By Samra Hayat
July 7, 2022
The Islamic month of Dhu-al-Hijjah
The Hajj is an annual pilgrimage that Muslims perform for the sake of Allah (SWT) at the Masjid al-Haram (Great Mosque of Mecca) that surrounds the Kaaba (the House of Allah) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Hajj takes place during the first ten sacred days of the month of Dhu-al-Hijjah.
The Hajj (a pilgrimage to Mecca) and Eid-ul-Adha rituals are followed by Abrahamic traditions and Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) sunnah.
In general, Eid-Al-Adha celebrations among ordinary Muslims (non-pilgrims) take place in the comfort of their homes on the next day of Arafat, "(a day of repentance) spent by pilgrims on the mountains of Arafat combined with the night spent on the plains of (Mazdalafa)." Thus, family and friends invited to the Eid party appreciate the invitation by celebrating and sharing Eid's happiness and offering presents, which fosters respect and deep compassion for one another. In addition, the relatives celebrate the eagerly awaited pilgrims' Hajj accomplishments (who return from Mecca after completing Hajj rituals in 15 days) by arranging banquets.
In many chapters of the Holy Quran, Allah (SWT) emphasizes the significance of Hajj (a pilgrimage to Allah's (SWT) House for His sake).
One of the Quranic verses about Hajj is from Surah AL-BAQARAH THE COW, quoted here.
Allah SWT said:
And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], "Purify My House for those who perform tawaf and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer]."
Recite Quran - [2. Al-Baqarah - Verse: 125]
In-Text Citation:
Full Citation:ShareIslam. “Recite Quran - [2. Al-Baqarah - Verse: 125].” Recite Quran - Al-Baqarah [2:125], recitequran.com, https://recitequran.com/2:125. Accessed 14 Aug. 2022.
One of the Quranic verses about Hajj is from Surah Al-Imran, quoted here.
From Surah AL-Imran: Indeed, the first House (of worship) established for mankind was that at Makkah - blessed and a guidance for the worlds. (3:96) In it are clear signs (such as) the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it shall be safe. And (due) to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves - then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds. (3:97)
Recite Quran - [3. Ali-Imran - Verse: 96]
In-Text Citation:
Full Citation:ShareIslam. “Recite Quran - [3. Ali-Imran - Verse: 96].” Recite Quran - Ali-Imran [3:96], recitequran.com, https://recitequran.com/en/3:96. Accessed 13 Aug. 2022.
People visit the Holy House of Allah, the Kaaba, in large numbers to perform the rites of Umra and Hajj from around the world.
Recently returned pilgrims discuss the significance of the month of Dhul-Hajj (during which Allah's House, the Kaaba, is visited), explaining how a supplicant or a pilgrim could gain enormous blessings (especially during the first ten most sacred days of Dhul-Hajj), including the ability to achieve honorable and spiritual rewards of righteousness by praying or performing Hajj. They classify their Hajj observances in Makkah (performed in accordance with Abrahamic customs and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad PBUH) by explaining to participants how they began their sincere invocations, such as: circumambulating the Kaaba (house of Allah) seven times; taking seven hikes between the holy mountains of Safa and al-Marwah; supplicating in Minna; including, praying on the plains and mountains of Arafat on the ninth of Dhul-Haj; spending a night in Mazdalafa for spiritual purification; returning to Makkah for Eid prayers; departing to Jamarat for stoning three pillars for three days, which accounted for the place where the devil stood and insinuated the prophet Abraham (PBUH); after the first ritual of stoning; cutting or trimming hair before offering sacrificial animals in the name of Allah SWT to achieve piety and uprightness (by distributing food to the poor); leaving for Tawaf al-Ifadah (to perform around Kaaba); and later, continuing on the consecrated prayers to Allah SWT while remaining in Mina for the rest of the sacred days of Dhul-Hajj observances, if accepted by Allah (SWT), will result in the atoning of past mistakes.
One of the Quranic verses from Surah AL-BAQARAH quoted here is about the Hajj rites and sacrificial animals.
https://recitequran.com/2:196
Recite Quran - [2. Al-Baqarah - Verse: 196]
Full Citation:ShareIslam. “Recite Quran - [2. Al-Baqarah - Verse: 196].” Recite Quran - Al-Baqarah [2:196], recitequran.com/2:196. Accessed 12 Aug. 2022.
Allah (SWT) says:
“And complete the hajj and ‘umrah for Allah. But if you are prevented, then [offer] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached its place of sacrifice. And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head [making shaving necessary must offer] a ransom of fasting [three days] or charity or sacrifice. And when you are secure, then whoever performs ‘umrah [during the hajj months] followed by hajj [offers] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And whoever cannot find [or afford such an animal] – then a fast of three days during hajj and of seven when you have returned [home]. Those are ten complete [days]. This is for those whose family is not in the area of al-Masjid al-îaram. And fear Allah and know that Allah is severe in penalty.”
Religious studies present evidence from the Holy Quran's verses that pilgrims must offer a sacrificial animal such as a sheep, cow, or camel. However, if the pilgrim can not afford any of the sacrificial animals, then the pilgrim must observe three days of fasting during the Tashriq days (after the 10th of Dhul Hajj), i.e., 11 to 13 Dhul Hijjah, including seven more days of fasting after they return to their homes.
