#1: The Blessed Lineage

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْم
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ وَ الصَّلوٰةُ وَ السَّلَامُ عَلىٰ اَطْيَبِ خَلْقِ اللهِ نَسَبًا وَ حَسَبًا وَ صَهْرًا , سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَلىٰ آلِهِ وَ صَحْبِهِ وَ بَارِكْ وَ سَلِّمْ

Journey to Ramadhan in the Shade of the Seerah

As the days draw closer to the blessed month of Ramadhan, it becomes increasingly imminent to raise an inner-awareness of its impending arrival, whilst we begin spiritually and mentally preparing ourselves to seek maximum benefit and transformation in the month of mercy. Imaam Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali Rahmatullahi Alayhi mentions that the blessed Sahaabah would begin supplicating for Ramadhan six months prior to its arrival (Al-Lataaif Al-Ma’aarif). With this intention we embark upon this beautiful series to help us count down the last 50 days to Ramadhan with daily articles based on the life of Our Beloved Master Muhammad Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam, to journey through the foundations upon which Islam was formed, and the central themes which are embedded at the very core of the blessed month.

#1: The Blessed Lineage

Allah Subhaanahu Wata’aala has created Our Beloved Master Muhammad Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam in the purest and greatest of forms above all His creation and aided him with the clearest and utmost manifest miracles. From among these miracles is the absolutely pure lineage of the Pure One – peace and blessing be upon him and his family – for creation bears no lineage as pure and preserved as his lineage.


A light descended through the Sajideen


Allah Subhaanahu Wata’aala informs us in the Glorious Qur’aan:

وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى الْعَزِيزِ الرَّحِيمِ ﴿٢١٧﴾ الَّذِي يَرَاكَ حِينَ تَقُومُ ﴿٢١٨﴾ وَتَقَلُّبَكَ فِي السَّاجِدِينَ ﴿٢١٩﴾

“And rely on the Almighty, the Merciful, Who sees you when you rise up  and your descending among those who fall prostrate in worship” (Surah Al-Shu’ara 26:217-219)

وَأخرج الْبَزَّار وَالطَّبَرَانِيّ وَأَبُو نعيم من طَرِيق عِكْرِمَة عَن ابْن عَبَّاس فِي قَوْله تَعَالَى {وتقلبك فِي الساجدين} قَالَ مَا زَالَ النَّبِي صلى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسلم يتقلب فِي أصلاب الانبياء حَتَّى وَلدته أمه ؛ وَأخرج أَبُو نعيم من طرق عَن ابْن عَبَّاس قَالَ قَالَ رَسُول الله صلى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسلم لم يلتق ابواي قطّ على سفاح لم يزل الله ينقلني من الأصلاب الطّيبَة إِلَى الْأَرْحَام الطاهرة مصفى مهذبا لَا تتشعب شعبتان إِلَّا كنت فِي خيرهما

Ikrimah narrates from the great companion Sayyidinaa Ibn Abbas Radhiyallahu Anhu regarding the above-mentioned verse: “This blessed verse is in reference to the descent of the Blessed Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam through his pure ancestors, all of whom were men of upmost piety. This light of Muhammad Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam passed through each generation, from pure loins to blessed wombs transmitted only through those who fell prostrate to Allah Subhaanahu Wata’aala” (Bazzaar, Abu Nu’aym, Tabarani)


Both his paternal and maternal ancestry consisted of only the purest of families, tribes and individuals, as confirmed by Our Beloved Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam in the beautiful hadith:

خَرَجْتُ مِنْ نِكَاحٍ، وَلَمْ أَخْرُجْ مِنْ سِفَاحٍ مِنْ لَدُنْ آدَمَ إِلَى أَنْ وَلَدَنِي أَبِي وَأُمِّي، لَمْ يُصِبْنِي مِنْ سِفَاحِ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ شَيْءٌ

“I was born from my mother and father without being marred by any of the evils of the period of ignorance. From Adam (a.s) to my mother and father every preceding member of lineage was conceived by none other than religiously, legal marriages, and never through fornication” (Abu Nu’aym, Dalaa-il An-Nubuwwah)


Suffice to say, it is a clear miracle that not only did Allah Subhaanahu Wata’aala preserve his lineage like non other in history (not even the other Prophets, Alayhim As-Salaam) but decreed even further to select only those most pious and pure to bear and transmit his pure light through the generations until we – the final nation – were blessed with him in our lives and hearts, Subhaanallah!


