The Hajj and Sacrifice - Domain of Islam

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All praise is for Allah. We praise Him and seek His help nd His forgiveness and we believe in Him and rely on Him. We seek refuge with Allah from the evils of ourselves and the vices of our deeds. There is no one to misguide whom Allah guides and there is no one to guide whom Allah lets go astray. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah Alone. He has no partner. I also bear witness that our authority, our Prophet and our Master, Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger. May Allah have mercy on him, his household and on his Companions and bless them and send peace on them in great abundance.

This Place was once a Minaret of Light

It is after a very long time that I have received the honour of attending and addressing an assembly at this place, i.e. the house of Hadhrat Dr M Abdul Hai Saheb Arifi [ra]. It seems to be a very trying venture to open my lips to say something at this place. Previously, we all used to assemble at this place as listeners and seekers of knowledge, and Almighty Allah had made this place a minaret of light for us. By the grace of Almighty Allah, we used to get opportunities at this place to hear and understand the realities and knowledge of the faith from the late learned saint [ra]. Today, however, I have been invited to speak here which seems to me a trying situation. It is a bounty from late Dr. M Abdul Hai Saheb [ra]. Anything that occurs to the heart or escapes from the tongue is nothing but an endless kindness from him. He repeatedly explained to people like us those precious points of Deen without waiting for any request from us and for which we had hardly any right. He implanted this knowledge in our hearts and poured them into our ears which will remain preserved with us for the whole of our lives. That is why, I am discharging this trying duty in compliance with an order of my respectable brother, Mr Hasan Abbas. Let me tell you that in the past Hazrat Maulana M Yusuf Ludhiyanwi Saheb, who is a competent authority, used to address regularly. On every Friday, the audience assembled at his place, Maulana Ludhiyanwi being on his Hajj pilgrimage this year, brother Hasan Abbas insisted on me to say something today in this meeting and I am here to speak before you in compliance with this order. May Allah enable me to speak before you with sincerity. May Allah help us all to listen to and act upon with sincerity, the points of Deen to be discussed here.

Due Order in Worship

Allah Almighty has blessed these ten days with peculiar rewards. These days are from the first to the tenth, of the sacred month of Dhul Hijjah (the month of the Hajj). If we look closely, we shall find that this chain of virtues and excellence starts from the blessed month of Ramadhaan.

Almighty Allah has maintained a wonderful order and arrangement among the various forms of worship. Thus, first of all He brings the month of Ramadhaan and from the next day following the end of Ramadhaan the preliminary activitires of the worship connected with the Hajj are started. This is because the holy Prophet has said that the Hajj is spread over three months - Shawaal, Dhul-Qa'adah and Dhul Hijjah. Although the main rituals of the Hajj are observed in the month of Dhul Hijjah, yet it becomes lawful and desirable to put on the Ihraam for the Hajj with effect from the month of Shawaal. It is not lawful to put on the Ihraam before this date. In the past a lot of time was needed to perform the Hajj. Sometimes, the journey took three months. As such, intending pilgrims started preparations for the Hajj pilgrimage as soon as the month of Shawaal arrived. Thus, the worship of Hajj starts with the expiry of the month of Ramadhaan and is completed in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. The most important element of the Hajj is the 'Wuqoof-e-Arafah' (stay on the plain of Arafah). This takes place on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah (and that is exactly the date today).

Qurbaani (sacrifice of animals) is thanksgiving

Almighty Allah has helped us complete these splendid worships, the holy month of Ramadhaan and the Hajj rituals. Then He has also prescribed for the Muslims as a compulsory duty to offer thanks to Allah by slaughtering animals in His name which is called Qurbaani. This thanksgiving is performed on the 10th, 11th and 12th of the moth (of Dhul Hijjah). Almighty Allah appointed the Eidul Fitr on the completion of the fasting month of Ramadhaan and appointed the Eidul Adhaa on the completion of the splendid worship of Hajj. He commanded the Muslims to celebrate the Eidul Fitr by paying the Sadaqah (alms) of Eidul Fitr and the Eidul Adhaa by offering sacrifices (of animals).

Allah Swears by Ten Nights

The month of Dhul Hijjah has commenced and it is the beginning of the ten days period. It is, therefore, quite appropriate to say something about these ten days of Dhul Hijjah. This period of ten days, commencing from the first and ending on the tenth of Dhul Hijjah, occupies a very prominent position among the twelve months of the year, so much so that Almighty Allah has sworn by these ten nights in the opening verses of the Surah al-Fajr in part 3 of the holy Qur'aan, 'By the dawn and the nights'. It is not necessary for Almighty Allah to swear to confirm and ensure anything, it is to emphasise the esteem and honour of that thing. A large group of the commentators of the holy Qur'aan are of the opinion that the ten nights by which Allah has sworn are these first ten nights of the month of Dhul Hijjah. This indicates the esteem and grace of these nights.

The Supremacy of the Ten Days

The holy Prophet has himself mentioned in clear words in a Hadith the importance and superiority of these ten days. He also has mentioned that Almighty Allah does appreciate acts of worship in these ten days more than other days of the year whether that worship is in the form of optional prayers, recital of the sacred names of Allah or some charitable deed. (Bukhari)

He has also said in a Hadith. If anyone observes fasts during these days, he is granted reward for one fasting equal to the reward for fast for a full one year. He has also said that worship in one of these nights is equal to the worship performed during the Laylatul Qadr (night of value). Such a high degree of excellence has Allah bestowed upon these ten days of Dhul Hijjah. (Sunan al-Tirmidhi)

Two Special Acts of Worship during these days

How excellent are these days that Almighty Allah has chosen this period (of ten days) for acts of worship which cannot be done in other days of the year! An example, is the Hajj, which cannot be performed in any period of the year other than in these days. The other worship is the sacrifice of the animals for which Allah has fixed three days that is from 10th to 12th of this month. Contrary to it, all other worships obligatory or optional are allowed to be performed throughout the year. If these two worships are performed in any period other than those appointed by Allah they will not be counted as worship and will go waste. Anyone performing the acts of Hajj in other days will not get any reward for them.

The other item of worship is the Qurbaani for which Almighty Allah has appointed the 10th, 11th and the 12th of Dhul Hijjah. The Qurbaani cannot be offered during any period other than the period of these three days. It is possible to slaughter an animal and distribute the meat among the poor as an optional item of worship, but obligatory Qurbaani cannot be offered in any period other than that of these three days. Thus, Almighty Allah has specially favoured this period. That is why the learned theologians have written, in the light of this Hadith, that next to the sacred month of Ramadhaan, the days of excellence are these ten days of Dhul Hijjah during which the reward for worship is increased and Almighty Allah sends down His special mercy and blessings. The lawmaker has, however, prescribed some other special acts for these days which should better be mentioned here.

Cutting Off Nails and Hair in these days

Immediately, after the sighting of Dhul Hijjah moon a strange command is brought to our notice. The holy Prophet has said that it is not right for him who has to offer Qurbaani to clip his nails and cut his hair after sighting the Dhul Hijjah moon. As this order has been narrated from the holy Prophet, it has been declared as Mustahabb (desirable). According to this order, a man should not clip his nails nor cut his hair, unless he has offered the Qurbaani. (ibn Majah)

Try to attain some likeness to Pilgrims

Apparently, it looks strange that after sighting the moon of Dhul Hijjah, clipping the nails and cutting the hair have been forbidden. The reason is not far to seek. Almighty Allah has appointed during these days the splendid worship of the Hajj and a very large number of the Muslims remain engaged, by the grace of Allah, in this worship at this time. It seems, as if, the House of Allah is charged with a magnetic power which is attracting to itself from all sides the sons of Tawheed (Muslims) and thousand of men are arriving there every moment from all corners of the world and are assembling round the house of Allah. Allah has granted these pilgrims the honour of performing the Hajj. These pilgrims have been ordered that, when they are advancing towards the house of Allah, they should be dressed in Ihraam which is the prescribed uniform of that sacred House. Again, the Shari'ah has imposed many restrictions on the pilgrims while in Ihraam, e.g. they cannot put on stitched garment, nor apply scent nor cover their faces, etc. that they should not clip their nails nor cut their hair is also one of these restrictions. As for those who are not participating in the worship (Hajj) of the house of Allah, by visiting it, the holy Prophet has, in order to enable such persons also to qualify for Allah's mercy, ordered that they should try to achieve some likeness to the pilgrims of the house of Allah by imitating them in leaving their nails unclipped and their hair uncut. This is a way to attain some similarity to those actually performing the Hajj.

Mercy of Allah is waiting to Descend

Our Dr Hadhrat M Abdul Hai Saheb used to say that Allah's mercy is always in search of an excuse to descend on His servants. When Allah has commanded us to attain some similarity to the Hajj pilgrims, it only means that He wants to bestow on those who attain this similarity some part of the mercy and blessings which He showes on the Hajj pilgrims, so that when the clouds of Allah's mercy rain on these servants of Allah on the plain of Arafah, a part of these clouds may overtake us also with its manificient showers. Thus, the attainment of this similarity, is a great blessing. Dr Saheb frequently recited this couple of Hadhrat Majzoob [ra]:

O my Lord! I have come to you with an assumed similarity to your beloved. I have brought the form only, kindly turn it into reality.

It is not at all unlikely that Almighty Allah may turn this form into reality by the blessing of His beloved Prophet. It is hoped that you and we shall not be deprived, God willing, of the clouds of mercy that pour down there.

