The Month of Muharram - Its Importance and Significance

 

The Month of Muharram: Its Importance and Significance

The Month of Muharram:

 Its Importance and Significance

 Dr. Mozammel Haque

The Islamic Calendar is based on the Lunar Calendar consisting of 354-355 days annually and is 10-11 days shorter than the Solar Calendar. The Lunar month is based on the time it takes the moon to complete a single orbit around the earth and it is just over 29 and half days. There are many advantages to the Lunar Calendar. For example, the various dates in the Islamic Calendar such as Ramadan and Hajj rotate every year and are not fixed like the Solar year. People, therefore, will perform acts of worship in various climatic conditions and in different length of hours in submission to the Will of Allah where human imagination plays no part. 

Origin of the Hijri Calendar 

The Islamic Calendar was first introduced by the close companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the second Caliph Umar ibn Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) in 16 AH/637 AD. During his leadership of the Muslim community in approximately, 637 AD, he consulted with his advisors in order to come to a decision regarding the various dating systems used at that time. It was agreed that the appropriate reference point for the Islamic Calendar was the Hijrah, since it was an important turning point for the Muslim community. The event of Hijrah, the migration of the Beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) from Makkah to Madinah in 622 AD was chosen to begin the Islamic Calendar because it was the first major sacrifice made by the whole Muslim Ummah for the preservation of Islam in its formative period. After the emigration to Madinah (formerly known as Yathrib), the Muslims were able to organise and establish the first real Muslim community, the real Islamic state with social, political, and economic independence. 

Muharram the First Month

of the Islamic Calendar 

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic Calendar. There are twelve months in the Islamic Calendar. As the Qur'an says: Lo! The number of the months with Allāh is twelve months by Allāh’s Ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them...(Al-Qur'an - 9:36) "It is He Who made the sun to be a shining glory, and the moon to be a light of beauty, and measured out stages for it, that you might know the number of years and the count of time. Allah did not create this except in truth and righteousness. And He explains His signs in detail, for those who understand" (10:5).

 In his final sermon before his death, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, among other things, "With Allah the months are twelve; four of them are holy; three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumaada and Sha'ban." The four sacred months (al-Asshhur al-Hurum) are Rajab, Dhul Qa‘dah, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram. Out of the four sacred months, Muharram has been blessed with certain specific virtues.

 The companions were also consulted on which month should mark the beginning of the year, Caliph Umar al-Khattab and Uthman ibn Affaan (May Allah be pleased with them), chose Al-Muharram due to it being a sacred month and because it follows the month of Dhul Hijjah, which is when the Muslims perform Hajj – or the pilgrimage, which was the last pillar of Islam that Allah enjoined upon the Muslims. Al-Muharram also follows the month in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) pledged allegiance to the Ansar (his Madinain supporters) to emigrate to Madinah and this pledge of Allegiance was one of the introductory acts of emigration.

Due to all these reasons, Al-Muharram was deemed the most suitable month to begin the Islamic Calendar. Muharram the first month of the Islamic Calendar, were considered sacred. Muharram is so called because it was unlawful to fight during this month; the word is derived from the word “haram” meaning forbidden. The month of Muharram is also of great religious significance to Muslims the world over. It is held to be the most sacred of all the months, excluding Ramadan. The word “Muharram” is often considered synonymous with “Ashura”, the tenth day of the month of Muharram.

 Fasting in the month of Muharram

Fasting is advocated in the month of Muharram. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are those of the month of Muharram.” Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, yet one who fasts in these days out of his own will is entitled to a great reward by Allah the Almighty. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadhan is the fasting of Allah's month of Muharram." (Muslim)

 In another Hadeeth, Ibn Abbas reports: "that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said: "The one that keeps a fast in the month of Muharram will receive the reward of thirty fasts for each fast (in this sacred month)." (Tabraani) Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, the one who fasts in these days out of his own will and choice is entitled to a great reward by Almighty Allah. The Hadith citied above signifies that the fasts of the month of Muharram are the most rewardable among the Nafl fasts i.e. the fasts one observes out of his own choice without being obligatory on him.

10th day of Muharram (Aashora)

Although the month of Muharram is a sacred month as a whole, the 10th of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named “Ashurah”. It is one of the most important and blessed days of Allah in the Islamic Calendar. Some ulama (Scholars) are of the opinion that before the fasts of Ramadan, the fast of the day of Ashura was compulsory upon the Ummah. This is stated in a Hadith reported by A'ishah that the beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered the observance of the fast of Ashura.

