Days of Hajj and ethical limitations

Days of Hajj and ethical limitations

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

Stage – 1, Verse – 197a of 286, Section – 25 of 40 (Part - 2)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

  

The Pilgrimage is (in) the well-known months, and whoever is minded to perform the Pilgrimage therein (let him remember that) there is (to be) no lewdness nor abuse nor angry conversation on the Pilgrimage.

‘Al-Hajju  ‘ash-hurum- ma’- luumaat.   Faman- faraza  fiihin-nal- Hajja  falaa  rafasa  wa   laa fusuuqa,   wa  laa jidaala  fil-Hajj.

Lesson

‘Ash-hur – (the months) Shawwal, Zii-qadah and ten days of Dhul-Hijjah (three months of Lunar Calendar) have been set for Hajj (Pilgrimage). Actual Columns (Arkaan) of the Hajj are performed during the second week of Dhul-Hijjah. But making a vow of the Pilgrimage (preparatory to entrance into Makkah) begins two months in advance from the month of Shawwal. The ‘Ihraam (the garment worn by the Pilgrims on entering the limits of Haram (Meeqaat) is required to be worn by every Pilgrim. This Dress is two unstitched sheets.

Imam Abu Hanifah (God’s Mercy be upon him) says: The Pilgrim can make a vow of the Pilgrimage (wear ‘Ihraam) as and when he wishes, but it is disapproved for the Pilgrimage before the month of Shawwal. According to him (God’s Mercy be upon him), it is lawful also to wear the ‘Ihraam before the month of Shawwal because it is not the pillar of the Pilgrimage; but a condition only for the Pilgrimage.     

Faraza  fiihin-nal- Hajja – (while anybody is minded to perform the Pilgrimage therein), that is to say; someone has intended to perform the Pilgrimage during the season of Hajj and has made the Pilgrimage incumbent upon himself properly. Practical Sign for (must have to perform) the Hajj is to wear the ‘Ihraam (garment worn by the Pilgrims on entering into Makkah).   

Rafasa - (to be shameless and dress-less before the woman), here it aims, “To talk specified conversation with the wife in the private chamber”.

Fusuuqa  - (to commit a sin), it aims all types of sins, little or big like abusing, depravity, immorality, sensuality, debauch.

Jidaala – (to quarrel), like angry conversation, beating, argument, dispute, calling names and accosting with impolite words.

Some necessary commands regarding Pilgrimage have been prescribed in this verse. The months of Hajj have been fixed and three matters have been told to refrain from them during this period:

·         Sensual intercourse and lewdness with one’s wife is entirely forbidden, as far as bringing the sensual/sexual thoughts on the tongue are prohibited also. As it was commanded that you should abstain from some lawful matters during the fasting, likewise it has been commanded also that you should keep up the cleanliness and chastity during the tenure of Hajj.

·         Every person should refrain from the little and the big sins. It is clear that at that time when many lawful acts become unlawful in the form of ‘Ihraam (after wearing the garment of the Pilgrimage) then it was necessary that the Pilgrims should be instructed strictly to refrain from all other sins.

·         Every Pilgrim should abstain from all kinds of quarrels. The people of every age, kind and nature come from all parts of the world at the time of Pilgrimage. During such types of situations anyone can incline towards sinfulness and quarrels. So, Allah Almighty forbade in advance from all those matters, so that, the chastity and endurance power may grow into the Muslims.

  

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)