Awareness to Virtues is needed

It was the habit of our saint to say from time to time: Will Almighty Allah deprive a man of these blessings and bounties of Arafah only because he has no money, or the circumstances are not favourable for him to undertake the journey? No, that is not so. Almighty Allah wants to include us all in His mercy, provided we pay a little attention and care, we develop a little similarity to the pilgrims of Hajj. We should at least adopt the form, if not the reality of the Hajj. There is every hope that Almighty Allah shall encompass us with His mercy and blessings.

Fasting on the Day of Arafah

As already mentioned, these ten days are so auspicious that a day of fasting on one of these days is equal, in the matter of reward, to fasting for the whole year; and one item of worship in one night of this period is equal to worship in the Night of Power. A Muslim must devote himself to worship and good deeds during these days to the best of his ability. The ninth of Dhul Hijjah is the day of Arafah during which Allah has prescribed for the Hajj pilgrims to stay on the plain of Arafah which is the most essential part of the Hajj. He has also prescribed for us optional fasting specially on the ninth day. The holy Prophet is reported to have said about this fast, 'I have every hope from Almighty Allah that the fasting observed on the day of Arafah, by a Muslim will become, an expiation for his sins committed or to be committed during one year in the past and one year in the future.' (ibn Majah Hadith1734)

Only the Minor Sins are Forgiven

It is necessary to clarify here that some people who are not well informed of religious subjects think on the basis of such Ahaadith that when the sins committed during the past year and to be committed during the future year stand forgiven, as if they are on one year's leave and they are free to do whatever they please. It must be noted that the concessions so granted in the various Ahaadith relate only to minor sins. For example, during ablution the sins committed by the limbs being washed are pardoned; one sin is pardoned at each step and his status is raised by one degree when a Musallee goes to the mosque for prayer; similarly, it has been said about fasting during Ramadhaan that one year's sins of the man fasting are pardoned. Remember that the sins mentioned in all such Traditions ar only the minor sins. As for major sins, according to the rules of the Shari'ah they are not forgiven except by repentance. Almighty Allah has, however, the sole authority to pardon all sins whether minor or major unconditionally. Even after repentance, only such sins are forgiven as are committed against the rights of Allah. Sins committed against the rights of the servants of Allah cannot be forgiven, unless the rights usurped or violated of a servant are compensated or condoned by the claimant. In short, all these Ahaadith about the forgiveness of sins relate to minor sins only and not to major sins.

Takbeer-e-Tashreeq

The third practice during these days is the Takbeer Tashreeq which commences from the Fajr prayer of the day of Arafah and continues till the Asr prayer of the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. It has been made compulsory to recite this Takbeer once after every Fardh (obligatory) prayer. The Takbeer, is as follows: 'Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha illallaahu Allaahu Akbar. Allaahu Akbar wa lillaahil hamd'.

It is compulsory for men to recite these words in audible voice. It is against the Sunnah to recite these Takabeer in a low voice. (Musannaf ibn Abi Shaybah vol.4 pg.171)

We are fond of taking the opposite course

We have become fond of taking just the opposite course in every matter. When the Shari'ah orders something to be recited in a low voice, the people recite it loudly as they do while reciting a Du'aa (supplication). The Qur'aan states about Du'aa,

'That is (Allah commands you) to call upon your Lord humbly and secretly.'

As such it is better in ordinary circumstances to call upon Allah secretly rather than loudly. However, this may be done loudly where it is proved to be a sunnah to pray loudly. The sacred Durood being a Du'aa, it is is better to recite it in a low tone. The people have, however, invented their own ways to recite the Takbeer-e-Tashreeq in low tone which should be recited loudly after every Fardh (obligatory) prayer.

A Demonstration of the Dignity of Islam

My late respected father used to say that the very object of prescribing this Takbeer-e-Tashreeq is to demonstrate the dignity of Islam. It is, therefore, necessary to recite it loudly after bidding the concluding Salaam, so that the mosque may resound with the collective echo of this Takbeer.

Similarly, it is also a Sunnah to recite the Takbeer loudly, while going out for the Eid-ul-Adhaa prayer. The Takbeer for the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer should be recited in a low tone.

Takbeer-e-Tashreeq is obligatory for women also

The Takbeer-e-Tashreeq is prescribed for women as well, but which being generally ignored. Women generally forget to recite the Tashreeq. As regards men who offer their prayers in the congregation in the mosque, they necessarily recite the Takbeer. This is, however, not a common practice among women. There are two opinions about its imposition on women as a compulsory duty (waajib). Some Ulama say that it is waajib and some say that it is only Mustahabb (desirable) for women. The more reliable opinion is that the Takbeer Tashreeq is a compulsory for women as well. They should also recite this Takbeer after every Fardh prayer five days from the Fajr prayer of the day of Arafah till the Asr prayer of the Thirteenth of Dhul Hijjah. Men are required to recite it loudly but women should recite it in a low tone. Women should be mindful of this duty. As weomen generally omit this duty, I advise them to hang a card-plate with an inscription of the Takbeer at the place where they pray in their houses, and they should recite it without fail after the concluding Salaam, because this is waajib for them also. (Musannaf ibn Abi Shaybah vol.2 pg.190)

The Qurbaani cannot be offered on other days

The fourth excellent duty which Almighty Allah has prescribed to be discharged during the days of Dhul Hijjah is Qurbaani. This Qurbaani can be offered only during the three days, viz. the 10th, the 11th and the 12th of Dhul Hijjah and no other days of the year. The animals slaughtered on other than these days of the year shall not be the Shari'ah Qurbaani.

Real Islam is to follow the injunctions

Almighty Allah wants to teach us the reality of Deen by means of the Hajj and the Qurbaani which are the two outstanding acts of worship during these days. We are asked to note that no act is important in itself, nor is any particular place or form is important in itself. Acts become important and virtuous only because of the command of Allah to do them. When Allah commands to do certain thing then only it carries a reward, but the moment the command is withdrawn, the reward also stands withdrawn.

Just take the example of the stay on the plan of Arafah. If you spend there 359 days of the year, excluding the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, you should not get an iota of sawaab (reward) for your staying there, although this is the same plain of Arafah and the same Mountain of Mercy. This is because there is no command of Allah to stay there on other days of the year. The reward or punishment of an act is absolutely dependent on Allah's commandment.

Leave Musjidul Haraam

You are all aware that offering prayer in the Masjidul Haram is such a virtuous act that the reward of one prayer offered there is equal to one lakh (100,000). Prayers offered elsewhere and the Hajj pilgrims reap this additional reward. Almighty Allah commands the pilgrims to leave the Musjidul Haram on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah despite its one lakh-fold (100,000) reward for the prayers and to camp at Mina. Thus, the pilgrims are commanded to stay at Mina from the Dhuhr of the 8th till the Fajr of the 9th of Dhul Hijjah. At Mina, they have no duty other than offering five prayers, ignoring the reward of one lakh prayers of Masjidul Haram. In this command, there is an indication that virtue, righteousness and reward lie in obeying the commands of Allah. If anyone disobeys this command and decides to stay at Makkah to offer five prayers in the Masjidul Haram to reap the reward of gve lakh prayers, he is a loser; He will not reap even the reward of one prayer for disobeying Allah's commands and missing one important ritual of the Hajj.

Place and Deed are not important

While performing the rituals of the Hajj, it is observed at each step that the 'idols' which man sometimes erects in his mind are smashed to pieces. Thus, there is no importance in a particular deed or place. It is the obedience to Allah that counts. Almighty Allah desires that His servants should do what He commands them to do and abstain from what he forbids. In obedience lies the credit and recompense.

Hajj Acts are seen by Reason

The entire worship of the Hajj presents the above philosophy. Just see that a block of stone is standing at Mina and lakhs of men are throwing pebbles at this block. If you ask anyone about the objective of this strange ritual, you can get no satisfactory answer. It is just like insanity that pebbles are being pelted at a block of stone without any apparent cause. The cause lies that this is done in obedience to a command of Allah and there ends the whole matter. If one says that this is mere insanity, then it will be dismissed by saying, 'Yes in this insanity lies the blessing and Allah's pleasure.'

What Lesson does Qurbaani Teach?

The same philosophy is visible in the ritual of Qurbaani. The word 'Qurbaan' literally means something which done to attain nearness to Allah. The word 'Qurbaani' is derived from the word 'Qurbaan'. Thus, the word 'Qurbaan' means something by which one may attain nearness to Allah. We learn from all the acts concerning the Qurbaani that Deen (faith) is the name of compliance with the commandments of Allah. When Allah's command is issued there is no scope to tax the mind in order to sek the wisdom and benefits underlying the divine command. All that is needed is total submission and surrender to it. 'Order is order' is the common saying well known to everyone.

It is against Reason to slaughter One's own Son

A command of Allah came to Hadhrat Ibraahim [alayhis salaam] in vision to slaughter his son. If Allah had desired, He would have issued the command through a revelation (Wahy), but He did not do so. Instead, he was shown in a vision that he was slaughtering his son. If this had happened to an ordinary man he would have ignored the command on the plea that it was only a vision. However, a vision in the case of a prophet is as good as a revelation. It was, therefore, a trial for Hadhrat Ibraahim to see whether he was ready to obey the divine command. When Hadhrat Ibraahim came to know that it was an order from Allah to slaughter his son, he did not question Almighty Allah why such a command was being given to him and what wisdom and benefit lay in it. No law and no custom on the surface of the earth can allow and appreciate that a father should slaughter his son. A command like this can in no way be justified and accepted on the scale of Reason.

