Eid Mubarak-- Kullu 3am wa antum bekhair wa si77a wa 3afiyya

It is with mixed emotions that we approach the end of Ramadhaan. I am extremely thankful and grateful to Allah Ta’ala for allowing us to benefit from the enormous spiritual benefits of Ramadhaan, the fasting, taraweeh salaah, charity, recitation of Qur’aan etc. At the same time I am sad that this Mubarak (auspicious) month has come to an end. For a true believer everyday of his or her life should be spent like how we generally spend our precious time in Ramadhaan, full of virtuous acts.

Let us formulate strategies and ways to uphold this spirit and actions.Remember true and eternal happiness, bliss and joy can only be achieved by leading our lives according to the Commandments of Allah Ta’ala and following the beautiful and noble lifestyle (sunnah) of His Beloved Messenger Muhammad (salallaho alaihe wassallam).

We should also remember that while we celebrate the joyous day of Eid-ul-Fitr there are millions of our brothers and sisters who are being oppressed and persecuted. Let us not forget about them. Let us enjoy this day of Eid in a manner pleasing to our Creator and Sustainer Allah Ta’ala.

Eid Mubarak to you and your family and May Allah Ta’ala bless and grant you barakah (blessings) in this world and the akhirah(hereafter) ...May Allah accept your fasting and duas. Let us remember the Ummah which is in pain and distress in many parts of the world and if possible let us contribute in whatever way possible whether it be financially or by way of your sincere duas. Make dua for those who have passed on....May ALLAH grant relief to those in need, May Allah ease the plight of so many that are downtrodden,& oppressed ...May Allah grant Shi'fa (cure) to those that are ill and may ALLAH grant us a death with Emaan (faith) and true success in both this world and the hereafter…Ameen

124-year-old Muslim woman refused to sell her religion for money and fame

 

The head scarf was the only hindrance in the way for the oldest woman in the world to enter the so-called Guinness World Records.

124-year-old Palestinian Maryam Hamdan Ammash, her sons and grandsons refused to meet the condition of the Guinness team for the aged woman to take off her head scarf and appear on TV.

Maryam's family members said that their grandmother who has performed the Haj (Pilgrimage) five times in her life and performed Umrah ten times refused to commit a sinful act even for getting eternal with entering the Guinness World Records.

"There have been serious discussions about Maryam entering the Guinness World Records breaking the record of the French Jeanne Louise Calment who lived 122 and a half years. A team of the Guinness team visited Maryam and her family last March to this end", said Mahdi Helmi Ammash, a grandson of Maryam in an interview with Gulf News.

"Armed with official documents including her birth certificate, identity card and other documents, we will not give up our grandmother's right to enter the Guinness World Records for the longest human lifespan even after her death," he said.

Maryam died last Saturday after she lived for 124 years and scores of people from around the world are attending her ongoing condolence session held in her home village of Jisr Al Zarqa'a, near Haifa of the 1948 areas.

Maryam who held a Turkish birth certificate and an identity card which clearly stated that the woman was born in 1888, became undoubtedly the oldest woman in the world.

"This fact is beyond doubt and that all officials who paid visits to my grandmother have confirmed it and this is documented with the family", said Mahdi.

Maryam had ten children, the youngest of whom died a long while ago. With four sons and five daughters who survived, she had hundreds of descendants, estimated at 600.

"Maryam's grandsons were grandfathers when she died as the grandmother of four generations," he said.

"Maryam's relationship with her children, grandchildren and their children and grandchildren was astonishing, knowing them one by one and following their lives in details," he said.

"The wise Maryam, despite her old age, was the spiritual leader to all her family members who trusted her views and followed them almost blindly," he stressed.

The woman was known in her village to be totally focused and balanced and she acted as a paediatrician who provided medical treatment for the newly born and infants.

"We keep instruments which Maryam carefully kept since the Turkish rule in Palestine to treat the little ones", he said, adding that visitors from around the 1948 areas visited Maryam seeking treatment which she provided for free.

The aged Maryam was an active woman despite her years and known to be a social entity who visited people on all their occasions.

When a representative of the Guinness told her that they can make her a well-known personality, she answered with a question - "And will that make me happy?"

Representative, with a little hesitation, replied that probably it would make happy her and her family.
She asked a second question:
"How old are you?" To which he replied - 43.
She smiled and said - "And most of all, you are not a Muslim ...?"
Surprised man asked why these issues may be of any importance and what she wanted to say?

To which Maryam replied.
- "You are old enough to distinguish between what is right and what is not. But you are not a Muslim. That means either you are too small to distinguish truth from delusion, or you are an imbecile. Because only a child or imbecile would believe that it will make him/her happy to be glorified among the same mortals like himself. When he risks being thrown into shame in the eyes of the Creator.
So what should I choose - the woman said - to be glorious amongst those themselves are inglorious or to be glorious amongst the lucky owners of the Contentment of the Creator, me, you, him and all those whom you represent"?

Guinness representative did not know what to say.
Maryam said:
- "Go away and grow up to start thinking if you do not have the answer. And I promise not to die until you get back - she joked at the end".