The Delicately Chosen One


When we look deeper into beautiful title of the Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam: “Al-Mustafa” المصطفى (The Delicately Chosen One), we see a further indication which shows just how precisely and selectively Allah Subhaanahu Wata’aala filtered through those that were the purest and best in each generation and fraction to bear His Habib Al-Mustafa, Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam, as narrated in the beautiful hadith:

إِنَّ اللّٰهَ اصْطَفٰى كِنَانَةَ مِنْ وَلَدِ إِسْمَاعِيْلَ، وَاصْطَفٰى قُرَيْشًا مِنْ كِنَانَة، وَاصْطَفٰى هَاشِمًا مِنْ قُرَيْش، وَاصْطَفَانِي مِنْ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ

“Indeed, Allah Subhaanahu Wata’aala chose Isma’eel Alayhi Salaam from among the sons of Ibrahim Alayhi Salaam, and He chose the (the clan of) Kinanah from among the descendants of Ismail Alayhi Salaam, and He chose the tribe of Quraysh from among the sons of the Kinanah, and He chose the sons of Hashim from among tribes of Quraysh, and the sons of Abdul-Muttalib from among the sons of Hashim; and me from among the sons of Abdul-Muttalib” (Sahih Muslim, Tirmidhi)

The Pure One

He Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam was the purest one sent forth by Allah Subhaanahu Wata’aala, through the purest of generations as mentioned in the Glorious Qur’aan when Allah Subhaanahu Wata’aal declares:

لَقَدْ جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولٌۭ مِّنْ أَنْفَسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ

“There has certainly come to you a Messenger from the purest amongst you.
Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you [i.e., your guidance]
and to the believers is kind and merciful.”
(Surah At-Tawbah 9:128)

  عنْ اَنَسٍ رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ قَرَأَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم {لَقْدْ جَاءَكُم رَسُوْلٌ مِنْ أَنْفَسَكُم} بِفَتْح الْفَاءِ وَقَالَ اَنَا اَنْفَسَكُمْ نَسَبًا وَصَهْرًا وَحَسبًا

Sayyidinaa Anas Radhiyallhu Anhu narrates that Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam would read the above verse with a “Fathah” on the letter  ف“Faa” of أَنْفَسِكُمْ “Anfasikum” and then would declare: “I am the purest amongst you all in lineage, family, and honour” (Al-Khasaais Al-Kubra)


The Lineage of Our Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam:


Paternal Lineage:


The noble lineage of Our Beloved Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam from the Paternal side is:

Muhammad Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam, ibn Abdullah, ibn Abdul Muttalib, ibn Hashim, ibn Abd Manaf, ibn Qusayy, ibn Kilaab, ibn Murrah, ibn Ka’b, ibn Lu’ayy, ibn Ghalib, ibn Fihr, ibn Maalik, ibn Nadhr, ibn Kinanah, ibn Khuzaymah, ibn Mudrikah, ibn Ilyas, ibn Mudar, ibn Nizar, ibn Ma’d, ibn Adnaan, —-, ibn Isma’eel Alayhi Salaam, ibn Ibrahim Alayhi Salaam.

Maternal Lineage:


The noble lineage from the maternal side is:

Muhammad Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam, ibn Aaminah, , ibnt Wahb, ibn Abd Manaf, ibn Zuhraa, ibn Kilaab, ibn Murrah, ibn Ka’b, ibn Lu’ayy, ibn Ghalib, ibn Fihr, ibn Maalik, ibn Nadhr, ibn Kinanah, ibn Khuzaymah, ibn Mudrikah, ibn Ilyas, ibn Mudar, ibn Nizar, ibn Ma’d, ibn Adnaan, —-, ibn Isma’eel Alayhi Salaam, ibn Ibrahim Alayhi Salaam.

Both the paternal and maternal lineages of the Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam meet and converge at Kilaab ibn Murrah.


The lineage of the Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam was preserved authentically until Adnaan and has been presented here as per the narrations of Sahih Al-Bukhari, Ibn Hisham and At-Tabari. Beyond Adnaan the lineage has not been reliably preserved, although there are reports with a varying number of names in each that complete the gap in between Adnaan and Sayyidinaa Isma’eel Alayhi Salaam.

