|
|
| |
|
Answers |
Day One
Question:
I have read somewhere that people who go to Hajj, have ALL of there
past sins forgiven and are meant to be as purified as a new born
baby. Is this true, and if so, then does mean that I can live as
and how I choose and when I am old, go to Hajj and all is forgiven?
Response:
In the name of Allah the Beneficent and the Merciful. Peace and
the Blessing of Allah in the Messenger of Allah.
There are numerous Hadiths (saying of the Prophet) that state that
the Hajj cleanses all past sins. Al Bukhari and Muslim report through
trustworthy chain of narrators to Abu Hurairah (R.A.A.) that the
Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said "whosoever performs the Hajj without indulging
in the sexual act or committing a wicked deed shall return (sinless)
as the day his mother gave birth to him". The scholars emphasize
that Allah's forgiveness of past sins is confined to those committed
against the Sustainer. Offences against other human beings or failure
to carry out public duties entrusted to him would not be forgiven
without restitution and/or pardon by the injured party. Further
the scholars make clear that the Hajj is not a licence for committing
sins. Those who deliberately sin with the intention of going to
Hajj to wash their sins away are mistaken. The acceptable Hajj is
that which is performed as an act of devotion to Allah not as a
trading of sins against ritual. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said "Actions
are judged by the intention of the doer." reported by Al-Bukhari
|
Question:
Are women allowed to perform hajj without their husbands? if yes please
explain with haadiths and sayings of our Prophet (Peace be upon Him).
Response:
According to Al Bukhari and Muslim Ibn Abbas (R.A.A.) I heard the Prophet (P.B.U.H.)
say No woman is to travel without Mahram (that is a man closely related and forbidden to marry
her). A man stood up and said Messenger of Allah my wife has gone for Hajj and I am volunteering
for a campaign. The Prophet said Go and join your wife.
The scholars interpret this as concern for women's safety and argue
that if the safety is assured a woman can perform the Hajj alone.
They support their view with the Hadith in Al-Bukhari's collection
that Adiyy b.Hatim said that I was in the company of the Messenger
of Allah (P.B.U.H.) when a man came and complained of poverty (as
an excuse for not going on Hajj) and another complained that the road
was unsafe. The Prophet said "O Adiyy have you seen Al-Hirah
(a town in Iraq)". Adiyy replied "No I have not seen it
but I heard about it". The Prophet said "If you live long
you will witness the woman travelling in the Howdaj (a covered tent-like
camel saddle) from Al-Hirah to circumambulate Al-Ka'aba. Fear none
but Allah".
The scholars conclude from this Hadith that if the road is safe a woman may perform the Hajj alone.
However the authorities may conclude that there are other dangers that may threaten a woman
travelling alone to perform the Hajj and insist that she should be accompanied by a qualified male or
travel with a group of trustworthy women.
|
Question:
Why go round the Ka'aba 7 times?
Response:
We go around the Ka'aba seven times because we are so instructed by the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). In
matters of ritual we obey the injunction without question. To attempt to find a reason behind the form
or nature, for the number specified is futile. We worship Allah (S.W.T.) as He told us how through His
Messenger (P.B.U.H.).
|
Question:
I want to perform the Hajj next year, but my problem is I dress
modestly but do not wear hijab. If I was to go to Hajj next year
I would of course wear hijab, but I don't know if I would when I
came back. I feel an innate need to perform Hajj, it's something
I can't explain but my family are objecting to me going because
of the hijab. They say I can only perform Hajj if remain wearing
a hijab when I come back otherwise my Hajj will not be counted.
Is this true?
Response:
This question assumes that there is a difference in terms of religious obligation between those
who have performed the Hajj and those who have not, which is quite wrong. If you believe that
the Hijab is an obligation you must wear it now. If on the other hand you do not believe it to be an
obligation then you do not need change your conduct after the Hajj.
As to the question of the Hijab itself, there is no unanimity among scholars as to its status
being obligatory or simply a matter of convention. During recent decades the Hijab assumed importance
more as a political statement rather than religious act. Hence the dispute overit in some Muslim and
non-Muslim countries. Islam demands women and men to dress decently. There is no Islamic dress. The
Prophet (P.B.U.H.) was sent as a guide to humanity not as a dress designer. People dress differently
in different environments and cultures. We are not obliged to follow Arab custom. Islam is for all
cultures and traditions. Decency is the essential quality of an Islamic dress sense.
|
Question:
I am very interested in learning about Islam and would like to become
a muslim. I have read basic texts on Islam but I would like to know
if there are any particulaer texts which would be good for me to
read.
Response:
There are many good books on Islam authored by Muslims and non-Muslims.
To compile a list for beginners is difficult as one needs to know
more about each individual to suggest the most appropriate text
or texts to suit him/her. However the following titles may be suitable:
- Islam: What it is. by Hassan S Karmi, Islamic Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization , 2001, Hay Ryad, Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco
- Islam in Focus. by Hammudah Abdalati, American Trust Publications,
(1975) 10900 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46231, USA
- Muhammad. by Martin Lings, The Islamic Texts Society, (1991)
5 Green Street Cambridge, CB2 3JU UK
- The Message of The Qur’an, translated by Muhammad Asad Dar
Al-Andalus, Gibraltar
- Islam. The Straight Path, by John Esposito, Oxford University
Press
- The Cultural Atlas of Islam, by Ismail Faruqi, IIIT, 500 Grove
Street, Herndon, VA 20170/4735 USA
- Tawhid, by Ismail Faruqi, IIIT
- Islam. by Fazl Urrahman, Chicago University Press
- Even Angels Ask, by Jeffrey Lang, Amana Publications, 10710 Tucker
Street, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2223 USA
|
|
|
|