The most surprising fact was that the man embraced Islam in 7 months afterwards. And after another 4 months Maryam Hamdan Ammash died.

It is quite a mystery - why Guinness Book needed the old Muslim woman to remove her scarf ...?

Source:
http://www.kavkazcenter.com/eng/content/2013/02/03/17338.shtml

SAY NO TO VALENTINE'S DAY

As Valentines Day approaches, restaurants and hotels aross the globe would be offering one promotion after the other to entice couples to share that special day with the love of their life. Malls will be packed with men and women rushing to buy chocolates, gifts, jewellery, balloons, sexy lingerie and various other items all in the name of love. So where exactly does Valentines day originate from and is it permissable to celebrate Valentine's day from a religious point of view? It is quite interesting to note that all of the Abrahamic religions do not condone the celebration of Valentines day. According to the Christian website,'The restored church of God', St. Valentine’s Day is another attempt to “whitewash” perverted customs and observances of pagan gods and idols by “Christianizing” them. As innocent and harmless as St. Valentine’s Day may appear, its traditions and customs originate from two of the most sexually perverted pagan festivals of ancient history: Lupercalia and the feast day of Juno Februata.
Celebrated on February 15, Lupercalia (known as the “festival of sexual license”) was held by the ancient Romans in honor of Lupercus, god of fertility and husbandry, protector of herds and crops, assisted by Vestal Virgins, the Luperci (male priests) conducted purification rites by sacrificing goats and a dog in the Lupercal cave on Palatine Hill, where the Romans believed the twins Romulus and Remus had been sheltered and nursed by a she-wolf before they eventually founded Rome. Clothed in loincloths made from sacrificed goats and smeared in their blood, the Luperci would run about Rome, striking women with februa, thongs made from skins of the sacrificed goats. The Luperci believed that the floggings purified women and guaranteed their fertility and ease of childbirth. February derives from februa or “means of purification.”
To the Romans, February was also sacred to Juno Februata, the goddess of febris (“fever”) of love, and of women and marriage. On February 14, billets (small pieces of paper, each of which had the name of a teen-aged girl written on it) were put into a container. Teen-aged boys would then choose one billet at random. The boy and the girl whose name was drawn would become a “couple,” joining in erotic games at feasts and parties celebrated throughout Rome. After the festival, they would remain sexual partners for the rest of the year. This custom was observed in the Roman Empire for centuries.
In A.D. 494, Pope Gelasius renamed the festival of Juno Februata as the “Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary.” The date of its observance was later changed from February 14 to February 2, then changed back to the 14. It is also known as Candlemas, the Presentation of the Lord, the Purification of the Blessed Virgin and the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. After Constantine had made the Roman church’s brand of Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire (A.D. 325), church leaders wanted to do away with the pagan festivals of the people. Lupercalia was high on their list. But the Roman citizens thought otherwise.It was not until A.D. 496 that the church at Rome was able to do anything about Lupercalia. Powerless to get rid of it, Pope Gelasius instead changed it from February 15 to the 14th and called it St. Valentine’s Day. It was named after one of that church’s saints, who, in A.D. 270, was executed by the emperor for his beliefs.According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “At least three different Saint Valentines, all of them martyrs, are mentioned in early martyrologies under the date of 14 February. One is described as a priest at Rome, another as bishop of Interamna (modern Terni), and these two seem both to have suffered in the second half of the third century and to have been buried on the Flaminian Way, but at different distances from the city…Of the third Saint Valentine, who suffered in Africa with a number of companions, nothing is further known.” Several biographies of different men named Valentine were merged into one “official” St. Valentine.
The church whitewashed Lupercalia even further. Instead of putting the names of girls into a box, the names of “saints” were drawn by both boys and girls. It was then each person’s duty to emulate the life of the saint whose name he or she had drawn. This was Rome’s vain attempt to “whitewash” a pagan observance by “Christianizing” it, which God has not given man the power or authority to do. Though the church at Rome had banned the sexual lottery, young men still practiced a much toned-down version, sending women whom they desired handwritten romantic messages containing St. Valentine’s name.
Over the centuries, St. Valentine’s Day cards became popular, especially by the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. These cards were painted with pictures of Cupid and hearts, and meticulously decorated with lace, silk or flowers.

Dr. Su`ad Ibrahim Salih, professor of Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh) at Al-Azhar University mentioned that there are forms of expressing love that are religiously acceptable, while there are others that are not religiously acceptable. Among the forms of love that are religiously acceptable are those that include the love for Prophets and Messengers. It stands to reason that the love for Allah, and His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) should have the top priority over all other forms of love.Islam does recognize happy occasions that bring people closer to one another, and add spice to their lives. However, Islam goes against blindly imitating the West regarding a special occasion such as Valentine’s Day. Hence, commemorating that special day known as the Valentine’s Day is an innovation or bid`ah that has no religious backing. Every innovation of that kind is rejected, as far as Islam is concerned. Islam requires all Muslims to love one another all over the whole year, and reducing the whole year to a single day is totally rejected. Hence, we Muslims ought not to follow in the footsteps of such innovations and superstitions that are common in what is known as the Valentine’s Day. No doubt that there are many irreligious practices that occur on that day, and those practices are capable of dissuading people from the true meanings of love and altruism to the extent that the celebration is reduced to a moral decline.

When a Jewish Rabbi was asked about his opinion with regards to celebrating St. Valentine's day this is what he stated, ' From Jewish perspective, Valentine’s Day, like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day is nonsense. Because we don’t need a special day for any of this. If on February first you decide you should send a friend a card to say I love you, or you want to buy your mother flowers, a Jewish person does not need to wait until a specific day. But what if you absolutely want to send someone flowers, chocolates or a card on Valentines day specifically? There are a few issues with this that are raised by the Rama in the Shulchan Oruch (Code of Jewish Law) based on the Rama’s criteria as to what constitutes a secular holiday which a Jew may not follow. It would seem because of the vagueness of Valentine’s day and the way in which it is observed it does not constitute a violation of the law according to some Rabbis. However, it is not in the spirit of the law to practice such a thing.
My advice has always been: send chocolates, flowers, and/or a card the day before Valentine’s Day saying; “I wanted you to know I love you so much that I could not wait an extra day.” '

A Christian preacher in the USA expressed his views with regards to celebrating Valentine's day and in my opinion he has summed up this subject matter in quite an apt manner. This is what he stated, " Parents today expect their little ones to “fall in love” and have boyfriends and girlfriends. They think it is “cute” when little boys and girls hold hands and act like a couple, sneaking a kiss or two when no one is watching. Some parents get worried when their kids do not show romantic interest in the opposite sex. They constantly ask them, “Do you have a boyfriend yet?” or “Who’s your girlfriend?” Yet these same parents are surprised when their teen-aged “little girl” gets pregnant. Or catches a sexually transmitted disease. Or gets an abortion behind their back.
St. Valentine’s Day is just one of many tools the “god of this world” (II Cor. 4:4) uses to get parents to sacrifice the innocence of their children.
When little boys and girls draw each other’s names in a lottery and send Valentine cards and gifts to each other, declaring their “love,” they are learning the first stages of intimate relations that the Creator God designed specifically for emotionally mature adults. Instead of embracing the carefree innocence of youth, growing up without the headaches and heartaches of adulthood (finding a job, paying bills, marriage, raising a family, etc.), children today are taught to lust after each other. They are caught up in a daily drama of “If-you-loved-me-you’d-sleep-with-me; I’m-pregnant; It’s-not-mine, she-had-an-abortion.” By the time they reach adulthood, virtually every shred of innocence, sincerity and moral decency has been stripped from them. Emotionally drained, they have world-weary, “been there, done that” attitudes. And their lives are just beginning.
This is why we live in a world where a teen-aged virgin is a rare find. Where what used to be called “shacking up” and “living in sin” is now simply “living together.” Where sex is nothing more than meaningless physical recreation—no emotional attachments, no cares, no concerns. Where people change sex partners as conveniently as they change clothes. Where unmarried twenty- or thirty-somethings have had at least five sexual partners—and that is considered a low number, especially in the United States. Where men are not referred to as “my husband,” or “my fiancé,” but as “my second baby’s father.”
How pathetic! "

SOURCE:
http://ohr.edu/explore_judaism/ask_the_rabbi/ask_the_rabbi/3386

http://rcg.org/articles/ttbsvd.html

http://www.defence.pk/forums/members-club/46989-valentines-day-islamic-perspective.html#ixzz2KY8qNybA

Our Polly has taken ill

Yesterday morning I received news that our parrot who has been with us for the past 30 years is ill and has been admitted to a veterinary clinic close to our home.It appears that he is unable to breathe properly and requires nebulization. Most African Grey parrots die due to respiratory conditions. Even though he was not as close to me as he was to my brother and mom, I kind of felt an inner sadness. He has been literally a part of our family. I know of many people out there who find it strange if you cry or feel sad at the loss of an animal. I have also come across individuals who have pets but fail to take them to the vet when they are ill based on the grounds that they are just animals, so what if they die. Many of these individuals practice Islam and preach about Islam but they forget to uphold the rights of God Almighty's creation. There are numerous sayings of the Prophet Muhammed (saw) related to the humane treatment of animals. I always believe that having a pet in your house is equivalent to adopting a child into the home. The pet requires the same basic needs that a child requires which is of course being fed on time and provided with tender loving care.I hope that the our parrot gets well soon. Our house and family environment will never be the same without him.

Are we true to the Holy Prophet’s teachings?

by Khaled Almaeena (Saudi Gazette)

Not a day passes without some depressing news from one Muslim country or another. Either it is a terrorist attack in Afghanistan or the Syrian Air Force bombing its own people. Iraq continues to be hit with violence of the most gruesome kind. Mali now joins the list of Muslim countries facing internal turmoil and external intervention. People continue to be killed in Pakistan either in drone attacks by the US or in inter-sectarian strife. Why?

I think no one who reflects on the worsening conditions in the Muslim world can fail to ask these questions: Is this the community envisaged by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was born on 12 Rabi Al-Awwal, and is this the world we would have witnessed if Muslims had proved true to their religion and had lived according to the guidance provided by their Prophet (pbuh) and the teachings of the Holy Qur’an?

Muslims may complain of many things but they cannot complain that they have no role model. They have the perfect role model in their Prophet (pbuh).There is no other prophet on whose life so much light has been shed. Living in the full glare of history, his sayings and actions have been documented as no other prophet’s have. Recorded in minute detail, their authenticity has not been questioned by fair-minded scholars and honest historians.

It is extremely difficult for the Muslims of today to imagine and much less to endure the hardships that the Prophet (pbuh) and his companions underwent. In the ninth year of his mission, the Prophet (pbuh) — having been persecuted and terrorized by his people in Makkah — headed for Taif, home of the Banu Thaqif tribe. If anything, he was treated even more rudely by the tribal elders, who told him to leave the place and even sent street urchins after him to beat him and pelt him with stones. He bled profusely. His entire body was covered with blood and his sandals became clogged to his feet because of the severity of the beating and torture he was subjected to. Those who would resort to violence at what they perceive to be insults to the Prophet (pbuh) and Islam should realize that he bore no ill will toward his tormentors. Instead, he made a heartrending invocation to God Almighty beseeching mercy for the people who had persecuted him. Those Muslims who are intolerant and become violent at the slightest provocation are doing a great disservice to their religion and the principle of tolerance it espouses.

When Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) noticed the continued absence of a woman in Makkah who used to insult him and throw garbage on him as he walked the streets, he asked people about her and visited her after learning that she had fallen ill.

Over 14 centuries have gone by since he left us, but his message still lives on. It can lead us from darkness to light as it once led the Arabs from backwardness to the heights of success and glory. His life was one of mercy, compassion, care, consideration, kindness and tolerance for all. His sayings, known as Hadiths, bear testimony to this.

One particular theme he was never tired of stressing concerns the rights of women. You should look at what the Prophet (pbuh) said and did in order to realize what an honorable and respectable position Islam affords women. However, it is sad to see that many Muslims ignore this or behave in a way that gives a very wrong impression about women’s position in an Islamic society. “Fear Allah in respect of women,” the Prophet (pbuh) said. On another occasion he said: “The best of you are they who are best to their wives.”

Here is another Hadith: “A Muslim must not hate his wife, and if he be displeased with one bad quality in her, let him be pleased with one that is good.” According to him, “The more civil and kind a Muslim is to his wife, the more perfect in faith he is.”

In what was considered a revolutionary idea at that time, the Prophet (pbuh) taught his companions to remain in their mothers’ service, saying that Paradise lies beneath their feet.

Today, we violate the Prophet’s teachings over this and so many other things, which creates so many problems for us and brings a bad name to our religion.

Start with the self-appointed guardians of faith. They preach piety, but are they pious? Do they live by the tenets of Islam? They preach, but do not practice. What about those who spew hate, abuse and defame others – all in the name of religion? Have they not read about the Prophet’s attitude and behavior toward all those around him including the ones who abused him and tried to kill him?

Do people in authority follow the precepts of the Prophet (pbuh)? If they did, so many Muslim countries would not be in ferment, providing an opportunity for outsiders to intervene in their affairs or to set one section of the people against another.

Are our bureaucrats punctual and sincere? Do they cater to the public’s needs? The functioning of government departments throughout the Muslim world in the holy month of Ramadan tells its own story.

Most of our problems are self-inflicted. There is no point in crying that enemies are plotting our destruction or hatching conspiracies against us. Of course that is what enemies everywhere have been doing throughout history. The question is whether we should help enemies by our own actions or inaction.

Take, for example, scientific progress and economic development. Muslims once led Europe in science and the pursuit of knowledge. All experts agree that without the Arabic numbering system, which included decimals and the cipher (zero), modern science and business would have been impossible. The first university of Europe was established by Muslims in Spain. From the 8th to the 10th centuries, Baghdad flourished as the world’s most civilized city. Its university was attended by 6,000 students from all over the world.

Aristotle and Plato were rediscovered by Muslim scholars who translated many Greek manuscripts into Arabic. Even non-Muslim historians admit that Muslims were the originators of modern chemistry, meteorology, mathematics, sociology and geography. Muslim surgeons were also the first to dissect the human body. The first known telescope was built for a Muslim ruler.

We should remember that we are the followers of a Prophet (pbuh) who said that one should seek knowledge even if it means traveling as far as China.

Today, as we stumble through a confused and turbulent world and as uncertainly and depression grip large parts of the Muslim world, we should go back to the teachings of the Prophet (pbuh). This is the only way to get rid of the social ills from which we suffer.

Unfortunately, we say one thing and practice something else. The Holy Qur’an says: “Allah will never change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves.” Surah Al-Ra’d - Ayah 11 (13:11).

Let us teach ourselves and our children about the life of the Prophet (pbuh) with a firm resolve that we will use it in our daily lives. Let us be more tolerant, more forgiving and show compassion to all people irrespective of their race or religion. This is the best way to show our love and respect for our Prophet (pbuh).

