As Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah
The Sister, who contributed this knowledge (Ilm) lives in Makkah and has
experience in accompanying Hajjis in this blessed journey; may Allah enable
us to benefit to our best ability from this knowledge. She only asks for du'a
in return. Reference: " Manaasikul Hajj wal Umrah Fil Kitaab was Sunnah wa
Aathar As Salaf" or " Rites of Hajj and Umrah from the Book (Qur'an) and the
Sunnah and Narrations from the Pious Predecessors" by Muhammad Nassirud Deen
Al Albaani. The Sister's comments in [ ]
Jabou Joh
She writes:
Having been blessed with the privilege of making Hajj several times and being
a part of taking pilgrims on Hajj, my husband and I always give a talk,
usually before Hajj, or during every step of the way warning the people about
many misconceptions surrounding various Hajj rites. I recall my own first
Hajj and how we accompanied another family. It matters not from which country
they came, but that country, I know now, is rift with acts of bida' in almost
every area of Islam, wa a'uthu billahi min thalika.
I was told, on that first Hajj, that I must wear white and that I had to
continue wearing the same garment no matter what happened. This was before I
had begun my formal studies, but from everything I had read about Hajj, this
just didn't make sense. I did change my dress and they looked at me as if I
had broken ihraam, but I knew it wasn't so. I did wear white, but not because
they said so, because that was what I had wanted to do before they said
anything.
To specify a certain colour for Hajj is an act of bida'. To say that a person
cannot change his clothes and then does not do so when it is needed is also
an act of bida'.
Also, many people will tell you that you must make ghusl before making tawaf
and another one before going to Arafat, and another before going to
Muzdalifa, etc. The list goes on and on and there are some pretty weird
things that you will read about and you'd think, "No one's going to do that",
but I actually witnessed some of these misguided, ignorant acts. In the
information that I will type below, is the act of walking backwards out of
the Haram. I laughed the first time I read it and thought it was ridiculous,
no one would ever do it. Wrong! I did see some people doing it, and I
realized that it was out of a heightened respect for the Kaaba that they did
not want to even turn their backs on it. The niyyah was good, but we know
that our actions, our worship, should be based on Qur'an and Sunnah. We know
that one must not turn his back on the qiblah (direction of the Kaaba) during
Salaat, not while walking out of the Haram. There are many others acts and I
hope that those of you who are going for Hajj have a chance to read some of
these acts of bida' and avoid them in your own Hajj so that you will come out
of the experience with "Hajj Maqbul", an accepted Hajj.
The following is from the book, " Rites of Hajj and Umrah from Qur'an and
Sunnan and Narrations from the Pious Predecessors" by Sheikh Muhammed
Naasir-ud-Deen Al Albaani. It is an excellent book and for future reference,
I suggest that those intending to make the Hajj should read it. He tells you
the various steps of Hajj and what should be done and then the innovations
surrounding these steps. I will just give a few examples from each step or
mention the ones that I feel are quite common.
My comments are in brackets [ ].
Innovations Before Ihraam
Abstaining from travel in the month of Safar, and abstaining from beginning
any action such as marriage or constructing a building during that month.
Abstaining from cleaning the house and sweeping it because a traveller is
about to leave.
Giving adhaan upon departure of the pilgrims.
Some nations seeing off the pilgrims accompanied by music!
Travelling without provisions claiming that this is tawakkul (depending upon
Allah)!
A woman taking a non-related man as her " brother" so that he can be a mahram
for her, and then treating him as a mahram.
A woman travelling together with a group of trustworthy women - as they
claim- without a mahram - and similarly, travelling along with a man who is a
mahram for one of them - claiming that he is the mahram for all of them!
Innovations of Ihraam and Talbiyyah
(men) Wearing the ihraam under the right armpit and over the left upon
assuming ihraam.
Making intention by words [you're supposed to say it in your heart and not
out loud)
Performing Hajj silently, not speaking to anyone.
Making Talbiyyah ("Labaik Allahumma Labaik") in a group in once voice. [If
the people don't know it, then it is permissible for one person to say it and
the others follow, but if the people know it, they should say it
individually].
Making the sign of the cross in front of the House [the Kaaba].
Bathing for Tawaf.
The raising of the hands when touching the Black Stone as they are raised at
the beginning of prayer. Also, to call out while kissing of the Black Stone.
Placing the right hand upon the left while making tawaf
Saying in front of the door of the Kaaba:" O Allah, the House is your House
and the Sacred Area is Your Sacred Area, and the Safety is Your Safety)" ,
then pointing towards the Station of Abraham, peace be upon him, saying: "
And this is the place of the one who seeks Your refuge from the Fire." [The
point here being saying some specific dua that is not in Qur'an or Sunnah in
front of the door. Likewise, the book lists specific duas for touching the
Black stone, at the Iraqi corner, at the water spout, during the last 4
rounds of tawaf, etc. It does not mean that you cannot make dua, no. It means
that people are saying that there are certain specific duas to be said at
these places or during these acts and this is bida' as we never found the
Prophet, peace be upon him, doing this, nor the Sahabah]
Kissing the Yemeni corner [this is the yellow stone that is at the corner
before the Black Stone. You can touch it, but kissing is reserved for the
Black Stone only.] Likewise, it is also bida' to kiss the other two corners.
Wiping the walls of the Kaaba and the Station of Ibrahim. [I've seen people
do this and they also try to take threads from the black covering. They take
it home and almost worship them (these little threads)]
Bathing in Zamzam. [Don't laugh - seen this one, too, where the women will be
way in the back, take off their clothes and bathe in the water. It's not only
bida' - it's haraam to expose yourself like that.]
Being careful to drench their beards in Zamzam and also their money and
clothes in order to bless them.
Innovations of Sa'ee between Safaa and Marwah
Making wudu in order to walk between Safaa and Marwah with the claim that he
who does so has 70,000 ranks written for him for every step he takes.
Making dua when descending from Safaa, saying: " O Allah, make me act
according to the Sunnah of Your Prophet, and cause me to die upon his
religion, and protect me from the misleading trials, by Your Mercy, O Most
Merciful One." [Again, there is nothing wrong with the dua, but it is the
specification that it must be said when descending Safaa that makes it
bida'.]
Making fourteen circuits and thus finishing upon Safaa.
Doing sa'ee repetitively in Hajj or Umrah.
Praying two rakats after completing sa'ee.
Continuing to perform the Sa'ee between Safaa and Marwah after the iqaamah
has been given for prayer - so that they miss the prayer in congregation.
TO BE CONTINUED IN PART 4
And (remember) when We showed Ibrâhim (Abraham) the site of the (sacred)
House (saying):
" Associate not anything (in worship) with Me, and sanctify My House for
those, who circumambulate it, and for those who stand up for prayer, and
those who bow (submit themselves with humility and obedience to Allâh),
and make prostration (in prayer)"
- Qur'an Surah Al Hajj: 26
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