The Pilgrimage (fifth pillar)

LESSON # 216 FROM HOLY QUR’AN

The Pilgrimage

BAQARAH – 2 (The Cow)

Verse –196a of 286, Section – 24 (Part  - 2)

And perform the Pilgrimage

Wa  ‘atimmul-Hajja

Lesson

‘Al-Hajja – it is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is the duty of every that person to perform the Pilgrimage once in the life who has power to do it. Otherwise he/she will be the sinner. The Pilgrimage is performed on Ninth Zul-Hajjah (last month) of Islamic Calendar year. At first all the Muslims gather in Makkah city to visit the Inviolable Place of Worship (Khana Ka’-ba), then unite in the Arafat Field.

The matters relating to the Fighting and Strive have been discussed before the orders regarding Pilgrimage and after the verses of the Pilgrimage in this Surah. It is revealed clearly that ‘how much deep relation have these both matters with each other’. There is none Pillar of Islam in which aim of the National Social Welfare, Improvement and Prosperity, and Exaltation has not been mentioned in addition to Personal Goodness and Purity.

Especial thing which belongs to the Pilgrimage is that all the Muslims out of the entire world unite once a year in the Centre of Islam. There is no difference between ups and downs. Black and White, Rich and Poor, King and Beggar, Scholar and Uneducated, Young and Old, they all stand at the same place mixing shoulder with shoulders and saying with one tone the same words, “Lab-baika  Allaahumma  Lab-baika  Lab-baika  Laa  Shariika  laka Lab-baika  ‘Innal  Hamda  wan-na’-mata  Laka  wal-Mulk  Laa Shariika lak”  (I am present, O Allah! I am present, I am present – there is no partner of Thee, I am present. Lo! Praise and Blessing is of Thee, and Sovereignty, there is no co-sharer of Thee).

Every Pilgrim fastens determination dress (‘Ihraam). It contains two un-sewn (cotton) sheets – for each Pilgrim this same kind of dress declares equality, simplicity, friendship and Love for God Almighty. During the Pilgrimage to get shaved the head, cut the nails, hunting and intercourse with one’s wife are prohibited. As though the object to refrain from the wishes, physical elegance and dressing is to get a permanent training. 

All the Pilgrims unite at the stipulated time in the Arafaat Field on the day of Pilgrimage, listen to the Speech (Address of the Pilgrimage), Pray in the court of God Almighty, get forgiven their sins and collect treasures of the Mercy and Kindness of Allah Almighty.

Then they sacrifice the animals in the Minaa’,  throw pebbles at Jamaraat, go round the Holy Shrine (the Inviolable Place of Worship – Khana Ka’-ba), Kiss the Black Stone (Hajri Aswad), quench the thirst with Aabi Zamzam (the water of a sacred well at Khana Ka’-ba), do the Endeavour (Sa-ii) between Safaa’ and Marwah (hills), use to stop all kinds of evildoing, sins and bad inherent, as though after getting forgiven their sins they are starting their lives’ accounts from the beginning today.  

Fortunate are those persons who are bestowed with the chance of Pilgrimage and they performed it, understood its objects and passed their remaining lives with goodness and chastity.           

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)