Like father Like son

Hadhra Ibraahim [alayhis salaam] did not inquire from Almighty Allah the reason for this command to slaughter the son. However. in order to test the son he put to him the following question:

'O my son, I have seen in a dream that I must sacrify for you. So look, what do you think?' (37:102)

Hadhrat Ibraahim did not inquire from his son his opinion so that if he did not agree to be slaughtered he would not carry out Allah's command to slaughter him. He asked this question only to test the son about his attitude towards Allah. The son was after all his father's son from whose progeny the last of all the Prophets was to come. The great son also did not inquire why and for what fault he was going to be slaughtered. His only reply to the question was:

'O my father! Do what you have been commanded to do. God willing, you will find me patient.' (37:102)

The obedient son encouraged his father to obey Allah's command, assuring him that he would not offer any resistance against his action.

The father as well as the son being of so high status, resolved that Allah's command be executed. The father made the son lie down on the ground, Hadhrat Ismaaeel requested his father to place him on the ground, forehead downwards, for if his face was upwards, he Hadhrat Ibraahim might not be able to use the knife on account of paternal love. Almighty Allah appreciated these charming manners so much that He mentioned them in the Qur'aan thus:

'Then when they had both surrendered (to Allah) and he had flung him down upon his face...' (37:103)

The Qur'aan has used a very wonderful word on this occasion, i.e. when father and son both surrenderred (themselves). It may also be translated as 'When both of them accepted Islam', because Islam means to surrender oneself before Allah's commands. This contains a clear indication that man must obey Allah's command, however difficult, painful, harsh and opposed to reason that command may be and however tremendous sacrifices one may have to make of life, wealth and honour for that. Man must surrender himself to Allah's command. This is the reality of Islam. That is why Allah has said in the above verse, 'When both of them embraced Islam nd the father flung the son down upon his forehead.' He made the son lie down in this way lest the knife should stop cutting the son's throat on account of the face being in sight of the father. Almighty Allah has mentioned this unique scene in the Qur'aan with special emphasis. It is stated in narratives that when Hadhrat Ibraahim was flinging the son down, the latter asked his father to gather together his clothes lest they should become spoiled with blood and seeing them his mother might be stunned with grief.

Look at Nature's Wonder

When these two had completed their part of duty, Allah had to do His part. He said, 'That is, 'We called to him, O Ibraahim, you fulfilled the vision.' (37:104-105)

Now see the wonder wrought by Allah's Omnipotence when Hadhrat Ibraahim opened his eyes, he saw that Hadhrat Ismaaeel was sitting beside, smiling and a slaughtered ram was lying there.

Allah's Command has preference over all things

The entire event related above is in fact the basis of the worship of Qurbaani. It is declaring from the very outset that the Qurbaani was prescribed in order to impress firmly on the heart of man and to teach him that Allah's command has preference over all other things and that Deen is the name of total obedience. When the Divine command arrives it must be obeyed without trying to find out its wisdom, benefit or reason.

Hadhrat Ibraahim did not seek a rational justification

Deviation and going astray from the right path are a common feature of our society today. The reason is that for every Divine command the people want to know the wisdom and benefit underlying that command, and its rational justification. They will obey the command; if they come to know its benefit, otherwise not. This is no Deen and obedience. Obedience is what Hadhrat Ibraahim and his son Hadhrat Ismaaeel demonstrated by their own unprecedented acts. Almighty Allah appreciated this sacrifice of theirs so much that He prescribed the sacrifice (Qurbaani) to be offered every year till the day of Judgment. Allah says, 'This means We prescribed the imitation of this act for the later generations.' (37:108)

The Qurbaani which we offer is an imitation of the splendid Qurbaani offered by Hadhrat Ibraahim and Hadhrat Ismaaeel. This means that we should mould our lives on the pattern of the unique behaviour shown by father and son in obeying Allah's command without any hesitation and without seeking to know its rational background and justification. This is the lesson that we learn from the Qurbaani.

Is Qurbaani Harmful to Economy?

A section of the people are raising objections to the very objective for which Almighty Allah prescribed the performance of Qurbaani. They say that Qurbaani has been imposed without - God forbid any benefit. Millions are spent to make the blood flow through the drains which is highly wasteful from the economic point of view. It means a great loss of our animal wealth. It would be much better, they suggest, to help the poor with the huge sums of money spent on Qurbaani. The propaganda is being carried on so forcefully that every day persons come to ask if it would not be better to distribute the money to be spent on Qurbaani among their relatives. Apparently, there is no harm in this, they suggest.

The Real Spirit of Qurbaani

It should be noted that every form of worship has an appointed time and procedure, for example, if a man wishes to spend his time in helping the poor instead of praying, he will be guilty of missing the prayer which is an obligatory duty, even though he may earn some sawaab (reward) for helping the poor. This holds good also in respect of other obligatory (Fardh) and compulsory (waajib) duties. The propaganda campaign, launched against Qurbaani that it is irrational and unjustifiable from the economic point of view, defies the very philosophy and spirit of the Qurbaani. The worship of Qurbaani has been prescribed for you and you should comply with it, whether you understand its wisdom and reason or not. The spirit of Qurbaani is that it is Allah's command and you have to obey it unconditionally and unhesitatingly. Man is not man unless he cultivates in him the quality of obedience. The root-case of all evils, wrongs, and sinful activities lies in the fact that man has forgotten the basic principle of following the Divine commands and is running after the dictates of his own mind and intellect.