However, when the fast of Ramadan became compulsory, then whosoever wished, kept this fast and whosoever desired did not observe the fast. (Bukhari) Ibn Abbas reported, “I did not see Rasulullah sallallahu 'alayhi wassallam anxiously await the fast of any day, which he gave preference to over other days, but this day, the day of Ashura.” (Bukhari) It is also said by scholars that since the beginning of this world, Ashura day has been a very important day. On this day great signs of Allah’s power and glory have appeared in the world. On this day many Prophets were born and they were instituted to the office of prophecy. On this day, Prophets, Saints and Sincere servants of Allah were blessed with miracles and spiritual powers.

 On Ashura Day the followings have taken place:

1. Repentance of Prophet Adam (Allah’s blessing be upon him) was accepted by Allah

2. The ship of Prophet Nuh (Noah) (Allah’s blessing be upon him) came to rest on a mountain called Al-Judi.

3. Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) was born on this day. 4. He got the title Khalil-ullah (friend of Allah) on this day.

5. The fire in which Prophet Ibrahim (Allah’s blessings be upon him) was thrown by the king Namrud become cool and means of safety for Prophet Ibrahim, by the order of Allah.

6. Allah delivered Prophet Ayub (Job) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) from distress and he was restored to prosperity.

7. By the Grace of Allah, Prophet Yunas (Jonah) (Allah’s blessings be upon him), after being swallowed by a huge fish (whale) for forty days, was casted out on the shore.

8. Prophet Musa (Moses) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) got victory over Pharaoh.

9. Prophet Suleman (Solomon) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) was made a king to rule over mankind, Jins, Animals and the air.

10. Prophet Idris (Enoch) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) and Prophet Issa (Jesus) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) were lifted up alive.

11. Imam Hussain (Allah be pleased with him), the grandson of our beloved Prophet, got martyred at Karbala in Iraq.

12. The day of resurrection and judgement will take place on this day (Ashura) (Ghunia-Al-Talibeen & Tafseer-e-Sawi)

Fasting on the Day of Ashura

(10^th of Muharram)

The practice of fasting on Ashura was known even in the days of Jahiliyyah, before the Prophet's mission. It was reported that A'ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: “The people of Jahiliyyah used to fast on that day.” It is also reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to fast on Ashura in Makkah, before he migrated to Madinah. Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'The best of fasting after Ramadan is fasting Allah's month of Muharram.'” (Reported by Muslim, 1982)

 Fasting on the day of Ashura (10th Muharram) According to the Holy companion, Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him), when the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam) migrated to Madinah, he found that the Jews of Madinah used to fast on the 10th day of Muharram. They said that it was the day on which the Holy Prophet Musa Alayhis Salaam and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously, and the Pharaoh was drowned in its water. On hearing this from the Jews, the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam said, “We are more closely related to Musa than you.” So the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam directed the Muslims to fast on the day of Ashura. (Abu Dawood)

 According to another Hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of Ashura should be either preceded or succeeded by an additional fast. It means that one should fast two days: the 9th and 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th . The reason of this additional fast as mentioned by the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam was that the Jews used to fast on the day of Ashura alone, and the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam wanted to distinguish the Islamic-way of fasting from that of the Jews. Therefore, he advised Muslims to add another fast to the day of Ashura. Let us observe this great day according to the way of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and refrain from all innovations which deprive us of the blessings from Allāh the Almighty. May Allāh guide us all upon the Straight Path and save us from every act which brings His Displeasure. Āmeen.

Published First in November 2013 The Muslim Weekly, London &

The Muslim World, Pakistan, in January 2014

 

One Million Worshippers Perform First Ritual of Hajj

One Million Worshippers perform 

First Ritual of Hajj

      Dr Mozammel Haque

One million worshippers began the spiritual journey of a lifetime on Wednesday, 6^th of July 2022, circling Islam’s holiest site, the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

One million fully vaccinated Muslims, including 850,000 from abroad, are allowed at this year's Hajj, after two years of curtailed numbers because of coronavirus pandemic restrictions, reported in the Jeddah-based English daily Arab News. It also added, In 2019 about some 2.5 million Muslims from around the world took part in Hajj, but after that the pandemic forced a downsizing. Only 60,000 fully vaccinated residents of the Kingdom took part in 2021, up from a few thousand in 2020.

Haram @Arab News -Copyright

On Thursday, the pilgrims will move to a vast tented city at Mina, about 5 kilometers from the Grand Mosque, ahead of the main rite at Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon.

Arab News also reported, “Saudi authorities have mounted a massive operation to ensure the health and safety of pilgrims. The Saudi Health Ministry has prepared 23 hospitals and 147 health centres in Makkah and Madinah, the second-holiest city in Islam, to accommodate pilgrims. Four hospitals and 26 health centers are also ready to treat pilgrims in Mina. There are more than 1,000 beds for patients requiring intensive care and more than 200 specifically for heatstroke patients, and more than 25,000 health workers are ready to respond to cases as they arise.”

In this connection it may be mentioned that Three hundred people with disabilities have arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to perform Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam. It is reported in Arab News This is part of a national initiative launched by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, for the second year in a row, that includes orphans from across Saudi Arabia.

The program provides these pilgrims with facilities and services that allows them to perform their Hajj comfortably, and forms part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reform plan. For those who need it, special housing and 24-hour escort services are provided, the report added.

Arafat Sermon broadcast

The President of the Two Holy Mosques Sheikh Dr Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais said, that the live broadcast of the Arafat Day sermon, one of the most important events in the Islamic calendar, has been expanded to include 14 languages as Saudi Arabia’s leadership seeks to convey a message of moderation and tolerance to the widest possible audience, reported Arab News and added, The sermon will be available in English, French, Malay, Urdu, Persian, Russian, Chinese, Bengali, Turkish, Hausa, Spanish, Hindi, Swahili and Tamil.

The Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud has appointed Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa as Khateeb of Hajj 1443 (2022), and he will deliver the Hajj Khutbah from Masjid Al-Namirah, Arafat on Friday, 9 Dhul-Hijjah 1443.

 

Arafat Sermon To Be Translated into 14 Languages, Says Sheikh Al-Sudais

 

Arafat Sermon to be Translated into 14 Languages,

 says Sheikh Dr Al-Sudais

Dr Mozammel Haque

Two years after Covid-19 restrictions, Saudi Arabia has permitted upto one million people to join the Hajj this year, 2022. This year, 2022, the Government of Saudi Arabia allowed one million worshippers, 850 thousand from abroad and 150 thousand from inside Saudi Arabia which includes locals and expatriates.

The Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud has appointed Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa as Khateeb of Hajj 1443 (2022), and he will deliver the Hajj Khutbah from Masjid Al-Namirah, Arafat on Friday, 9 Dhul-Hijjah 1443.

Arafat Sermon to be translated into 14 languages, says the President of the Haramain, Sheikh Dr AbdulRahman Al-Sudais.

Operational Plan

Saudi Arabia’s General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques on Sunday, 19 June 2022 launched its operational plan for this year’s Hajj season The presidency confirmed its readiness to receive 1 million pilgrims, saying that it has mobilized 10,000 male and female employees and workers to serve the worshippers.

The President Sheikh Al-Sudais said that the presidency had launched smart applications and electronic platforms that would facilitate and enrich visitors’ experiences, revealing that the number of beneficiaries of this digital service had reached more than 160 million.

Entry Gate: Sheikh Al-Sudais also said that the presidency has allocated King Abdulaziz Gate, King Fahd Gate, and Bab Al-Salam Gate for the entry of pilgrims and visitors, adding that the presidency has allocated a total of 144 gates for the entry of worshippers to the Grand Mosque.

Zamzam water bottles As regards Zamzam water, the Presidency is working on distributing 3 million Zamzam water bottles in day in the Grand Mosque, and 1 million Zamzam water bottles in the holy sites.

Electric vehicles: President Sheikh Al-Sudais said that 2,000 electric vehicles had been provided to serve the elderly and people with disabilities, in addition to providing 500 engineering staff, and that the sermon of Arafa would be translated into 10 different languages.

4.8 million meals per day: Catering Companies provide 4.8 million meals per day during Hajj. A Muslim pilgrim receives food on the plains of Arafat during the annual Hajj pilgrimage outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia (REUTERS).

Some 195 catering companies and kitchen owners approved by Makkah’s municipality are expected to provide around 4.8 million meals per day to pilgrims during the Hajj season this year, it is reported.

