Completion of Devotions of Hajj

Completion of Devotions of Hajj

Surah ‘Al-Baqarah (The Cow) – Chapter – 2)

Stage – 1, Verses – 199 & 200a of 286, Section – 25 of 40 (Part - 2)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Then hasten on from the place from where the other people return, and ask forgiveness of Allah. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

Summa  ‘afiizuu  min  hay-su  ‘afaazan-naasu   wastagfiRUllaah. ‘InnAll-aaha  Gafuurur-Rahiim.

Lesson

Before Islam, the Quresh were guards of the Inviolable Place (BaytUllaah) during the period of ignorance and they used to say themselves Hams due to this reason. The common people used to stay in the Field of ‘Arafat during the days of Pilgrimage. But the Quresh used to remain in Muzdalfah because Muzdalfah is within the limits of Haram and ‘Arafat is out of its limits. They used to suppose that it was against their dignity and honor to proceed out of the limits of the Haram and contrary to the religious virtue to meet the public there. Holy Qur’an refuted their false conception. Allah Almighty has removed here these two main mistakes in which the world remained involved always, today too many people are involved in it after so much improvement.

·         National distinction and the racial superiority is nothing. The entire mankind are equal and uniform in the Court of Allah Almighty. If there is anything valuable in the Sight of Allah Almighty, that is fear of God and abstinence. So equation is compulsory, and it will be possible at that time when all national and racial distinctions are removed and the people of every race and color are dealt with equal behavior.

·         Destruction and ruin of the nations begins at the time when relationship among educated persons, the people of higher level and the public does not remain. They stop meeting with one another, while the educated people need strength and energy for their help. But when they will break their relation with the common people, will not mix up with them, then gradually they will be ruined automatically. And it should not be forgotten that the public needs guidance and the antidotes every time. When they will not have any Guide then they will go astray. Even then there will be no difference between them and animals.

Allah Almighty says in this verse that the entire people will live at one place and return from that place. As though, there will be no distinction and difference among them. Allah Almighty commands also: Beg for pardon of your sins. Renounce and beg for mercy and forgiveness. Promise that you will remain away from wrongdoings. Allah Almighty will forgive your sins and faults. He is the Forgiving and the Merciful.

And when ye have completed your devotions, then remember Allah as ye remember your fathers or with a more lively remembrance.

Fa-‘izaa  qa-zaytum- manaasika-kum  faz-kuRUllaaha  kazikrikum-   ‘aabaaa-‘akum  ‘aw   ‘ashadda  zikraa.

Lesson

Qa-zaytum – (you have completed) this word has been derived from the word Qazaa which means ‘to obey, to have completed, to carry out’ particularly after adoration (worship).

Ma-naasika-kum – (devotions of the Pilgrimage) ma-naasik means those customs and worship which belong to the Pilgrimage. In addition to ma-naasik these are also called Sha-‘aaa-‘ir (the Signs). This peculiar character is used only for Hajj Devotions.

It was a rule during the period of ignorance that the Pilgrims used to remain assembled in the Field of Minaa up to three days (10^th, 11^th and 12^th of Zul-Hijjah after completion of the Pilgrimage, mention about their tribes and ancestors, talk about their greatness-es and virtues. They used to assert proudly their dynasty magnificence. What is the advantage of mentioning grandeur of the ancestors?

Allah Almighty gives excellence and grandeur to the human being; He is the Creator of the entire creatures, the Lord for bringing up, bestowing the wisdom, understanding and knowledge, intelligence, philosophy, nobility and greatness, so all kinds of praises and admiration should be peculiar for Him only. Except Him, singing songs of grandeur and greatness for any other individual or thing and grading them as the worshiped is equal to plurality.  

As you see that from where the recitation regarding the Pilgrimage has begun, from there, it has been pressing on equation, fear of God Almighty, control on passions, humility and purification of the soul continuously. It is being preached again and again for the remembrance of God Almighty, worship, repentance and begging mercy or grace. All people are commanded to wear one kind of dress at the time of entering the limits of Haram. Then some lawful works are forbidden, which might intervene in this pathway. Many pleasant and favorite matters have been forbidden. It has been commanded to say at every step “Lab-baika  Allaahumma  Lab-baika  Lab-baika  Laa  Shariika  laka Lab-baika  ‘Innal  Hamda  wan-na’-mata  Laka  wal-Mulka  Laa Shariika laka”  

(Here I am, O Allah! Here I am, here I am – there is no partner for You, Here I am. Verily all praise for You, and every bounty is from You, and all dominion is Yours – You have no partner). It has been admonished to remember successive God Almighty. This characteristic of the worship is found only in Islam. 

 

We should listen to these orders, commands and instructions of Allah Almighty with close attention, act upon them, modify our lives, abstain from unlawful and illegal things, elevate His mention, invite the people towards the right path, grow God-fearing in ourselves, and establish an example becoming live pattern of advisable acts and good manners for the nations of the entire world.   

    

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif)