BAYTULLAH THE HOUSE OF ALLAH

35 Pages·2010·1 MB·English

BAYTULLAH THE HOUSE OF ALLAH
In the province of Hijaz in the western part of
Saudi Arabia, not far from the Red Sea, there
lies the town of Makkah. In the center of this
town there is a small square building made of
stones. The small, cubed building may not rival
skyscrapers in height or mansions in width, but
its impact on history and human beings is
unmatched. Since time immemorial world
travelers have known this town and this stone
built house. This is Baytullah, the House of Allah. Its sanctity and antiquity is older
than history itself.
The Baytullah\Kaaba is the building towards which Muslims face five times a day,
everyday, in prayer. This has been the case since the time of Prophet Muhammad
(peace and blessings be upon him & his family) over 1400 years ago. Literally, Kaaba
in Arabic means a high place with respect and prestige. The word Kaaba may also be
derivative of a word meaning a cube.
The other names of the Kaaba, are Bait ul Ateeq - which means, according to one
meaning, the earliest and ancient. According to
the second meaning, it means independent and
liberating. Both meanings could be taken. Bait
ul Haram - the honorable house. Scholars and
historians say that the Kaaba has been
reconstructed between five to 12 times.
Tradition goes that the Kaaba was ordained by
Allah to be built in the shape of the House in
Heaven called Baitul Ma'amoor. Allah in his
infinite Mercy ordained a similar place on earth
and Prophet Adam (p.b.u.h.) was the first to build this place. The Bible, in the chapter
of Genesis describes its building when God ordained Abraham (p.b.u.h.) to erect a
Shrine for worship when Abraham (p.b.u.h.) was ordered to go to the southern desert
with his wife Hager (p.b.u.h.) and infant son Ishmael (p.b.u.h.). The Old Testament
describes this building as the Shrine of God at several places, but the one built at
Ma'amoor is very much similar to the one at Makkah. There is no doubt that it was
referring to the stone built house at Makkah.
Holy Qur'an brought this story into the full light of history. Say: "Allah spoken the
Truth: follow the religion of Abraham, the sane in faith; he was not of the
Pagans." The first House (of worship) appointed for men was that at Bakka: Full
of blessing and of guidance for all kinds of beings. (Holy Qur'an 3:95-96)
From the above verses Holy Qur'an firmly establishes the fact that Abraham (p.b.u.h.)
was the real founder of the Holy Shrine.
When Prophet Abraham (p.b.u.h.) built the Holy
Shrine in Makka, his prayers were that this place
should remain a center of worship for all good
and pious people; that Allah should keep his
family the custodians of the Holy place. Ever
since, Ishmael (p.b.u.h.) the son of Abraham
(p.b.u.h.) who helped his father to build this
place and his descendants remained the
custodians of the Holy Shrine. History tells us
that centuries passed and the guardianship of the
Kaaba remained in the family of Ishmael
(p.b.u.h.) until the name of Abde Manaf came into the limelight. He inherited this
service and made it much more prominent. His son Hashim took this leadership and
extended it to many other towns of Hijaz so much so that many pilgrims flocked
annually to this place and enjoyed Hashim's hospitality. A feast was given in honor of
the pilgrims, the family of Hashim served food and water to all guests. This prominence
created jealousies and his brother Abdusham's adopted son Omayya tried to create
trouble. There was a dispute in which Omayya failed and left Makka to settle down in
the Northern provinces of Syria (Sham). After Hashim his brother Muttalib and after
him Hashim's son Shyba who became known as Abdul Muttalib assumed the leadership
of the family. He organized feasts and supplies of water to the pilgrims during the
annual festival of pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine.
Prophet Abraham (p.b.u.h.) built this House for
devout worship to the only God. But within his
lifetime people disobeyed his orders and began
to put idols inside the Kaaba. Abraham (p.b.u.h.)
had to clean the House of these idols and of idle
worshippers. He told the people that this was a
symbolic house of God. God does not live there;
He is everywhere. People did not understand this
logic and after the death of Abraham (p.b.u.h.),
the people, out of reverence, filled the place with
idols again. They thronged to this place annually
and worshipped their personal gods, It was over Four Thousand years later that the last
of the line of prophets Muhammad Ibne Abdullah (p.b.u.h.) entered Makka
triumphantly, went inside the Kaaba and, with the help of his cousin and son-in-law Ali
Ibne Abi Talib (p.b.u.h.) destroyed all the idols of Kaaba with their own hands. At one
stage of this destruction of idols, the tallest of the idol Hubbol was brought down after
Ali had to stand on the shoulders of the Prophet to carry out God's orders. The Prophet
of Islam (p.b.u.h.) was reciting the verse from the Holy Qur'an "Truth hath come and
falsehood hath vanished". This was done in the 8th year of Hijra, January 630 AD
after the bloodless victory at Makka by the Prophet of Islam (p.b.u.h.).
Historically when Abraham (p.b.u.h.) was
ordered by Allah to build the Shrine for worship,
he uncovered the original foundations of the
Kaaba built by Adam (p.b.u.h.). Abraham
(p.b.u.h.) with the help of his son Ishmael
(p.b.u.h.) erected the new shrine on the same
foundations. Originally it contained only four
walls without a roof. Centuries later during the
time of Khusayi who was the leader of the Tribe
of Quraish in Makka a taller building was
completed with a roof and a quadrangle wall
around it to give it the shape of a sanctuary and doors all around the sanctuary walls.
People entered through these doors to come to the Kaaba for worship. It is now about
60 feet high, 60 feet wide from east to west and 60 feet from north to south. A door is
fixed about 7 feet above ground level facing Northeast. A Black stone (Hajar al-Aswad)
was fixed into its eastern corner. In front of the building was Maqam-e-Ibrahim, the
arch shape gate known as that of Banu Shayba and the Zamzam Well. Just outside are
the Hills called Safa and Merwa and the distance between the hills is about 500 yards.
These days both of the hills are enclosed into the sanctuary walls with a roof over it.
The whole building is built of the layers of gray blue stone from the hills surrounding
Makka. The four corners roughly face the four points of the compass. At the East is the
Rukn-e-Aswad (The Black stone), at the North is the Rukn-e-Iraqi, at the west Rukn-e-
Shami and at the south Rukn-e-Yamani. The four walls are covered with a curtain
(Kiswa). The kiswa is usually of black brocade with the Shahada outlined in the weave
of the fabric. About 2/3rd of the way up runs a gold embroidered band covered with
Qur'anic text.
In the Eastern corner about 5 feet above ground
the Hajar al-Aswad (The Black stone) is fixed
into the wall. Its real nature is difficult to
determine, its visible shape is worn smooth by
hand touching and kissing. Its diameter is
around 12 inches. Opposite the Northwest wall
but not connected with it, is a semi circular wall
of white marble. It is 3 feet high and about 5 feet
thick. This semi circular space enjoys an
especial consideration and pilgrims wait in
queue to find a place to pray there. The graves of
Ishmael (p.b.u.h.) and his mother Hager (p.b.u.h.) are within this semi circular wall
(Hateem). Between the archway and the facade (N.E.) is a little building with a small
dome, the Maqam-e-Ibrahim. Inside it is kept a stone bearing the prints of two human
feet. Prophet Abraham (p.b.u.h.) is said to have stood on this stone when building the
Kaaba and marks of his feet are miraculously preserved. On the outskirts of the
building to the Northeast is the 'Zamzam Well' (this is now put under ground).