Grand Mosque fully prepared to receive worshippers

on the First Friday of Dhul Hijjah

The Grand Mosque in Makkah is fully prepared to receive pilgrims and worshipers on Friday, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has said. According to Jeddah-based English daily, Arab News, This Friday will one of the busiest during the year as many pilgrims have already arrived in Makkah ahead of Hajj which will start on the 8th of Dhul Al-Hijjah, 7 July, 2022. The presidency has enlisted 400 employees to receive worshipers and pilgrims, direct them to the mataf and various other prayer spaces, and regulate entry and exit to and from the Grand Mosque.

 

Cleaning and sterilization operations Cleaning and sterilization operations have also been intensified, the paper reported and mentioned, Around 4,000 employees clean the Grand Mosque ten times a day using 13,000 liters of disinfectants.

 

Distribution of Zamzam Water: As regards the distribution of Zamzam water,  there has been an increase in Zamzam water being distributed to visitors. It is reported and added, “There are 25,000 Zamzam containers dotted around the mosque, 20 smart carts holding 80 litres of water are in operation, and 516 drinking fountains are available.”

 

Arab News also reported, 600 employees have been enlisted at the doors of the mosque to receive visitors and direct them to the correct areas, organize entry and exit, and support security personnel in diverting and directing worshipers when prayer areas get filled up. 100 employees are on hand to help pilgrims perform tawaf and other rituals in accordance with the correct manner, the presidency added.

 

President Sheikh Dr Al-Sudais launched

“We welcome you on the ground in your languages

The President of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais launched the “We welcome you on the ground in your languages” campaign for Hajj pilgrims on Sunday. The campaign aims to guide pilgrims at the Grand Mosque in Makkah in their own languages so that they can communicate effectively and without hassle. 100 guides across the mosque are available 24 hours a day to communicate fluently with pilgrims in 23 different languages.

 

Arafat Sermon to be translated into 14 languages

Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, president of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, said that the Kingdom’s leadership is offering unlimited support to the development of the Prophet’s Mosque and Grand Mosque’s services. As the live translation of the Arafat sermon enters its fifth year, the project has been expanded to include 14 languages, he said.

 

During the meeting, Al-Sudais said that the leadership is keen to convey Islam’s message of moderation and tolerance to the world, using modern technology to serve pilgrims and visitors. Live translation of the Arafat Day sermon is a wide-ranging project for the world, and particularly for visitors to the holy sites, enabling non-Arabic speakers to listen in their native language, he said.

 

The translation benefitted 1 million people in its first year, 11 million in its second, 50 million in its third, 100 million in its fourth and will reach 200 million people around the world in 2022, he added.

 

Sheikh Dr Al-Sudais also said that the sermon was initially translated into two languages. This was increased to five and, later, 10 languages. The leadership later approved translations in English, French, Malay, Urdu, Persian, Russian, Chinese, Bengali, Turkish and Hausa, with Spanish, Indian, Swahili and Tamil added to the list this year.

 

Sheikh Dr. Al-Sudais said that the Saudi leadership supervised the advancement of the international live translation project to satisfy people of faith, fairness and wisdom around the world, adding that the project takes a stand against violence, extremism and terrorism.

 

King Salman emphasizes the importance of caring for pilgrims, and Saudi Arabia will always take pride in pursuing this mission with the highest efficiency, Al-Sudais said. With this year’s Hajj season the largest since the coronavirus pandemic, the Kingdom will also ensure the well-being of pilgrims, allowing them to perform rituals with comfort and ease, he said, it is reported in the Jeddah-based English daily Arab News.

 

The President of the Haramain Sheikh Al-Sudais added that the translation project aims to convey a message of righteousness, justice, tolerance and moderate Islam to the world. Along with human rights and the teachings of Islam, the Prophet affirmed the elimination of racism and sectarianism, he said.

 

Kiswa cover ready

Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, president of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, announced that all preparations have been finalized to cover the Kaaba with the kiswa this year. The kiswa, the cloth that covers the Kaaba, was sewn at the King Abdulaziz Complex for Holy Kaaba Kiswa, in accordance with the highest standards, Al-Sudais said, adding that after one year of hard work and meticulous attention to detail, the Holy Kabba was now ready.

