Importance Of Ka’ba And Customs Of Pilgrimage

LESSON # 128 FROM HOLY QUR’AN

BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)

Importance Of Ka’ba And Customs Of Pilgrimage

Verse –125 of 286, Section – 15

And when We made the House (at Makkah) a resort for mankind and Sanctuary, (saying): Take as your place of worship the place where Abraham stood (to pray). And We imposed a duty upon Abraham and Ishmael, (saying): Purify My House for those who go around and those who meditate therein and those who bow down and prostrate themselves (in worship).

Wa ‘iz ja-‘alnal-Bayta masaabatal-Linnaasi wa  ‘am-naa.  Wattakhizuu mim-Ma-qaami  ‘Ibraahiima musallaa.  Wa ‘ahidnaa ‘ilaaa  ‘Ibraa-hiima wa  ‘Ismaa-iila  ‘an- tahhiraa Baytiya  littaaa-‘ifiina wal-‘aa-kifiina war-rukka-is-sujuud.

Lesson

Al-Bayta – {the House (at Makkah)} literal meaning of Bayt is ‘House’. Al-Bayt-Ullaah- al-Haraam  (a Sacred House of God Almighty i.e. Ka’bah). This Square Building is in Makkah, the Respected place. It is the oldest place for worship of God Almighty on the earth. The Holy Qur’an has also proclaimed that it is the first and the oldest place for worship. It is also called Khana Ka’ba, Bayt Ullah and Qibla.   

Masaabatan – (a resort, a place for assembly/gathering) this word is derived from suub that means to return towards its original form. So masaabatan means the place towards which the mankind inclines over and over and never feels discomfort coming back again and again. It is the virtue of Al-Bayt-Ullaah- al-Haraam that the people come in again and again for Hajj (Pilgrimage) and they do not be weary of it.

Linnaasi – (for mankind) it signifies towards common people who come for pilgrimage. The persons from each part of the world, each country and territory assemble around Al-Bayt-Ullaah- al-Haraam each year for Hajj and Umrah (Pilgrimage).

‘Am-naa – (Sanctuary, sacred and protected place) the Building of Ka’ba and its all surrounding area which has been included in Haram, killing any person or hunting any living creature is totally prohibited. Before Islam the killers and criminals used to take shelter between the walls of Khana Ka’ba.

 Ma-qaami  ‘Ibraahiima – (the place where Abraham stood to pray and build the building of Khana Ka’ba). This stone has been saved in a small chamber a little distance away from the building of Khana Ka’ba. After the completion of seven rounds around the Khana Ka’ba during pilgrimage, two rak’at prayers are offered in front of this chamber. This virtue has much future reward.

Musallaa – (place of worship) in Arabic language all those places will be called musallaa where the prayers may be offered.

‘Ahidnaa – (We imposed a duty).

‘Ismaa-iila – (Ishmael) He was the elder son of the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon Them). He had twelve sons and from them twelve races were grown. The famous tribe of Arab “Quraish” is from His (peace be upon Him) race. He is one of the Forefathers of Last Messenger Muhammad (may glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him). Duty for building the Khana Ka’ba was imposed to Him and His father Prophet Abraham (peace be upon Them).

Tahhiraa – (Purify) this word is derived from Tahaarat that means cleanliness. It includes meaningful cleanliness also besides outward cleanliness, that is to say purify the Khana Ka’ba from un-cleanliness of infidelity and plurality.

Baytiya – (My House) Allah Almighty has called the Khana Ka’ba saying My House. It is intended to disclose the greatness and grandeur of the Khana Ka’ba.

 Ittaaa-‘ifiina – (who go around) at the time of pilgrimage it is the duty to revolve around the House of God Almighty i.e. Khana Ka’ba. It was proclaimed about Oneness of God first of all in the Khana Ka’ba. So revolving around it is like promise with tongue that central spot of our entire lives, all the acts and worships is only the Oneness of God Almighty.

‘Aa-kifiina – (who meditate therein) To necessitate staying at any place for reverence. According to the Divines phrase Ai’-tikaaf means to stay in the mosque for the purpose of worship for a particular period. Ai’-tikaaf is practice of the Prophet Muhammad (may glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) during the last ten days of the Month of Ramadhan.

It is the beginning about talk of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon Him) so that it may be proved to the children of Israel, “What were the teachings of Him (peace be upon Him) to whom they accept their forefather and are proud on it?” Then it may also be noted that the God Almighty commanded this glorious and respectable Prophet (peace be upon Him), “You will be made Leader of the people due to your sacrifices but this rank and honour will not be bestowed to evil doers from your race”. Because the children of Israel have left the straight and actual path so snatching from them this honour is being bestowed to the second branch of the Prophet Abraham’s children i.e. children of Ishmael (peace be upon Them).        

Transliteration in Roman Script & English Translation of Holy Qur’an written by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore and Paraphrase collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated by Muhammad Sharif)