History of the building of the Kaaba
And when We made the House a pilgrimage
for men and a (place of) security, and:
Appoint for yourselves a place of prayer on
the standing-place of Abraham. And We
enjoined Abraham and Ishmael saying:
Purify My House for those who visit (it) and
those who abide (in it) for devotion and those
who bow down (and) those who prostrate
themselves. And when Abraham said: My
Lord, make it a secure town and provide its
people with fruits, such of them as believe in
Allah and the last day. He said: And whoever disbelieves, I will grant him
enjoyment for a short while, then I will drive him to the chastisement of the fire;
and it is an evil destination. And when Abraham and Ishmael raised the
foundations of the House: Our Lord! Accept from us; surely Thou art the
Hearing, the Knowing: Our Lord! And make us both submissive to Thee and
(raise) from our offspring a nation submitting to Thee, and show us our ways of
devotion and turn to us (mercifully), surely Thou art the Oft-returning (to mercy),
the Merciful. Our Lord! And raise up in them a Messenger from among them who
shall recite to them Thy communications and teach them the Book and the
wisdom, and purify them; surely Thou art the Mighty, the Wise. (Holy Qur'an
2:125-129)
Holy Qur'an in the above verses described it
clearly that Allah had ordained his servant
Abraham (p.b.u.h.) to build the Shrine there for
worship of One God. During Khusayi's time it
was rebuilt and fortified. During the early years
of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) before he
announced his ministry, floods damaged the
Kaaba and it was rebuilt again. When the Black
stone was to be put in its place the Makkans
quarreled among themselves as to who should
have the honor to place it there. Abu Omayyah,
Makkah's oldest man, proposed that the first man to enter the gate of the mosque the
following morning would decide the matter. That man was the Prophet (p.b.u.h.). The
Makkans were ecstatic. "This is the trustworthy one (Al-Ameen)," they shouted in a
chorus. "This is Muhammad". He came to them and they asked him to decide on the
matter. He (p.b.u.h.) agreed. Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) proposed a solution that all
agreed to putting the Black Stone on a cloak, the elders of each of the clans held on to
one edge of the cloak and carried the stone to its place. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) himself
then picked up the stone and placed it on the wall of the Kaaba. It has been fixed there
ever since.
After the martyrdom of the family of the Prophet
at Karbala in 61 Hijri (681 AD), the Omayyad Caliph Yazid Ibne Moawiya did not stop
there in the pursuit of his destruction. He sent a large contingent under the command of
Haseen Ibne Namir to Madina to destroy the Mosque of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.). They did
not stop there but proceeded to Makka and demolished the four walls of the Kaaba and
killed thousands of Muslims who protested. Yazid died and Ibne Namir returned to
Damascus, Abdullah Ibne Zubayr and his associates rebuilt the Kaaba. Umawi forces
came back to Makka and killed Abdullah Ibne Zubayr, hung his body on the gates of
the Kaaba for three months for all to see the Umawi power. But eventually this
arrogance of power brought its own consequences and Mukhtar became the ruler in
Iraq. Under his guidance the Kaaba was refurbished and pilgrims began to arrive in
safety to perform Hajj.
The Kaaba successfully withstood the Cremation invasion of 317/929, only the
Blackstone was carried away which was returned some twenty years later. In the year
1981 the Wahabis brought tanks inside the Kaaba to crush the kahtani revolution
against the Saudi regime and almost demolished the South Eastern Wall. This was later
restored with the help of the Makkan people.
Every man living in Makka in the 6th and 7th
century must out of necessity have had some
relationship with the Kaaba. On the Muhammad
(p.b.u.h.), the Prophet of Islam, the Qur'an is
silent during the Makkans period in this respect.
All that is known is that the Muslim community
of the period turned towards Jerusalem in
prayers. Subsequently about a year and a half
after the Hijra the Muslims were ordered during
prayers, which were lead, by the Prophet of
Islam himself to turn towards Makka. The
particular mosque in Madina where this happened is called Masjid-e-Qiblatain,
meaning the mosque with two Qiblas. The Qur'an tells the Muslims, "Indeed We see
the turning of your face to heaven, so We shall surely turn you to a qiblah which
you shall like; turn then your face towards the Sacred Mosque, and wherever you
are, turn your face towards it." (Holy Qur'an 2:144)

At this same period the Qur'an began to lay
stress on the religion of Abraham (p.b.u.h.),
presenting Islam as a return to the purity of the
religion of Abraham (p.b.u.h.) Which, obscured
by Judaism and Christianity, shone forth in its
original brightness in the Holy Qur'an. The
pilgrimage to the Kaaba and ritual progressions
around the building were continued, but were
now for the glorification of One God. The
Abrahamic vision of the Kaaba created a means
of discerning an orthodox origin buried in the
midst of pagan malpractices to which the first Muslims pointed the way.