 

Al-Sudais also inaugurated a campaign to facilitate pilgrims’ access to Zamzam water during their Hajj rituals in Arafat,. He also launched a campaign titled “In Your Languages, We Welcome You,” which aims to serve pilgrims at the Grand Mosque, guiding them in 23 languages with the help of 100 guides, around the clock mentioned earlier.

 

 

 

Grand Mosque ready to receive worshippers

on first Friday of Dhul Al-Hijjah

 

Dr  Mozammel Haque

Grand Mosque ready to receive worshippers on the first Friday of Dhul-Hijjah, says the Presidency of the Haramain. The Grand Mosque in Makkah is fully prepared to receive pilgrims and worshipers on Friday, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has said. According to Jeddah-based English daily, Arab News, This Friday will one of the busiest during the year as many pilgrims have already arrived in Makkah ahead of Hajj which will start on the 8th of Dhul Al-Hijjah, 7 July, 2022.

The presidency has enlisted 400 employees to receive worshipers and pilgrims, direct them to the mataf and various other prayer spaces, and regulate entry and exit to and from the Grand Mosque.

Cleaning and sterilization operations have also been intensified, the paper reported and mentioned, Around 4,000 employees clean the Grand Mosque ten times a day using 13,000 liters of disinfectants.

As regards the distribution of Zamzam water,  there has been an increase in Zamzam water being distributed to visitors. It is reported and added, “There are 25,000 Zamzam containers dotted around the mosque, 20 smart carts holding 80 litres of water are in operation, and 516 drinking fountains are available.”

Arab News also reported, 600 employees have been enlisted at the doors of the mosque to receive visitors and direct them to the correct areas, organize entry and exit, and support security personnel in diverting and directing worshipers when prayer areas get filled up. 100 employees are on hand to help pilgrims perform tawaf and other rituals in accordance with the correct manner, the presidency added.

[Courtesy:Arab News]

The Importance and Significance of First Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah-Eid-ul-Adha Prayers at London Central Mosque

 The Importance and Significance of the

First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

 

Dr Mozammel Haque

Every year Allah Subhanahu wa Taala has given hundreds and thousands of rewards or the door of blessings and rewards open for HIS slaves and worshippers – especially on two occasions – the last ten days of Ramadan along with the blessed Night of Power (Lailatul Qadr) immediately followed by a happy day for the worshippers – Eid-ul-Fitr. Similarly, instead of last ten days, this time the first ten days of the month of Dhul Hijjah is the blessed days – full of blessings and rewards from Allah Subhanahu wa Taala along with Arafah Day (9th of Dhul Hijjah) followed by a happy day – Eid-ul-Adha.

 

First day of Dhul-Hijjah

Thursday, 30 June 2022

Saudi Arabia has announced Dhul-Hijjah starts today, Thursday, the 30^th of June 2022 following  the sighting of  the crescent moon on Wednesday evening. Saudi Arabia announced that the five-day Eid-ul-Adha celebration will begin on 9 July, 2022. This will be the 10^th day of Dhul Hijjah, the 12^th month of the Islamic Hijri calender.

 

Arafat Day on Friday, 8^th of July 2022

Dhul-Hijjah, the 12^th month of this year 1443 Hijri begins today, Thursday, 30 June 2022. Hajj will start on the 7^th day of Dhul-Hijjah, corresponding to 6^th of July and end on the 11^th day of Dhul-Hijjah, corresponding to 10^th of July. Arafat Day falls on the 9^th day of Dhul-Hijjah, corresponding to 8^th of July, 2022. Eid-ul-Adha will begin inshaAllah on Saturday, the 9^th of July 2022.

Now this first ten days of the month of Dhul Hijjah is very important and significant. Those who have gone for Hajj they will be in Makkah, Mina, Arafah and Muzdalifah. But those who are not in Makkah and other holy sites for them these days are very important days too. The earlier Muslims used to take this opportunity to make themselves better.

Importance of First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

About the importance of the First ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days; meaning the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. (Bukhari).

And there is another Hadith about the fasting on the Arafat Day wherein Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him said: “Fasting on the Day of Arafat expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year.” (Muslim)

Eid Mubarak to all of you and your families and everyone.

Kullu Aam wa Antum bil Khair.

