THUL
HIJJAH
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The
twelfth month of the Hijra calendar is Thul Hijjah. This is
one of the four sacred months, and is the month of the Hajj.
The Hajj, or Pilgrimage, as it has become known in the West,
is the time of year when Muslims from all over the world visit
the Ka'ba in Makkah Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia.
The
Ka'ba is the first House built for the worship of the one
GOD, ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta'ala, the GOD of all humankind.
It was erected by Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Isma'eel (Ishmael),
alaihim assalaam. Ibrahim's, alaihis salaam, faith in the
LORD is well documented in the Noble Qur'an. Ibrahim, alaihis
salaam, is described as being a nation by himself, due to
his great faith in ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta'ala.
Ibrahim,
alaihis salaam, was instructed to take his wife Hajar, and
son Isma'eel, alaihis salaam, to Makkah. At that time, Makkah
was an unpopulated, barren desert. Ibrahim, alaihis salaam,
obeyed the LORD's command and took his family to Makkah. As
he left them there alone, sorrow overcame him. But he knew
he was obeying the LORD's command, so he supplicated, asking
the LORD to preserve his loved ones, to allow the desert to
bloom and provide for them, and to have swarms of people come
and visit them. The Hajj is part of the LORD's granting of
Ibrahim's, alaihis salaam, supplication. For over 1400 years,
Muslims from all over the world, visit Makkah every year,
to perform the Hajj and visit the Ancient House of the LORD.
The
first ten days of this month are best and most loved days
of the year. Muslims spend these days performing additional
prayers, reciting the Noble Qur'an, and offering supplications
to the LORD. Many Muslims fast during the first nine days.
Of course, those who have been blessed with it are in Makkah,
performing the Hajj.
The
ninth day of Thul Hijjah is a very special day. It is the
day of 'Arafa. On this day, Muslims performing Hajj gather
at the mount of 'Arafat, in one of the most important parts
of the Hajj. They pray, perform supplications and give thanks
to ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta'ala, for all the blessings bestowed
upon them. It is on this day that Adam and Eve, alaihim assalaam,
met each other on earth for the first time, two hundred years
after being expelled from Paradise. Muslims away from the
Hajj, normally fast on this day.
The
tenth day of the month signifies the beginning of Eid-Ul-Adha,
the holiday of Hajj. Those performing the Hajj have returned
from 'Arafa, and now proceed to slaughtering a lamb or other
suitable animal, in commemoration of Ibrahim's, alaihis salaam,
act of obedience to the LORD. In a divinely inspired dream,
Ibrahim, alaihis salaam, saw that he was sacrificing his eldest
son, Isma'eel, alaihis salaam, for the sake of ALLAH, Subhanahu
wa ta'ala. When he revealed this to his son, his son asked
him to do as he was commanded and that he would be patient.
As the blade passed over Isma'eel's neck, alaihis salaam,
the LORD did not take the life of Isma'eel, alaihis salaam.
The LORD provided a ram for the sacrifice, and preserved his
two faithful subjects.
Those
away from Hajj also perform the sacrifice. Normally, they
keep one third of the meat from the sacrifice, distribute
one third to the needy and share one third with their neighbours.
Eid-Ul-Adha
is a four-day holiday and celebration. It commences on the
10th day of Thul Hijjah and is celebrated in a manner similar
to Eid-Ul-Fitr. It starts with a special holiday prayer, performed
in congregation in the Masjid (Mosque) or other suitable place.
It is a time of celebration, of visiting family and friends
and of thanking ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta'ala, for all the blessings
bestowed upon us. Fasting is prohibited during these days. |