Channel 4 - The Hajj

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Day Two Question: Forgiveness of sin is the gift of god to those who perform the Hajj. Are there other ways in which the Faithful may seek to be cleansed of their sins? How may this be accomplished for those too ill to travel? I would greatly appreciate an answer, for I am a nurse and care of the dying is one occasion when such considerations weigh heavy on the mind of one's patients. I would love to understand and be able to help. My own background is Christian. Response: The Qur'an describes sinners as having done injustice to themselves and charters the way for them to redress the situation. The first step in way of cleansing the sin is to repent and ask for Allah's forgiveness. If the sin involves having transgressed against others restitution must be done and the victim must be asked for forgiveness. The sinner must never lose hope in the Mercy of Allah as it says in the Holy Qur'an "Say (thus speaks Allah) O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, despair not of the Mercy of Allah for Allah forgives all sins for He is Oft-forgiving, most Merciful. Sura 39 verse 53 A believer must never lose hope in the unbounded mercy of Allah. The Qur'an says, "No one despairs of Allah's soothing mercy except those who have no faith." In a Hadith the Prophet says that if a person commits a sin and he asks for Allah's forgiveness, Allah (S.W.T.) says to the angels: look here is My servant having sinned realized that he has a Sustainer who has the power to forgive and to punish. Be witness to my decision that I have forgiven him. Muslims at every juncture repeat this meaningful Qur'anic verse: In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Beneficent
Question: What does Assalamu Alaikum stand for please? Response: The meaning of Assalamu Alaikum is Peace Be With You. It is the greeting that we extend to those we meet as an expression of friendship and amity. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) asks us to do it often as an expression of fraternity. It is important to exchange such greeting with those you know but it is even more important to extend it to those you do not know as a manifestation of consideration. For us Muslims it is preferable to substitute Good Morning, Good Evening, etc. with Assalamu Alaikum The reply to this greeting is Wa laikum Assalam meaning With You Be Peace.
Question: I am fascinated by the Hajj am keen to learn why the Hajj is at a specific time of the year - is there a reason for this and if so could you let me know. Response: The time of the Hajj is determined by Allah. The Qur'an says, "The Hajj shall take place in the well-known month." Sura 2 verse 197 This refers to the last three months in the Muslim lunar calendar: Shawwal, Dhu al-Qa'dah and Dhu al-Hijja. The actual ritual takes place during the last month, in particular during 8th, 9th and 10th of Dhu al-Hijaj. Because the dates of Muslim rituals are determined by the lunar year, which is shorter than the solar year by about 10 days, the time of the Hajj does not occur in the same solar calendar month each year.
Question: When is Eid??? (seems to concern a lot of people) Response: We have two Eid festivals: Eid al-Fitr that occurs after the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan, which is the ninth month in the Muslim calendar. The day of this Eid is the first day of the tenth month, Shawwal. It is a celebration of the end of fasting. The second Eid occurs on the tenth day of the 12th month of the Muslim calendar, Dhu al-Hijja, to coincide with the Pilgrimage to Mecca. As the Muslim year is based on the phases of the moon it is 10-11 days shorter than the solar year; that is why the Eids do not take place on the same dates in the usual calendar. There is also another problem. The Muslim lunar month does not begin at the birth of the new moon, which can be easily determined, but according to most religious authorities the new moon must be visible before the month is adjudged to have begun. Since visibility is uncertain there are always disagreements about the date of the beginning of the month. Consequently communities, regions and states differ about the date of Eid. Not surprisingly then, Eid is celebrated on different days in different countries and by different communities in Western countries.
Question: How does God choose who will be enlightened and put on the right path in life? Response: Allah chooses whomsoever He wills to be enlightened and guided to the straight path. The Qur'an says "Allah allows to stray whom He wills and guides whom He wills" Sura 35 verse 8 But the choice while it is the Will of Allah alone, it is not without certain effort on the part of human beings. The Qur'an tells us "Allah guides no one who transgresses and lies." This indicates that those chosen for guidance have to be among the law abiding and truthful. The mystics seek Allah's guidance through rigorous spiritual exercises and contemplation. Imam Ghazali (died 1111 CE), the renowned theologian, jurist and mystic, spent a period of contemplation in search of the truth when he was assailed with serious doubts. He could not find rational answers to many theological questions. After a period of deep contemplation he felt as if a heavenly light penetrated into his heart relieving him from the turbulence of doubt and filling him with the blessing of certainty. (See Al-Ghazali Deliverance from Error. Text translated from Arabic by R.J. MacCarthy, publisher Tonsvitae USA)
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