Hajj and Umrah
The performance of Hajj is obligatory on all adult Muslims who have the means to make the trip to the Holy City of Makkah. Umrah is regarded as a minor pilgrimage with only part of the required rituals performed.
As the season of Hajj approaches, there are many lessons we may learn from this great event. We can learn these lessons from the Holy Quran, and its description of Hajj. In the Holy Quran there are many references to the kaaba and Ibrahim(A.S.) and the practices of Hajj.
The Urdu and Persian word "Qurbaani" is derived from the Arabic word 'Qurban'. It means an act performed to seek nearness to Almighty Allah and to seek His good pleasure.
Allah Ta'ala has blessed this Ummah with some great days and nights. Among them are the first ten days of Zil Hijjah.
Thousands of animals will once again be sacrificed worldwide on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha. Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) described this Qurbaani (sacrifice) as the “Sunnah of your Father Ibraheem (alaihis salaam)”. Hadhrat Ibraheem (alaihis salaam) was commanded to offer his little son Hadhrat Ismail (alaihis salaam) as a sacrifice. He submitted himself to the command of Allah Ta’ala and In compliance to the command he firmly passed the knife over the throat of his son. Allah Ta`ala prevented the knife from cutting and Hazrat Ismail (alaihis salaam) was spared.
The guests of Almighty Allah Ta’ala – the Hujjaj – have commenced their return from the Mubarak and holy lands of Makkah Mukarramah, Madinah Munawwarah, Mina, Arafaat and Muzdalifah.
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The fact that Haj has been granted the status of being the fifth pillar of Islam is itself an indication of its importance in Deen. Indeed, such stress has been laid on the performance of Haj that no person upon whom Haj has become compulsory should ever delay in fulfilling this obligation.
Haj is the 5th pillar of Islam. The Prophet Mohammed Sallallâhu Alaihi Wasallam did not introduce the performance of Haj. It can be said to be as old as the Ka’aba itself. Haj is a combination of both, physical and monetary ibâdat [devotion]....
