It's the pilgrimage/Haj season again...
A few excerpts from the Holy Quran:
2:[144]:
"O Muhammad, many a time, We have noticed you turning your face towards heaven;now, We shall make you turn towards a Qiblah that will please you. Turn your face (during Salah) towards the Al-Masjid -al-Haram (Ka'bah); wherever you are, turn your face in that direction. Surely, those were given the Book know that it is the truth from their Rabb. Allah is not unaware of what they do..."
2:[158]:
"Behold! Safa and Marwah (two hills in the Al-Masjid-al-Haram) are among the symbols of Allah. So anyone who performs Hajj or Umrah (pilgrimage) to the House,there is no blame if one goes around both of them; and anyone who does good voluntarily should know that surely, Allah knows the grateful."
2:[125-126]:
"Remember, when We made the House (the Ka'bah) a center and sanctuary for mankind saying: 'Take the station of Ibraheem as a place of prayer'. We entrusted Ibraheem and Isma'il to cleanse our House for those who walk around it, who meditate in it, and who kneel and prostrate in prayers. Ibraheem said: 'My Raab, make this (Makkah) a secure town and provide its people with plenty of food from fruits, those of them who believe in Allah and the Last Day.' He answered: ' As for those who do not, I shall also provide for them in this life, though in the Hereafter I shall drag them to the torture of Hellfire and in it an evil destination indeed!'"
2:[127-129]:
"Remember, when Ibraheem and Isma'il raised the foundations of the House and prayed: 'Accept this from us, O our Rabb, You are the one who hears all and knows all. O our Rabb, make us both Muslims (submissive to You); and make our descendants, a nation that will be Muslims (submissive to you). Show us our rites of worship and accept our repentance; surely, You are the Acceptor of repentance, the Merciful. O our Rabb, appoint from among them a Rasool who shall recite to them Your Revelations and teach them the Book and the Wisdom, and purify them; surely, You are the All-Mighty, the Wise."
2:[196]:
" Complete the Hajj (obligatory pilgrimage to Mekkah) and the Umrah (optional visit to Makkah) for the sake of Allah. If you are prevented from proceeding, then send such offering for sacrifice as you can afford and do not shave your head until the offerings have reached their destination. But, if any of you is ill or has an ailment in his scalp, which necessitates shaving, he must pay ransom either by fasting or feeding the poor or offering a sacrifice. If, in peacetime, anyone wants to take advantage of performing Umrah and Hajj together, he should make an offering which he can afford; but if he cannot afford it, he should fast three days during the Hajj and seven days on his return making ten days in all. This order is for the one whose household is not in the precincts of Al-Masjid-al-Haram. Fear Allah and know that Allah is strict in retribution."
2:[197-203]:
" Hajj is in the well known months. One who undertakes to perform it, must abstain from husband-wife relationship, obscene language, and wrangling during Hajj. Whatever good you do, Allah knows it. Take necessary provisions with you for the journey, and piety is the best provision of all. Fear Me, O People endowed with understanding. There is no blame on you, if you seek the bounty of your Rabb during this journey. When you return from Arafat, (stop at Muzdalifah and) praise Allah near Mash'ar -al-Haram. Praise Him as He has guided you, for before this you were from the people who had lost the Right Way. The return from where the people return and seek Allah's forgiveness; surely, Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. When you have fulfilled your sacred duties, praise Allah as you used to praise your forefathers or with deeper reverence. There are some who say: 'Our Rabb! Give us the good life, both in this world and in the Hereafter and save us from the torment of the fire.' Such people shall have their due share in both worlds according to what they have earned, Allah is swift in settling the accounts. Celebrate the praises of Allah during these appointed days. There is no sin if anyone hastens to leave Mina after two days and there is no sin to stay there a day longer, provided he spends these days in piety. Fear Allah and remember that you will surely be gathered before Him."
4:[96-97]:
"Indeed, the first House for the worship of Allah ever built for mankind is the one at Bakka (Makkah), a blessed site and a guidance for all the worlds. In it a clear signs and the Station of Ibraheem where he used to worship. Whoever enters it, is safe. Performance of Hajj (pilgrimage) to this House is a duty to Allah for all who can afford the journey to it; and the one who disobeys this commandment should know that Allah is Self-Sufficient, beyond the need of any from the worlds."
22:[26-30]:
" Remember! We identified the site of the Sacred House to Ibraheem, saying: 'Worship none besides Me. sanctify My House for those worshippers who make Tawaf (walking counter clockwise around it), stand in prayer, bow, prostrate themselves, and make a proclamation of Hajj (Pilgrimage) to mankind: they will come to you on foot and on lean camels from every distant quarter, so that they may witness the benefits which are made available here for them, and pronounce the name of Allah over the cattle which We have provided as food for them, on the appointed days, then eat their meat themselves and feed the indigent and needy. Then they should accomplish their needful acts of shaving or cutting their hair and taking a bath, fulfill their vows and go for Tawaf -e-Ziyarah to the Ancient House. This was the object for which the Ka'bah was built, and whoever honours the sacred rites of Allah, it is good for him in the sight of his Rabb. The meat of the cattle is lawful to you. except what has already been mentioned to you; therefore, shun the abomination of idols and shun all false statements."
I would like to dedicate this post to my friends who are scheduled to perform their Hajj this year - Norm, Atan, Khiri and to all the Muslim/Muslimat out there.
My sincere "doa" for your health and may all of you perform the pilgrimage in piety and peace, insyaALLAH. I have to admit that I envy you but insyaALLAH my turn will come soon....
Bon Voyage and may Allah bless you all .....
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