From amongst these reports one such lineage presents itself thus:


Adnaan, ibn Add, ibn Humaisi‘, ibn Salaman, ibn Aws, ibn Buz, ibn Qamwal, ibn Ubai, ibn ‘Awwaam, ibn Nashid, ibn Haza, ibn Bildas, ibn Yadlaf , ibn Tabikh, ibn Jahim, ibn Nahish, ibn Makhi, ibn Ayd, ibn ‘Abqar, ibn ‘Ubaid, ibn Ad-Da‘a, ibn Hamdan, ibn Sanbir, ibn Yathrabi, ibn Yahzin, ibn Yalhan, ibn Ar‘awi, ibn Ayd, ibn Dishan, ibn Aisar, ibn Afnad, ibn Aiham, ibn Muksar, ibn Nahith, ibn Zarih, ibn Sami, ibn Mazzi, ibn ‘Awda, ibn Aram, ibn Qaidar, ibn Ismail Isma’eel Alayhi Salaam, ibn Ibrahim Alayhi Salaam


And from thereafter:

Ibrahim Alayhi Salaam, Ibn Tarih (Aazar), ibn Nahur, ibn Saru‘, ibn Ra‘u, ibn Falikh, ibn Abir, ibn Shalikh, ibn Arfakhshad, ibn Sam, ibn Nooh Alayhi Salaam, ibn Lamik, ibn Mutwashlack, ibn Akhnukh,  ibn Yarid, ibn Mahla’il, ibn Qainan, ibn Anusha, ibn Sheeth Alayhi Salaam, ibn Adam Alayhi Salaam. (Ibn Hisham)


The Poem of Sayyidinaa Al-Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib Radhiyallahu ‘Anhu



When Our Beloved Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam returned to Madinah Al-Munawwarah from gaining victory and success in the expedition of Tabook, his blessed uncle Sayyidina Al-Abbas Radhiyallahu Anhu requested permission to recite a few stanzas of poetry in his praise to which the Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam responded:

قُلْ، لَا يَفْضُضِ اللهُ فَاكَ

“Go ahead. May Almighty Allah keep your mouth well.”

This is what Sayyidinaa Al-Abbas Radhiyullahu Anhu said:

مِنْ قَبْلِهَا طِبْتَ فِي الظِّلَالِ وَفِي … مُسْتَوْدَعٍ حَيْثُ يُخْصَفُ الْوَرَقُ

“Before you came to this world, you were excellent in the Shadows (of Paradise) and in the repository (i.e. loins of Adam Alayhi Salaam) in the time when they covered themselves with leaves

ثُمَّ هَبَطْتَ الْبِلَادَ لَا بَشَرٌ … أَنْتَ وَلَا مُضْغَةٌ وَلَا عَلَقُ

Then you descended into a world (in the loins of Adam Alayhi Salaam) when there was no other human, nor foetus, nor embryo,

بَلْ نُطْفَةٌ تَرْكَبُ السَّفِينَ وَقَدْ … أَلْجَمَ نَسْرًا وَأَهْلَهُ الْغَرَقُ

Rather you embarked on the ship (of Nooh Alayhi Salaam) navigating it and protecting it whilst others drowned,

تُنْقَلُ مِنْ صَالِبٍ إِلَى رَحِمٍ … إِذَا مَضَى عَالِمٌ بَدَا طَبَقُ

You descended through the ages from pure loins to blessed wombs,

وَأَنْتَ لَمَّا وُلِدْتَ أَشْرَقَتِ الْأَرْضُ وَضَاءَتْ بِنُورِكَ الْأُفُقُ

When you were born, the earth shone, and your light illuminated the horizons

فَنَحْنُ فِي ذَلِكَ الضِّيَاءِ وَفِي النُّورِ وَسُبْلِ الرَّشَادِ نَخْتَرِقُ

We traverse in that illumination and in the light and in the paths of right guidance

(Al-Khasaais Al-Kubra)


And as time traversed through those generations that passed and the purest of souls
amongst each of them transmitted his blessed light, we reach that remarkable moment
in the pinnacle of history, when our horizons were illumined by his presence…
Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam


To find out more about this beautiful moment… join us tomorrow for the next article: “The Blessed Birth”

Adhaan During #COVID-19 Masaajid Restrictions

It was a Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to adapt the Adhaan, whereby instructing followers to perform Salaah in their residences when a hardship restricted the Jamaa’ah (Congregation) from being performed in the Masjid.

