Најј preparations (II)

IN the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

The Holy Qur’an 2:158 says, “Behold! Safa and Marwa are among the Symbols of God. So, if those who visit the house in the season or at other times should compass them round it is no sin in them. And if anyone obeyeth his own impulse to good be sure that God, is He Who recogniseth and knoweth.”

Moreover, such an international journey requires the pilgrims to ensure that their travelling documents are in order. Such include the inoculation yellow card, passport and visa. Any irregularity in any of these documents may make the journey very difficult, if not impossible. And hajj is an important annual event that further cements the diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and the various countries of the world.

Also, as the wearing of the pilgrim garment (Ihram) from prescribed locations (Miqat) leading to Makkah form a symbolic aspect of hajj rites. The pilgrims need to prepare for this. Women are to use sewn dresses while the male pilgrims are to use unsewn dress.

Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 26, Number 599: Narrated Ibn Abbas: “Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) made Dhul-Huiaifa as the Miqat for the people of Medina; Al-Juhfa for the people of Sham; Qarn-al-Manazil for the people of Najd; and Yalamlam for the people of Yemen; and these Mawaqit are for the people at those very places, and besides them for those who come thorough those places with the intention of performing Hajj and ‘Umra; and whoever is living within these boundaries can assume lhram from the place he starts, and the people of Mecca can assume Ihram from Mecca.”

Also, Sahih Bukhari Volume 2, Book 26, Number 600: Narrated Nafi’: Abdullah bin ‘Umar said, “Allah’s Apostle said, ‘The people of Medina should assume lhram from Dhul-Hulaifa; the people of Sham from Al-Juhfa; and the people of Najd from Qarn.” And ‘Abdullah added, “I was informed that Allah’s Apostle had said, ‘The people of Yemen should assume Ihram from Yalamlam.’ “

Hence, the women are required to sew two sets of white gowns with long sleeve and large white trousers (reaching the ankle), with white head tie (hijab) to match. One set will be used to perform the umrah (lesser hajj) on arrival in Mecca, while the other set will be used to perform the hajj proper between the eighth and 13th of the lunar month of Dhul-Hijjah.

The wife of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) relates a good Hadith on this in Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 26, Number 627: Narrated Aisha: (the wife of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) “We set out with the Prophet in his last Hajj and we assumed Ihram for Umra. The Prophet then said, ‘Whoever has the Hadi with him should assume Ihram for Hajj along with ‘Umra and should not finish the Ihram till he finishes both’. I was menstruating when I reached Mecca, and so I neither did Tawaf round the Ka’ba nor Tawaf between Safa and Marwa. I complained about that to the Prophet on which he replied, ‘Undo and comb your head hair, and assume Ihram for Hajj (only) and leave the Umra’. So, I did so. When we had performed the Hajj, the Prophet sent me with my brother ‘Abdur-Rahman bin Abu Bakr to Tan’im. So, I performed the ‘Umra. The Prophet said to me, ‘This ‘Umra is instead of your missed one’. Those who had assumed Ihram for ‘Umra (Hajj-atTamattu) performed Tawaf round the Ka’ba and between Safa and Marwa and then finished their Ihram. After returning from Mina, they performed another Tawaf (between Safa and Marwa). Those who had assumed Ihram for Hajj and ‘Umra together (Hajj-al-Qiran) performed only one Tawaf (between Safa and Marwa).”

But the male pilgrims may take money along to purchase their own unsewn Ihram in the holy land. The two pieces of large white woven towel being used are sold at reasonable cost.

Most importantly, there is the need for the pilgrims to follow the rules and regulations in the holy land. They should follow the dictates of their guides. They should be tolerant and exhibit the virtues of perseverance and endurance.

Since hajj is the only act of worship that cannot be performed in Islam as an individual but collectively at a place, at the same time, they should exude the virtues of friendliness, oneness, togetherness, and brotherhood. They should portray sound etiquette of brother’s keeper, goodness, discipline, and sound human relation. They should be orderly at the holy shrines in Makkah and Madinah where not less than five million people will worship at the same time.

God Almighty cautions the pilgrims from quarrel and wrangling during the performance of Umrah and Hajj in Qur’an 2:197: “For Hajj are the months well known. If anyone undertakes that duty therein let there be no obscenity nor wickedness nor wrangling in the Hajj. And whatever good ye do (be sure) God knoweth it. And take a provision (with you) for the journey but the best of provisions is right conduct. So, fear Me o ye that are wise!”

Upon all, they should be good ambassadors of their families, towns, states and Nigeria. Shameful acts must be avoided that may even contravene the laws of Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. They must avoid theft, immoral acts, and especially peddling in hard drugs like cocaine and heroin. Despite the punitive measure of Saudi Arabia under the Islamic law to behead whoever is caught peddling in hard drugs, it is amazing that some bad elements still engage in this shameful act.

The pilgrims should also avoid the old tradition of the Arabs in leaving for the holy journey from their respective homes through the backdoor or with their back. It does not have any basis in Islam. It is a dogma in the Arab world in the dark age of the Ignorant Era (Jahiliya) before Islam that has no relevance to the great journey of hajj.

God Almighty declares in Qur’an 2:189: “They ask thee concerning the new moons. Say: they are but signs to mark fixed periods of time in (the affairs of) men and for pilgrimage. It is no virtue if ye enter your houses from the back; it is virtue if ye fear God. Enter houses through the proper doors and fear God that ye may prosper.”

Good welfare arrangements should be provided at the various hajj camps in Nigeria. Good transportation should be provided for the pilgrims both in Nigeria and in the holy land. There is also need for enough medical personnel and facilities especially because of the stress of the journey and the harsh weather of the desert country.

And kudos must be given to the Saudi Arabian government for improving the condition in the holy shrines with the increasing number of pilgrims performing hajj in the last one decade, the conditions are now far cry from the olden days when the trip had been risky, hazardous, and full of difficulties and hardships.

Thanks to the managerial skill of the Custodian of the Two Sacred Mosques from the founding monarch, King Ibn Saud, from September 23, 1932 to the incumbent, King Salman Bin Abdul-Aziz since January 23, 2015.

The valuable treasures gushing out of the bowels of the earth has made it possible, through proper management, to provide necessary convenience for the pilgrims.

May Almighty Allah make the performance of hajj easy this year, Ameen.

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