Remember God through the Appointed Days

Remember God through the Appointed Days

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

Stage – 1, Verses –203a  of 286, Section – 25 of 40 (Part - 2)

BisMIllaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim

In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

And remember Allah through the appointed days.

Waz-kurUllaaha  fiii  ‘ayyaa-mim-ma’-duudaat.

Lesson

‘Ayaa-mim-ma’-duudaat – (some appointed days) ‘ayyaam is plural of the yawm which means ‘a day’ and ma’-duudaat is from ‘adad (number, calculation). These two words indicate towards the 10^th, 11^th and 12^th the dates of Zul-Hijjah. Idiomatically these days are called also as ‘ayyaa-min tash-riiq. Tash-riiq means “to teach; how to sacrifice”. The cattle are sacrificed in these days.

As we have discussed earlier that the entire Pilgrims remain in ‘Arafat with effect from Zuhar prayer till before sunset on 9^th Zul-Hijjah. They begin to return from there till the time of sunset, stay at night in Muzdalfah. Next day (on 10^th Zul-Hijjah) they reach Minaa, which is four miles from Makkah Mo-‘azmah towards north-west. It was a plain field during old times. Now many strong and majestic buildings have been constructed here. During the days of Pilgrimage, the Pilgrims hire these buildings on very high rates and this place remains in full bloom. During these days, very great market is established here. Everything of the world can be purchased from this market. The Pilgrims remain here till evening of the 12^th Zul-Hijjah, perform here many duties and follow the practice of the last Messenger of Allah Almighty (grace, glory, blessings and peace be upon Him) relating to the Pilgrimage, for example – sacrifice the animals, shave their heads, throw the small stone balls over the Satans and undress their ‘Ihraam, wear normal dress.

It has been commanded in this verse, “Remember God Almighty as much as you can in these days, engage yourselves in His worship and remembrance. There is a particular form to remember Allah Almighty that every Pilgrim should throw seven small stone balls over the Big Stone (Jumrah ‘Uqbaa) along with saying ‘Allaahu ‘Akbar on throwing every small stone ball on 10^th of Zul-Hijjah.  The correct time for throwing the stone balls starts from the dawn of the day. Likewise; throw seven small stone balls over all the three stones (Sha-yaa-tiin) one by one on 11^th and 12^th of Zul-Hijjah, but on those stones the small stone balls will be thrown when the sun will be going to set. After that, the Pilgrims are permitted to go to Makkah. 

    

As you saw that since the recitation about Hajj and its commands has begun, Holy Qur’an has lain stress on remembrance of Allah Almighty again and again. Thus the best source of satisfaction of the heart and purity of the soul is in remembrance of the God Almighty also. And it has special relation with the Pilgrimage. From all around the world, the people of different races and temperaments assemble here at one place. Difficulties of the journey, troubles of the foreign country, recollection of the native land, separation from the members of the family, these entire are the matters from which, it is sure that every human being can be confused. In the gatherings like these, using harsh words and conflicts with one another is a common thing, but there is no chance of such matters during the Pilgrimage.

God Almighty commanded that the Pilgrims should pay attention on only one thing, forgetting the entire labors and that is “remembrance of Allah Almighty”, obey Him, remain busy in listening and causing to hear His Orders to others, remain engaged in His Praise, forget everything in abundance Praise of God Almighty.              

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)