Hajj

It is per God explicit command in Quran for any mindful adult Muslim (male or female) to go for pilgrimage (Hajj) if he/she can afford it physically, financially, and securely. Pilgrimage (hajj) is the fifth pillar of the Islam five pillars. Refer to question below for more information and it is a purification process of our souls from committed sins.

Islam has five pillars as follows:

Answer:

Improve

Hajj comes last among the five pillars of Islam which we shall explain below. In general, a Muslim is accounted for the pillars of Islam and other deeds the moment he becomes adult. Anything he do before this age will be accepted from him but he is not obliged to do so. Hajj too can be peformed at any time of age but there some conditions that he must be physically and financially capable.

FAITH

There is no god worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is His messenger. This declaration of faith is called the Shahada, a simple formula which all the faithful pronounce. In Arabic, the first part is la ilaha illa Allah - 'there is no god except God'; Allah (god) can refer to anything which we may be tempted to put in place of God - wealth, power, and the like. Then comes illa Allah: 'except God', the source of all Creation. The second part of the Shahada is Muhammadun rasulu'llah: 'Muhammad is the messenger of God.' A message of guidance has come through a man like ourselves.

2) To perform PRAYERS (5 daily)

Prayers are said at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and universities. Visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of prayers in daily life.

3) THE 'ZAKAT', to pay Chairity to the poor

One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one's capital.

pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as 'voluntary charity' it has a wider meaning. The Prophet said 'even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity.'

The Prophet said: 'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim. ' He was asked: 'What if a person has nothing?' The Prophet replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.' The Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet said: 'He should help poor and needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What if he cannot do even that?' The Prophet said 'He should urge others to do good.' The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet said 'He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.'

4) To FAST the holy month of Ramadan.

Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from first light until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they are physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer) from puberty, although many start earlier.

Although the fast is most beneficial to the health, it is regarded principally as a method of self purification. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry as well as growth in one's spiritual life.

and lastly

5) PILGRIMAGE (HAJJ)

The one time "obligatory" life trip to Makkah - the Hajj - is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to perform it and only for one time in life. He can perform it as much as he can but voluntarily. Nevertheless, about two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another. Although Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar, so that Hajj and Ramadan fall sometimes in summer, sometimes in winter). Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments which strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God.

Hajj (pilgrimage) is a great annual event for Muslims. There are many reasons why Muslims perform hajj which translate into the following numerous benefits of Hajj:

• It teaches us that Muslims are brothers and are equal.

• It teaches us that no differences among people due to race, tribe, color, home country, or tongue language.

• It teaches us, practically, the real human rights when you find people equal during praying, worshiping, and during performing the rituals.

• Hajj learns us that we are belonging to God (Allah) alone and that we all need his mercy and forgiveness.

• Hajj is biggest world gathering in the world. It is a demonstration of Islam unity and Islam universality.

• Muslims get acquainted with the spiritual and historical environment of the prophet Muhammad which strengthen their faith.

• It is a reminder of the Grand Assembly of the Day of Judgment when people will stand equal before Allah waiting for their final destiny.

• It confirms commitment of Muslims to Allah.

• On top of the above, Muslims on Hajj are rewarded, per God will, with forgiveness of all their sins and they return back as pure and innocent as the new the born.

Following are the actions that must take place during Hajj:

Day - 1. 8th of Zilhajja: (Day of Tarwiya) Taking bath, putting on Ahraam (two sheets of untailored cloth), going to Haram i Pak, making intention of performing Hajj, offering two Nawafil and reaching the field of Mina (preferably) before Zuhar Prayer and staying there.

Day - 2. 9th. (Day of Arfaa) Offering Fajr Prayer and reaching the field of Arafaat (the main ritual of Hajj). Offering Zuhar and Asar prayers (Qasar) behind the Imam in Masjid - Namra - if possible. Staying there till sunset, offering Prayers and parying to Almighty Allah Karim. Leaving the field of Arafaat just at sunset without offering Evening Prayer. Coming to Muzdalfa at night offering Maghrib and Isha Prayers together. Staying there at night. Collecting 49 small pebbles for stoning the Jamraats.