Thursday, 30 June 2022 is the First day of Dhul-Hijjah 1443H. So the Day of Arafah will be on Friday, the 8th of July 2022 the 9^th day of Dhul Hijjah the Arafah day and Eid al-Adha will be Insha’Allah on Saturday the 9^th of July 2022 corresponding to 10 Dhul-Hijjah 1443H after the day of Arafah. I wish everyone a blessed life full of happiness, peace and prosperity.

Eid-ul-Adha in the United Kingdom

Islamic Cultural Centre & The London Central Mosque Trust has announced that the Eid-ul-Adha will be held on Saturday, the 9^th of July, 2022.

Islamic Cultural Centre & The London Central Mosque Trusts has announced the timetable of Eid-ul-Adha prayers 10the Dhul-Hijjah 1443 Hijri corresponding to 9th July 2022.

 

Preparations for Hajj 2022 in Full Swing

Preparations for Hajj 2022 in Full Swing

Dr Mozammel Haque

 

Saudi Arabia’s efforts to organize Hajj 2022 and improve the services offered to Hajjis every year is really praiseworthy

Saudi Arabia has permitted up to 1 million people to join the Hajj this year, inviting pilgrims from foreign countries for the first time in two years, after COVID-19 restrictions saw the annual pilgrimage limited to residents of the Kingdom.

Full immunization is required. Full COVID-19 vaccination still required for Hajj, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said. Those not fully immunized would be denied a Hajj permit.The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said that full immunization with one of the approved COVID19- vaccines is still required for those planning to perform Hajj this year.

Almost 300,000 applied in Saudi e-draw for Hajj, according to Saudi Ministry. A total of 297,444 applications have been registered in the electronic draw for citizens and residents inside the Kingdom for the 2022 Hajj season, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said recently. According to the Ministry, 62 per cent of the applicants are men and 38 percent women.

 Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Abdulfattah Mashat said that the electronic system sets several conditions in the selection process. Applicants should not be older than 65 and must be completely immunized according to the status in the Tawakkalna app.

Saudi authorities unveil operational plan for Hajj

Saudi Arabia’s General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques on Sunday, 19 June 2022 launched its operational plan for this year’s Hajj season The presidency confirmed its readiness to receive 1 million pilgrims, saying that it has mobilized 10,000 male and female employees and workers to serve the worshippers.

Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, the  president of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, launched the plan in the presence of the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, and the Director of the General Directorate of Public Security, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Bassami. Imam Sheikh Dr. Al-Sudais said that all topics, services and programs were being followed up minute by minute to ensure the highest quality, through a set of indicators supervised by the presidency around the clock

The President Sheikh Al-Sudais said that the presidency had launched smart applications and electronic platforms that would facilitate and enrich visitors’ experiences, revealing that the number of beneficiaries of this digital service had reached more than 160 million.

Entry Gate: Sheikh Al-Sudais also said that the presidency has allocated King Abdulaziz Gate, King Fahd Gate, and Bab Al-Salam Gate for the entry of pilgrims and visitors, adding that the presidency has allocated a total of 144 gates for the entry of worshippers to the Grand Mosque.

Zamzam water bottles As regards Zamzam water, the Presidency is working on distributing 3 million Zamzam water bottles in day in the Grand Mosque, and 1 million Zamzam water bottles in the holy sites.

Electric vehicles: President Sheikh Al-Sudais said that 2,000 electric vehicles had been provided to serve the elderly and people with disabilities, in addition to providing 500 engineering staff, and that the sermon of Arafa would be translated into 10 different languages.

Other services

New Luggage Transport Services: Saudia is offering a new luggage service for its Hajj customers traveling on international flights, collecting luggage from their hotel or other accommodation in Makkah and Madinah 24 hours before their departure, and and delivering it to the correct airport baggage center before they arrive. It allows passengers to travel easily without worrying about carrying around their luggage after their pilgrimage. The airline is also issuing Hajj pilgrims’ boarding passes and luggage tags to eliminate hold-ups during chack-in.

The regulations concern items not allowed in carry-on luggage, including Zamzam water, bags with loose or long straps, irregular shaped or damaged boxes, and ensuring that luggage is in good condition for travel by being organized and packed with caution.

Saudi Hajj Teams can speak 13 languages: The General Directorate of Passports’ field teams for this year’s Hajj can communicate with pilgrims in 13 languages, including English, Spanish, Indonesian, Japanese, Persian, Urdu, Turkish, Portuguese, and Bangladeshi. The field teams have been deployed at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport and Madinah’s Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport.