Every year after the Hajj ceremony the place is closed for one month and on the day of
Ashura the Kaaba is washed from inside by the Water from the well of Zamzam and a
new Kiswa is brought to cover the Kaaba for the next year.
This is the story of the Kaaba and the persons who protected it and remained its
custodians and protectors from the satanic and evil forces throughout history.
Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) and the people of his household (Ahlul Bayt) were the protectors
of the Kaaba, and currently the 12th Imam Muhammad Al-Mahdi (p.b.u.h.) from the
direct descent of the Prophet of Islam is the real protector, its custodian and guardian
and shall remain as such while in concealment.
WHAT IS HAJJ?
The pilgrimage (Hajj) is
1) One of the most important pillars of Islam.
2) A principal means of obtaining proximity to
the Almighty.
3) One of the most difficult physical forms of
worship.
4) So, vital that one who does not perform Hajj
will be barred from Heaven.
The main aim of human creation is to recognize
God and attain a stage of acquaintance and love
for Him and this depends on the purity and loftiness of the human soul. i.e. The purer
the soul becomes the more love will it have for the Almighty.
This stage of love can be attained by abstaining from desires and refraining from
worldly pleasures and distractions, and by exerting oneself in the rigorous self-training
activities for the sake of God, and, remembering him continuously. For this purpose the
Almighty has legislated certain forms of worship (Ibadat).
a) Those involving the expenditure of wealth for His sake e.g. Zakaat and Khums which
serve to sever the deep attachments to worldly possessions.
b) Those involving abstinence from desires and pleasures e.g. fasting.
c) Those related to His remembrance and diverting total attention towards Him e.g.
Salat/Namaaz.
But Hajj involves all these and more, such as,
i) Leaving one's hometown.
ii) Physical exertion.
iii) Expenditure of wealth.
iv) Renewal of the covenant with God.
v) Circumambulation (Tawaaf).
vi) Supplication (Dua).
vii) Prayers (Salat/Namaaz).
And others like throwing pebbles, running between Safaa and Marwah etc.
Those who wonder at these actions do not realize that when we do not know the hidden
meanings and reason of certain commands, we manifest more complete obedience and
total submission to the Absolute Master in carrying out those orders. Those actions
whose secrets we have been successful in understanding, our soul, besides obeying the
Master's commands, is also inclined and pleased in performing them. Thus, it is only
for Hajj that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) is reported to have said, "O Almighty, I have
responded to your call for Hajj with complete submission and humility."
Furthermore, the Hajj constitutes the congregation of people from all parts of the world,
in the place where revelation was repeatedly sent down to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.),
where the beloved (Khaleel) of God resided, where angles used to descend every now
and then. In fact, it is the holy place, which has been the abode of the majority of the
Prophets.
Here the leader of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) was born, his holy feet walked; and the
Almighty has chosen it for His house so that people should pray towards it. He has
sanctified its surroundings and has kept Arafah in the beginning of the Holy Land. He
has prohibited hurting animals and uprooting vegetation there in as a mark of respect to
the holiness of the land. He has designed it to be like the throne of Kings so that visitors
from far off lands, disheveled and dusty, should remain there in humility to the
Absolute Monarch realizing the fact that He is above all needs of time and space. While
such a congregation leads to new acquaintances, meeting with virtuous personalities
and stimulates quicker response to supplications (Dua), it invariably reminds of the
Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) and his efforts at spreading the Word of God. In this way one
attains purity of the soul.
The intention for Hajj
1. The intention (Niyyah) must be pure and sincere for the sake of God only, but not for
any other worldly motives, such as,
1) Showing off (Riyaa).