Day - 3. 10th (Eid day) Offering Fajar Prayer and leaving Muzdalfa at sunrise. Stoning the Big Jamrah (Shaitan), offering animal sacrifice, coming to Haram i - Pak, going around the Ka'abah, performing Sayee (Walking/running betwen Safa and Marwa hills), shaving off head (for men- women cut two or three inches of their hair as a token) and putting off Ihram. Going back to Mina and staying there.

Day - 4. 11th. Stoning the three Jamraat and staying at Mina.

Day- 5. 12th Zila Hajja. Stoning the three Jaraat (Shaitans-Devils) and coming back to Makka Mukarma before sunset. That is the end of Hajj.

Day= 6: 13th Zihajja. If some one intentionally or by chance does not leave Mina before sunset of Day-5, he will stay there for the night and on the 6th day he will stone the three Jamraats and return to Makka Mukammah. This ends Hajj the Fifth Pillar of Islam.

Answer 1

Dr. Zakir Naik in his book 'Answer to non-Muslims common questions' reply to this question as;

Kaaba is the Qibla i.e. the direction Muslims face during their prayers. It is important to note that though Muslims face the Kaaba during prayers, they do not worship the Kaaba. Muslims worship and bow to none but Allah.

It is mentioned in Surah Baqarah:

"We see the turning of thy face (for guidance) to the heavens: now shall We turn thee to a Qiblah that shall please thee. Turn then thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque: wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction." [Al-Qur'an 2:144]

1. Islam believes in fostering unity

For instance, if Muslims want to offer Salaah (Prayer), it is possible that some may wish to face north, while some may wish to face south. In order to unite Muslims in their worship of the One True God, Muslims, wherever they may be, are asked to face in only one direction i.e. towards the Kaaba. If some Muslims live towards the west of the Kaaba they face the east. Similarly if they live towards the east of the Kaaba they face the west.

2. Kaaba is at the Centre of the World Map

The Muslims were the first people to draw the map of the world. They drew the map with the south facing upwards and north downwards. The Kaaba was at the centre. Later, western cartographers drew the map upside down with the north facing upwards and south downwards. Yet, Alhamdullilah the Kaaba is at the centre of the world map.

3. Tawaf around Kaaba for indicating one God

When the Muslims go to Masjid-e-Haram in Makkah, they perform tawaf or circumambulation round the Kaaba. This act symbolizes the belief and worship of One God, since, just as every circle has one centre, so also there is only one Allah (swt) worthy of worship.

4. Hadith of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)

Regarding the black stone, hajr-e-aswad, there is a hadith (tradition), attributed to the illustrious companion of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).

According to Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, book of Hajj, chapter 56, H.No. 675. Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit nor harm. Had I not seen the Prophet (pbuh) touching (and

kissing) you, I would never have touched (and kissed) you".

5. People stood on Kaaba and gave the adhaan

At the time of the Prophet, people even stood on the Kaaba and gave the 'adhaan' or the call to prayer. One may ask those who allege that Muslims worship the Kaaba; which idol worshipper stands on the idol he worships?

Answer 2

Muslims don't worship Ka'aba or any thing else except Allah (God in English); the one and only one God with no partner, no son, no associate, and no companion.

Muslims pay honor and respect to Ka'aba as the most sacred religious place.

Ka'aba is direction Muslims face when they offer their prayers. Though Muslims face they Ka'aba; they do not worship Ka'aba. This direction is appointed by Allah.

Thus, We have appointed you an Ummat (nation) justly balanced, that ye might be witnesses over the nations, and the Messenger a witness over yourselves; and We appointed the Qibla (direction) to which thou wast used, only to test those who followed the Messenger from those who would turn on their heels (From the Faith). Indeed it was (A change) momentous, except to those guided by Allah. And never would Allah Make your faith of no effect. For Allah is to all people Most surely full of kindness, Most Merciful. (Quran 002.143)

(It is clear in Quran that there is one and only Allah (God); the word "we" is used for royal figure in some languages. It indicates high status and dignity.)

Muslims worship one and only God. Muslims throughout the world face Ka'aba during prayer; this unites them in their worship to Allah.

So from whencesoever Thou startest forth, turn Thy face in the direction of the sacred Mosque; and wheresoever ye are, Turn your face thither: that there be no ground of dispute against you among the people, except those of them that are bent on wickedness; so fear them not, but fear Me; and that I may complete My favours on you, and ye May (consent to) be guided. (Quran 002.150)