Source:

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20130124150436

Halloween- The Islamic Perspective

By Abu Muhammad Yusuf

Islam is a complete way of life. Its wisdom is profound. What Islam prescribes and what it prohibits is always of tremendous benefit for humanity as a whole.

Every year, on the evening of October 31st, millions of children in the Western world paint their faces, dress up in costumes, and go door to door collecting treats. The adults often decorate their houses with ghostly figures, carve scary faces on pumpkins, and put candles in them to create “Jack-O-Lanterns.” Unfortunately, among the millions of people indulging in this custom, some are also Muslims.

ORIGINS

Halloween originated as the Eve of Samhain, a celebration marking the beginning of winter and the first day of the New Year among ancient pagans of the British Isles. On this occasion, it was believed that supernatural forces gathered together, that the barriers between the supernatural and human worlds were broken. They believed that spirits from other worlds (such as the souls of the dead) were able to visit earth during this time and roam about. They also believed that on October 31st, the lord of the dead gathered all the souls of the people who had died that year. The souls upon death would dwell in the body of an animal, then on this day the lord would announce what form they were to take for the next year.

When Christianity came to the British Isles, the church tried to take attention away from these pagan rituals by placing a Christian holiday on the same day. The Christian festival, the Feast of All Saints, acknowledges the saints of the Christian faith in much the same way that Samhain had paid tribute to the pagan gods. The customs of Samhain survived anyway, and eventually became intertwined with the Christian holiday. Through social networking, mass media, television etc this custom has become popular internationally.

ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

In Islam any practice which does not have its origins in Divine Scripture and The Sunnah is totally prohibited. This applies to many Pagan practices such as Halloween, Valentine’s Day etc.
Virtually all Halloween traditions are based either in ancient pagan culture, or in Christianity. From an Islamic point of view, they all are forms of idolatry (shirk). As Muslims, our celebrations should be ones that honour and uphold our faith and beliefs. How can we worship only Allah, the Creator, if we participate in activities that are based in pagan rituals, divination, and the spirit world? Many people participate in these celebrations without even understanding the history and the pagan connections, just because their friends are doing it, their parents did it ("it's a tradition!"), and because "it's fun!"

So what can we do, when our children see others dressed up, eating candy, and going to parties? While it may be tempting to join in, we must be careful to preserve our own traditions and not allow our children to be corrupted by this seemingly "innocent" fun. When tempted, remember the pagan origins of these traditions, and ask Allah to give you strength. Save the celebration, the fun and games, for our 'Eid festivals. Children can still have their fun, and most importantly, should learn that we only acknowledge holidays that have a religious significance to us as Muslims. Holidays are not just excuses to binge and be reckless. In Islam, our holidays retain their religious importance, while allowing proper time for rejoicing, fun and games.

Hajj 2012 Days 3 - 5

The third day of hajj was on Friday the 26th of October 2012. After performing the fajr prayers in Muzdalifa,  the pilgrims make their way to Mina for the stoning of the devil ritual (Ramy al Jamaraat). It is a symbolic event which is represented by three huge pillars. On the 3rd day of Hajj only the biggest pillar would be pelted at. After this stoning process, the pilgrims would then sacrifice an animal such as a lamb, goat or camel. Thereafter, the devotess would come out of the state of ihram by shaving off the hair in the case of men and clipping a small bit of hair in the case of females. The pilgrims would then proceed to Makkah to perform the tawaaf-e-ziyarah. Pilgrims would circumambulate the Kaabah in an anti- clockwise direction seven times. Thereafter they would perform two rakaats salaah behind the Maqaam -e -Ebrahim , drink water from the well of zam zam and then proceed to walk between the mountains of safa and marwa. The significance of walking between safa and marwa is to empathize with Hajra the wife of Prophet Ebrahim (as) and to feel her pain and suffering as she was searching for water in the desert for her son Ismail (as). She walked seven times between the mountains of Safa and marwa in distress until she finally seen the angel Gabriel digging the earth with his heels at the place of Zam zam and water began to flow.This act of running far and wide in search of water for her baby was loved by God Almighty that He made this act of running between safa and marwa compulsory for every man and woman who performs hajj.Allah mentions in the Quraan: “Behold! Safa and Marwa are among the Symbols of Allah” [Surah Baqara:158]

This is a perfect example of the status that is allocated to women in Islam.

The pilgrims then make their way to the tent city of Mina where they would spend the next two nights. On the 4th and 5th day of the Hajj process the devotees would systematically do the stoning of the three pillars that are a representation of Satan.They would first pelt the small pillar, followed by the medium one and then the biggest of them all. The act of stoning the devil (shaytan) commemorates the three attempts the devil made to prevent the Prophet Ibrahim (as) from sacrificing his son Ismail (as) . The Prophet rejected all three of the devil’s attempts, stoning him and driving him away. The three stone pillars mark the places where the failed temptations took place and the act of stoning signifies the Prophet Ibrahim’s constant obedience to God Almighty and the vanquishing of the devil.

On the fifth day of hajj which is the ultimate and final day, the pilgrims then make their way back to Makkah to perform the Tawaaf-e- Alwida or the farewell tawaaf. This final act of circumambulating around the house of Allah seven times marks the end of the Hajj process.