2) Avoiding rebukes for not performing Hajj.
3) Fear of poverty for it is known that one who does not perform Hajj is afflicted with
poverty.
4) Business prospects, etc.
All these other motives destroy the sincerity (Ikhlaas) of the deeds and deprive one of
the promised rewards. It is foolish to undertake all this rigor and expense only to end up
in Damnation because the motive was adulterated.
2. One should sincerely repent of past sins and clear all the dues, (Huquq-un-Naas), and
cleanse himself of all distractions so that the mind is easily turned towards God. One
should write his will and prepare for the journey to the Hereafter as he leaves his house,
relatives, friends, and possessions behind.
3. One should remember the majesty of the House and the Absolute Owner, and that
one has chosen to leave family, friends, and possessions for the lofty and noble purpose
of visiting a House, which the Almighty has designed as a sanctuary for all people.
Hence this journey differs from all other worldly journeys. The pilgrim is one of those
who have responded willingly to the invitation made by the Almighty's messenger.
4. The pilgrim should free himself of all matters, which tend to worry him so his total
attention is towards the Almighty.
5. Any financial loss or physical affliction in this journey should be greeted happily,
for, it is a sign of acceptance of Hajj.
6. The Pilgrim should ensure his earnings are acquired through lawful means and he
should be liberal in expenditure, not extravagant (Israaf) though. But spending for the
needy and deserving is not extravagance as it has been reported that there is no
goodness in extravagance and no extravagance in goodness!
7. He should behave courteously towards his fellow travelers, smiling and talking
gently with them, avoiding harsh words, abuses or vain talk. He should be humble to
the other guests of the Almighty. Magnanimity does not only mean not to hurt others
but also to endure when others hurt.
8. He should be disheveled and dusty, avoid cosmetics or any cause of pride and
beauty, and if possible, travel on foot, especially from Makkah to Mina, Masher and
Arafah, not as a means to avoid extra expenses (in which case, transport is better!)
rather for exerting oneself for the sake of God, except if it affects other worship (Ibadat)
or supplication (Dua).
Hajj as an obligatory act of worship (Ibadat) means to visit the Kaa'ba in Makkah on
the specified dates in the month of Thul-Hijjah and perform the religious rites in
accordance with the Islamic Laws.
Obligation of Hajj
Any man or woman, who fulfills the following qualifications, has a religious obligation
(Hajjatul Islam or Wajib Hajj) to perform Hajj once in a lifetime.
1. Must have attained puberty (Baligh/Bulugh), girls 9 years of age and boys 15 years
of age.
2. Must be A'Aaqil, means being sane and of sound mind.
3. Must be free from bondage.
4. Must be healthy.
5. Must have enough time to travel to Makkah and perform Hajj within the required
days.
6. Must have enough funds (Istita'ah) for traveling and for all Hajj expenses, as well as
enough money to leave behind or be able to make a living on his return to maintain
himself and his dependants during Hajj and after it.
If he has dependents, he must be able to maintain himself and his family. Upon his
return, he must have enough means to maintain himself and his family. The journey to
Hajj and returning from it must not involve any danger to the security of his life, wealth
and family. One intending to go to Hajj must be healthy. If he is infirm or old or has
any other justifiable excuse Hajj would not be Wajib, though if other conditions were
fulfilled, however, he must send someone as his Naib (agent representative). Ample
time must be there for one to prepare to go to Hajj, and to perform all the obligatory
acts. If other conditions of Hajj are met, while time is limited or extraordinary effort is
involved, one has to keep the money unused until the following year for the purpose.
Performance of Hajj is WAJIB-E-FAURI. When above conditions are fulfilled, Hajj
becomes Wajib immediately. To postpone it without any reasonable excuse is among
the major sins. Hajj must be performed in the same year of Istita'ah, and it continues to
remain obligatory in the ensuing years as long as it has not been performed.
SIGNIFICANCE OF HAJJ
Types of Hajj
There are three kinds of Hajj:
1. Hajj-e-Tamattu (Advantageous Hajj). This is commonly known as Wajib Hajj and
will be dealt with in detail. In Hajj-e-Tamattu, Umrah is performed before the Hajj. The
pilgrim removes Ihraam after Umrah on the 8th of Thul-Hijjah and re-enters into the
state of Ihraam again for Hajj.
2. Hajj-e-Ifrad/Mufrad (Individual Hajj). All conditions of the Hajj-e-Ifrad/Mufrad are
same. One enters into the state of Ihraam for Hajj only and Umrah can be performed
after the Hajj.
3. Hajj-e-Qiran (Combined Hajj). This is
applicable only to persons who are resident
within a radius of 16 Farsakh or 88 km Sharii of
Makkah (Each Farsakh is about 5.5 km). In this
Hajj, the pilgrim enters into the state of Ihraam
for both Hajj and the Umrah at one time.

Miqats
Miqats are specific places (appointed by Sharia) in Saudi Arabia, on the way to
Makkah, which a pilgrim cannot cross without first wearing Ihraam.

1. Dhul-Hulaifa in the North (or commonly known as Masjid-e-Shajarah/Abar Ali).
This is the Miqat, used by pilgrims who first go to Medina. It is about 7 km from city of
Medina on the way to Makkah.
2. Al-Johfa in the North-West for those going to Makkah from Jeddah. (Or, if it is
difficult to go to Masjid-e-Johfa because of a valid reason, one can go to Rabigh, which
is Mahaz-e-Miqat (in line of Miqat) and put on Ihraam there). It is about 115 Km from
Jeddah on the way to Medina. Pilgrims arriving from Egypt, Syria and Southern Africa
are required to enter into the state of Ihraam at this place.
3. Zat Irq in the North-East. Located about thirty miles from Makkah, the pilgrims
coming from Iraq and by land from the eastern side enter into the state of Ihraam at this
place.
4. Qarn al-Manazil, located about 40 miles to the East of Makkah, the Pilgrims arriving
from Yemen and by sea enter into the state of Ihraam at this place.
5. Yalamlam in the South-East, which is the Miqat for those who come via the Yemen.
6. Taneem (Masjid-e-Umra), this place is near Makkah and acts as Miqat for people
living in Makkah. If someone is living in Makkah and wants to perform Umra then he
should go to this place, enter into the state of Ihraam and then return to Makkah so that
the condition of traveling for the pilgrims is also fulfilled. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)
has said: "Part of the worship of Hajj and Umra is to travel in the way of Allah and to
go out of the city."
Ihraam on the Airplane
Since Jeddah is not identified as one of the prescribed Miqats nor Mahaz-e-Miqat, it is,
therefore, not sufficient to put on Ihraam in Jeddah. If one wishes to travel to Makkah
from Jeddah then Ihraam has to be worn by NAZR in one's own country or in the
Airplane at a distance approximately one hour before reaching Jeddah. In this case, one
will have to pay KAFFARA (for gents only) for traveling under shade. Nazr should be
made in this manner: Allah has the right over me that I should become Muhrim
from here.
THE HAJJ-E-TAMATTU CONSISTS OF THIRTEEN PRACTICES
01. Ihraam:
02. Wukuuf-e-Arafaat: or staying in Arafaat.
03. Wukuuf-e-Mash'ar (or Muzdalifa): or staying in Mash'ar (or Muzdalifa).
04. Ramy Jamrah Al-Aqabah: Stoning of Jamrah Al-Aqabah in Mina.
05. Qurbani: The slaughter of the sacrifice in Mina.
06. Taqseer or Halaq: The shaving or trimming of the head's hair in Mina.
07. Tawaaf of Hajj/Tawaaf Al-Zeyaarah:
08. Salaat Al-Tawaaf: Tawaaf prayer of two Rakaats.
09. Sayee: Between the Safa and Marwah.
10. Tawaaf-Un-Nisa: The Tawaaf of Women.