Qurbaani ceases to be worship after three days

So far as other forms of worship are concerned, they can be performed on optional basis as and when desired. As for Qurbaani, Almighty Allah has commanded that it is only for the three appointed days. If one offers Qurbaani after these three days, it will no longer be a worship. Allah has ordained this to teach us that the Qurbaani is nothing in itself; it assumes the form of worship only because of His command. We wish that we had understood this basic point. On this depends to understand the Deen as a whole. The cardinal point and basis of Deen is that it is nothing but obedience to Allah's commands. What lies beyond is not Deen.

The Difference between Sunnah and Bid'ah

The same principle differentiates Bid'ah from Sunnah. Deeds done in the light of the Sunnah deserve credit and reward, but Bid'ah has no value in the sight of Allah. People ask what harm is there is they observe Teeja (the 3rd day of death), Daswan (the 10th day) and Chehlam (the 40th day) in which the Qur'aan is recited and its sawaab is conveyed to the departed soul. The harm is that all this is done without any commandment by Allah and His messenger [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam]. They have themselves invented these rituals. What we do from our own choice and wish carries no reward and return.

Four Rakaats of Maghrib Instead of Three

Instead of three Rakaats of the Maghrib prayer a man offers four Rakaats, and argues that the number four is greater than three, and after all what harm is there in increasing the number only by one? They argue that adding something to the prayer, while observing all its prescribed elements, should be no sin. It will invalidate the all four Rakaat simply because Allah has not commanded it. This is not according to the procedure prescribed by Allah and His Prophet [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam]. This is the difference between Sunnah and Bid'ah. The prwactice taught and followed by the Prophet [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] is Sunnah, and that invented by a man himself is Bid'ah. Bid'ah may sem to be attractive but it earns no credit and reward.

An Interesting Example of Sunnah and Bid'ah

Shah Abdul Aziz Sahib Du'aa-jo [ra], a leader of the Tabligh Jamaat used to visit my respected father from time to time. One day, he related to my father a strange dream he had seen. The dream was as follows:

He said that my father was standing by the side of a black-board and teaching some people who had gathered round him to take lessons. My father wrote on the blackboard with a piece of chalk the number one (1) and asked the people what it was. They replied that it was one (1). Thereafter, my father put a zero (0) on the on the right side of the digit (0) and asked the people what it then became. The people replied that it has become ten (10). My father added another Zero (0) to then (0) and asked them what number it was. The people replied that it was one hundred (100). Again, he added one Zero (0) making the number one thousand (1000) and put the same question to the people who replied that it was one thousand (1000). My father told them that the addition of every Zero on the right side of the number increased it ten-fold. He then erased all those zeros and added one to the number one (1) on the left side and asked the people about the result. They said it was (01), one tenth. He went on adding Zeroes till the number became 0001. Then he asked the people about the number and they replied that it was one thousandth (1/1000). Then my father told the people that every zero added to a number on the right side increased it tenfold and every zero added to the number on the left side reduces it by one-tenth. My father explained by saying that the Zeroes added to the right represented Sunnah and those added to the number on the left represented Bid'ah. In other words, deeds done according to the Sunnah of the holy Prophet [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] increases the reward of the deeds many-fold. On the other hand, deeds falling within the definition of Bid'ah not only earn any reward, but they diminish the reward many-fold and all actions go waste. This example amply explains the difference between the Sunnah and Bid'ah.

As already emphasised, Deen is the name of compliance with the commands of Allah which alone earns credit and reward.

The Late Night Prayer of Hadhrat Abu Bakr and Hadhrat Umar [radhiallaahu anhu]

It reminds me a speech of my respected father [ra]. It is a well-known fact that sometimes the holy Prophet [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] used to go out on nights to asses for himself the conditions of his companions [radhiallaahu anhum]. During one of these nights he saw that Hadhrat Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq [ra] was reciting the Qur'aan in the Tahajjud prayer in a low tone. When he [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] went further he saw that Hadhrat Umar al-Farooq was reciting the Qur'aan in his Tahajjud prayer very loudly. Then the holy Prophet came back home leaving them in their prayers. In the morning when Hadhrat Abu Bakr called on the holy Prophet, he asked Hadhrat Abu Bakr why he was reciting the holy Qur'aan in a very low tone in his Tahajjud prayer. In reply, Hadhrat Abu Bakr uttered a very beautiful sentence:

I was reciting the Qur'aan to one (Allah) to whom I was addressing my supplication and who hear it. Recitation of the Qur'aan loudly is not a necessary condition.

Thereafter, the holy Prophet put the same question to Hadhrat Umar Farooq who was reciting the Qur'aan so loudly. He replied, 'I was reciting the Qur'aan loudly so that I could awaken those in sleep and drive away the Satan.'