Hajj 2012 Day 2 - The day of Arafat

The second day of the Hajj ritual was on Thursday 25th of October 2012. The second day of hajj is known as Yown ul Arafat or the day of Arafat.On this day, the pilgrims leave Mina after dawn and make their way to the plains of Arafat for the culminating experience of the Hajj. Devotees would spend the entire day on the Plains of Arafat asking God Almighty for forgiveness and engaging in worship through the recitation of the Quraan and also through supplications. Muslims around the world would be in solitude with the Hujjaaj on this day by fasting for the entire day. After sunset, on the day of Arafat, pilgrims would make their way to Muzdalifa, situated halfway between the plains of Arafat and Mina. Here they would spend the entire night in the open under the star light engaging in prayer and worship and also collecting pebbles that would be used the following day. The video above was sent to me by Brother Madani Norzai and depicts a group of South African Hujjaaj on the plains of Arafat (Thursday 25th October 2012) begging God Almighty to accept all their prayers and to fulfill all their needs and desires.

Eid ul Adha Mubarak

Eid ul adha is usually a day that is spent in the company of family and friends. In our home everyone is usually awake at the time of fajr prayers. Mom starts preparing her breakfast meal whilst my brother and dad get ready for the morning Eid prayers that are usually held at the Eidgah. The eidgah is an open piece of land or in some countries it is an open mosque that is situated on the outskirts of the town or city. In our town the Eidgah is reserved specifically for the two eids only. This is of course weather permitting. After the morning Eid prayers, we usually have a few family members and friends over for a sumptuous breakfast. Mom usually prepares a wide variety of dishes ranging from a mixed platter of savouries for starters followed by the main meal which usually constitutes prawns, grilled whole fish, roast chicken with potatoes and salad. Of course the meal usually ends on a sweet note with an assortment of home made cakes and biscuits served with tea. After breakfast, the men usually set off to slaughter the sheep.This is known as udhiya or a blood sacrifice which is carried out solely for the pleasure of God Almighty.The sacrifice of an animal has always been a recognized form of worship in many religions, but in the ‘Shariah’ (Islamic sacred law) of our beloved Prophet (saw) the sacrifice of an animal has been recognized as a form of worship only during the three days of the month Zulhijjah, namely the 10th, 11th, and 12th . Allah Ta’ala says in the Noble Quran:
“Verily, We have granted you (O Muhammad ) Al- Kauthar (a river in paradise),So pray on to thy lord and sacrifice. For he who makes you angry will be cut off.”(Surah 10)
“And the camels! We have appointed them among the ceremonies of Allah, therein ye have good!”

Muslims across the globe perform the act of udhiya to commemorate the unparalleled sacrifice offered by Prophet Ebrahim (as). God almighty revealed to him a dream that he should sacrifice his son Ismail (as). Of course this was a test of submission from God Almighty. As the Prophet Ebrahim (as) was ready to sacrifice his son, God Almighty miraculously sent down a ram instead and hence saved Ismail (as) from his fate of slaughter. From that day onward it became obligatory for Muslims across the globe to sacrifice an animal. Of course there are many rules and regulations that apply to the whole slaughtering process. You can refer to this link for more info.(http://www.muftisays.com/blog/Seifeddine-M/2162_31-10-2011/some-important-fiqh-concerning-udhiya_qurbani-.html)

In our home, usually once the first sheep is sacrificed, it is cleaned immediately and the liver and legs are brought home to be prepared and cooked. Mom usually sautes the liver in ghee (clarified butter) after it is marinated with a few spices. The legs are usually prepared for dinner as it does take some time to cook. The rest of the meat is usually divided into three parts. One third we keep for ourselves, one third gets distributed amongst family and friends and the remaining one third is given to the poor within the community. The meat can be distributed amongst Muslims and Non Muslims. Once the slaughtering process is over, we usually head over to my maternal grandmother's house for lunch. The afternoon meal usually comprises of a sweet dish like Jardo (sweet rice) or sojee (cooked vermicilli) followed by a rice dish called Biryani. The meal is usually accompanied with a variety of salads and pickles. Four o clock tea is a 'must' in our family and so mom's sister usually bakes a variety of cakes and cookies for tea time. Home made ice creams and desserts are also prepared to cater for those guests who do not wish to have tea. After spending some time with mom's side of the family, we then make our way to visiting the paternal side of the family for dinner. Dad has a huge family made up of 7 brothers (including dad) and two sisters. Each brother takes a turn to host the entire family. The gathering is either held at home or sometimes a venue is booked for the function.Last year, my family played host for the annual Eid ul Adha family gathering. We had the function at the beautiful and tranquil Victorian Guest House situated a stones throw away from our family home. We had a barbeque for 150 guests that was arranged by Unusual Functions and also hired Mr. Herman the Magician to entertain our guests. Each family left the venue with a beautiful four piece Mug and stand set as a rememberance of the event.It was definitely a fun-filled, entertaining evening that my family and I will cherish forever.

Desert Moon would now like to take the opportunity in wishing all Muslims across the globe a very happy and blessed Eid ul Adha. May the coming year be filled with happiness, peace and prosperity. Ameen!

Hajj 2012 Day 1 - Hujjaj leave for Mina this morning

On the first day of the pilgrimage the millions of devotees that have traveled from far and wide would now make their way from Makkah to Mina, a small village located east of the city. Mina is an enormous tent city.The Saudi government spent billions of riyals in erecting fire proof tents after  the hajj was marred by a fire a few years ago causing damage and loss of life. My dads sister was present that year during the hajj and she related to us that when the fire broke out people started running  in all directions. During that time she had lost her husband in the crowd. The Hujjaj would spend the entire day and night at Mina engaging in the recitation of the Quraan, praying and basically taking rest before heading off to Arafat tomorrow.

I would like to thank my dear friend Madani Norzai for sharing these pictures with me. He is currently in Mina with a group of South African Hujjaj.....May Allah accept their Hajj and make the journey easy for them....Ameen!!

Hajj - The journey of a life time

http://businessofcinema.com - Picture

With the Hajj holidays well underway, all focus is now on Makkatul Makarrama where approximately 1.6 million pilgrims have gathered for the annual hajj rituals. A further 750 000 people are expected to enter Makkah by Wednesday from the neighbouring Gulf countries as well as locally from places throughout the Kingdom. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is an act of worship that needs to be carried out at least once in a lifetime if an individual is of course healthy and has the financial means to do so. Every year the Saudi government spends billions of riyals to improve the Hajj facilities for pilgrims entering the country. Thousands of military personnel and paramedic staff are deployed along the hajj route. Despite the fact that there are numerous checkpoints along the route to Makkah, the biggest issue facing the Saudi government is unauthorized devotees joining the Hajj process each year. Many of these illegal pilgrims are from Asian and African countries.

According to newspaper reports hundreds of Nigerian female pilgrims were sent back to Nigeria from Jeddah airport a few days ago as they were not accompanied by a mahram. A mahram is a male guardian and could be a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, son or brother. The Nigerian government however, believed that groups of women were allowed to perform the hajj together. A spokesperson from the Nigerian Hajj body mentioned that in the past, groups of females have performed the Hajj  without objections raised from the Saudi authorities at Jeddah airport. Naturally, heated and fiery discussions ensued between the two governments.The issue has been resolved with the  Nigerian government  accepting that they will make sure that all female pilgrims will be accompanied by a male guardian in the future.

Hajj and its rites were first ordained by Allah in the time of the Prophet Abraham and he was the one who was entrusted by Allaah to build the Ka'bah in Makka.

Hajj allows us to become closer to our Creator, God Almighty and affords us with an opportunity for a spiritual rebirth. We are united through submission to the will and communal worship of our beloved Creator. Prophet Ibraheem (as) came to Makka to perform Hajj every year once the Ka'bah was built to completion. After his demise, his son Ismaeel (as) followed in his fathers footsteps and continued this practice. Hajj was made obligatory in the 9th year of Hijra. During that year, the Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) sent 300 Muslims under the leadership of Hazrat Abubakr Siddique ( The first khalifa of Islam) to Makkaa to perform the Hajj.By the following year, 10th Hijra, the messenger of God Almighty announced that he would be performing Hajj in that year.This Hajj is known as Hajj al Widaa’ or Farewell Hajj because it was the last Hajj Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) performed.He led thousands of Muslims to Hajj and explained to them how to perform the rites.

A brief description of the hajj process

1. ARRIVAL AND CHANGE: The Purifying Rite of Ihram

"The first rites of the Hajj take place at one of the border stations on the edge of Mecca's sacred territory. A pilgrim arrives here as a person identified by a name, social position, race, nationality, and a daily way of life. Before crossing into Hajj territory, the pilgrim leaves all this behind, intentionally adopting the universal identity of a person dedicated to God. To mark this profound change of perspective, men and women exchange their distinguishing clothes for more uniform garments: Men put on two strips of unadorned white cloth, women adopt more modest forms of their usual dress. The clothes act as a leveler. They de-emphasize the differences that separate people—race, wealth, social position—and underscore the humanity all of us share as we stand before God."

2. THE HAJJ RITES IN MECCA: Circling the House of God, Walking between Hagar's Hills, Drinking from the Zamzam Well.

"MECCA: The Hajj rites continue in Mecca, a spiritual crossroads that has attracted pilgrims since pre-recorded times. Muslims believe that Abraham visited Mecca and helped his son Ishmael build a house of worship, the Kabah, here. Many centuries later Muhammad was born in Mecca. The first Muslim community emerged within its walls. Today, Mecca is a modern city of more than a million people. The Kabah still occupies the town center. The enormous open-air mosque that surrounds it is the focal point of the next stage of the Hajj.Inside the mosque walls, every pilgrim performs several simple rites. First, you circle the Kabah seven times in a counter clockwise direction. This rite, called Turning or Tawaf, is a form of prayer performed only in Mecca. Going around the shrine's draped walls, you literally place God's House at the center of your life.Pilgrims now cross the mosque to a long corridor on its southern side. The corridor, or Masa'a, runs between two foothills enclosed within the building. Here pilgrims walk back and forth seven times at a brisk pace in a rite called Sa'y or Running that imitates the steps of Hagar, Ishmael's mother in the Torah, who rushed between the hills in search of life-giving water for her infant son. The story and the rite express the effort required in a person's search for salvation. The sudden appearance of a well in this desert landscape is the core of a miracle that Muslims believe saved Hagar and saved a branch of Abraham's family in Mecca. Not accidentally, this rite places a mother's story at the heart of the Hajj.The Zamzam well that saved Hagar and Ishmael is within the mosque, too. Each pilgrim sips from its water as a reminder of the real results of spiritual effort and to be connected with the foundations of a religious tradition that emphasizes the worship of one God."

