Chapter Four : The Third Stage Of The Hajj

Chapter Four : The Third Stage of the Hajj

Third Stage: The third stage is going from Makkah and Madinah back to one's hometown.

The responsibilities at this stage are much more difficult than they were at the first and second level, since it is at this level that one's responsibilities become just like those of the Prophet of Allah :

"Those who convey the messages of Allah." ⁴⁰

In the first and second stage, one was busy with self-building, but at this stage, one must work on building others. Although the act of enlightening others is dependant upon self-building, however, this task is so difficult that the Noble Prophet Muhammad (as) has said :

"Surah Hud made my beard white from the point where it was revealed, Continue then in the right way as you are commanded, as also he who has turned (to Allah) with you (O' Muhammad)'." ⁴¹

Self-building has also been mentioned in Sarah al-Shuara where it says :

"Continue then in the right way as you are commanded." ⁴²

However, that which caused the beard of the Prophet to turn white was the command to build others :

"... as also he who has turned towards Allah with you (O' Muhammad)."

After returning from Makkah and Madina, the Hajji must convey that which he has brought with him (his self-building) to others through his actions. His speech, actions, manner and disposition must be an example for others, and this is truly the best gift that one can bring back for the rest of the people.

The Hajji must inform others of the importance of Salat by performing it right when the time sets in, reciting it in the Masjid, in congregation (Jamaat), and paying attention to the overall importance of it.

Without doubt, that Hajji who is not concerned about the Salat, such that the time for it sets in, but one is absorbed in making a living, has truly not experienced the Hajj. The Qur'an speaks to people like this and curses them by saying: Curse be on you - you are not a Hajji -rather, you are not even a Muslim!'

"So then woe to those who pray - those of them who are heedless of the Saldt." ⁴³

Paying attention to all of the acts which are obligatory (Wajib), namely paying Khums and those things which are forbidden such as not taking interest, not taking bribes, not selling less that what one takes money for, not selling things for more than their worth, not to hoard or cheat in business transactions and... are some one the traits that one must bring back from the Hajj as gifts.

One must enliven into the hearts of others things such as paying importance to those acts that are obligatory and staying away from sins.

That Hajji who after returning from Hajj stops paying Khums is not only not regarded as a Hajji, but from the point of the Qur'an, is a polytheist (Mushrik) and a disbeliever (Kafir) :

And woe to the polytheists: those who do not give poor-rate and do not believe in the hereafter." ⁴⁴

The woman who has just returned from Makkah and Madinah after the Hajj must improve her hijab, and make it the same as the hijab of Fatimah az-Zahra (as) so that her covering is an example and model not only for herself, but also for others.

That woman who has gone to Makkah but returns without the gift of the hijab of Fatimah az-Zahra (as) for others and continues to wear her hijdb in a wrong manner, or does not wear the hijab at all, has trampled over more than ten verses of the Qur'an and her Hajj was nothing more than troubles to herself.

Yes! The Muslim man and woman, after completing the Hajj must through his and her Islamic etiquette - both amongst their household and amidst the people - be practical propagators of the faith.

Forgiveness and absolution, dedication and sacrifice should be their mottoes and others must be able to benefit from these maxims, just as the Qur'an has repeatedly mentioned :

"Let him who has abundance, spend out of his abundance and whoever has his means of suhsistence straitened to him, let him spend out of that which Allah has given him." ⁴⁵

The Hajji must be an example for others. How difficult this third level truly is, however the rewards are just as great!

And whoever keeps (one person) alive, it is as though he kept alive all of mankind.' ⁴⁶

The one thing that a man and woman who have returned from Hajj must always keep in mind at the third stage is that the Hajjis accountability before Allah , the Ahl al-Bait (as) and the people is much different than that of the accountability that the common people' have.

For the Hajji, Allah and the Ahl al-Bait (as) open another book of accounts' in the same way that the common people look at the one who has returned from Hajj in a different light.

Prophet Adam (as), did nothing more than a tark-e-Awla (not performing something that was better, rather performing something good' in its place), but since he was one of the chosen' people and this tark-e-Awla was not appropriate for one with such a holy spirit, thus he was addressed as such :

"Get down from here (you two), one of you being an enemy to the other." ⁴⁷

He was expelled from that high status (Jannah) to the lower status (this world).

Even with the status and position that Prophet Yusuf the Truthful (as) held, and with all the high marks that he scored in his tests, still he spent close to ten extra years in prison just for seeking help from other than Allah (swt).

"So then he spent some more years in the prison." ⁴⁸

Prophet Yusuf (as) did not commit a sin, since he was immune from committing sins (masum), but it was this tark-e-Awla that he performed which was not befitting for one at his status, and thus he was forced to spend an ten extra years in prison.