4.8 million meals per day: Catering Companies provide 4.8 million meals per day during Hajj. A Muslim pilgrim receives food on the plains of Arafat during the annual Hajj pilgrimage outside the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia (REUTERS).

Some 195 catering companies and kitchen owners approved by Makkah’s municipality are expected to provide around 4.8 million meals per day to pilgrims during the Hajj season this year.

Hajj - A Lifetime Spiritual Journey

 

Hajj: A Lifetime Spiritual Journey

Dr. Mozammel Haque

 ISLAM IS A PRACTICAL RELIGION which lays down a complete code of life. It makes various provisions for creating peace and harmony in the lives of mankind as well as in the universe. Peace and harmony can be achieved only when there is solidarity and universal brotherhood among human beings. Islam preaches this concept and puts it into practice through the unique annual assemblage of the pilgrims during Hajj.

 The institution of Hajj in Islam is quite extraordinary and unparalleled. It is only Islam that has made the annual assemblage at one place, Makkah, an obligation for the capable Muslims from all corners of the world. In other words, it may be called the World Muslim Congress. This assembly has many distinctive features which no other gathering has and no other religion stipulates. The concept of unity and brotherhood is embedded in Islam in such a way that one is truly amazed to see millions of Muslims dressed in two white sheets of cloth gathered at one particular place, i.e. in Arafat during a fixed time on certain fixed days in the year. All human and man-made barriers and distinctions are demolished during that assembly.

We shall here deal with the aspects of unity and universal brotherhood which, besides others, are quintessential among the concepts of Hajj. First, let us take universal brotherhood. This universal brotherhood emanates from the following basic concepts and is demonstrated in a most authentic and brilliant manner here on this occasion:

Adam is the first man from whom all human beings have sprung up;

Abraham is the father of monotheistic religion;

Acceptance of all prophets as prophets of God;

Belief in all revealed books of Allah.

Thus, this acceptance of Abraham as the patriarch of the concept of Tawheed and recognition of the continuity of Prophethood from Prophet Adam to the Last Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and having faith in all revealed books keeps up a chain of faith known as Islam throughout the world. This binds the whole humankind into a bond of brotherhood whose genealogical father is Adam and the spiritual father Abraham. Thus Muslims believe in the continuation of the human race on earth. There are no conflicts and controversies in the monotheistic religion decreed by God. All Muslims (those who consciously and willingly surrender to the Will of the Creator) belong to this Ummah and therefore constitute a fraternity of faith. This is one way the Hajj conveys the message of universal brotherhood.

 This aspect of universal brotherhood can also be noticed during Hajj when Muslims come from remote corners of the world and congregate in Makkah in the vicinity of the House of God, i.e. Baitullah. Though they might have come from the east or west, north or south, and all differences in colour, language, race and nationality notwithstanding, they find their oneness on the basis of their faith in One God, One Qiblah, One Book and One Prophet.

 The practical training for this universal brotherhood starts from the local or neighbourhood level with the five times daily prayers in the mosque, which gets enlarged with the Friday prayers once a week. The circle is again made substantially larger during the Eid prayer, and it becomes internationalised transforming into a global gathering once in a lifetime. So the concept and training in universal brotherhood, which reaches its peak, starts from the very childhood at the local level.

 As regards unity, Islam, first of all, removed all man-made bonds and barriers bringing all human beings into one global family tracing their genealogical origin to common parents and biological chemistry to one element, i.e. clay. Almighty God has laid down in the Holy Qur’an, “O Mankind, We have created you from a male and a female.” (49: 13) This establishment of absolute equality on the basis of their ancestral origin and biological composition removes all artificial differences between man and man.

 The enforcement of the concept of Muslim brotherhood is the greatest social ideal of Islam. Islam places emphasis on unity and unifies mankind on the basis of one God, one Book - the Qur’an, one Qibla - the Ka’aba and one leader - the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Noble Prophet’s mission was to establish unity and peace throughout the world. The Islamic concept of unity transcends all other forms of unity based on territory, geographical boundary, linguistic and ethnic affinity. He united Muslims on the basis of faith, which is the Oneness of God, Islam.

