Eid-al-Adhaa”.

Hajj And Eid-Al-Adhaa – Two Gifts Of Dhul-Hijjah:Gatewaytoquran.com

Hajj – The Annual Religious Pilgrimage

“Hajj”, also referred as the “Annual Pilgrimage to Makkah”, is basically a special way of worship performed during designated days of this month. Hajj is one of the most important ways of worship practiced in Islam. In fact, it is taken as 5^th pillar of Islam along with Shahadah (acknowledgment of Allah’s oneness and acceptance of Prophet Muhammad PBUH as His last Prophet), Salah(5 times daily prayers), Sawm (fasting during the month of Ramadan), and Zakat (sparing a fixed amount from your wealth to the poor and needy ones).

Quran teaching in this regard informs us:

Al-Baqara[2:197] Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of Ihram], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj. And whatever good you do – Allah Knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah. And fear Me, O you of understanding.

Hajj, being extremely significant element of Islamic ideology, needs detailed elaboration, which is not possible in this short space. In fact, there are many detailed books available on the topic, explaining the essence and details of the philosophy and rituals of Hajj. Given below is only the most basic and most important information about it:

• Hajj is an obligation for every adult Muslim (for males as well as females) who is physically and financially sound enough to understand and carry out the rituals of Hajj, at least once in their life.

• One needs to dress up in a specific manner (different for males and females) before reaching Makkah to perform Hajj rituals.

• According to some, the essence of Hajj is the recital one needs to practice while circling around “Haram”. It translates as:

“Here I am at Thy service O Lord, here I am. Here I am at Thy service and Thou hast no partners. Thine alone is All Praise and All Bounty, and Thine alone is The Sovereignty. Thou hast no partners.”

Eid-al-Adhaa (The Sacrifice)

Eid-al-Adhaa can be referred as the culmination of Hajj, where Hujjaj (the ones who performed Hajj) and all other Muslims around the world who afford to do so, sacrifice an animal in the name of Allah, to please The Mightiest. In fact, sacrificing an animal is considered being an act of sacredness in all religions beholder of Divine Book. Even societies other than those also considered sacrificing of an animal as an act to please their God(s).

The process of sacrifice follows very much after Hajj, when Hujjaj sacrifice an animal (only from the “halaal” or permitted to consume ones) as a commemoration and homage in association to the act of Prophet Abraham (A.S) who vowed to sacrifice his son Ismael (A.S) as his ultimate love and submission to Allah Almighty. The following verse from Quran also highlights the act of sacrifice:

Al-Baqara [2:196] And complete the hajj or `Umrah in the service of Allah. But if ye are prevented (from completing it) send an offering for sacrifice, such as ye may find and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches the place of sacrifice. And if any of you is ill or has an ailment in his scalp, (necessitating shaving) (he should) in compensation either fast, or feed the poor, or offer sacrifice; and when ye are in peaceful conditions (again) if anyone wishes to continue the ‘Umrah on to the hajj, he must make an offering such as he can afford, but if he cannot afford it, he should fast three days during the hajj and seven days on his return making ten days in all. This is for those whose household is not in (the precincts of) the Sacred Mosque. And fear Allah, and know that Allah is strict in punishment.

Conclusion

Dhul-Hijjah is a month that bestows Muslims with the opportunity to end their year reverting to Allah Almighty, courtesy to Hajj and Eid-al-Adhaa; thus helping them seek the accord of their Lord. May Allah bless us with the honor of understanding and performing an activity as revered as Hajj.

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Stop Complaining and Be Grateful

If you think you are unhappy, look at them

If you think your salary is low, how about her?

When you feel like giving up, think of this man

Do Not Use Quraan And Hadeeth To Establish Your Authority

It is very common for Muslim men to pointedly remind their wives about the Quraanic verses and hadeeths that declare their superiority and special rights over her, especially in the first few days after marriage. The most common reminders are (1)that the husband has the right to take up to our wives without his wife's consent; (2) if prostration were permissible to anyone other than Allaah (swt), the Muslim woman would have been commanded to prostrate to her husband; (3) the husband has the exclusive right to verbally issue a divorce; and (4) he can call her for sexual intimacy at any inopportune time, or restrain her movement outside the house, or even stop her from visiting her close relatives.

The new bride might be callously reminded of these facets of her husband's superiority the minute she admits to missing her family or asks for a visit to her parent's home...

What impact doe this action - of reminding your wife of your superior rights or ruthlessly exercising them to proactively establish unilateral control - have on the innocent and well meaning Muslim girl who has come to your house? What will she think of you if you say and do such things to her?

In addition, what does such a behaviour on your part imply about you as a person? Definitely that you, as a man, are insecure, and that you are using your Islaamic rights in a feeble attempt to establish authority over her.

A man who is self-confident and righteous will never use this inappropriate method to try to control and dominate his wife. He is not insecure as her husband and does not think that the only way to 'have her all to him' is to trap her in his house, making her serve him all day like a personal valet.

Therefore a good Muslim husband should never remind his wife of his higher status, unless she persistently disobeys him or does actions that r forbidden by Allaah (swt). The bes way to make her obey is to let her have everything she wants - everything allowed by Islaam that is - and to focus on giving her, her rights, over and above what she deserves. She will then automatically become the devoted faithful and obedient wife that you want her to be.

[Traversing The Highs And Lows Of Muslim Marriage, by Sadaf Farooqi, Pp. 69-70]

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To Be Conscious That You Are Ignorant Is A Great Step To Knowledge 

People need knowledge more than food and drink, because they need food and drink only a few times a day, and they need knowledge every time they sigh and give up the ghost.

"Read: In the Name of your Lord who created. Created man from a clot. Read: And your Lord is the Most Generous. He who taught by the pen. Taught man what he never knew."
- The Noble Qur'an 96:1-5

The importance of education is a none disputable matter. Education is the knowledge of putting one's potentials to maximum use. One can safely say that a human being is not in the proper sense till he/she is educated.

Reading Qur’an, learning it and teaching it, are among the best deeds, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 
“There should be no envy except between two people, a man to whom Allah has given (knowledge of?) the Qur’an, so he recites it night and day, and a man to whom Allah has given wealth, so he spends it (in good deeds) night and day.”

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