THEN…
"Hadrat Ibrahim bin Adham Rahamtullahi alaihi was on his way to Hajj on foot when someone asked him his destination. He answered that he was going to Hajj and so the man was surprised because on foot this would be an insurmountable journey and said, “But you need transportation for Hajj.” Hadrat Ibrahim bin Adham Rahamtullahi alaihi replied that he not only had a means of transportation but also had many such means.
The man was perplexed by this reply because he could not see any such mode of transport and asked Hadrat to show him. Hadrat Ibrahim bin Adham Rahamtullahi alaihi said: “When in difficulty I will rely on patience as my transportation, and when I am blessed I will use gratitude as my transport. During sorrow I will rely on inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon to carry me, and on La hawla wa la quwatta illa billa to carry me whenever combating nafs and Satan. If I encounter any circumstances of sin I have the vehicle of tawba to see me through. If someone bigger confronts me I will use the vehicle of Allahu Akbar, and I shall complete my Hajj using these different means at every point.”
*
A seeker studying under Hadrat Shibli Rahamtullahi alaihi appeared at a gathering after being absent for some time. Hadrat Shibli Rahamtullahi alaihi asked where he had been and so this young man answered that he had just returned from Hajj. The following is the conversation that ensued.
Hadrat Shibli : “When you took off your clothes in order to don the ihram, did you also make intention of stripping the clothes of sin from your body?”
Student : “No I did not make such an intention.”
Hadrat Shibli : “Did you make intention to present your whole body and soul in front of Allah when you said Labbaik?”
Student : “No I did not make such an intention.”
Hadrat Shibli : “During tawaf did you realize that you were touching the Right Hand of Allah when you greeted Hajr-e-Aswad with your salams?”
Student : “No I did not realize any such thing.”
Hadrat Shibli : “Did you feel that you were hugging the Messenger of Allah when you hugged the draperies of the Kaaba?”
Student : “No I did not feel that.”
Hadrat Shibli : “When you passed by the door of the Kaaba did you beseech your Lord like a beggar beseeches a king?
Student : “No I did not beseech Him like that.”
Hadrat Shibli : “Did you make intention for total and sincere repentance from all your sins no matter how small when you were at Arafat?”
Student : “No I did not make such a strong intention.”
Hadrat Shibli : “Did you make firm intention to make Satan your mortal enemy when you stoned the devils?”
Student : “No I did not make an intention like that.”
Hadrat Shibli : “Did you make intention to sacrifice your nafs and desires for the sake of Allah when you performed the animal sacrifice?”
Student : “No I did not make an intention like that. I only sacrificed the animal.”
Hadrat Shibli : “Did you see the Beloved when you performed the Tawaf-e-Ziyarah?”
Student : “No I did not see anything like that.”
Closing this discussion Hadrat Shibli Rahamtullahi alaihi said to the young man, “My dear child, you have not performed Hajj. You should don the ihram anew next year as if you are going for the first time and perform Hajj exactly as I have taught you.”
These are just some examples of the vast difference between the Hajj of the common man and that of the auliyaa (Friends of Allah). We should all learn lessons from the lives of these magnanimous people and try to implement these ways in our lives.
Read here for the article, The Urgency of Hajj, by Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmed (bd) the above is from. The same link also has an Urdu audio option.
NOW….
The "Hajj flu" is greeting many pilgrims as well as the locals. One report stated that of the 26,000 Malaysians here this year already 11,607 have been given treatment as out patients, with 60 hospitalized and five deaths.
This is a report, just released, on infections related to Hajj.
We are experiencing very cold mornings and evenings, with many visibly feeling how temperatures in a desert environment can drop so low during winter. I think the shops selling warm clothing and blankets are extremely happy. As are many other traders.
Then there are others who suffer in a different way. Or abuse the system.
This year the authorities are promising extremely strict measures for all those within the Kingdom, (locals and expats) who in the past would perform a "sneak" or "illegal" Hajj, myself included! It has been estimated that last year 1.29 million performed Hajj without any official permits.
Arabic papers have drawn attention to how many Bedouins who know the harsh terrain surrounding Makkah, use Hajj as a time to smuggle pilgrims in for substantial sums of money. The following was reported the other day, as well as alerting hopeful illegal pilgrims to the fact that any body without a valid permit, even if they do manage to get through checkpoints, will be asked to show their permits on the way to the Jamarat, and turned away of they do not have the correct permit. Also, over the past few years small tents pitched on any available space, (I even saw them inside the ablution blocks in the past!!) are banned this year. It remains to be seen how all of these rules will be enforced. And how the usual loop holes will be manipulated.
The following links are inspiring and informative about the ritual of Hajj. I post them for all who may not be here physically for this Hajj, but whose hearts will be spiritually with the millions seeking all the rewards of a Hajj Mabroor, enacting the journey to the Hereafter. Also Imam Zaid Shakir clearly elucidates the importance of fasting the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. May this be a time for the entire Ummah to unite as one, just as we witness the realization of this human potential with the coming together of pilgrims from every corner of the globe.
http://www.sacredlearning.org/classrooms/hajj/index.htm
mp3 format series
This classroom is dedicated to lectures covering both the inner and outer aspects of Hajj and Umrah, from waiting for the days of Hajj, to preparing for the Hajj and the journey, to the Hajj itself, to carrying over the benefits of Hajj & Umrah in our lives. While these lectures were focused on Hajj and Umrah, many of the lessons and principles discussed are relevant to everyday life.
http://www.islam786.org/hajjumrah.htm
http://www.islam786.org/hajjwithmyshaykh.htm
May this be a time when Allah Ta’ala’s Mercy heals hearts and wounds, showering His Justice where it is needed most, along with rains where needed the most, balance where needed the most; nurturing security, harmony and love in every heart of every Muslim. May He grant safety and Ridwaan for all the Hujjaj, accepting their efforts and pleading, as a means to uplift the state of the Ummah of our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen.