Background of Hajj

Prophet Ibraheem's Legacy (peace be upon him)

An inherent part of the history of Tawheed is the story of Prophet Ibraheem (peace be upon him) who rebuilt the first House of Allah, the Ka'ba, as the focal point for the worship of Allah ALONE.

The story of Prophet Ibraheem (Prophet Abraham, PBUH) is a long story of great sacrifices and complete submission to Allah. Coming through tremendous trials and sacrifices for the sake of Allah, he was elevated to the leadership of mankind.

Allah said:

And (remember) when the Lord of Ibrâhim (Abraham) [i.e., Allâh] tried him with (certain) Commands, which he fulfilled. He (Allâh) said (to him), "Verily, I am going to make you an Imam (a leader) for mankind(to follow you)." [Ibrâhim (Abraham)] said, "And of my offspring (to make leaders)." (Allâh) said, "My Covenant (Prophethood) includes not Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers)."

(Al-Qur'an 2:124 )

Ibraheem (peace be upon him) survived all these trials and stood as firm as a rock for the sake of truth. While in exile he wandered in the parts of the known world at that time calling to the path of Allah. But he still had to face trials from His Lord. After he was blessed with a son at old age, he left his son Prophet Isma'eel and wife Hazrat Bibi Hajar (PBUT) in the barren desolate Baka (Makka) valley on Allah SWT's commands. Allah SWT wanted to test him through this son too as a final test, and ordered him to sacrifice his beloved son. Ibraheem was successful in this test too. He took his son, Isma'eel to a mount called Marwah near the Ka'ba and laid him prostrate, face down, to slaughter him with his own hands. Satisfied with Ibraheem's complete submission and profound love, Allah ransomed Isma'eel with a sacrificial animal. Nahr. (It is in commemmoration of this very event that animals are sacrificed during Hajj and by Muslims all over the world on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha).

In this manner, leadership of humanity was entrusted to Ibraheem and he became the pioneer of the universalIslamic movement. Now in order to give an impetus to this movement, he felt the need of men who would settle down in different areas and operate from there as his deputies.

Thus he appointed his elder son Isma'eel, younger son Ishaq (Isaac) and nephew Lut (Lot) (PBUT) in various parts of the known world of that time. Isma'eel was kept in Arabia at Makka and Ibraheem himself stayed with him for a long time to spread the teaching of Islam in all parts of Arabia.

"They said: "Burn him and help your âliha (gods), if you will be doing."

We (Allâh) said: "O fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibrâhim (Abraham)!"

(Al-Qur'an 21:68,69 )

They said: "Build for him a building (it is said that the building was like a furnace) and throw him into the blazing fire!"

So they plotted a plot against him, but We made them the lowest.

And he said (after his rescue from the fire): "Verily, I am going to my Lord. He will guide me!"

"My Lord! Grant me (offspring) from the righteous."

So We gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing boy.

And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: "O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offer you in sacrifice to Allâh), so look what you think!" He said: "O my father! Do that which you are commanded, Inshâ' Allâh (if Allâh wills), you shall find me of As-Sâbirûn (the patient)."

Then, when they had both submitted themselves (to the Will of Allâh), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for slaughtering);

And We called out to him: "O Abraham!

You have fulfilled the dream (vision)!" Verily! Thus do We reward the Muhsinûn (good-doers - see V.2:112).

Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial.

And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice (i.e. - a ram);

And We left for him (a goodly remembrance) among the later generations.

Salâmun (peace) be upon Ibrâhim (Abraham)!"

(Al-Qur'an 37:97-109 )

Construction of the Ka'ba Sharif

Allah said:

And (remember) when Ibrâhim (Abraham) and (his son) Ismâ'il (Ishmael) were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka'bah at Makkah), (saying), "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower."

"Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manâsik (all the ceremonies of pilgrimage - Hajj and 'Umrah, etc.), and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.

"Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own (and indeed Allâh answered their invocation by sending Muhammad Peace be upon him ), who shall recite unto them Your Verses and instruct them in the Book (this Qur'ân) and Al-Hikmah (full knowledge of the Islâmic laws and jurisprudence or wisdom or Prophethood, etc.), and purify them. Verily! You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."

(Al-Qur'an 2:127-129 )

Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for Al-'Alamîn (the mankind and jinns).

In it are manifest signs (for example), the Maqâm (place) of Ibrâhim (Abraham); whosoever enters it, he attains security. And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka'bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allâh, those who can afford the expenses (for one's conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allâh], then Allâh stands not in need of any of the 'Alamîn (mankind and jinns)

(Al-Qur'an 3:96-97 )

And (remember) when Ibrâhim (Abraham) said: "O my Lord! Make this city (Makkah) one of peace and security, and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols.

"O my Lord! They have indeed led astray many among mankind. But whoso follows me, he verily is of me. And whoso disobeys me, - still You are indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

"O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in an uncultivable valley by Your Sacred House (the Ka'bah at Makkah); in order, O our Lord, that they may perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), so fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and (O Allâh) provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks.

(Al-Qur'an 14:35-37 )

And (remember) when We showed Ibrâhim (Abraham) the site of the (Sacred) House (the Ka'bah at Makkah) (saying): "Associate not anything (in worship) with Me, [Lâ ilâha ill-Allâh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh) - Islâmic Monotheism], and sanctify My House for those who circumambulate it, and those who stand up (for prayer), and those who bow (submit themselves with humility and obedience to Allâh), and make prostration (in prayer);"

And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj).

(Al-Qur'an 22:26-27 )

Realization of Ibraheem's Prayer (peace be upon him)

Then the time came for granting the prayer of Ibraheem and Isma'eel (peace be on them) which they had invoked while raising the walls of the Ka'ba:

"And raise up in their midst a messenger. . ."

"And of our seed a nation submissive unto Thee."

A perfect man rose from the progeny of Ibraheem whose name was Muhammad . He revived the genuine and pure religion which was established by Ibraheem. He purified the Ka'ba of idols and established Tawheed in its purity. He (Prophet Muhammad ) exterminated all the shameful and brutal practices of Jahiliyya (ignorance) which Arabs were accustomed to -- idol worship, spattering the blood and flesh of sacrificed animals on the walls of the Ka'ba, lewd behavior, ribaldry, wrangling, circumambulation of the Ka'ba in the state of nudity and other evil customs. Thus the Ka'ba regained its real position as the focus of Tawheed and Hajj was re-established in its real meaning and content.

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