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HAJ
By Mrs Ismat Ara
Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam.
It is incumbant on
every Muslim who is able-bodied, has discharged his worldly
duties such as marriage of her daughters and payment of
debt, provided he can afford the expenses to be incurred.
A woman cannot go alone; she has to be accompanied
by a "mehram". Haj is compulsory only once in
life.
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The
holy Quran says, "The first House (of worship) for men
was at Bakka (Makkah): full of blessing and of guidance for
all kinds of beings. In it are signs manifest; (for example)
Muqam-e-Ibrahim (A.S.); whoever enters it attains security;
pilgrimage thereto is a duty men one to Allah, those who can
afford the journey; but if any deny faith Allah stands not
in need of any of His creatures. (III : 96-97 )
KA,BA was first built by Adam (AS). "Tawaf" or going
round the KA'BA was the form of worship. During the flood
of Nooh (AS) the building collapsed. It was later resurrected
on the same foundations by Ibrahim (AS). Allah instructed
Ibrahim (AS) to give a call to the entire mankind to come
to perform its pilgrimage. He gives that call. Since then
people have been performing its pilgrimage. Beside the foregoing
Quranic verses the importance of KA'BA is also obvious from
surah "Pheel" and its being our "Qiblah".
Pilgrimage is a journey into Allah. A man enters into Makkah
bare-headed, clad in two sheets of cloth- the same as the
coffin.
Through this column I wish to render some advice to the intending
pilgrims. First of all I should emphasise that it is a chance
of a lifetime. One is lucky to get this opportunity. The most
important thing would be patience. Saudi Government does a
great job in handling some 2.5 million pilgrims at a time.
One should co-operate with them and avoid trying finding faults.
When the Haji arrives at the Jeddah Airport, he will have
to wait for about six hours before proceeding to Makkah. The
journey to Makkah will also be time consuming. In brief you
will reach Makkah after about 24 hours since leaving Karachi.
As soon as you reach Makkah, you have to perform Umrah. You
will not be able to sleep until after Fajir prayers. Clad
in Ahram it is a tiresome job. If you bear it with patience
it will be Easier for you.
Some Hajis are sent to Madina before Haj, some afterwards.
In fact the entire schedule of arrival into the kingdom, movement
within and departure from there is predetermined. The government
of Pakistan provides useful literature to every intending
Haji, which should be properly studies.
Journey to Makkah and Madina will also be time-consuming.
As you travel you will see Black Hills on both sides of the
road and a desert from horizon to horizon. Think how 1421
years ago, our Prophet (SAW) with only one companion, must
had traveled while his enemies were also in pursuit. Masjid-e-Nabvi
is the second holiest mosque.
In the first week of Zilhij, Haj is proceed to Mina where
they will stay for two days in fireproof, air-conditioned
tents. On the morning of 9th Zilhij they will proceed to Arfat
where they will stay until dusk. Clad in the coffin they will
say “O Allah! I am present”. At dusk they will leave
for Mudalfa where they stay for the whole night. Clad in open
cloth, over two million people will be lying on the ground.
It is a very special night. Feelings cannot be described.
Next morning Hajis will travel Mina either by a bus or on
foot will not be easy. Keep your cool. Over two million people
will be moving towards the same destination.
At Mina, you will have to go to “Jumra” to perform
another Umra at Makkah and return to Mina where you have to
stay for two days. Then you return to Makkah. Before returning
to their destinations, Hajis will perform "Tawaf-e-Vida”.
Now a word of advice. Firstly, during all these days, never
over eat. The less you eat, the better you will be. Another
thing is that people gathered in KA’BA talk too much.
Don’t waste the precious time in frivolous chatting with
each other. Devote your time in praying. Hajis should sleep
soon after Isha prayers in order to get up for “Tahajjud’.
After ‘Tahajjud’ stay in KA’BA for ‘Fajir’
prayers. Then come back and sleep. Get up late and eat a heavy
breakfast in order to skip your lunch. Be careful about your
health and never loose your patience. Pray for yourself, your
family, friends and for your country and all the Muslims.
Finally you arrive at the Jeddah Airport where you will have
to wait for about 18 hours before boarding your plane. Rest
patiently. As you go to board the plane, you will be presented
a copy of the Holy Quran. It will be the parting gift from
the Saudi Government. When you are back at home, make it a
point to read and understand the Holy Quran. Keep the spirit
of Haj alive.
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