On this vital concept was based the Prophet’s sermon in his last pilgrimage, which shows that Islam cannot be completely practiced until this ideal is achieved. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) unified and cemented the Muslim Ummah under the banner of La ilaha illallah Muhammadur-Rasoolullah by establishing the first-ever Islamic state in Madina, which later on took the shape of a grand Caliphate. Under the Caliphate the Muslim Ummah was unified and integrated. Thus the first concept of universal and worldwide unity was demonstrated by Prophet Muhammad more than fourteen hundred years ago having been guided and inspired by God for establishing unity and peace in the world.

 Islam is essentially a community and group-oriented religion. So, the practical lesson in unity and equality first starts within the family, then in the neighbourhood, especially through the institution of five daily prayers in the mosque and still on a larger scale in the locality, during weekly Friday prayers, and then in much larger gatherings in the two Eid prayers and ultimately in the international or global gathering during Hajj. This very characteristic and feature of Islam demonstrates the universality of this religion and its heavenly origin which transcends all worldly barriers of race, colour, class and nationality.

 Pilgrimage is the best occasion to bind again the loose threads, tighten them on the basis of belief and in the presence of God and frustrate the nefarious machinations of the enemies of the Ummah’s unity.

 Another aspect of Hajj is making sacrifice in the way of God for the cause of Islam. As Islam itself is a religion of sacrifice, its different pillars also contain the same features and characteristics. It is a known fact that the Islamic or Hijra calendar starts with the month of Muharram and ends with the month of Hajj. The first month of the Islamic calendar, Muharram, is the month of sacrifice – a sacrifice made by the grandson of Muhammad, Hussain ibn Ali, who laid down his life at Kufa in the cause of Islam and its ideals. Similarly, the 12 months of the Hijra calendar, the month of Hajj, marks the remembrance of the sacrifice made by the Prophet Ibrahim for the sake of God and His Pleasure.

 The Patriarch, the first Prophet of monotheistic religion, Islam, the Prophet Ibrahim was ready to sacrifice his most loved one for the sake of God. He loved his only son, Ismail, more than anything else. God asked him to sacrifice Ismail. Ibrahim was going to sacrifice Ismail, in the way of God by His Order. The Holy Qur’an explains the story of Ibrahim and his son Ismail thus:

Then when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: “O my son; I see in vision that I offer you in sacrifice. Now say what is your view.” (The son) said: “O my father; do as you are commanded; you will find me, if God so wills, one practising patience and constancy.” So when they had both submitted their wills (to God), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice), We called out to him, “O Ibrahim; you have already fulfilled the vision; thus indeed do We reward those who do right.” (37:102-105) The Qur’an says: “And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice.” (37:107)

The sacrifices made by Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail for the love of God left an indelible imprint on the history of mankind. This sacrifice is still remembered and re-enacted during Hajj. Ibrahim left a glorious record of sacrifice to please God.

 In modern times, sacrifice is symbolised by an act of slaughtering a camel, cow or lamb for the sake of God during the days of Eid-al Adha, i.e. starting after the Eid prayer till the sunset on the third day of Eid. Sacrifice is a strongly recommended Sunnah of the Prophet and was introduced in the second year after Hijra. The purpose of sacrifice is to remind oneself of the great sacrifice of Ibrahim.

The sacrifice of life and wealth in the way of God is the zenith of a man’s belief. God says: “By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you give (freely) of that which you love; and whatever you give, of a truth God knows it well.” (Al-Qur’an 3:92) This means that when something, which has been held so dear, is sacrificed in the way of God one may hope to secure God’s Pleasure. The verse tells us that to attain righteousness one has to sacrifice things, but to attain it in perfection one has to sacrifice things, dearer to one.

 Every sacrifice and every effort is to be aimed at seeking God’s Pleasure. That God be pleased with us is the real capital of our lives and it is to win this pleasure that everything should be sacrificed. In the words of the Qur’an: “Surely my prayers and my sacrifice, my life and my death is for God alone, the Lord of the Universe.”

 In the modern age, the pilgrims, when they start their journey to Makkah for performing Hajj with only two white sheets on their bodies leaving behind their wives, children, kith and kin and their wealth and properties, they practically exemplify their act of sacrifice for the love of God.

 Hajj is the greatest training and practical demonstration of the spirit of sacrifice and the spirit of Jihad in the way of God. It shows that Islam does not end with giving some utopian ideals for the human life. It is not only a religion, it is the guidance for the whole mankind to shape their lives in this world and hereafter. That’s why God makes provision for the teaching and training of humankind in every quality through practical implementation.