SAHIH MUSLIM,  ABU DAWOOD,  MUSNAD AHMAD,  BAYHAQI

With the recent restrictions on congregational facilities within Masaajid across the country, we have an opportunity to practice this Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ

#Ramadhan – The Fiqh of Fasting

Introduction
Fasting was one of the features of the Sacred Laws prior to the Sacred Law of the Messenger of Allah e. However, the method of fasting given to this Ummah is unique.

The basis for it being obligatory is in Allah’s saying: O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that you may attain taqwa. Fasting was made compulsory in the month of Sha`ban in the second year of the Hijrah.

The Messenger of Allah e fasted the month of Ramadan nine times, only one of which was the full thirty days, the rest being twenty-nine only. Perhaps the wisdom in this was to comfort his Ummah and to show them that the fasting person has a complete reward whether the month is twenty-nine days or thirty and will receive that which is promised to someone who fasts the whole month such as forgiveness and entry to paradise through the Gate of Rayyan. There is of course an extra reward for fasting an extra day if the month is thirty days long.

Fasting is commonly known to be an integral part of the religion. Whoever denies this has committed disbelief unless he has recently embraced Islam or has grown up in an area far from the presence of scholars. Whoever does not fast without an excuse while not denying its compulsory nature is imprisoned and prevented from eating and drinking so that he has at least fasted outwardly, and this may lead him to intend fasting and thus attain the reward for doing so.

 The word sawm (fasting) linguistically means refraining and in the terminology of the Sacred Law it means refraining from that which breaks the fast in a specific fashion.

The Entrance of Ramadan

The entrance of the month of Ramadan is affirmed (meaning that fasting becomes obligatory for all those who fulfil the pre-conditions below) by the completion of thirty days of the month of Sha`ban or by sighting of the new moon of Ramadan. The testimony of a single upright male witness who is legally responsible (mukallaf) is sufficient in this regard.

If someone sights the new moon but their testimony is not accepted (because they do not fulfil the conditions mentioned above) fasting is obligatory for that person alone.

Someone who is unable to determine the exact entrance of Ramadan through being imprisoned or the like must make a judgement about the entrance of the month and then fast it. If his judgement turns out to be correct he is considered to have performed the fast. If he judged Ramadan to be later than it actually was his fasting is considered as making up. If he judged Ramadan to be earlier than it actually was his fasting is considered to be supererogatory and he must still fast the month. If it remains unknown to him whether his judgement was correct or not his fast is valid.

Integrals of fasting

The First Integral of a valid fast are:

1.      The intention. If the fast is obligatory or due to a vow the intention must be made in the night prior to dawn. It must also be specific (such as “fasting Ramadan” or “fasting to honour a vow”). The Prophet e said: “The one who does not intend fasting before Fajr has no fast.” The most complete intention is to say,

نَوَيْتُ اَنْ أَصُوْمَ غَدً عَنْ أَداءِ فَرْضِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ هذهِ السَّنَةِ لِلَّه تعالى

“I intend fasting the following day performing the obligation of Ramadan in the present year for Allah Most High”

2.      Refraining from things which break the fast, which are:

v  Sexual intercourse if deliberate

v  Masturbation

v  Eating or drinking or smoking

v  Vomiting which is deliberately induced

v  The entrance of anything (solid, liquid etc) into the body cavity through a passageway (such as the mouth, the nose, the ear or the urethra etc). That which does not enter through a passageway (such as oil being absorbed through pores or kohl reaching the eye) does not break the fast.

v  The exit of sexual fluid due to touching the skin, kissing or foreplay, not due to a thought or a glance.

v  These things do not break the fast if they are done by someone ignorant of the fact that they break the fast or if they are done absentmindedly or under compulsion.

Pre-conditions of a Valid Fast

v  They must be Muslim

v  They must be of sound intellect

v  A woman must be free from menstrual or post-natal bleeding for the duration of the day. If she is not free from bleeding it is unlawful for her to refrain from those things which break the fast with the intention of fasting.

Who Must Fast Ramadan?