Then the holy Prophet said to Hadhrat Abu Bakr, 'Recite a bit louder' and said to Hadhrat Umar Farooq 'Recite a bit in lower tone.' (Abu Dawud)

Moderation is Needed

The above is a famous saying mentioned in the Ahaadith. Commenting on this incident, it is said that the holy Prophet has taught his Ummah, to take a middle course while reciting the holy Qur'aan, i.e. neither too loudly nor in low tone. This teaching is in conformity with the injunction of the holy Qur'aan about recitation. It said, 'That is, do not recite the Qur'aan in your prayers very loudly nor in a very low tone, but seek a middle course between the two.' (17:10)

Negate your Propositions

Hadhrat Dr. Abdul Hai Saheb [ra] has on the authority of Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi [ra], furnished a wonderful interpretation of this Hadith. It was not wrong on the part of Hadhrat Abu Bakr [radhiallaahu anhu] when he said that it was not necessary to recite the Qur'aan loudly as He to whom he was reciting it had heard it. Hadhrat Umar Faarooq [radhiallaahu anhu] had a loud voice. If it becomes louder during his prayer, there was nothing unlawful in it. The holy Prophet explained to them something like this, 'Previously you were reciting the Qur'aan according to your own choice, so it was not so enlightening. If you recite the Qur'aan according to my suggestion, i.e. in a moderate tone, it will bring more spiritual light and blessing, as it will comply with the Sunnah.

Make your Life a Model of Obedience

The essence of Deen is that one should not insist one's own opinion in matters concerning Deen. Everything concerning Deen should be done strictly in compliance with the procedure taught by Allah and His Prophet. If this point becomes firmly impressed upon the minds all forms of Bid'ah shall be uprooted. It was to attain this goal that the ritual of Qurbaani was prescribed. We are all prone to be mindful of it while offering the Qurbaani, it is necessary to recall that this worship contains the lesson that our entire life should be subject to the commands of Allah. It should be a complete model of obedience and total submission, whether we understand or do not understand the wisdom and reason behind the commands. This is the philosophy of Qurbaani. May Almighty Allah help us all to understand this philosophy and grant us its blessings.

The Excellences of Qurbaani

According to the Ahaadith, the ritual of Qurbaani has many blessings and benefits. The number of sins forgiven is equal to the number of hair on the body of the slaughtered animal. That is, one sin for one hair. No act is dearer to Allah during these thre days that the shedding of Qurbaani blood. The more Qurbaani a man offers, the more he is liked by Allah. The blood of the slaughtered animal reaches Allah before it falls on the ground. Thus, it becomes a cause of nearness to Allah. Almighty Allah has ordained this great reward for Qurbaani in recognition of the fact that His servant is offering the Qurbaani only in obedience to His command without carning to know the reason and wisdom behind this worship and without minding the money he is spending on it.

The Story of a Villager

It is said that it was a custom in olden days that when anyone attended a King's court he presented to the King some gift. The King obviously was not in need of that gift, but it was presented to gain the King's favour and pleasure and some good return from the King. Moulana Rumi has illustrated this point through an interesting story, as follows:

Once a villager decided to pay a visit to the Caliph of Baghdad. He wanted to carry a gift for the King. He consulted his wife about the gift suitable for the Caliph. In her natural naivety she advised her husband to take with him for the Caliph a pitcher of water, as in her opinion, the Caliph might not be enjoying such sweet and cool water in the capital. The villager appreciated her wife's suggestion and set off for Baghdad on foot with a pitcher of water on his head. On approaching the Caliph, he presented to thim the gift of water, saying that it was pure and cool water, the like of which might not be available to to Caliph in his capital. It may be noted that on account of the long journey and contamination of dust and dirt the water gone dirty.

The Caliph ordered the villager to open the cover of the pitcher. As soon as the mouth of the pitcher was opened, the entire hall was filed with foul nauseating smell. Realising that the villager had decided to present that useless, rather disgustful present in his extreme simplicity and sincerity the Caliph accepted and appreciated it and ordered the pitcher to be filled with gold coins. The villager was very happy and heartily thanked the Caliph for his generosity. When the villager was going back home with his reward, the Caliph asked one of his servants to see him off along the bank of the river Tigris.

The villager was going back home joyfully with the Caliph's escort, suddenly he saw the River Tigris proudly flowing with its cool, crystal clear and sweet water. He felt ashamed at the gift of worthless water he had presented to the Caliph and realised from the core of his heart the Caliph's generosity and magnanimity, because not only did he punished him for presenting such a worthless gift but filled his pitcher with gold coins.

The Value of our Worship

Drawing a moral from the above story, Moulana Rumi [ra] has said that our worship is just like the villager's pitcher of dirty and foul water, deserving to be pelted at our faces. It is, however, the unlimited mercy of Almighty Allah that He accepts them for valuable recompense. Allah takes account of man's limited power and thanks that His servant has presented it with faith and sincerity. The example which Moulana Rumi [ra] has given holds good of all our worships which are in fact no better than the villager's pitcher of worthless water.