3. THE HAJJ RITES IN THE DESERT: Mina Valley, Plain of Arafat

"At this point, the Hajj becomes a moveable ritual, stopping four times along a circular fifteen-mile route through a desert landscape ringed with granite hills.

On the eighth day of the pilgrimage month, pilgrims all leave the city and troop five miles east, into Mina Valley. Here, a tent city of enormous proportions fills the valley for miles around. Pilgrims pass the night in Mina, leaving behind the comforts of civilization and further dissolving class and cultural distinctions, as everyone becomes a wayfarer.On the morning of the ninth day, the exodus pushes another five miles east, to the Plain of Arafat. Here the high point of the Hajj takes place in the form of a group vigil, called the Day of Standing Together (Yawm al-Wakuf). At Arafat, pilgrims are transported into a timeless frame of mind: Arafat is the location where, Muslims believe, Adam and Eve were reunited after leaving Eden. This is a place set aside for spiritual reunion, where pilgrims come to seek pardon, reclaim their faith, and re-collect their spirit. Muslims often refer to this portion of the Hajj as a rehearsal for the Day of Judgment."

4. THE HAJJ RITES IN THE DESERT: Muzdalifah

"At sundown, the Hajj population moves en masse to a nearby open plain, called Muzdalifa. Here, pilgrims participate in a meditative nightlong vigil. They rest, pray, read, eat, and share their experiences in a quiet period. Many also collect the pebbles they will throw at the "Jamarat" pillars in the morning. At dawn, the Hajj is on its way again."

5. RETURN TO MINA VALLEY AND CONCLUSION OF THE HAJJ

"On the 10th day, starting at dawn the pilgrims circulate back to Mina Valley.

Three pillars stand at the center of Mina Valley. In the next three days each pilgrim will pass by them three separate times, performing a rite called the Stoning, in which you cast small pebbles at a series of three pillars representing Satan. This athletic activity engages each pilgrim, physically and symbolically, in resisting temptation and warding off wrong.At Mina pilgrims are free to exchange the Hajj garments for their usual dress. Many mark this transition by having their hair cut.Now a three-day feast begins to celebrate the end of Hajj. Muslims around the world join in this celebration.During this period pilgrims may return again to Mecca. Before leaving the city for home, they perform the seven turns around the Kabah one last time. The formal Hajj is completed now. It is up to each pilgrim to carry its spirit back home."

For those of you out there who are performing hajj this year, may God Almighty make the journey easy for you and may the entire process be a spiritually uplifting one. For those of you who have already performed Haj, what was the experience like for you.?

Source:

http://www.pbs.org/muhammad/vh_step1.shtml

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/10/15-nigerian-pilgrims-die-in-sarabia/

Additional Info

Whilst many of us in South Africa complain about the exorbitant hajj prices each year, I was quite shocked to discover that local Saudis find it extremely expensive to perform Hajj as well due to the high costs involved despite residing within the Kingdom, a stones throw away from the Holy city of Makkah.
An average hajj package within the Kingdom would cost around SR5000- 7000 per person for just five days. A VIP package would cost in the region of between SR10000-15000 and a VVIP hajj package would cost in the region of SR 20000 - 24000 per person. I am sure that the Prophet Muhammesd (saw) must be turning in his grave knowing that this is the plight of his ummah. The hajj which is an incumbent act of worship has lost its sacredness. It is all about making money. A huge money making scheme. I wonder if there were any VIP hajj packages at the time of the Prophet (saw). The whole purpose of the Hajj is to bring humanity at one level. When the ihram is adorned, immediately it brings everyone on par with each other. What's ironical though is that creating VIP and VVIP packages immediately defeats the purpose of ihram. I was told that individuals who purchase the VVIP packages are given special Hajj services like separate roads, transported with cars, special toilet and bathroom facilities and also top notch buffet meals are served throughout the day. Now, can anyone out there please tell me what kind of a Hajj is this? The entire hajj process has become commercialized. Everyone from the travel agent, to the hotel and all the other middle men in between are all out there to simply con the Hajji the best way they possibly can and for this folks they will be paying a huge price in this world as well as in the hereafter.Do you not find it strange that travelling to any other country in the world on a two to three week package always costs less than an Umra or Hajj trip to Saudi? If Muslims can stoop so low to crook other Muslims, it makes me wonder where this Ummah is heading for?