Fasting Ramadan is compulsory for a person who is:

v  Muslim

v  Sound of intellect

v  Has reached puberty

v  Physically capable of fasting.

v  Resident


The following must make up missed fast days:

v an apostate who returns to Islam,

v a woman with menstrual or post-natal bleeding (once the bleeding has stopped);

v a traveller once his journey has ended;

v a sick person who has recovered from his illness.

A child’s guardian must order the child to fast at the age of seven, and must discipline the child if he or she does not fast at the age of ten. In both cases the child must be physically capable of fasting.


It is permissible for the following people not to fast

v  A traveller whose journey is long and permissible

v  A sick person who fears that fasting would cause him considerable harm

v  A woman who is pregnant or breast-feeding if she fears harm to herself or her child

Making Up Missed Fast Days

All of the aforementioned people must make up the fast days which they missed. Some must also pay an expiation, which is 0.51 litres of food for every fast day missed. The scholars categorise them as follows:

•      Those who must make up the fast and pay an expiation. This applies to someone who breaks their fast out of fear of harm coming to someone else, such as a pregnant woman who fears harm to her child. A second category are those who fail to make up missed fast days before Ramadan comes round again.

•      Those who must make up the fast only. This applies to the traveller, the sick person who is likely to return to full health and the pregnant woman who fears harm to herself only or herself and her child.

•      Those who must pay an expiation only. This applies to an old person and a sick person who is unlikely to return to full health. Both are unable to fast and unable to make up the fast at a later date so they must merely pay an expiation.

•      Those who are not obliged to make up the fast nor pay an expiation. This applies to a child or someone who loses their intellect not by their own doing.

Kafaarah al udhmaa
(the great expiation)

Whoever deliberately has sexual intercourse during the day in Ramadan must continue fasting for the rest of that day, and then make it up and pay “the Great Expiation” which is to free a sound Muslim slave. If this is not possible he must fast for two consecutive months, and if this is not possible he must feed sixty needy people (0.51 litres of food per person). The woman is not obliged to expiate.

Note! Someone who breaks their fast without a valid excuse is obliged to make up their fast immediately, whereas someone who does so with a valid excuse is not obliged to make up their fast immediately.


Voluntary Fasting

It is recommended to fast:

v  On the first nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, especially the Day of `Arafat (9th Dhu’l-Hijjah) (for someone not performing Hajj).

v  On the 9th and 10th of Muharram (`Ashura’)

v  On six days in the month of Shawwal and it is recommended that they be the six consecutive days after `Eid al-Fitr.

v  During the sacred months which are Dhu’l-Qa`dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab

v  On the “white days,” the days which follow nights in which the moon is full, which are the 13th, 14th and 15th day of every month.

v  On Mondays and Thursdays

v   

v  The best fast according to the hadith is the “Fast of Dawud” – i.e. to fast every other day.

Makruh (offensive) fasts

It is Makruh (Offensive) to:

v  Single out Friday, Saturday or Sunday for fasting

v  Fast every day of the year (other than the days on which it is unlawful to fast) if this harms the fasting person or causes him or her to neglect doing something which is recommended.

Sunnah (Recommended) Measures While Fasting
 

v  It is recommended to have a predawn meal (suhur), even if it only consists of a gulp of water. Its time enters from the middle of the night, but it is recommended to delay it to just before dawn such that one stops eating around quarter of an hour before dawn.

v  It is recommended to hasten to break the fast if one is certain that the sun has set. One should break it on an odd number of dates, though if one has none, water is best.

v   It is recommended to say after breaking the fast:

Allahumma laka sumtu wa `ala rizkiqa aftartu,

‘O Allah for You I have fasted and upon Your provision I have broken my fast.

A more complete dua of iftar

اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ صُمْتُ و بِكَ آمَنْتُ و على رِزْقِكَ أَفْطَرْتُ  ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ و ابْتَلَّتْ العُرُوقُ و ثَبَتَ الأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ الله  الحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذي أَعَانِي فَصُمْتُ و رَزَقَنِي فَأَفْطَرْتُاللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِرَحْمَتِكَ الَّتِي وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ أَنْ تَغْفِرَ لِي

‘O Allah, for You I have fasted, in You I believe and upon Your provision I have broken my fast. The thirst has gone and the veins have become saturated and the reward has been obtained, Allah willing. Praise be to Allah Who has assisted me so that I fasted and provided for me so that I broke my fast. O Allah, I ask You by Your mercy which encompasses everything to forgive me.’