Royal way of accepting gift

In the olden days, it was a common custom that if anyone presented some precious gift of gold or gems, etc. to a King, the King only touched the gift with his hand in token of having accepted it. The gift was then returned to the giver, because, the King fully realised that the need of the giver of the gift was greater than his own.

Allah looks for piety of the heart

Moulana Rumi [ra] has said that the Qurbaani which a Muslim presents to Almighty Allah is such a gift that no sooner is the knife applied to the animal's throat than the Qurbaani is completed and accepted by Allah, and the slaughtered animal with all its meat and skin, etc. is at your disposal. It is, as if, Almighty Allah has touched it with His hands and the entire gift is left to you for use as you please. Look at Allah's mercy and generosity shown to the Ummah of the holy Prophet, Muhammad that a gift is being demanded and when it is offered in the form of the slaughtered animal, then the obedience to the command is enough to please Allah. He does not require anything more. Thus, He has said, 'Neither their flesh nor their blood reaches him.' (22:37)

In other words, if a person offers the Qurbaani with piety and purity of his heart Allah readily accepts his Qurbaani. Allah does not require the flesh of the slaughtered animals but leaves its disposal to the option of the man who has offered the Qurbaani. If he himself uses the entire flesh, there is no sin in it. It is, however, very desirable that he should himself use only one-third of it and distribute one-third among his relatives and the remaining one-third among the poor. The point to note here is that it does not displease Allah at all if the entire flesh is consumed by the person himself who is offering the Qurbaani.

Are these animals our Carriers on 'Pul Siraat'?

It is a common saying among the people that these animals of the Qurbaani will serve as riding animals, sitting on which the men offering the Qurbaani will cross over the bridge leading to Paradise. This is based, on a weak narrative which is, 'Fatten your sacrificial animal, because they will be your riding-animals to cross over the pul siraat (bridge leading to paradise).'

This is a weak narrative to which much attention need not be paid. Yet, the saying has become very common. I neither accept it nor reject it. Only Allah knows it reality. However, that Hadith is quite authentic which says that Allah accepts the Qurbaani before the blood of the slaughtered animal falls on the ground.

I Entrust to you my entire capital

All this has been prescribed, so that a spirit may develop in the heart to comple unconditionally and unhesitatingly with the commands of Allah and His Prophet and to surrender oneself totally to Allah. This has been clearly emphasised in the holy Qur'aan.

'The believing men and women have no option in their affairs, when Allah and His Messenger have decided upon an affair.' (33:36)

The persian couplet, 'I have entrusted to you my entire capital (of life). It is up to you to decide whether it is more or less, enough or deficient.'

I have tried in the foregoing pages to define the reality of Deen. May Allah help us understand this reality and grat us all the lights and blessings this Deen contains. May He also help us to remember this reality and live up to it the whole of our lives, Aameen

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<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>This Place was once a Minaret of Light

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Due Order in Worship

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Qurbaani (sacrifice of animals) is thanksgiving

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Allah Swears by Ten Nights

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>The Supremacy of the Ten Days

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Two Special Acts of Worship during these days

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Cutting Off Nails and Hair in these days

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Try to attain some likeness to Pilgrims

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Mercy of Allah is waiting to Descend

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Awareness to Virtues is needed

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Fasting on the Day of Arafah

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Only the Minor Sins are Forgiven

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Takbeer-e-Tashreeq

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>We are fond of taking the opposite course

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>A Demonstration of the Dignity of Islam

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Takbeer-e-Tashreeq is obligatory for women also

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>The Qurbaani cannot be offered on other days

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Real Islam is to follow the injunctions

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Leave Musjidul Haraam

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Place and Deed are not important

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Hajj Acts are seen by Reason

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>What Lesson does Qurbaani Teach?

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>It is against Reason to slaughter One's own Son

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Like father Like son

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Look at Nature's Wonder

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Allah's Command has preference over all things

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Hadhrat Ibraahim did not seek a rational justification

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Is Qurbaani Harmful to Economy?

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>The Real Spirit of Qurbaani

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Qurbaani ceases to be worship after three days

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>The Difference between Sunnah and Bid'ah

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Four Rakaats of Maghrib Instead of Three

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>An Interesting Example of Sunnah and Bid'ah

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>The Late Night Prayer of Hadhrat Abu Bakr and Hadhrat Umar [radhiallaahu anhu]

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Moderation is Needed

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Negate your Propositions

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Make your Life a Model of Obedience

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>The Excellences of Qurbaani

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>The Story of a Villager

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>The Value of our Worship

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Royal way of accepting gift

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Allah looks for piety of the heart

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>Are these animals our Carriers on 'Pul Siraat'?

<FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#336666 size=2>I Entrust to you my entire capital