In-Text Citation:(“The Sacrifice and Its Rulings”)
Full Citation:“The Sacrifice and Its Rulings.” The Sacrifice and Its Rulings, 1 May 2017, islamicfiqh.net/en/newmuslims/10/69/articles/90/the-sacrifice-and-its-rulings.
https://islamicfiqh.net/en/newmuslims/10/69/articles/90/the-sacrifice-and-its-rulings
Another citation to view Surah 2:196:
https://carm.org/islam/islam-by-topic-animal-sacrifice/
In-Text Citation:(Slick)
Full Citation:Slick, Matt. “https://carm.org/islam/islam-by-topic-animal-sacrifice/.” Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry, 10 June 2016, carm.org/islam/islam-by-topic-animal-sacrifice.
One of the Quranic verses from Surah AL-BAQARAH about Hajj quoted here describes the importance of the mountains of as-Safa and al-Marwah:
Allah SWT said:
Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah. So whoever makes hajj to the House or performs ‘umrah – there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever volunteers good – then indeed, Allah is appreciative and Knowing.
Recite Quran - [2. Al-Baqarah - Verse: 158]
In-Text Citation:
Full Citation:ShareIslam. “Recite Quran - [2. Al-Baqarah - Verse: 158].” Recite Quran - Al-Baqarah [2:158], recitequran.com, https://recitequran.com/2:158. Accessed 14 Aug. 2022.
https://recitequran.com/2:158
The studies show that the holy mountains of as-Safa and al-Marwah remind us of the consistent struggle of Hager (the affectionate mother of Prophet Ismaeel (PBUH)) to find water by running between the mountains of Safa and Marwa seven times in the parched desert of Mecca; asking Allah (SWT), the Bestower of all livelihood and Merciful, for water to quench the thirst of the infant Prophet Ismail (AS). At the same time, Allah SWT answered her prayers when Angel Gabriel appeared (after she completed her seventh run between the two mountains) and informed her of Allah SWT's decree that He SWT would provide them with water, as He SWT had heard her supplications and Ismael (AS)'s crying. Therefore, Allah (SWT) caused a spring to pour out, which spread at the location where Ismail 'AS' was touching his heels while crying. The water from the spring is called Zamzam.
Hagar in Islam - Wikipedia
In-Text Citation:(“Hagar in Islam - Wikipedia”)
Full Citation:“Hagar in Islam - Wikipedia.” Hagar in Islam - Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagar_in_Islam. Accessed 8 Sept. 2022.
They also highlight the significance of Arafat, which occurs on the ninth of Dhul Hajj and is a day of ardent prayer to Allah (SWT), describing how pilgrims implore Allah's mercy for all past shortcomings (which might have interfered in the maintenance of impartiality) on that day. They also explain that all pilgrims hope (while invoking Allah SWT wholeheartedly in their prayers for forgiveness at Arafat) to have their prayers heard, worldly desires fulfilled, and to have received the spiritual rewards of eternal happiness, particularly of having their Hajj accepted in response to their acts of worship, immediately or later in their lives. They also represent the idea that if pilgrims uphold justice and righteousness throughout their lives, there is a possibility that they may become more committed to Allah (SWT), which will be a positive source of getting their Hajj granted, called Hajj-e-Mabroor (or Hajj acceptance).
Jabal al-Nour, or Mount Arafat, is where pilgrims repent for their flaws and ask Allah SWT's favor of continued fidelity and devotedness to the Islamic faith.
There is a Hadith quote about Hajj-e-Mabroor:
"It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) say:
"Whoever performs Hajj for the sake of Allah and does not utter any obscene speech or do any evil deed, will go back (free of sin) as his mother bore him."
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1449; Muslim, 1350.
Meaning of Hajj Mabroor (The Accepted Hajj) – Dr. Saleh as Saleh [Audio|En]
In-Text Citation:(Rahman and posts by AbdurRahman.org)
Full Citation:Rahman, Abdur, and View all posts by AbdurRahman.org. “Meaning of Hajj Mabroor (The Accepted Hajj) – Dr. Saleh as Saleh [Audio|En].” AbdurRahman.Org Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1449; Muslim, 1350., abdurrahman.org, 25 July 2015, https://abdurrahman.org/2015/07/25/meaning-of-hajj-mabroor/.
Carrying on the conversation, they also explain that the Eid Al-Adha celebration starts after the day of Arafat. Publicizing the recollections of their Hajj pilgrimages (followed by Abrahamic traditions and Prophet Muhammad's PBUH sunnah) performed in Mecca is about engaging people in knowledgeable conversation and educating them. Everyone, the invitees and the host, always appreciate the invited pilgrims' sharing information and are intrigued to learn more about the Hajj rites at the inspirational conference as it continues. In the meantime, the host always prefers to serve appetizers and fresh food so that everyone can have food on time to concentrate on gaining scholarly knowledge from one another.
The Eid parties celebrated at home include a variety of delicacies ranging from desserts to fruits to grilled dishes!
In addition, catering food for Eid and Hajj celebration parties at home will be a wise decision and a more convenient option than organizing potluck parties, where people will be busier cooking than learning and educating themselves from knowledgeable people. Food served on time could be possible only if catered from an authentic source for freshly cooked meals.
Call Tikka Guys, who can provide catering services for food orders one or two days before Eid, for the food to be picked up or catered on time since Tikka Guys will be closed on Eid.
The link provided for the food menu is https://www.tikkaguys.net/menu-1, and the catering menu is on the page https://www.tikkaguys.net/catering.
Thank you for reading,
Tikka Guys