و الله أعلم

The Great Day of ‘Arafah

Introduction

All Praise be to Allah S.W.T, who has enabled us to be approaching the blessed days of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to the Blessed House of Allah S.W.T. May Allah S.W.T accept the hajj of those who have gone and make it a Hajj-e-Mabroor. Aameen Ya Rabbal Aalameen!

  عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ ‏ “‏ الْعُمْرَةُ إِلَى الْعُمْرَةِ كَفَّارَةُ مَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَالْحَجُّ الْمَبْرُورُ لَيْسَ لَهُ جَزَاءٌ إِلاَّ الْجَنَّةُ ‏”‏

It is narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Prophet S.A.W said: ‘An Umrah to an Umrah, is an expiation of the sins which were committed between them, and for a Hajj-e-Mabroor, there is no less a reward for it than paradise’ [1]

The Ulamaa tell us that a Hajj-e-Mabroor is, when a person from the time he enters into his Ihram, until the time he exits from his Ihram, he doesn’t commit any sins at all. It is the consensus of the Ulamaa that both, the major and minor sins will be wiped by a Hajj-e-Mabroor .

Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam, upon which it is Fardh-e-Ayn (a personal obligation) upon every Muslim to complete at least once in their lifetime. It was during the Hajj in which Allah S.W.T had revealed the verse:

الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا ۚ

‘Today I have perfected your religion for you, and I have completed My Grace upon you, and I have approved for you Islam as your religion’ [2]

Hajj was the practice of all the previous nations, The Prophet S.A.W did many pilgrimages before it was made obligatory. However, after it was made obligatory, The Prophet S.A.W only did it once. This is to show the people that he should try to complete his Hajj with utmost perfection, as thought it could be his first and last Hajj. Hajj is a time in which the abundant mercy of Allah S.W.T is descending upon the pilgrims, as well as upon the blessed lands of Makkah and Madinah.

There are also many virtues of Hajj, The Prophet S.A.W said:

عن ابي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ “‏ مَنْ حَجَّ لِلَّهِ فَلَمْ يَرْفُثْ وَلَمْ يَفْسُقْ رَجَعَ كَيَوْمِ وَلَدَتْهُ أُمُّهُ ‏

‘He who makes Pilgrimage to the House of Allah S.W.T, abstaining from indecent behaviour, emerges from his sins like a new-born baby’ [3]

The Day of ‘Arafah

Out of the many virtuous days of Hajj is the blessed day of ‘Arafah. When the pilgrims gather at the plains of Arafah, with their heads uncovered, under the open sky, praying and supplicating to their Lord.

The great Shafi’I jurist, Imam Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad Al Ghazali says in his book ‘Inner dimensions of Islamic Worship’:

‘It is said that Iblees had once appeared to a man at Arafat in human form, he was thin, exhausted and tearful. When asked regarding why he was weeping, he said ‘the fact that the pilgrims have come only for the sake of Allah S.W.T and not for any other worldly affairs makes me sad’ When he was asked regarding his thinness, he replied, ‘The neighing of the horses in the path of Allah S.W.T, it would please me if they were in my service’ When asked regarding his tired complexion, he replied, the way the pilgrims help each other in obedience, it would be better if they would help each other to disobey’.

‘It is also said that when Allah S.W.T forgives a sin of one servant at the plains of ‘Arafah, He also forgives it for every single pilgrim present there who is guilty of that same sin.’

The day of Arafah is also a very significant day as Allah S.W.T swore by this day as mentioned in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Burooj:

وَشَاهِدٍ وَمَشْهُودٍ

‘And By the witness and what is witnessed’ [4]

Regarding this verse, Abu Hurairah narrates that The Prophet S.A.W said:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ الْيَوْمُ الْمَوْعُودُ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ وَالْيَوْمُ الْمَشْهُودُ يَوْمُ عَرَفَةَ وَالشَّاهِدُ يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ وَمَا طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ وَلاَ غَرَبَتْ عَلَى يَوْمٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنْهُ فِيهِ سَاعَةٌ لاَ يُوَافِقُهَا عَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ يَدْعُو اللَّهَ بِخَيْرٍ إِلاَّ اسْتَجَابَ اللَّهُ لَهُ وَلاَ يَسْتَعِيذُ مِنْ شَرٍّ إِلاَّ أَعَاذَهُ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ ‏”

