The Meaning and Implications of Hajj

The Meaning and Implications of Hajj

Al-Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi

wasalam) said,

"He who performs (Hajj) with no obscenity or evil practices will come

out as a newly born baby free from all sins."

[Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) is also reported to have said

that actions bear more rewards if done with understanding and

sincerity. Today, millions of Muslims perform al-Hajj, but to many it

is simply a ritual that is to be performed once in a lifetime. And

apparently this attitude does not bring any noticeable changes in the

state of our ummah. In this article, we will inshaÂ’Allah try to

understand the purpose behind the specific actions performed

throughout Hajj.

Talbia

لَبَّيْكَ اللَّهÙمَّ لَبَّيْكَ،

لَبَّيْكَ لا شَرÙيكَلَكَ

لَبَّيْكَ، انَّالْحَمْدَ،

وَالنّÙعْمَةَ، Ù„ÙŽÙƒÙŽ وَالْمÙلْكَ، لا شَرÙيكَلَكَ

Labaik, Allahumma Labaik.

Labaika La Shariika,

laka Labaik, Innal Hamda,

wa ni'mata Laka walMulk, La Shariika Lak.

Here I am O Allah, Here I am.

Here I am. There is no partner with You.

Here I am. Verily, Yours is the praise,

the blessings and the sovereignty of the Universe. You have no

partner.

Ihram

The first action is to put on Ihram after a thorough bath. Putting on

Ihram is actually putting on Kafan, dress of the deceased. This by

itself signals that we are ready to cut off all connections with this

world and bear difficulties to complete the prescribed training for

the sake of Allah (subhanahu wa Ta'ala). This also triggers us to

continuously recite Talbia out loud.

Waquf in Arafat

On the 9th of Zul Hijjah, Waquf in Arafat is performed from Zuhr to

sunset. The main action in Waquf is not to pray lots of Nafls but to

stand facing the Haram asking Allah (subhanahu wa Ta'ala) for

forgiveness while recognizing Him as our Lord. The Prophet said, "Al

Hajju Arafah," meaning that standing in the Arafat is the Hajj.