There are many more stories like this in the Qur'an that are examples for the men and women who have returned from Hajj.

If a woman who has returned from Hajj - through her actions and the way she carries herself or by not wearing the hijab or not observing it in the proper way, lowers the (value of the) Hajj amongst the people, then her sin is so great, that it is beyond our comprehension whether repentance can absolve her (of her sin) or not.

If a man, through his etiquette and not staying away from sins, especially those which are the Haq al-Nas meaning those sins which are related to the rights of others, or through not paying proper attention to the Salat, or utter disregard of the Mimbar and Mihrab such that the people consider what he is doing to be permitted, leads the people to think that this Hajji has returned from Allah however (due to his actions) the magnificence of the Hajj is removed from their hearts, then his sin is so great that the Qur'an mentions that it is comparable to murdering all of humanity :

"Whoever slays a soul, unless it be for manslaughter or for mischief in the land, it is as though he slew all men; and whoever keeps it alive, it is as though he kept alive all men.'' ⁴⁹

In the completion of our discussion, I would request every man and woman who has been blessed with this great opportunity, and who is now being addressed with the name Hajji' that each and every day you read the above mentioned noble verse of the Qur'an to yourself, and remember the meaning of the verse just as Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (as), has taught it.

Make yourself a living example of this noble verse of the Qur'an (the verse quoted above), continuously repeat it, and say to yourself, I am that person which, from the view point of the Qur'an and the explanation of Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (as) that if I give life to one person through my speech, acts or performance in propagation (of the religion), then 1 am like as that person who has saved the entire humanity.

However, if through my speech, actions or the way I carry myself, I cause even one person to be lead astray, and have reduced the (worth of the) Hajj, and reduced the (worth of the) religion in that person's heart, then and I am just like person who has killed all of those in the world.'

I pray to the Maintainer of the Universe for the success of everyone in this spiritual and celestial travel (performing the Hajj in its true essence) under the shadow of the close watch of Imam Wali al- Asr, may Allah (SWT) hasten his noble return.

Chapter Five : Talbiyyah upon wearing the Ihram

"I am present, O' Allah, I am present. I am present, no partners do you have, I am present. Verily the Praise and Bounties and the Kingdom is for you, no partners do you have. I am present, O' High, I am present. I am present, O' one who calls towards Heaven, I am present. I am present O' Forgiver of sins, I am present. I am present O' One who owns my presence, I am present. I am present O' Mighty and Generous, I am present. I am present O' You who first created and to whom all will return, I am present. I am present O' One who is free from want and to whom all turn for their needs, I am present. I am present O' who is feared and to whom there is inclination, I am present. I am present, O' true God, I am present. I am present O' the One with Grace, Excellence, Goodness and Beauty, I am present. I am present O' one who averts major calamities, I am present. I am present Your servant and the son of Your servant, I am present. I am present O' Generous, I am present."

Chapter Six : Sketch of the Ka'bah and Sections Related to the Hajji

1. The Black Stone

Start and finish your Tawaf at the Black Stone. The Holy Prophet says that he who does Tawaf of the House at noon with his head bare, bare-foot, making his steps short, closing his eyes (overlooking, disregarding others) and touching the Black Stone in every round he makes, without hurting anyone nor cutting short his praise and glorifying of Allah, will be rewarded for each step he makes with seventy thousand good deeds. Seventy thousand of his evils will be wiped off; his rank will be increased by seventy thousand grades; he will be given the reward as if seventy thousand slaves, each whose price is ten thousand dirhams were freed on his behalf; seventy of his family members would be cured of any sickness, and seventy thousand of his needs would be granted -sooner or later.

The Holy Prophet (s) said: "Touch the corner (in which the Black Stone rests) for it is the right hand of Allah amongst his creation with which he greets His servants a greeting of a slave (or man). It will be witness to the loyal."

It is recommended to kiss it, if not possible touch it; and if not possible then to point at it (make a gesture).

2. Maqam-e Ibrahim

Allah says: "Appoint for yourselves a place for prayer on the standing place of Ibrahim. " It is enough to note that the preference of this place is symbolized by bearing the name of this great Prophet. His rank is one of the most perfect due to the fact that he spent the whole of his life, his family's and the whole of his wealth for the sake of Tawhid and keeping firm Allah's signs by building the Ka'bah at the centre of His House.

3. Hijr Isma'il

This is his (Ismail's) house. He and his mother were buried in there. Halabi narrates from Imam as-Sadiq (as) saying: I asked him concerning Hijr Ismail and said: You call it the smashed (smasher) but it was for Isma il's sheep (and goats). His mother was buried in there and denied access to anyone, for he did not like it to be walked on. " Other Prophets are buried in this place also.