‘Al-Yawmul-Maw’ood (the Promised Day) is the Day of Resurrection, and Al-Yawmul-Mash-hood (the Attended Day) is the Day of ‘Arafah, and Ash-Shahid (the witness) is Friday.” He said: “The sun does not rise nor set, upon a day that is more virtuous than it. In it, there is an hour in which no believing worshipper makes a supplication to Allah S.W.T for good, except that Allah S.W.T answers it for him, and he does not seek Allah’s aid for something, except that He aids him in it.” [5]

What should be done on this day?

It is a recommended sunnah of The Prophet S.A.W for the non Haajis to fast on this day, because of the hadith in which Abu Qatadah R.A narrates that the Messenger of Allah S.A.W said:

عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ “‏ صِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ إِنِّي أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِي قَبْلَهُ وَالَّتِي بَعْدَهُ ‏”‏ ‏

‘Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah, I hope from Allah S.W.T, expiates for the sins of the year before and the year after’ [6]

The best dua to make on the day of Arafah has also been taught to us by The Prophet S.A.W:

عَنْ طَلْحَةَ بْنِ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ كَرِيزٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ أَفْضَلُ الدُّعَاءِ دُعَاءُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ وَأَفْضَلُ مَا قُلْتُ أَنَا وَالنَّبِيُّونَ مِنْ قَبْلِي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ ‏”‏

Talha ibn Ubaydullah ibn Kariz R.A narrates that the Messenger of Allah S.A.W said, “The best dua is dua on the day of Arafah, and the best thing that I or the Prophets before me have said is ‘There is no god but Allah, alone, without any partner’[7]

Also, this is a day in which we should be increasing in our Adhkaar and supplications to Allah S.W.T, Laa Ilaaha Illallah, Subhaanallah, Alhamdulillah, Astaghfirullah.

Also, this is a day in which we should be seeking forgiveness from Allah S.W.T from all our sins. Regarding this, Ibn Musayyab narrates, Aisha RA said, Indeed the Prophet S.A.W said:

عَنِ ابْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، قَالَ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ مَا مِنْ يَوْمٍ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَنْ يُعْتِقَ اللَّهُ فِيهِ عَبْدًا مِنَ النَّارِ مِنْ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ وَإِنَّهُ لَيَدْنُو ثُمَّ يُبَاهِي بِهِمُ الْمَلاَئِكَةَ فَيَقُولُ مَا أَرَادَ هَؤُلاَءِ ‏”‏‏

‘There is no day on which Allah S.W.T frees people from the Fire more so than on the day of ‘Arafah. He comes close to those (people standing on ‘Arafah), and then He praises them to His Angels saying, ‘What are these people seeking.’ [8]

As well as this, it is also encouraged for the non-pilgrims to make dua to Allah S.W.T under the open sky in order to mimic the pilgrims who are standing at the plains of Arafat, making dua to Allah S.W.T. Ibn Umar narrates that the Prophet S.A.W said:

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ ‏”‏

‘Whoever resembles a group of people, will be counted amongst them’ [9]

Insha’Allah, by acting upon this hadith, those who were unable to perform their hajj can be included amongst those pilgrims standing at the plains of Arafat.

May Allah S.W.T accept the hajj of those who have gone to the blessed lands, accept all of our duas made during these blessed days and ease the suffering around the world.

Aameen Ya Rabbal Aalameen!

References

1 – Sunan Ibn Maajah, Book 25, Hadith 3000

2 – Surah Al- Maaidah, Aayah 3

3 – Sahih Al-Bukhari, Book 25, Hadith 9

4 – Surah Al-Burooj, Aayah 3

5 – Sunan At-Tirmidhi Book 47, Hadith 3661

6 – Sunan Ibn Maajah, Book 7, Hadith 1802

7 – Muwatta Malik, Book 15, Hadith 504

8 – Sahih Muslim, Book 15, Hadith 492

9 – Sunan Abi Dawood, Book 34, Hadith 12