Imam al-Baqir (as) said: "The place (around) between the Rukn (corner) and the Maqam is full of graves of Prophets" Imam Sadiq (as) says that seventy prophets were buried between Rukn al Aimani and Hajar al-Aswad. As such, when at this place, you should perform the Ziyarat of Isma'il , his mother and the prophets.

It is recommended to put on Ihram of Hajj at-Tamattu at the Hijr facing Mizab al-Rahmah which is a place of supplication and asking for Allah's Mercy.

4. Mizab-e-Rahma

It is recommended to face the Mizab and supplicate as narrated by Ayyub from Imam Musa ibn Ja'far (as) which can be found in the various books of supplication related to the Hajj.

5. Shadharwan

This is the remaining part at the foundation of the House's wall.

6. Mustajar

The place which is opposite the Ka'bah is called Mustajar, Mutawwadh or Multazam. There are many traditions in preference of the place. Imam 'Ali (as) says: "Confess in recognition of the sins you recall at Multazam."

It is narrated that he who does this and repents for all his sins, Allah will definitely forgive him. In one of the books, it is said that at Multazam, Imam Sadiq (as) used to tell his companions to give him time that he could confess and disclose his "sins" to his Lord saying that the place was of a very high spiritual preference.

In another tradition it is said that when Prophet Adam (as) was at this place, the Angel Jibra'il told him to disclose his "sins" to the Lord. Prophet Adam (as) did so and his "sins" were forgiven. Prophet Adam (as) then asked Him to forgive his son(s) (or his descendants) for their sins. Allah answered back saying that He could only forgive those who went and repented at that spot.

It is recommended for one in his seventh round or after Tawaf to spread out his hands, touch, and let his body and cheek touch the House and recite the supplications that Imam Sadiq (as) used to recite in this place.

7. Hatwim

This is the place between the door of the Holy Ka'bah and Hajar al-Aswad. It is one of the holy places and it is upon one to ask for forgiveness at this place. He should pray, supplicate and cling to the curtains of the Ka'bah for at this place, great and major sins are completely destroyed and smashed. This is the reason of calling the place by this name smasher. In other traditions it is said that it is the place where Adam (as) was forgiven of his sins.

8. al-Rukn al-Aimani

The place opposite the Black stone behind the House is the one is called al-Rukn al-Aimani (the right-hand side corner). There are many traditions that have been narrated in preference of this place to an extent that perplexes and boggles the mind. The Holy Prophet said: "Whenever I come to at this point I find that Jibra'il is already there before me."

Imam Ja'far (as) said: "The Rukn al-Aimana is our gate to paradise."

He also said: "In this place, is one of the doors of paradise that has never been closed since it was opened. There is a river from paradise in which deeds of the servants are dropped. " He continued by saying: "There is an angel who has been stationed at this point since the creation of the heavens and the earth whose duty is nothing other than to take care of your supplications. As such one must be careful with what he is saying. One should make use of his presence at this holy place as Possible and should not waste time doing things that are of less importance."

9. al-Rukn al-Iraf

This corner is named as such since it faces towards Iraq - south east.

10. al-Rukn al-Shamh

It is recommended to touch all the corners according to the narration from Jamil bin Salih that he saw Imam Sadiq (as) touching them all.

All the same, it is stressed to touch Rukn al-Aimani and the corner where the Black Stone rests. It is understood from traditions that the Holy Prophet; used to touch them all. Of course, all this depends on the fact that you don't disturb other people around you otherwise the recommended act loses authenticity and if anything it could even be haram (forbidden).

The Rukn al-Sharqi (Eastern Corner) is where the Black stone rests while Rukn ash-Shimali (Northern Corner) is the one which comes after the Holy Ka'bah's door before reaching Hijr Isma'il. It is well known as Rukn al-Iraqi (it is also called Rukn ash-Shami).

Rukn al-Gharbi (Western Corner) is the one that comes after Hijr Isma'il (also called Rukn ash-Shami). Rukn al-Junubi (Southern Corner) is the one that comes before the Black Stone corner (also known as Rukn al-Aimani).
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40 Surah al-Ahzab (33), Verse 39

41 Surah Hud (11), Verse 112

42 Surah al-Shuara (26), Verse 15

43 Surah al-Ma'un (107), Verse 4-5

44 Surah al-Fusilat (41), Verse 6-7

45 Surah al-Talaq (65), Verse 7

46 Surah al-Ma'idah (5), Verse 32

47 Surah al-Baqarah (2), Verse 36

48 Surah Yusuf (12), Verse 42

49 Surah al-Maidah (5), Verse 32.